It has taken a year and half of political wrangling, but a smart proposal for funding Michigan state parks finally is law. A four-bill package was signed Wednesday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The bills create a state park passport that will go into effect in October. The passport will do away with daily entry fees for Michigan residents and reduce the cost of annual admission from $24 to $10.

It wasn’t an easy passage. The Chamber of Commerce and transportation lobby opposed it. Speaker of the House Andy Dillon held it up over the holidays, reportedly to help an old college buddy, now a transportation lobbyist.

But in the end, wiser heads prevailed.

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Some local lawmakers championed a smart idea for fixing this problem — a “Parks Passport” plan that would change the $24 annual fee system to a $10 fee on license plates for Michigan residents who opt in to the plan.

The Passport plan got shoved aside in December by House Speaker Andy Dillon, who said lawmakers needed to concentrate on school reforms. But he also pledged that the legislation could come back to life this month.

Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, and others spearheading this idea should hold him to that promise. This legislation deserves to pass, and promptly.

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A proposal to change parks funding from a $24 annual fee to a $10 fee for parks users attached to license plates seemed to be enjoying bipartisan support until end-of-the-year marathon legislative sessions cut off the plan at the knees — for 2009 at least.

Republican State Sen. Patty Birkholz, who co-wrote the legislation along with Ann Arbor Democratic Rep. Rebekah Warren, said she was shocked to hear Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon wanted to put the breaks on the legislation late last week.

Birkholz said she managed to negotiate a deal with Dillon that would allow a ready-to-go proposal be introduced at the start of the 2010 session in January and the old system would be allowed to expire after three months.

Birkholz said Dillon agreed not to oppose the new bill.

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Giving Michiganders easy, affordable access to their 98 state parks and 77 state boat launches — that’s reason enough for the state to adopt a pending “Parks Passport” plan, where just $10 buys an annual vehicle pass.

But here’s another, equally appealing objective: raising millions of dollars to improve a valuable parks system that has been falling into disrepair for years.

Legislators should pass the plan, which has the support of the Department of Natural Resources, and the governor should sign it.

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From Howard Meyerson of the Grand Rapids Press:

Twelve state forest campgrounds are slated for closure this month, according to Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials.

The closures come in response to budget cuts sought by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Her executive order this week cut state funding by $221,864,600. The DNR’s budget was cut by $572,900. Granholm sought to trim general fund programs. Only 4 percent of the DNR’s budget comes from state tax dollars.

“No one likes to make cuts, but we have to live in our time,” said Brenda Curtis, the DNR state forest campground program manager. “Everyone is impacted.”

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A Michigan Senate panel has voted to eliminate entrance fees for state parks and instead give motorists the option of paying $10 more in annual vehicle registration fees.

It now costs $6 daily and $24 annually to use state parks.

A Michigan license plate would provide unlimited access to parks. Random checks against vehicle registrations could lead to fines against visitors who hadn’t paid the $10.

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I love it when a good idea gains traction — especially when it is simple and efficient. Better still when it can help protect natural places. All the better when it can save us money.

That’s what’s happening in Lansing with a bill to fund state parks, state forest recreation and local parks.

State parks were set aside to provide a public land legacy for future generations. We might use them, but with our support, they will be there for the next generation.

Those who care not, pay not. It doesn’t get much simpler.

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Michigan’s state parks and recreation areas are among its prime attractions. But they are falling into disrepair because they lack a stable and sustainable source of funding. A proposal to eliminate park entrance fees in favor of a $10 surcharge on annual vehicle registration could lure more visitors to the facilities and raise more money for their upkeep. It’s a revenue stream that could be a lifesaver for state parks.

Michigan’s parks draw millions of tourists to the state who fuel the economy by patronizing local shops, restaurants and businesses. A stable source of funds to help better maintain our state parks system is a good investment.

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Sitting still doesn’t sit well with the members of the Citizens Advisory Committee for State Parks. And so they don’t. You gotta love ‘em.

They were convened by the legislature to advise it on long-range state park funding matters. The committee developed a smart, forward-thinking proposal last November that is now languishing.

It does away with the $24 annual and $6 daily entry fees at 98 state parks, as well as 1,007 state-run boating access sites. It replaces the higher fees with a $9 fee added to license plate renewals for everyone. Those who do not want to support parks can opt-out and get their $9 back.

Best of all, it would provide funding for state parks, local parks and state forest recreation programs — all which need it badly.

Their very viable proposal is one the legislature should take seriously. It belongs in a portfolio of long-range funding options for the DNR.

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