The Industry's eNews Source
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Friday, May 14, 2004
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www.imninc.com/tourism
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VOLUME 3
ISSUE 5
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Michigan’s Legislature Debates State Forestry Practices
By Senator Gerald Van Woerkom & Representative David Palsrok
  The Michigan State Forest System recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. This anniversary has renewed interest in the importance of state forestry. Michigan has the largest state forest system in the nation and it predominantly covers the northern two thirds of the state. The forest is part of our heritage and culture and helps define us as a state. We must be responsible in managing this natural resource so the next generation will be able to enjoy it and celebrate future anniversaries.
Last fall, the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Committee along with the House Subcommittee on Forestry and Mineral Rights held several hearings across Michigan to discuss the management practices of the Michigan State Forest System. During these hearings we heard testimony from many parties including loggers, timber producers, conservationists, environmentalists, furniture makers, paper mills, hunters, anglers and others. While there was agreement that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was doing an adequate job, it was discovered that there was a lack of clear long-range objectives at the state level to promote sustainable forestry.
To ensure proper management and preservation of the state forest land the House and the Senate introduced a package of bills to provide guidance and oversight to the DNR while still allowing them to manage the forest independently. These bills would see that state forest land be managed in a manner consistent with sustainable forestry practices. They require certification by a third party, consideration of the economic, social and environmental values of the forest, expanding the uses of money in the Forest Development Fund for the maintenance of sustainable forestry certification, offering forest management assistance to private landowners and establishment of four pilot project areas where the DNR would solicit bids to perform sustainable forest management practices. All state forest users will benefit from the passage of this legislation and the long-term sustainability of state forests
At this point you may be asking yourself what this has to do with tourism. Forestry is a vibrant component of the Michigan tourism economy. Forest based tourism and recreation provides an estimated 50,000 jobs and over $3 billion to the state’s overall economy. The state forests offer hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking and canoeing, mountain biking, cross country skiing, bird watching and even mushrooming. Outdoor recreational activities are the backbone of the tourism industry, drawing millions of visitors to Michigan each year. This package of bills is aimed at ensuring that tourism activity is considered when managing the state forest system.
House Bills 5552-5554 have currently passed the House of Representatives and are awaiting action in the Senate Agricultural, Forestry and Tourism Committee. There are some minor changes that may need to be made but the bills are expected to be approved and signed into law by the Governor before summer. For more information you may contact either of our offices.
Contact Senator Gerald Van Woerkom:
Web Site: http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senator/vanwoerkom/contact.htm
Mailing Address: PO Box 30036, Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Phone: (517) 373-1635
Email: gvanwoerkom@senate.michigan.gov
Contact Representative David Palsrok:
Web Site: http://www.gophouse.com/palsrok.htm
Mailing Address: PO Box 30014, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7514
Phone: (517) 373-0825
Email: davidpalsrok@house.mi.gov
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Published by
Copyright ©2004 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. All rights reserved.
Published by the Tourism Resource Center and the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity institution.
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