State of Michigan
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor	DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Lansing	REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director

BILL ANALYSIS

BILL NUMBER:	HB 6188 (AS INTRODUCED)
TOPIC:	Posting Requirement for State Parks open to Trapping
SPONSOR:	Representative Amos
CO-SPONSORS:	Representatives Booher, Steil, Shaffer, Caul, Brandenburg, et. al.
COMMITTEE:	Conservation, Forestry, and Outdoor Recreation
Analysis Done:	June 27, 2006

POSITION

The Department supports the concept of this Legislation.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

Visitors to the Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas may not be aware that lands within the park are open to trapping activities. Although park boundary signs indicate areas open to trapping, there is the possibility that these signs could be missed by a casual visitor.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

This bill would require the posting of signs at park entrances alerting visitors that areas within the park are open to trapping.

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

This bill would provide for additional public notification of the potential for a park and recreation area visitor to encounter traps set on lands within the park. This notification provides the opportunity for that visitor to make a decision regarding their desire to visit the park or recreation area before they have entered.

Con

This legislation would require an investment in signage and an employee responsibility to erect, remove and (potentially) replace damaged signs several times per year. The park entrance would be visually degraded by the additional signage required by this legislation.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a) Department

Budgetary:

Initial expenditures needed for signage and installation are estimated to be approximately $10,000 for statewide compliance. There are some ongoing costs for employee changing/replacing signs and support posts.

Revenue:

N/A

Comments:

This bill represents an unfunded mandate that will impact local park budgets for sign and post purchases and employee effort.

(b) State

Budgetary:

N/A

Revenue:

N/A

Comments:

None

(c) Local Government

Comments:

None

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

N/A

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

This bill adds to the previous legislation requiring the posting of shooting range hours at park entrances. The Department has a concern that a trend leading to over-signage of parks could degrade the overall experience of park visitors.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

N/A

_______________________________

Rebecca A. Humphries

Director

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Date

PRD/LED