S05167'03 (S-3)

SB-0857, As Passed Senate, August 4, 2004

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 857

A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

by amending section 72105a (MCL 324.72105a), as added by 1997 PA

129.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1 Sec. 72105a. (1) The department shall establish an

2 "adopt-a-trail" program that will allow volunteer groups to

3 assist in maintaining and enhancing Michigan trailways and

4 rail-trails.

5 (2) Subject to subsection (3), volunteer groups in the

6 adopt-a-trail program may adopt any available Michigan trailway

7 or rail-trail or Michigan trailway or rail-trail segment and may

8 choose any 1 or more of the following volunteer activities:

9 (a) Spring cleanups.

10 (b) Environmental activities.

1 (c) Accessibility projects.

2 (d) Special events.

3 (e) Trailway maintenance and development.

4 (f) Public information and assistance.

5 (g) Training.

6 (3) The department shall designate the activities to be

7 performed by a volunteer group in the adopt-a-trail program. The

8 department may provide for more than 1 volunteer group to adopt a

9 Michigan trailway or rail-trail or Michigan trailway or

10 rail-trail segment.

11 (4) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the

12 adopt-a-trail program shall submit an application to the

13 department on a form provided by the department. Additionally,

14 volunteer groups shall agree to the following:

15 (a) Volunteer groups shall participate in the program for at

16 least a 2-year period.

17 (b) Volunteer groups shall consist of at least 6 people who

18 are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a

19 school or scout organization, in which case the volunteers may be

20 under 18 years of age.

21 (c) Volunteer groups shall contribute a total of at least 400

22 service hours over a 2-year period.

23 (d) Volunteer groups shall comply with other reasonable

24 requirements of the department.

25 (5) A state park manager or a district forest manager may

26 issue to volunteers who are actively working on adopt-a-trail

27 projects that last more than 1 day free camping permits if

1 campsites are available. A state park manager or a district

2 forest manager may waive state park entry fees for volunteers

3 entering state parks to work on adopt-a-trail projects.

4 (6) While a volunteer is working on an adopt-a-trail project,

5 the volunteer has the same immunity from civil liability as a

6 department employee and shall be treated in the same manner as an

7 employee under section 8 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1408.

8 (7) The department shall design and erect near the entrance

9 of each Michigan trailway or rail-trail in the adopt-a-trail

10 program or along the trailway an adopt-a-trail program sign with

11 the name of the volunteer group's sponsoring organization listed

12 for each volunteer group that has contributed at least 100

13 service hours by volunteers.

14 (8) The department shall provide a volunteer group conducting

15 litter cleanup efforts under the adopt-a-trail program with a

16 method for the volunteer group to record a general

17 characterization of the types and amount of trash collected

18 during the group's cleanup effort. The department shall request

19 the group to forward the information recorded to the department

20 of environmental quality on completion.

21 (9) The department of environmental quality shall compile

22 information received under subsection (8) and shall, by December

23 31 of each year, make an annual report to the committees of both

24 houses of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over matters

25 relating to natural resources and the environment and to the

26 recycling advisory council created under section 17302,

27 presenting the information compiled under this section and under