OurMichiganParks.org

From the Mining Journal:

A license proposal that would charge Michigan drivers an optional $10 on license plate renewals could provide a great deal of new funding for Michigan State parks.

“What we’ve been hearing (is) as soon as they get through the budget, they plan to take it up,” said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “I don’t know if they’ll try and run it concurrent or they’ll wait until they get through the budget process

“It was the Citizens Parks Advisory Committee that really looked at a number of different funding models and they’ve been really the pushers and movers behind this legislation,” Humphries said. “They went out and got the bill sponsors for it and they’ve been really advocating for this whole Parks Passport System.”

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From the Traverse City Record-Eagle :

Rob and Danetta Johnson drove to the area from their Flint home to rest and relax at Forks State Forest Campground along the Boardman River.

They found the gate locked, and a notice said the state couldn’t afford to fund the eight-site campground this year. Disappointed, the Johnsons instead drove to town and set up camp at Traverse City State Park.

"The parks are here for everyone, so long as they’re not closing them," Rob Johnson said.

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From the Lansing State Journal:

The funding change [Chuck] Nelson helped devise is designed to attract more visitors and raise more revenue for a park system that supporters say is at the breaking point financially.

The proposal is modeled after Montana, where 75 percent of motor vehicle registrants pay an extra $4 to support state parks and fishing sites. Washington state enacted a similar system last month.

“It’s entirely voluntary. It’s been a huge success here in Montana,” said Tom Reilly, assistant administrator of Montana’s park division.

But in Michigan, the concept is hitting resistance.

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From Kirk Heinze, News/Talk 760 WJR:

Many of us just spent a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in one of our wonderful state parks. For a goodly number of Michiganians (and others from outside our borders), trips to our state parks have been a family tradition for generations.

We have 98 state parks in our state. They encompass almost 300,000 acres and contribute about $650 million to our economy. And they draw between 21-22 million visitors each year. In most economic impact studies, tourism is cited as the #2 or #3 most important industry in Michigan. We must ensure that our state parks are maintained and operated in a way that will continue to attract visitors for decades to come. If you agree, call or email your legislators today and urge their support for Senate Bills 388 and 389 and House Bills 4677 and 4678.

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