December 2, 2003, Introduced by Senator BISHOP and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
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 data
16 information sheets and shall request that the volunteer group
17 record on the data information sheets a general characterization
18 of the types and amount of trash collected during the group's
19 cleanup effort. The department shall request the group to
20 forward the data information sheets to travel Michigan on
21 completion.
22 (9) Travel Michigan shall compile information obtained from
23 data information sheets received under subsection (8) and shall
24 use this information in developing and administering the
25 antilitter marketing program under section 8913.
26 Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect
27 unless all of the following bills of the 92nd Legislature are
1 enacted into law:
2 (a) Senate Bill No. 721.
3 (b) Senate Bill No. 856.
4