Michigan State Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) introduced two bills that would allow funding from Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to be used for non-land protection purposes. Senate Bill 214 would divert Trust Fund resources to maintaining road infrastructure for the timber and mining industry and for harbor dredging and S.B. 0164 would appropriate $30 million from the Trust Fund for waterways dredging. Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund is a constitutionally protected program that funds state acquisition and development of recreation land, municipal parks, and trail systems. If you feel strongly about S.B 214 and S.B 0164 please contact your Michigan State Senator.
State Senate bill threatens biodiversity and could put more than 4 million acres of state forest land at risk of disease and tree-killing pests. To read more please click here.