Environmental Monitoring in Bay City, MI

Airports & LAANC Zones

• MBS — Saginaw-Midland-Bay City International Airport (Class D airspace, located approximately 8 NM south in Freeland, primary airport for the Tri-Cities area with commercial and general aviation)
• BWC — James Clements Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, located within Bay City, handles general aviation for the Bay City area)
• HYX — Coleman Municipal Airport (Class E airspace, approximately 20 NM north in Midland County, small GA facility)

Restricted Airspace

• Bay City is near Class D airspace centered on MBS International Airport (MBS), located approximately 8 NM south in Freeland. The Class D surface area extends approximately 4.5 NM radius from MBS up to 3,000 feet AGL. Most of Bay City is outside the Class D surface area. James Clements Municipal Airport (BWC) within Bay City is a small GA facility without Class D airspace. Operators should check the FAA B4UFLY app for specific boundaries. Most of Bay City is in Class E uncontrolled airspace.
• The Saginaw River corridor is a major infrastructure and environmental consideration. The Saginaw River flows through the heart of Bay City and is a major commercial shipping channel connecting to Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. The river corridor has industrial facility, shipping, and environmental monitoring considerations. The Lafayette Bridge over the Saginaw River is a major infrastructure asset with an ongoing reconstruction project. Operations near the river corridor should coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Michigan EGLE.
• The I-75 and US-10 highway corridors are major infrastructure assets. MDOT Bay Region manages state highway infrastructure in the area. The Lafayette Bridge reconstruction project over the Saginaw River is a major construction project. The Center Avenue and Water Street corridors have ongoing commercial and residential development. The Bay County Road Commission has an active construction and infrastructure inspection program. The 2024 Master Plan Update, approved by the Bay City Commission in October 2024, guides rezoning and economic development.
• Bay City is home to the McLaren Bay Region hospital campus, the Delta College campus nearby, and the downtown commercial district along Center Avenue and Water Street. The hospital campus has medical facility and privacy considerations. The downtown commercial district has dense retail and residential development, including the historic Bay City Antique Row. Operations near the campus and downtown area should coordinate with facility management and the Bay City Downtown Development Authority.
• The Saginaw Bay shoreline and the Bay City State Park have recreational and environmental considerations. The Bay City State Park and the Tobico Marsh have environmental monitoring demand. The Saginaw Bay watershed is one of the largest freshwater watersheds in Michigan. Operations near the shoreline should coordinate with the Michigan DNR. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the Saginaw River navigation channel and the shipping infrastructure. The Riverview Apartments project (90 residential units and two storefronts) is a major residential development with $220 million in approved state investment.

Local Ordinances

Bay City operates under the Michigan Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act (Public Act 451 of 2016, MCL 259.301 et seq.) which preempts local regulation of drone flight paths and navigable airspace. The City of Bay City requires a business license for commercial drone operators. Drone takeoff and landing in city parks and state parks requires coordination with the Bay City Parks and Recreation Department and the Michigan DNR, including Bay City State Park, Wenona Beach, and the Riverwalk Trail system. Operations near the Saginaw River shipping channel should coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operations near MBS International Airport Class D airspace require LAANC authorization. Commercial operators should carry minimum $1M liability insurance for aerial imaging projects.