Access

Access Legislative Priorities

The burden of paying for state lands currently falls on hunters, anglers, and other recreational groups required to purchase licenses. Unless they are recreating within Michigan’s State Parks or other lands which charge an upfront user fee, groups like bikers, hikers, berry-pickers, and many other non-consumptive users are making use of resources and not contributing to their management.

Action: Support the creation of a public access license which will be required to access state lands to allow all recreational users to share in the cost of managing state lands.

Access for Less-Able Users

Accessibility for all of Michigan’s citizens who enjoy recreating in Michigan’s great out-of-doors is one of MUCC’s top priorities. This priority is extended to those both able and unable to access outdoor resources physically. MUCC recognizes the importance of getting everyone outdoors, not just those who are able to walk. Currently, laws and departmental orders do exist which provide some limited support and opportunities for a subset of Michigan’s disabled public. However, MUCC believes that these regulations can be modified to allow access to more individuals having trouble pursuing their recreational interests because of a disability. The MDNR Hunter Recruitment and Retention Workgroup issued a report (January 2006) which outlined priorities for Michigan lawmakers and managers to help recruit and retain hunters and stem the annual loss of hunters within Michigan. A priority outlined by the working group was the better integration of disabled hunters into the outdoors. MUCC has met with the MDNR to identify specific programs and policies which will need to be created or modified to address this important issue. Clarification of current disability definitions as well as the creation of increased outdoor motorized recreation opportunities will lead to increased access for those unable to recreate in Michigan’s great out-of-doors by traditional mechanisms.

Action: Support the passage of legislation that will address current barriers to allowing less-than-able sportsmen and women into the hunting/outdoor recreation community.

Access Policy Priorities:

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ land consolidation strategy is a process by which the MDNR has begun evaluating all of their land holdings to determine which parcels fit with the state’s mission and should be kept and which parcels should be considered “surplus” (with little recreational or ecological value) and sold. MUCC understands the need to consolidate Michigan’s public land holdings and the disposal of lands which no longer serve the mission of the MDNR. However, the recreational and quality of life needs of Michigan’s citizens must be met. Lands of sizeable acreage or lands with access to water or other important resources should not be disposed of and must remain within public ownership. MUCC, in conjunction with its Land Use Committee, will continue to monitor the land consolidation process on behalf of our membership. We will also continue to look for opportunities to create new relationships with other municipalities or groups wanting to keep public lands available for the state’s citizens.

To monitor the progress of the strategy go to http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/. At this site you will be able to identify what counties are currently under review, lands that are currently being offered sale or those lands which have been offered to local units of government. If you are concerned about a parcel that is being offered, please contact the policy staff at Policy@mucc.org. Please identify the county and parcel number to help us in our review.

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