MUNICIPAL FORESTS: RECREATIONAL USE                                                      S.B. 1031:

                                                                                               COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 1031 (as introduced 3-20-12)

Sponsor:  Senator Tom Casperson

Committee:  Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes

Date Completed:  5-15-12

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 527 (Municipal Forests) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to include a recreational purpose among the authorized uses of municipal forestland.

Municipal Land

Under Part 527, a municipality may acquire land or provide land already in its possession and use it for a forestry purpose, and may carry on forestry on the land.  The bill would refer to a forestry and/or recreational purpose, and forestry and/or recreational activities, in these provisions.

In addition, a municipality may receive and spend or hold in trust gifts of money or personal property for a forestry purpose.  The bill would refer to a forestry or recreational purpose, or both.

State Land

Part 527 authorizes the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Department of Treasury, or a State officer in charge of State land to sell homestead, tax, swamp, or primary school land to a public agency for a forestry purpose, at a price set by the applicable department or officer.  This land is known as "municipal forestland".  The land must be suitable for and used solely for a forestry purpose, unless conveyed as provided in Part 527.  If the land is prime land (i.e., municipal forestland that meets certain criteria), it must be used only for a forestry purpose.  When the land is no longer used for that purpose, it reverts to the State.  

The bill would add a recreational purpose to the allowed uses of municipal forestland, and include in the definition of "municipal forestland" land sold to a public agency for a recreational purpose.  "Recreational purpose" would include any motorized or nonmotorized recreational activity.

("Public agency" means a school district, a public educational institution, a governmental unit or agency of the State, or a municipality.

Part 527 requires the DNR to relinquish to a public agency the Department's reversionary interest in municipal forestland conveyed to the public agency upon request, and prescribes requirements applicable to the conveyance of that land by the public agency.)

MCL 324.52702 & 324.52706                                           Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

                                                                                        Fiscal Analyst:  Josh Sefton

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.