The Latest DNR Parks Funding Crisis

[Todd Scott]

<img src="http://mi-mall.michigan.gov/wcsstore/DNR/images/resident06MVPfull.jpg" align="right">Under current state law, the DNR cannot sell park passes (a.k.a. motor vehicle permits) starting January 1st, 2007. This provides a significant portion (over $13 million) of the DNR Parks budget and they cannot keep all the parks open without this funding. We’re working with Senator Michelle McManus to get a bill passed this year that would extend the 2007 deadline to 2010.

Senator McManus's <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(y4zkyqae4lnrew45kuhk1f45)/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2005-SB-0924">SB 924</a> passed out of committee yesterday and is heading to the Senate floor. Today we'll send an MMBA letter of support and a "please rush" message to the Senate leadership. Feel free to contact your own Senator and do the same.

This bill also allows the DNR Director and Parks Chief to waive entry fee requirements for some events. This could be done for stewardship events (e.g. MMBA trail days) where the benefit to the park outweighs the lost revenue.


Note that the updated SB 924 is not on-line yet.

[JonathanGennick]

Under current state law, the DNR cannot sell park passes (a.k.a. motor vehicle permits) starting January 1st, 2007.

That's weird. Why is that? Parks have been funded by passes since as far back as I can remember. Seems to me the pass system is a major cog in the system. How could the State stop the whole permit system without thinking it through and putting an alternative in place?

Do all the parks close Jan 1, or do we all get in free?

I'm just curious. Seems like an incredible change, to just up and do away with motor vehicle passes.

[Todd Scott]

The two main reasons I suspect the fees are sunsetted (i.e. end) is it (1) forces the legislature to review them and (2) time-limited fees are more palatable to some legislators. I don't think anyone anticipated these fees would actually go away.

As far as I know, the DNR does not have an emergency plan (e.g. closures) yet in case the legislation doesn't get enacted this year.

[SpecialK]

I hope they get it done by Christmas, as I have given annual passes to several of my neighbor riding buddies for the last 4 years. I don't want the tradition to stop or have to search for another gift.

[drmoorejr]

I hope they get it done by Christmas, as I have given annual passes to several of my neighbor riding buddies for the last 4 years. I don't want the tradition to stop or have to search for another gift.

Thats sounds like a great gift idea!!!!

[Guppie]

Sorry I am not understanding this.

They are going to do away with annual passes in exchange for what? Nothing? Just cut the DNR off? There has to be something else going on here, how else would they fund and maintain the parks? Or is that what they don't want to do...not a priority?

[sav0320]

Please, don't say it, our government failed us?!?!

[Todd Scott]

Sorry I am not understanding this.

They are going to do away with annual passes in exchange for what? Nothing? Just cut the DNR off? There has to be something else going on here, how else would they fund and maintain the parks? Or is that what they don't want to do...not a priority?

Basically there is a state law that allows the DNR to charge entry fees. That state law expires at the end of this year. Senate Bill 924 extends the expiration date through 2010.

[mtbsteve]

Maybe the DNR could save some of that $13 Million by deciding not to send law enforcement agents out to chase dirtbikes and/or grandfathers pulling a trailer of kids behind their riding lawn mowers down dirt fire roads (both are things my neighbors up north and I have had to deal with). Both types of vehicles, used in those ways, present less danger to the environment than the truck used to chase them.

Sorry if it sounds mean but I've had far too many bad experiences with the DNR (when I was doing nothing wrong or illegal) to have concern for their funding. Maybe its time for them to do like everyone else in the state (private citizens especially) and tighten their belts a little.

[Guppie]

We can focus on the problem all day long but what is the solution? What can we do? You sent a letter, do you have a template that we can use?

[Todd Scott]

We can focus on the problem all day long but what is the solution? What can we do? You sent a letter, do you have a template that we can use?

The short term solution is to get this bill passed this year. I've sent our letters of support to the Senate leadership. I'm trying to determine if this needs a grassroots response. The state legislature is on recess until after the November elections so nothing is moving right now.

The long term solution will likely be a proposal on the 2008 ballot. While this was initially a DNR Parks financial item, it's scope appears to be widening to include all DNR public lands. Our Citizen's Committee for Michigan State Parks recently passed the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks recognizes there is a revenue
crisis in the State of Michigan related to funding for the broad array of natural and cultural
resources and resource management programs of the Department of Natural Resources.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks
recommends and urges the Director of the Department of Natural Resources to convene a
summit of all department-related bodies, advisory committees, and associated workgroups and
stakeholder groups to discuss and devise a comprehensive, broad-based approach to address this
compelling financial issue, parallel with all other department management planning processes;
and

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Citizens Committee for Michigan
State Parks adopts this resolution and will forward this recommendation to the Director of the
Department of Natural Resources

[Eric_O]

Maybe the DNR could save some of that $13 Million by deciding not to send law enforcement agents out to chase dirtbikes and/or grandfathers pulling a trailer of kids behind their riding lawn mowers down dirt fire roads (both are things my neighbors up north and I have had to deal with). Both types of vehicles, used in those ways, present less danger to the environment than the truck used to chase them.

Sorry if it sounds mean but I've had far too many bad experiences with the DNR (when I was doing nothing wrong or illegal) to have concern for their funding. Maybe its time for them to do like everyone else in the state (private citizens especially) and tighten their belts a little.

This sounds fair, but we are talking about 2 seperate entities in the DNR, the Parks and Rec division and the law enforcement division. Parks and rec is completely funded on their own income, ie motor vehicle permits and camping fees. Even if there were no park fees, you would still have the overly gung-ho law enforcement guys chasing you down a dirt road.

[bheldke]

I support a park vehicle pass increase to $30/year or more. There's only so much cutting a budget can do, or instead buy a $10 mtn bike trails "stamp" to ensure we hold up our end of the budget. It's cheaper than the movies...

[Di_bear]

I'd be for an increase to $30 except no matter what we do, they take our money away. I'm tired of our irresponsible state government (yes I vote). I'm still angry about the firepit change - was not necessary for every site in every park and cost a lot of money.

[Diesel]

The news bit says they won't be selling "PASSES", but doesn't say they won't be collecting vehicle entry fees at the park gates...Is it possible the State Parks could make users pay an entry fee each time they visit???

That could really add up.