Skymasters
 DNR Recreation Passport Proposal
 Information

     

Proposed changes to Michigan State Park Funding to preserve our parks!

Recreation Passport Proposal:
Currently Michigan State Park users purchase Motor Vehicle Permits ($24 annual) for use of the facilities including our flying field location. Users of the boat launches purchase an additional permit (also $24 annual). Even with these permits, the parks have been struggling since Michigan eliminated the park funding from the General Fund. There is now a proposal in the legislature that will both reduce the expense to park users, and provide a steady stream of funding for the operation of our parks.

Update - January 7
Senate Bill 388 originally was a bill to create the State Park Passport; however, the Legislature substituted language in the bill to simply extend the expiration date on the Motor Vehicle Permits to the end of March 2010. This gives them more time to work on the agreement to create the State Park Passport — which has NOT been approved by the Legislature yet.
The State Park Passport ($10 license plate fee) has not been approved yet. And if it is approved, it would not take effect until Oct. 1, 2010. In order to enjoy a state park or state recreation area in 2010, people will need to purchase a 2010 Motor Vehicle Permit window sticker, as they have in the past. Motor Vehicle Permits are available either at Park Headquarters or at our meetings/events. (Those eligible for the Senior discount must purchase their permits from a DNR representative - Skymasters cannot provide Senior permits.)

Update - November 12
Now is the time for our membership to contact their state representative (links below!) The new funding bills have passed the Senate but need to be passed by the House as well!!

Extract from Michigan United Conservation Clubs Press Release:

Michigan Senate invests in State Parks
Historic funding mechanism for ailing state parks clears first hurdle
    LANSING, MICH - The Michigan State Senate today approved legislation to implement a sustainable funding mechanism for cash-strapped state parks before adjourning for the annual legislative fall break. Senate Bills 388 and 389 would create an option for Michigan residents to purchase a $10 annual "passport" for state parks and boat access sites when completing annual vehicle registrations. The reform creates a sixty-percent overall discount on the current cost of an annual state parks pass.

View complete Press Release from MUCC

Skymasters Member, Park Liason, and Retired Bald Mountain Recreation Area Park Manager Bill Stark provides some insight on this proposal:

State Park Funding Proposal
Bill Stark

I attended a meeting yesterday of a group of DNR retirees called the Resource Stewards.

One of the speakers at the meeting was Dr. Chuck Nelson, professor at MSU, and member of the Citizen Committee for Michigan State Parks. Dr. Nelson co-chaired the finance committee of the Citizens Committee and introduced a new funding proposal for State Parks to the legislature, and found sponsors for the new bills in both the Senate and the House. The Senate bills are 388 and 389, and the House bills are 4677 and 4678. There are matching bills in each chamber, one introduced by a Democrat, and the other by a Republican. Dr. Nelson advised us that the next two weeks are critical to get support from as many Senators and House members as possible. A final vote on the bills is expected very soon. He urged all of us to contact our Senators and House Representatives and tell them we support these bills.

For those who haven't heard about this proposal, a $10 additional fee would be attached to your license plate fee each year to help fund the State Parks. The present annual and daily vehicle permit would be eliminated for Michigan residents. Out of staters would still pay out-of-state vehicle permits fees. This new funding program is modeled after a similar program in Montana. Montana's program is six years old, and has returned their parks to stable funding. As in Montana, Michigan residents could opt out and not pay the $10 fee. In Montana, 25% of the residents opted out the first year, but only 20% opted out in the sixth year. If only 17% of the present registered vehicles owners elected to pay the additional $10, it would match what we presently collect in Motor Vehicle Permit fees.

I would encourage readers to go to the Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks web site at: OurMichiganParks.org. There is a great deal of information about the funding proposal at this site. I would further encourage you to forward this email to all who would support our Michigan State Parks. The gems and treasures in these parks as well as the structures in the parks are in need of our attention.

More Information:
Citizens Committee for Michigan State Parks
    Our Michigan Parks
    CCMSP Proposal
Michigan State Legislature
    Senate Bill 0388 of 2009
    Senate Bill 0389 of 2009
    House Bill 4677 of 2009
    House Bill 4678 of 2009

What can we do:
Read about the proposal, then Write, email, call... Your Michigan State Senator and Representative NOW!!
Michigan Government:
    House of Representatives
    Senate
For Lake Orion, these are direct links:
    Rep. James Marleau : District 46
    Michael D. Bishop : District 12 : Senate Majority Leader

The Skymasters Board strongly encourages you to help support this legislation for the parks we call our home!
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