Michigan State Park System Best in the Nation

A longtime leader in outdoor recreation, Michigan can now officially boast being No. 1, receiving the 2011 National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal for the top state park system in the nation.

The award, given for excellence in planning and long-range resource management, recognizes Michigan’s innovative Recreation Passport program and the creative strategic planning the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Recreation Division has done to deliver a high quality customer experience to every state park visitor.

Michigan’s 99 state park and recreation areas are popular destinations for residents and visitors alike, and help make the quality of life in the state unbeatable.  The state parks offer 22 million annual visitors access to more than 13,000 campsites, trails, inland lakes, rivers and the Great Lakes.

They are also a key partner in the state’s Pure Michigan tourism effort – which last year helped to generate $17.2 billion dollars create an estimated 152,600 jobs statewide.

Governor Rick Snyder has appointed a Blue Ribbon Panel on Michigan State Parks and Outdoor Recreation to guide the state park system in the future.

“This award is a credit to the people of Michigan,” said Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. “For more than 90 years, Michiganders have realized that these unique areas are an integral part of the cultural enhancement, economic enrichment and overall quality of life that we value. Our parks are what we make of them and the people of this state clearly prize these treasures. I commend the DNR for its outstanding stewardship of these resources and look forward to working with all stakeholders so that we have a parks system that serves our state and its visitors for generations to come.”

Michigan beat out North Carolina, Florida and Missouri for the top honor.  In addition to the Recreation Passport, the state parks recreation initiatives include Recreation 101 programs, ongoing efforts to make state parks more accessible for all visitors and alternative lodging and green initiatives.

A local note:  Harry Whitely, who is being honored Saturday night, November 5, 2011 at the Annual Dinner of the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce, has long been a key factor in the Michigan DNR, as a Board Member and strong Champion for State Parks and Trails.  This national recognition of the quality of Michigan's Park system can be attributed, at least in part, to Harry's leadership and vision.  If you have not already done so, please consider purchasing a ticket to the annual dinner in honor of Harry Whitely and his many contributions to our community and our State Parks.

For more information on state parks in Michigan, go to www.michigan.gov/stateparks.

Michigan's Early Canada Goose Season Opens Sept. 1

The following Press Release is from DNRE:


For more information go to:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10371_10402-242338--,00.html

Contact: Barbara Avers 517-373-1263

Agency: Natural Resources and Environment

August 19, 2010

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that the early Canada goose hunting season opens statewide Wednesday, Sept. 1.
Early goose season, designed to target resident giant Canada geese, runs through Sept. 10 in the Upper Peninsula and in Huron, Tuscola and Saginaw counties, and through Sept. 15 elsewhere in Michigan.

Prospects for the upcoming goose season are excellent; the resident Canada goose population is estimated at 300,000 birds, the second highest population ever recorded. Hunters may take five Canada geese daily during the early season.

Wildlife officials remind hunters that a number of Canada geese in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties within the Kalamazoo River watershed were covered with crude oil following the Enbridge pipeline rupture in late July. Hunters who observe oil-covered geese or other oiled wildlife should report them to 800-306-6837, the Enbridge wildlife response hotline.

Geese that were rescued, cleaned, and released sport double leg bands, one of which reads: "Oil Spill Bird Contact Michigan DNRE 1-517-336-5030." Hunters who harvest the birds can call the phone number to get more information. The Michigan Department of Community Health suggests that adverse health effects from consuming these birds are unlikely.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, and accessible use and enjoyment of the state's environment, natural resources, and related economic interests for current and future generations. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/dnre.

Good hunting!

New Zoning Language

A community's rules about development are very important for its future.  Given the community is what it is at any given moment.  Existing building, businesses, residences, and districts are based on the rules the community put in place and how well they were enforced in the past.

Some people think, "Why can't I build or do whatever I want?  It is my property!"  The answer is simple--because you have neighbors.  Every property in a small town is part of a neighborhood.  What your building looks like and what you do there have an impact on the neighbors and the neighborhood.  Quality of life, property value, and safety are all directly effected by what happens in the neighborhood.  Therefore, a community puts in place--hopefully--reasonable and consistent rules for new development. 

To that end, using a grant from the DNRE Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Rogers City is revising its Zoning Ordinance.  The work has been going on for over a year.  From the Planning Commission, Del Conley, Milt Very, and Ray Zielinski have been meeting regularly with Denise Cline (NEMCOG) and Toby Kuznicki (City Staff) to draft new language to update the existing zoning ordinance.

You will find a draft of "Section 32-67: Plot Plans and Site Plan Requirements, Review and Approval" on this website under City Government/ Zoning and Planning.  I encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Rogers City to read this new language.  I am very interested in your comments and suggestions.

Wolverine Land Fill Permit Approved

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DRNE) approved the land fill permit for the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV).  This is a major milestone and achievement for the WCEV, Rogers City, and Presque Isle County.  Way to go DNRE!

Now, we need the Permit to Install (PTI).  Check out today's issue of the Detroit News for a full page add requesting action on the WCEV PTI.  Thank you to the citizens who contributed to make this add possible.

Rogers City needs the WCEV and so does Michigan.  I believe the WCEV is a win-win project for us all: clean energy, environmental protection, best available technology, high technology jobs, carbon capture, biomass, jobs, and more benefits besides.

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE)

Some people in Rogers City have complained about the slow response to the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV) Permit to Install (PTI).  I have to agree, this PTI has been delayed beyond a reasonable period.  Many people have speculated on why and what it means. 

I have no answers to those question; however, I do want to pass on praise, where praise is due.  Today, City Attorney Mike Vogler and I attended a meeting with Melissa Kendzierski and David Lindsay of the DNRE at their Gaylord office. 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Community Development Authority (CDA) Lakeview Project.  Melissa and David spent over two hours going over many aspects of this Brownfield Redevelopment Project.  They were very helpful in giving us a much clearer understanding of the environmental status of the project and what options are available, from an environmental point of view, to help resolve existing questions about this project.

I will not go into those options and questions in this forum.  Mike and I will brief the CDA at the next meeting, at 7:30 am on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, and the public is welcome to attend. However, I did not want to let pass an opportunity to publically thank these two excellent professionals for assisting this community to move forward. 

Melissa and David, thank you!

Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE)

Rebecca A. Humphries  has been named as the new Director of the combined former DNR and DEQ.  Becky is a friend to Rogers City, and I urge you to contact her to congratulate her on her appointment by Governor Granholm.  The Governor combined DNR and DEQ into a single department (DNRE) as a cost saving measure and to better serve the State of Michigan.  Here is a link to learn more

 http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192-31933-229693--,00.html

The new DNRE, under Becky, is responsible for the Wolverine Clean Energy Venture (WCEV) Permit to Install (PTI).