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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
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State of
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JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM governor |
DEPARTMENT
OF NATURAL RESOURCES |
REBECCA A. HUMPHRIES director |
POSITION
The
Department supports this Legislation.
PROBLEM/BACKGROUND
In an era of budget difficulties, various proposals to
sell off state-held assets may be introduced in order to balance budgets or
fund a variety of proposals. This statute
represents an effort to ensure that any proposed state park land sales has the
support and endorsement of an independently-appointed authority, Citizen's Committee
for Michigan State Parks (CCMSP), before being proposed to the Department and
then the Legislature.
DESCRIPTION OF BILL
Enrolled
Senate Bill 971 seeks to amend PA 451 section 74102a
and add section 74102b. These sections
concern the establishment and operational guidelines to be followed by the
CCMSP, an advisory body to the Department.
The bill would require that the CCMSP review any
proposed land sale of state park property and make recommendations to the
Department regarding any such proposed sales.
Additionally,
if the proposed land sale/transfer exceeded 100 acres or 15 percent of the
total acreage (whichever is the lesser amount) of any single state park or
recreation area, then the Department would be required to submit a proposal of
the sale to the CCMSP for its review/recommendation, seek approval from the Natural
Resources Commission (NRC) and hold a public hearing in the vicinity of the
state park or recreation area. Following the review/recommendation (non-binding
on the Department) of the land transfer/sale proposal by the CCMSP, approval by
the NRC, and the public hearing, the Department will be required to submit a
written recommendation to the appropriate Senate and House oversight committees
(including appropriations). Also, if the
proposed land transfer is greater than 100 acres or 15 percent of the total
ownership and is to be transferred to another public entity without
compensation, then the Department’s recommendation must include a deed
restriction to ensure that recreational access, including hunting and fishing
rights, are maintained.
For
land transactions that are less than 100 acres or 15 percent of the total
ownership:
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
Pro
Provides for review and approval of proposed state
park land sales by an independent body, as well as members of the general
public, lending credence to the process.
Provides for comprehensive oversight of any
consideration to dispose of state park or recreation area lands.
Con
This
Legislation adds a significant amount of review and approval processing for any
anticipated land transaction that reduces the size of a state park or
recreation area, thus adding a measure of cost and delay to the process.
FISCAL/ECONOMIC
IMPACT
Are there revenue or
budgetary implications in the bill to the --
Budgetary:
The public hearing requirements will add costs not
present in the current system. Actual
costs will depend on the location of the proposed sale and the number of sales
anticipated in any given year.
Revenue:
Restrictions on land sales could negatively impact
Department revenues.
Comments:
Significant staff time may be necessary to develop
the various proposals and reports required by this statute.
Budgetary:
Revenue:
Comments:
Comments:
Large land transfers to local units (without
compensation) will contain a conservation easement.
OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS
N/A
ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION
N/A
ADMINISTRATIVE
RULES IMPACT
N/A
_______________________________
Rebecca A. Humphries
Director
_______________________________
Date
PRD/OLAF
