Michigan’s state park and forest recreation system: status and future funding Dr. Chuck Nelson Dept. Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies Michigan State University March 31, 2009

Current Michigan Park System 98 state park and recreation areas on 285,000 acres Clearly signed properties Clearly defined boundaries Crown jewels of Michigan purposefully acquired including some from state forest system 100 campgrounds with 13,000 + sites mostly modern Other lodging including lodges, cabins, tepees and yurts 880 miles non-motorized trails 1% of 6,200 mile designated snowmobile trail system 0% of 3,107 mile designated ORV trail system 1 major ORV scramble area 200,000 acres open to hunting

Current MI State Forest System 3.9 million acres of state forest Unsigned properties Boundaries defined to public by absence of no trespassing signs ¾ tax reverted lands, 20% hunter dollars, 5% grant programs 880 miles non-motorized pathways 242 miles equestrian oriented Shore-to-Shore Riding-Hiking Trail 142 state forest campgrounds with 2,500 rustic sites Includes horse trail camps, ORV oriented campgrounds, canoe camps 73% of 3,107 mile designated ORV trail system 1 major and two minor ORV scramble areas 50% of 6,200 miles designated snowmobile trail system 3.8 million acres open to hunting

Current Funding General tax dollars once provided for most of the capital improvement and operations funds Today, those general tax dollars are obligated elsewhere Medical care for indigant Welfare Higher education Corrections Other minor uses State Police, etc. Less than 1% on Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Been eating our “seed corn” in natural resources Spending almost all funds on operations to run the show, collect revenue Little on capital improvement, renovation, major maintenance Catching up to us with deteriorating, dangerous infrastructure

Funding in 2009 State parks Camping, motor vehicle entry permit, state oil/gas royalties, state park endowment fund income No general tax dollars since 2004 State forests Motorized trail activities reasonably well funded ORV license for resident and non-resident Snowmobile registrations, trail permit (res. and non-res.), state gasoline sales taxes State forest campgrounds Camping fees, general fund State forest non-motorized trails (pathways) Recreation Improvement Fund (state gasoline sales tax), general fund

Citizens Committee for MI State Parks Proposed Change 11/07 Eliminate resident motor vehicle permit for MI State Parks Keep non-resident MVP Eliminate boating access site motor vehicle permit for MI residents Keep MVP for non-residents Replace with a $10 annual fee on each MI car/truck vehicle registration and $5 on motorcycles Opt out for those who certify they won’t use or support state parks/state forest recreation and don’t support local parks State park and forest camping fees not effected Adjust fee annually by MI Consumer Price Index

Revenue 1/2% of all revenue to Michigan Secretary of State off the top Replace lost motor vehicle permit revenue $10.7 million to MI State Park Improvement Fund $1.03 million to MI Waterways Fund Then with remaining revenue 50% to state park infrastructure (State Park Improvement Fund) 30% to state park operations (State Park Improvement Fund) 10% to local development grants (protected fund, annual distribution using MNRTF application process) 7% to state forest recreation operations and infrastructure (Forest Recreation Fund) 3% DNR cultural and historic resources (State Park Improvement Fund)

Montana Record 73-75% pay the fee In place since 2004 No partnership with forest recreation or local units Has reduced “cashier” function for state parks Put more hours/staff into resource management, facility management, interpretation, grounds maintenance, law enforcement, etc. Very positive public response Approximately 90% of vehicles who enter MT state parks are in compliance per 2008 study

SB 388/389 & HB 4677/78 to Implement Proposal Sponsored by Sens. Birkholz and Basham, Reps. Warren and Meekhof and introduced in March 2009 Identical bills in both chambers Bi-partisan sponsors in both chambers Bills are constitutional use of vehicle registration Is a fee, not a tax Voluntary, not mandatory due to opt out Other non-transportation uses of vehicle registration dollars Specialty plates for MI state universities Non-game wildlife, agricultural heritage, children’s trust fund, lighthouses Opt out occurs in single registration transaction Don’t inconvenience consumers or SOS

Michigan scenario at 65% buy in Total revenue of $47 million Less 1/2% for Secretary of State is $46.75 million Of remaining $46.75 million $10.7 million to replace lost State Park MVP revenue $1.03 million to replace lost BAS MVP revenue Of remaining $35 million $17.5 million (50%) to state park infrastructure $10.5 million (30%) to state park operations Focus on better maintenance, enforcement, interpretation Focus on rail-trail state parks (e.g. Kal-Haven, FM White Pine, etc.) $3.5 million (10%) to local unit development grants $2.4 million (7%) to state forest recreation $1.0 million (3%) to historic/cultural DNR resources

Benefits Michigan and Michiganians reap the benefits Improved infrastructure in MI state parks, forests and local parks Strengthened state cultural resource base Improved image for MI as a tourism destination Stronger MI economy Convenient, no hassle entry to state parks for all MI registered vehicles Better managed and maintained state parks and forest recreation opportunities Better non-motorized trail system More funding for state park trails, state forest pathways, equestrian trails and blueways Convenient for non-motorized trail users to finacially support their interests Local units Double typical amount of money available for development grants Use same application as MNRTF, no duplication of effort Convenient for all local park boosters to support their interests

Conclusion First joint legislative hearing April 2, 2009 Opposition from transporation/road interests Want all vehicle related fees for roads Opposition from Secretary of State Don’t want any more work Support from MI DNR Support from park and recreation professional organizations Support from non-motorized trail groups Support from largest hunter/angler group Support from tourism industry, local economic development In crisis is the opportunity for change