A Michigan underwater log recovery permit application:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-wat...2096_7.pdf

The cost of the permit is only $500.  The study required will cost more, but is not insurmountable.  The value of each recovered log is less than those found in Brazil, but sales and marketing should be faster and easier.  Michigan is doing its best to streamline the permitting process and encourages interested parties to consider underwater logging.