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STEVENS T. MASON BUILDING ● P.O. www.michigan.gov ● (517) 373-2329 |
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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
K. L. COOL director |
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STEVENS T. MASON BUILDING ● P.O. www.michigan.gov ● (517) 373-2329 |
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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
K. L. COOL director |
1.
Bill Number and Sponsor:
Senate Bill No. 111
Senators Garcia, McManus, Schauer, Birkholz, Bernero and Leland
2.
Purpose:
This bill, as introduced, would require the Parks and Recreation Bureau (PRB) to post a notification at the park entrance indicating whether the park is open to hunting or firearm use on that day.
3.
How This Legislation Impacts Current Programs in the
Department:
The Parks and Recreation Bureau currently administers 97 State Parks and Recreation areas with thousands of acres open to hunting activities. Each of these areas have boundary signs strategically posted indicating that the lands are open to hunting between September 15 and March 31 of each year. Many of these areas have multiple entry points and roadside parking areas. A daily posting requirement for any entry point to PRB lands would require a significant effort. Currently, it is PRB policy to post trailheads and other areas of known non-hunter use, with signs indicating that the area is open for hunting.
4.
Introduced at Agency Request:
No
5.
Agency Support:
No, the requirement is not necessary. Current posting policies address the need.
6.
Arguments Against the Bill:
This bill would require a posting standard that may not achieve the desired goal of notifying users of the potential for encountering hunting activities. Multiple entry points to any State Park or Recreation Area open to hunting would require multiple postings in order to achieve the desired effect. A daily posting is not necessary due to the current law allowing hunting between September 15 and March 31 of each year. The current policy of posting trailheads and other areas of non-hunter use has been effective for public notification.
Senate Bill 111
Page Two
7.
Arguments for the Bill:
This bill would provide for additional public notification to alert park visitors to the potential for encountering hunting activities.
8.
State Revenue/Budgetary Implications:
This bill would require additional staffing time and signage materials if the “daily” posting requirement is retained in the language.
9.
Implications to Local Units of Government:
None
10.
Administrative Rules Implications:
None
11.
Other Pertinent Information:
None
12.
User Groups/Customers that Support this Legislation:
Unknown
K.
L. COOL
DIRECTOR
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
PRB
