KENT CO. PROPERTY CONVEYANCE H.B. 5141 (H-1):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5141 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Peter MacGregor
House Committee: Appropriations
Senate Committee: Appropriations
CONTENT
The bill would authorize the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to convey to Kent County, property located in the Township of Plainfield, Kent County, Michigan, commonly referred to as Rogue River Streambank Access, for consideration of $1. The property consists of two parcels totaling approximately 27.05 acres. The property would have to be used exclusively for public recreation purposes. Any fees, terms, or conditions for the use of the property would have to be applied uniformly to resident and nonresident members of the public. On termination of the use of the property for public recreation purposes, the State could reenter and repossess the property. The DNR would retain mineral rights, and could retain rights to continue fishery management activities on the property as long as the State considered it necessary to continue the activities. The conveyance authorized by the bill would nullify the existing lease between the DNR and Kent County.
Both parcels were purchased with Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) funds (26.6 acres in 1996 at a cost of $178,000 and .45 acre in 2001 at a cost of $100,000). The DNR entered into long-term lease agreements with Kent County for the development and management of the parcels as part of Kent County's Rogue River Park. The land is adjacent to Kent County’s Rogue River Park – which was developed to be a major trailhead for the White Pine Trail State Park. The land has since been developed for use with the White Pine Trail State Park. When Kent County agreed to manage the property, it was also agreed that ownership of the DNR land would, at some time, be transferred to the county.
FISCAL IMPACT
Revenue (which would be nominal) received from the conveyance would have to be deposited in the MNRTF. The State would realize savings estimated at $4,378, because the MNRTF would no longer be required to pay payments in lieu of taxes for the property.
This 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.