Michigan's Recreation Treasure Chest

Nordhouse Dunes photo JHY

$600 million for recreation... "Aaaargh, matey! That's quite a fanciful treasure chest you're claimin'." (That's your response.)

"Aye, aye, my friend, t'is real, and we've got the treasure map!" (Now I'm talking.) That's the amount of money distributed since 1976 for approved recreation projects in the state of Michigan from the Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). Over thirty years that's an annual average of $20 million! In recreation circles, that's a huge pile of coins and jewels. The entire 4600-mile North Country National Scenic Trail limps along on an annual budget of under $1 million.

If your eye pauses at articles about recreation projects as it slides across the printed word, you've noticed lately that a number of governmental units have been spiffing up their five-year master recreation plans. Mason County and Manistee County each have whole web pages devoted to keeping the public informed about those documents (masoncorec.wordpress.com/ and manisteecorecreation.wordpress.com/) The City of Scottville recently amended theirs in order to add purchase of riverfront property and development of recreation facilities on the old Mason County Landfill site. And Hart is working hard on theirs in order to refurbish John Gurney Park.

Those plans are the key to the treasure chest– no plan, no chance to dip your hands into the chest full of gold doubloons.

How did the chest get so full of loot? The coffer is filled by annual revenues from the development of State-owned mineral resources, largely oil and gas. The Fund is governed by a board of trustees which meets six times a year, and the meetings are open to the public.

Pirate chests are seldom filled by taking a vote, but that's how this treasure came to be replenished, by law. The Michigan legislature created a fund, the Kammer Recreational Land Trust Fund, in 1976 which received a portion of revenue from state-owned mineral rights. But if you remember voting in 1984, the public– you and I– passed Proposal B to establish the MNRTF I vaguely remember punching my ballot card and cynically thinking, "right... I wonder where this money will eventually be sidetracked." But I was wrong to be so wary.

Over the thirty years, Mason County has benefitted to the tune of $7.7 million, Manistee County– $10.9 million, Lake County– $145, 000 and Oceana County– $888,000. Familiar local projects which have received funds include the Hart-Montague Rail Trail, Ludington Waterfront Park and Scottville Riverside Park. Manistee's downtown Riverwalk, and Lake County's Shrine of the Pines have also benefitted. The big local winner was the settlement with Miller Brothers for the acquisition of Nordhouse Dunes, over $4 million for that project alone. And various other projects in the four counties, 23 in all, have received grant money.

Twice each year, projects are approved to receive funding. Three-quarters of the projects are required by law to be for land acquisition, with the rest allowed to be for recreational development. Only one third of the fund's revenue each year can be granted out, with the rest going to build the principal until a cap of $500 million dollars is reached. The trust fund board estimates that will happen in 2016. After that, available revenue will come from investment income.

Next time you read about a Master Plan for Recreation, perk up and consider participating in the public portions of the process. X marks the very real spot for the treasure to build the park or trail you dream of. That's worth a hearty "Aaaaargh!"

by Joan H. Young
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Techno-Hostage?

The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor

by Charles Slat

"Whether they're cell phones, laptop computers, video games or HDTVs, we Americans love our gizmos.

Although the cost of electronic wizardry is falling, the Consumer Electronics Institute recorded an 8.2 percent increase in sales for 2007, totaling $161 billion. And that's projected to rise another 6.1 percent this year.

About $2.2 billion in HDTVs were sold this year alone in advance of the Super Bowl.

At our house, we have our share of technology. During that heavy snowfall last week, two of my kids came home from school and cozied up in front of the computer while I fruitlessly tried to keep snow from piling up on the porch and steps outside.

After nightfall when the snow slackened, I did some cross-country skiing on a little trail cut through the small meadow out back. It was one of those nights when the snow had blanketed whiteness and silence over everything, muffling distance sounds and amplifying closer ones.... "

finish the story at the Monroe News - see FAIR USE notice.
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One Pair at a Time

The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor

by Sam Cook

Joe Prijatel photo Duluth News Tribune

"Joe Prijatel had no choice but to build himself a pair of snowshoes. He couldn’t afford the $5 to buy a pair.

The year was about 1938, and Prijatel was working in a Civilian Conservation Corps camp near Ely, Minn. If a guy wanted to get around in the woods, he needed a good pair of snowshoes.

Prijatel has never stopped making snowshoes. At 88, he’s been at it for 70 years. But the price of snowshoes has changed some... "

finish the story at the Duluth News Tribune - see FAIR USE notice.
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Fighting Non-Native Plants

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by John Hogan

invasive spotted knapweed photo from bwca.com

" Take a walk through a neighborhood park or nature preserve, and you likely will see fast-food wrappers, maybe shreds of yellowed newspapers wedged beneath a tangle of branches.

Unattended shrubs and plants that sprouted on their own often create an impenetrable mat where lawn meets woods. It's a familiar sight in home landscapes as well.

The average homeowner probably can't identify these densely branched bushes, but appreciate the fact they thrive on neglect.

Cheryl Tolley's property in northeast Kent County has the same thing going on, but the native plant expert knows her plants... "

finish the story at the Grand Rapids Press - see FAIR USE notice.
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Hamlin Township Hoping for New Playground Equipment

Hamlin Township (Mason County, Michigan) Supervisor, Nancy Vandervest reports that the board will review a grant application for new playground equipment.

A company called Game Time, of Alabama, offers the grants in cooperation with the Trust for Public Land. The township would need to provide 50% of the money for the equipment. The goal is to replace older metal-frame swings and slides with newer equipment.

The exact units to be replaced has not been determined, but Wilson Hill and South Bayou Parks are being discussed. Vandervest says that their choices range from $6000 to $100,000 for play structures, giving them lots of options.

Volunteers would probably be called upon to help assemble the structures.

New grills for the parks is also being discussed.

from the Ludington Daily News, "Hamlin Looking Into Playground Equipment", by Brian Mulherin, Feb 14, 2008, article not available on line
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Forest Service Working On New Planning Rule

The U.S. Forest Service has moved one step closer to finalizing a new planning rule that will engage the public in the development, implementation and monitoring of forest plans. The release of the agency's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the 2008 Planning Rule identifies the Forest Service's preferred alternative and is a procedural move towards the implementation of a new planning rule.

The planning rule is important because it brings people together with the Forest Service to develop land management plans which provide the framework for all resource and recreation management on national forests and grasslands nationwide.

"The process of developing a forest plan is a public service that ensures a great future for national forests on behalf of the American public," stated Joel Holtrop, Deputy Chief of the National Forest System. "We're proud of this vitally important planning process and yet we recognize that improvements were needed to emphasize more public collaboration, to be more adaptive to changing environmental conditions, and to ensure the protection of wildlife. The preferred alternative encompasses all of these elements."

After receiving and considering over 79, 000 comments on a draft environmental impact statement, the Forest Service developed 'Alternative M' as their preferred alternative. The alternative is based on public comment and builds on the 1982, 2002, and 2005 Planning Rules and years of professional forest planning experience. The preferred alternative provides extensive public participation and offers an approach to quickly respond to changing natural resource conditions.

"This preferred alternative expands public involvement by requiring early and frequent public dialogue in all phases of the development, implementation and monitoring of land management plans," stated David Dillard, Director of Ecosystem Management Coordination. "This exceeds National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements for public involvement. Our goal is to create strong, relevant conversations that address local issues as well as incorporate the latest available science and technology in the plans. Additionally, all plans and projects developed under those plans are expected and required to comply with NEPA."

The preferred alternative is responsive to changing conditions because adaptability is built in the approach. Plans will be able to adjust more quickly to changing conditions such as those brought about by climate change. By doing so, they will better protect resources of the forest and address the concerns of the surrounding communities.

Alternative M requires improved monitoring and sustainability standards for wildlife protection as well as the requirement for an Environmental Management System to be in place prior to the implementation of approved projects. In addition, Forest Service Timber Policy will not be affected by the preferred alternative because resource protections for timber management activities have not changed.

The FEIS will now be sent to the Department of Agriculture for a decision on a final rule for forest planning. The Record of Decision and final rule will be published in the Federal Register in approximately 30 days. Additional information on the planning process can be found at: http://www.fs.fed.us/emc .

a news release of the USDA Forest Service, Feb 7, 2008
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How Readers Enjoy the Winter

The last poll here got a few more responses, 13 in all. Still a very small sample. The question was: "What is your favorite winter exercise?" Over 50% said they prefer cross-country skiing for their winter exercise, and two people admitted to being winter couch potatoes! No one said that they moved their exercise to indoor gyms for the winter. Perhaps outdoor folk just prefer to stay that way.

One person liked downhill skiing, and another chose "other outdoor activity." No one who responded marked snowboarding, but two people liked to snowshoe.

So, for the next unscientific poll let's find out how far you have trekked on your longest hike. Look to the right and participate. It's just for fun!

by Joan H. Young
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Snowshoeing the North Country Trail

The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor

by Dave Alexander

Muskegon Chronicle Cory Morse

"The creative marketing genius who developed the "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign surely must have snowshoed the North Country Trail as it winds through Newaygo County.

Nothing is more "Pure Michigan" than a pristine snowfall on a hiking trail that links West Michigan pine groves, hardwood forests and creek valleys.

I explored the West Michigan portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail recently while introducing Chronicle colleagues Lynn Moore and Cory Morse to snowshoeing.

One day this January provided a perfect afternoon of cool temperatures, an overnight blanket of new snow, intermittent snow showers and sunshine so typical here of the lake-effect snow pattern.... "

finish the story at the Muskegon Chronicle - see FAIR USE notice.
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Winter Season a Challenge for Wildlife

The following is an excerpt from a story which we believe is worthy of reading, but would lose too much of its charm if it were re-written for presentation on this blog. Please link through for the rest of the story, but hurry back! ... Editor

by The Ile Camera

"Wild animals endure many hardships in order to survive, but the most challenging of these is winter.

Cold temperatures, wind, lack of cover and little food make life during the winter months difficult, but Michigan's wildlife species have adapted different strategies to survive and sometimes make winter almost seem bearable.

To escape winter's bite, many summer resident birds migrate, but this is a costly strategy... "

finish the story at the Ile Camera - see FAIR USE notice.
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Hofma Park a Hidden Gem in Ottawa County

Hofma Park is 400 acres of hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, birdwatching and quiet activity opportunities. The park was created in the 1930's. Leave US 31 north of Holland, Michigan, and turn right on Ferris St. Travel 11.5 miles to the park, which is marked with a large sign.

Not all the facilities are open during the winter months, but there is a winter parking lot, and the trails are open for skiing and snowshoeing. There are several loop trails which can be combined for short or long excursions.

The primary trail is just over 4.5 miles, making for a decent day outing. The area is also a nature preserve, and many birds and animals can be observed. Take the green and yellow blazed trails to the northwest corner of the park and you will be at Potawatomie Bayou. A boardwalk crosses the wetlands, and you may have the chance to see many migratory waterfowl in season. Just beyond the bayou there is an elevated viewing platform.

There is also a northern access on Sleeper Road which is less used than the main entrance.

Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

from the Holland Sentinel, "Hofma Park a hidden gem in Ottawa County", by Steven Hoffman, Feb 14, 2008-
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