Does Michigan Have a Split Personality?

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commentary based on several sources

Michigan simply can't seem to get its head together when it comes to tourism. The "Pure Michigan" campaign, to woo visitors to the state has won national Mercury Awards from the Travel Industry Association of America for both its radio and television advertisements. This campaign has been funded at unprecedented levels by the state, to allow for national advertising, beginning with $45 million dollars in 2008

Just this week, The state House of Representatives passed a bill to continue to campaign, to the tune of $30 million. I guess the budget went down because times are tough. The bill now goes to the Senate.

So, the state wants desperately to pull people into the northland where they will spend money, creating jobs. Tourism has been credited with supporting 193,000 jobs in the state.

But I guess the state only wants tourists who like to stay and play in the places where they will spend the most money. For lack of $100,000 dollars, just 0.03% of the cost of the advertising, all but 8 DNR run state ski trails will remain un-groomed this year. Last year the state groomed 23 trails. "The trails are a non-revenue producer," explained Jim Radabaugh, the trails coordinator for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

This is simply the winter component of the same problem that closed 10 state forest campgrounds last summer. The DNR's money comes from the General Fund, and the General Fund is not doing very well.

Meanwhile, the state is going to plow the parking areas at all 23 ski trails. What? Very few people like to ski on un-groomed trails. Those of us who snowshoe might find this an appealing choice, but skiing is generally more popular. Might it have made more sense to both plow and groom maybe 12 trails?

At any rate, once again, no one seems to have applied any common sense to this issue. If only 1% of that $30 million dollars ($300,000) could have been transferred to the DNR specifically for campgrounds and trails, then there would be a guarantee of great places for the tourists who wish to get off the beaten path to visit and recreate.

See Michigan DNR for a list of the areas that will be groomed.
See Grand Rapids Press
See PR News Wire
See Pure Michigan Wins Awards
See Pure Michigan
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The Forks State Forest Campground Closed

a primitive State Forest campground (photo by JHY)

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based on a news article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle

Due to budget woes, six Lower Peninsula (and six Upper) State Forest Campgrounds were closed this year. The hope is that these closures are temporary, but it's not looking good for next year either. The Forks, near Traverse City, is one of the casualties.

The other LP sites which were ordered closed in May 2009 are Thunder Bay River, Alpena; Twin Lakes, Cheboygan; Big Oaks, Montmorency; Lake Marjory, Otsego; and Muskrat Lake, Oscoda.

Funding for these sites comes from fees, on a first-come, first-served basis, and usually enforced by the honor system. With the cold, wet summer, revenues are down and even so the state is looking hard for ways to trim the budget.

Mary Dettloff, DNR spokesperson, said that the closed sites will not be re-opened in 2010, and more closures are to be expected. The state is passing revenue woes on to local levels, and there are no real solutions there.

Funding for the DNR also comes from sales of hunting and fishing licenses, which are also down. The only good news is that such activities have declined in Michigan less than they have in other states.

See Michigan State Forest Campgrounds
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Good News for Fish, Bad News for Scottville Park

the Pere Marquette River at Riverside Park

from a news item in the Ludington Daily News, Tuesday, Oct 21, 2008

Travel to Scottville Riverside Park will be severely disrupted in the summer of 2009. The bridge over the Pere Marquette River will be completely removed and rebuilt. This means that the only way to reach Riverside Park will be to cross the river either at Custer or on Pere Marquette Highway (old 31) at Ludington. Custer road is the closest bridge, three miles east.

City Manager Amy Hansen reported at Monday's commission meeting that work on the bridge over the Pere Marquette River will not be allowed to begin until June 1, 2009, instead of March , as was originally planned.

The Michigan DNR will not allow work to be done in the water during fish migrating seasons. The Pere Marquette is a nationally recognized river, known for salmon, steelhead and brown trout. This means that all work will need to be done during the summer to protect the fish. In the original plan, the bridge would have been completed by July 4th, in time for the greatest portion of the tourist season. Now the city is looking for ways to encourage their regular campers to use the park in spite of the serious inconvenience.

The shortest route from Scottville to the park will be via Custer to Custer Road, to Conrad Rd, to Scottville Rd. This detour is about eight miles, instead of the usual five blocks.

Ludington Daily News
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See Scottville Riverside Park
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Reserve 2008 Campsites, Harbor, Rec Area Use Now

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to remind users of Michigan state parks, harbors and recreation areas that reservations are now available for much of the 2008 summer season. Reservations for harbor slips, campsites, cabins, teepees and yurts are now available on-line or through the reservation call center for dates into early July.

"Campsites become available for arrival dates six months out from the date a reservation is made, so we are already booking into the Fourth of July timeframe," said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. "Staff at the reservation call center begin taking phone calls at 8 a.m. on weekdays and at 9 a.m. on weekends. New site availability dates roll into the database at those times to be fair to all users."

Campers and boaters who have planned vacations are reminded to make their reservations now to secure a campsite or slip at their favorite park, harbor or recreation area.

In 2007, over 500 events were held in state parks, harbors or recreation areas. New and special events are being scheduled or planned for the 2008 season, and are added to the "GO-Get Outdoors" calendar of events, daily. Check out the calendar of events at www.michigan.gov/dnr. Under "Recreation and Camping," select "GO-Get Outdoors" to review the "Get Outdoors Calendar."

Reservations can be made on-line at www.midnrreservations.com, or by contacting the reservation call center at 800-447-2757. Questions regarding reservations or events can be directed to the Parks and Recreation Division office in Lansing at 517-373-9900, or by contacting Cheryl Greaney at 517-373-0399.

Motor vehicle and boating access site permit fees remain the same as last year at all Michigan state parks, recreation areas and boating access sites. All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a motor vehicle permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8. Boating access site permits are also available at $24 for an annual permit and $6 for a daily permit.

a news release of the Michigan DNR
See MDNR Reservations
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Proposed Hiqhbank Connector to the North Country Trail

The Baldwin/White Cloud District of the Huron-Manistee National Forests is inviting public comment on the following proposed project on National Forest lands:

Hiqhbank Campground Connector to the North Country National Scenic Hiking Trail (NCNST): Located in section 17, T1 6N R1 3W. Lilley Township, Newaygo County, Michigan. The proposed route will utilize National Forest land. The following project is included:

New trail would be constructed through National Forest land for 0.70 miles. Forest Service standards for non-motorized trails would be adhered to when constructing new trail. The proposed connector trail would allow hikers to utilize Highbank Campground and campers from the campground to access the North Country Trail. It would increase user safety, provide a more aesthetic and visually appealing hiking experience, and be tter protect natural resources, while enhancing some of the values associated with the North Country National Scenic Hiking Trail.

The proposed project is partially located along an already existing trail tread. When complete the new trail would include a trail tread 18 to 24 inches wide, with an additional cleared width of 12 inches on both sides of the trail. Where necessary, the tread-way would be cleared of vegetation, trees, and stumps. No trees greater than 5 inches in diameter, at breast height will be removed. The trail would be signed and blazed. All construction would be done in accordance with Forest Service standards for non-motorized trails, the National Park Service Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance, and the North Country Trail Association's Trail Building and Maintenance Manual.

Should you have any questions, concerns, comments, or wish to be directly involved with the planning of this project, please contact Kathy Bietau, U.S. Forest Service, Drawer D, Baldwin, Michigan 49304. You may also comment by phone at (231)745-4631 ext. 3117 or email at kbietau@fs.fed.us. Please submit comments to this office by January 30, 2008.

from Gregory D. Smith, Acting District Ranger
contact Kathy Bietau
See Western Michigan Chapter of the North Country Trail Association
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DNR Promises... If Legislature Comes Through with $500K

In western Michigan, the Traverse City area in particular, cross-country ski trails are popular and well-used. The recent angst over whether state trails would be groomed has been relieved in the short term.

Joyce Angel-Ling, the DNR unit manager in Gaylord says that grooming will begin early this week on the Muncie Lakes trail system in Grand Traverse County, Pine Baron Trail in Otsego County and Wild Wood Hills trail in Cheboygan County.

But continued grooming, and the future of 20 campgrounds closed last summer, depends on the approval of $500,000 by the Michigan Legislature. If that happens in early 2008, the grooming machines will stay out of mothballs. And campers can expect to see Pinney Bridge in Antrim County; Walsh Road Trail Camp in Crawford County; Forks in Grand Traverse County; Johnson's Crossing in Otsego County; Long Lake in Wexford County; plus three more campgrounds in Cheboygan County reopen for summer.

Northern Michigan lawmakers, including State Representative Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, worked to negotiate the deal for both the cross country trails and the state forest campgrounds.

Now it's up to Lansing, again.

read more in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, Dec 16, 2007
read more: DNR Finds $10 Million! Huh? Dec 12, 2007
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See Skiing
See Camping

Winter Camping Allowed at Ludington State Park

Like to get out year round? Ludington State Park offers winter camping opportunities in the Cedar Loop.

The experience is described by park personnel as "semi-modern." The access road and campsites are plowed, and electricity is available. However the bathroom buildings are closed (closing date around November 1 each year). Winter rest room facilities are limited to latrines. No showers are available. There is a kiosk for self-registration.

In addition the park has three mini cabins which can be rented. Each of the campground loops has one of these cabins. Rental of a cabin in either Pines or Beechwood Loop will include use of the key to open the gate for vehicle access during your stay.

Call the reservation call center at 1-800-447-PARKS or for local information 231-843-2423. A State Park sticker is required year round for entry.

The park offers snowshoe making classes throughout the winter, and guided snowshoe hikes. See the GOTC Calendar of Events for dates and times. There are several miles of trails designated for skiing which are sometimes groomed depending on the availability of staff.

There are a total of 10 Michigan State Parks open for winter camping. Both Mitchell and Traverse City have heated restrooms available in the winter. The others are: Algonac, Bay City State Park, Fort Custer, North Higgins Lake State Park , Rifle River Recreation Area, Tahquamenon Falls and Waterloo Recreation Area-Portage campground.

Many parks have rustic cabins and mini cabins available in winter. And Pinckney and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State park rent out yurts for winter camping.

by Joan H. Young
See Ludington State Park, Michigan DNR site
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Scottville Riverside Park Plans Improvements

DEQ still accepting comments on the project

Tuesday's Michigan Department of Environmental Quality public hearing on plans for construction at the Riverside Park campground drew about 12 people.

Scottville plans to remodel the north section of the campground, adding and relocating sites, and pave the road in the area. In addition, two handicap accessible piers will be added and a new playground installed in the park.

Susan Conradson and Rick Henderson represented the DEQ at the hearing and recorded all of the comments made by citizens. Those comments will be reviewed later by the DEQ as the department decides whether to grant a permit for the work.

Additional comments on the planned Riverside Park construction project may be mailed through June 22 to Barry Peterman (see below).

from the Ludington Daily News, June 14, 2007 - see FAIR USE notice.
Contact Barry Peterman
DEQ Cadillac
120 W. Chapin
Cadillac, MI 49601

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See Scottville Riverside Park