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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A frequent user of state parks, Kris Dewitt of Holt likes nothing better than to bait a fishing line, cast it and reel in a prize catch.

Dewitt, 27, said he thinks the new fee would prove to be a good way to encourage more use of state parks.

“It would be great,” said Scott Przystas, 23, of Dimondale, who runs several triathlons in state parks each year. “Hopefully, they would use the parks a little bit more, which would hopefully stimulate our economy.”

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