Michigan’s Transportation Funding Task Force is trying to steal from the sportsmen of Michigan! This task force recommended to the Governor to redirect (steal) from the dedicated trust fund that Michigan has set up from royalties of the states mineral rights sales and leases. The Michigan United Conservation Club is urging Governor Granholm to reject the task force’s recommendation. There are other avenues to balance the budget. Don’t steal from the Natural Resource Trust Fund. Below is MUCC’s press release on the issue.
MUCC Stands Against Potential Raid on Trust Fund
MUCC slammed a proposal to siphon constitutionally-protected dollars out of the Natural Resources Trust Fund to transportation infrastructure projects last week, urging Governor Granholm to denounce the idea.
A transportation funding task force created by the legislature in 2007 released a final report of recommendations in November which contains a surface infrastructure funding recommendation that would “[r]edirect all or a portion of the Natural Resources Trust Fund to transportation.”The Trust Fund is considered Michigan’s crown jewel for providing access and development of natural resources, leading to recreational opportunities in addition to tourism and job creation. Since the mid-1970s, Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund has aided state and local units of government with grants to acquire or develop recreational property for the general use and enjoyment of all the citizens of our state.
The Trust Fund began with the passage of PA 204 of 1976, deriving its funding from royalties on the sale and lease of state-owned mineral rights. In 1985, 1994, and 2002 Michigan voters strengthened the Trust Fund with amendments that were approved overwhelmingly. Just recently, $48.5 Million in grants was awarded to entities throughout the state for rehabilitation and improved access to Michigan’s natural resources.
Raiding the Trust Fund would eliminate Michigan’s largest program that assists local communities to protect and restore natural areas. Communities that take advantage of the Trust Fund’s resources consider it an investment in our natural resources as well as our communities and quality of life. MUCC is currently reaching out to national and state-based conservation organizations as well as the general public for support in muffling the transportation task force’s recommendation – contact Dave Nyberg if you or your organization would like to be involved in protecting the Trust Fund.
