By State Legislature’s U.P. delegation

LANSING — Upper Peninsula residents have an opportunity on Nov. 3 to ensure Michigan’s use of dedicated natural-resources-related dollars continues for generations to come.

The proposed amendment would require all oil and gas royalties to go to the Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) once the State Parks Endowment has reached its cap. The measure would also require that at least 25% of NRTF funding be used specifically for parks and public recreation areas and 25% for land conservation, while 20% of the endowment fund would be required for state park improvements.

The NRTF dollars are constitutionally restricted for use on recreation improvements and land acquisitions. Since its establishment nearly five decades ago, the fund has been instrumental in helping U.P. communities invest in area parks and recreational facilities. Without this match from the state, many of our important projects could not happen if funding fell solely on local governments.

However, the state constitution and current law limit NRTF spending to less than 25% on redevelopment or maintenance projects, hampering upkeep efforts. We support this ballot measure because it will make 25% a minimum amount, rather than a maximum. Doing so will help ensure that today’s needs are better funded. The state should be focused on taking better care of the attractions and assets it already has, including our parks and recreational areas. This proposal will provide needed flexibility while allowing continued use of the funds for generations to come.

There is no shortage of projects and recreational needs throughout the U.P. that the trust fund dollars can be used for. Examples of recently approved projects include $300,000 for bathhouses at campgrounds on the state fairground property in Delta County; $50,000 to replace the Harlow Lake fishing platform in Marquette County; $300,000 to improve and expand an existing shooting range operated by the Lake Superior Sportsman’s Club on DNR-managed public land in Ontonagon County; $49,000 to replace segments of the McQuisten Park floating boardwalk in Alger County; and $300,000 to construct a trail that eventually will connect the communities of Baraga, L’Anse and Zeba in Baraga County.

We cannot stress enough the importance of taking better care of the assets we have. But we also recognize there are needed times for these dollars to be used for acquisition or conservation projects. The beauty of this proposal is that the greater flexibility will allow for both purposes to occur as needed.

Two years ago, we in the Legislature started the process that brought this proposal to the Nov. 3 ballot, and for good reason. We are voting “yes” for this much-needed revision to the state constitution because it is helps create well-cared-for and accessible opportunities for families in the U.P. and across the state and nation to enjoy our great outdoors, reduces the mandate to purchase more land and enhances our natural resources and water resources to stimulate the economy.

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Sens. Ed McBroom, Wayne Schmidt; Reps. Beau LaFave, Greg Markkanen, Sara Cambensy