Act No. 129

Public Acts of 1997

Approved by the Governor

November 4, 1997

Filed with the Secretary of State

November 5, 1997

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 5, 1997

STATE OF MICHIGAN

89TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 1997

Introduced by Senators Stille, Bennett, Rogers, Hoffman, McManus, Emmons, Schuette and A. Smith

ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 444

AN ACT to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled "An act to protect the environment and natural resources of the state; to codify, revise, consolidate, and classify laws relating to the environment and natural resources of the state; to regulate the discharge of certain substances into the environment; to regulate the use of certain lands, waters, and other natural resources of the state; to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies and officials; to provide for certain charges, fees, and assessments; to provide certain appropriations; to prescribe penalties and provide remedies; to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts," by amending section 72101 (MCL 324.72101), as added by 1995 PA 58, and by adding section 72105a.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 72101. As used in this part:

(a) "Advisory council" means the Michigan trailways advisory council created in section 72110.

(b) "Council" means a Michigan trailway management council established pursuant to section 72106.

(c) "Fund" means the Michigan trailways fund created in section 72109.

(d) "Governmental agency" means the federal government, a county, city, village, or township, or a combination of any of these entities.

(e) "Michigan trailway" means a trailway designated by the commission pursuant to section 72103.

(f) "Rail-trail" means a former railroad bed that is in public ownership and used as a trailway.

(g) "Trailway" means a land corridor that features a broad trail capable of accommodating a variety of public recreation uses.

Sec. 72105a. (1) The department shall establish an "adopt-a-trail" program that will allow volunteer groups to assist in maintaining and enhancing Michigan trailways and rail-trails.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), volunteer groups in the adopt-a-trail program may adopt any available Michigan trailway or rail-trail or Michigan trailway or rail-trail segment and may choose any 1 or more of the following volunteer activities:

(a) Spring cleanups.

(b) Environmental activities.

(c) Accessibility projects.

(d) Special events.

(e) Trailway maintenance and development.

(f) Public information and assistance.

(g) Training.

(3) The department shall designate the activities to be performed by a volunteer group in the adopt-a-trail program. The department may provide for more than 1 volunteer group to adopt a Michigan trailway or rail-trail or Michigan trailway or rail-trail segment.

(4) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the adopt-a-trail program shall submit an application to the department on a form provided by the department. Additionally, volunteer groups shall agree to the following:

(a) Volunteer groups shall participate in the program for at least a 2-year period.

(b) Volunteer groups shall consist of at least 6 people who are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a school or scout organization, in which case the volunteers may be under 18 years of age.

(c) Volunteer groups shall contribute a total of at least 400 service hours over a 2-year period.

(d) Volunteer groups shall comply with other reasonable requirements of the department.

(5) A state park manager or a district forest manager may issue to volunteers who are actively working on adopt-a-trail projects that last more than 1 day free camping permits if campsites are available. A state park manager or a district forest manager may waive state park entry fees for volunteers entering state parks to work on adopt-a-trail projects.

(6) While a volunteer is working on an adopt-a-trail project, the volunteer has the same immunity from civil liability as a department employee and shall be treated in the same manner as an employee under section 8 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1408.

(7) The department shall design and erect near the entrance of each Michigan trailway or rail-trail in the adopt-a-trail program or along the trailway an adopt-a-trail program sign with the name of the volunteer group's sponsoring organization listed for each volunteer group that has contributed at least 100 service hours by volunteers.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Secretary of the Senate.

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Approved

Governor.