GREAT LAKES STATE PARK S.B. 429 (S-2)-431 (S-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY




Senate Bill 429 (Substitute S-2)
Senate Bill 430 (Substitute S-2)
Senate Bill 431 (Substitute S-2)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus (S.B. 429) Senator Patricia L. Birkholz (S.B. 430) Senator Mike Prusi (S.B. 431)
Committee: Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs


Date Completed: 6-12-07

CONTENT The bills would amend Part 415 (Public Shooting and Hunting Grounds) and Part 741 (State Parks System) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, and add Part 762 (Great Lakes State Park), to do the following:

-- Designate specified swamp and submerged land as the Great Lakes State Park.
-- Specify that Part 741 would not apply to the Great Lakes State Park.
-- Create the "Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund" and provide for the expenditure of money in the Fund.
-- Require the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to create an annual Great Lakes State Park voluntary decal, and require money collected from its sale to be deposited in the Fund.

The bills are tie-barred to each other and to House Bills 4638, 4639, and 4640, which would amend the Act to change the name of the Underwater Salvage and Preserve Committee to the Great Lakes State Park and Salvage Advisory Committee and expand the Committee's functions; and require the DNR and the Natural Resources Commission to manage the Great Lakes State Park and enhance recreational opportunities within its boundaries.


The Senate bills are described below in further detail.

Senate Bill 429 (S-2)
Under Part 415, all of the swamp or submerged land lying along the borders of Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan, Superior, and St. Clair, except certain parts of the St. Clair Flats, within the State's boundaries, and within the limits described in Part 415, as well as all swamp or submerged land adjoining these lakes or in the bayous adjoining or emptying into them, and all swamp or submerged land contiguous to and lying along the shores of the Kalamazoo, Grand, and Muskegon Rivers, that belong to the State or to which the State acquires title, are set apart and dedicated for a public shooting and hunting ground.


Part 415 refers to this land as a "park", and specifies that it extends to the State line into the respective lakes from their shorelines, and that the park's outer boundary is the center line of the lakes or the boundary of the State. The park includes all swamp or submerged land lying between the shoreline and the outer boundary, as well as the swamp or
submerged land owned or acquired by the State that borders upon the lakes or in or upon the bayous emptying into them.


Under the bill, the park would be known as the Great Lakes State Park. The bill specifies that naming the park the Great Lakes State Park would not affect any use or activity authorized within it or any regulation related to it in effect on the bill's effective date.


The bill would amend Part 741 to specify that Part 741 would not apply to the Great Lakes State Park.


Under Part 762, which the bill would add, "committee" would mean the Great Lakes State Park and Salvage Advisory Committee. "Fund" would mean the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund. "Plan" would mean the Great Lakes State Park Recreation and Tourism Plan prepared under Section 76202 (which would be created by a proposed substitute to House Bill 4640).

Senate Bill 430 (S-2)

Under proposed Part 762, the bill would create the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund within the State Treasury. Fund money could be spent, upon appropriation, only for the following purposes:

-- Management of the Great Lakes State Park.
-- Administration of Parts 325 (Great Lakes Submerged Lands) and 761 (Aboriginal Records and Antiquities).
-- Maritime history, underwater archaeology, and materials conservation related to the Park.
-- Park and recreation planning and enhancement of recreation opportunities within the Park.
-- Intentional sinking of vessels within the Park.
-- Tourism research and marketing related to the Park.
-- Heritage education regarding the Park.
-- Law enforcement within the Park.


The State Treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Fund. The State Treasurer would have to direct the investment of the Fund, and credit to it any interest and earnings. Money in the Fund at the close of the fiscal year would remain in the Fund and would not lapse to the General Fund.

Senate Bill 431 (S-2)

Under proposed Part 762, the bill would require the DNR to create an annual Great Lakes State Park voluntary decal. The DNR would have to design the decal, which would have to depict some aspect of underwater aquatic life or recreational activities associated with the Great Lakes State Park.


The decal would have to be sold on a voluntary basis to individuals wishing to support the Park. A decal would not be necessary, however, to use the Park. The DNR would have to sell the decals for $15 each.


Money collected from the sale of the decals would have to be forwarded to the State Treasurer and credited to the proposed Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund.


MCL 324.41508 et al. (S.B. 429) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
Proposed MCL 324.76204 (S.B. 430)
Proposed MCL 324.76203 (S.B. 431) FISCAL IMPACT
Since purchase of a Great Lakes State Park decal would be voluntary and not required for use of the proposed park, the bill would generate an indeterminate amount of revenue for the State. The revenue would be deposited into the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund and used for management of the Park, administration of Great Lakes submerged land, underwater conservation, park and recreation planning, and other related activities.

Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman Jessica Runnels

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb429-431/0708