LANSING -- The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is asking for feedback on its Recreation Passport Grant Program.
The DNRE has posted a revised draft of the Local Public Recreation Facilities Fund Grant Program, which is funded by some of the revenue collected through the new Recreation Passport, on the department’s website.
The proposal is available for public comment now through Feb.11. These grants will benefit local units of government with development and improvement of public recreation facilities.
The Local Public Recreation Facilities Fund is tied to the new Recreation Passport. On Oct. 1, 2010, the $10 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) replaced the state's annual $24 motor vehicle permit, or window sticker, that was required for a Michigan-registered vehicle to enter a state park or recreation area, and the $24 annual boating access fee site permit. The Recreation Passport will help fund Michigan's state parks, state recreation areas, boating facilities, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized trails and pathways, cultural and historic resources in state parks, and provide park and recreation development grants for local units of government.
The Recreation Passport will maintain or increase funding for state parks. Ten percent of any additional funds collected from the Recreation Passport will go directly into the Local Public Recreation Facilities Fund. The level of available funding in the Local Public Recreation Facilities Fund grant program is dependent upon the success of the Recreation Passport.
The DNRE opened the first period of public comments from Nov. 23 through Dec. 10, 2010.
The department has taken these comments into consideration and revised the proposed grant program where appropriate.
The revised draft is available on the DNRE website. The second period of public comment runs through Feb. 11.
A public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 8, from noon to 2 p.m., by the Finance Subcommittee of the Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee. The public hearing will take place during the Michigan Recreation and Park Association’s annual conference at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, in the Council Room, 100 Grand Traverse Village Boulevard, in Acme. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
Adoption of the official program is expected in late February. The DNRE anticipates accepting applications for the grant program beginning May 1, 2011. Public comments may be sent to John Cherry, DNRE grant coordinator, at cherryj3@michigan.gov.
