DNR fails to submit report

[Zookeeper]

Today, the state Senate approved a budget bill for the Department of Natural Resources that included a $100 placeholder for ORV trail development. This is because the department has failed to provide the required report to the Legislature on how it plans to create new trails per last year's directive. The Senate did not see fit to provide them funding to pay for a plan they either haven't finished or refuse to share.

So, it would seem the report from the last ORV Advisory Board meeting congratulating the DNR for doing such a wonderful job on this effort was a bit premature.

This is only one step in the budget process, but I wanted everyone to be aware of what happened today.

:Ari:

[95geo]

:clap:

excellent!

:bigemo_harabe_net-174:

[WhiteRhino]

Since I'm an idiot, what does this mean in laymen's terms?

[95geo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino &#064; May 24 2006, 02&#58;31 PM) 14402</div>

Since I&#39;m short on memory, what does this mean in laymen&#39;s terms?
[/b]


its basically all of the money for this:
http://www.glfwda.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1454

and other improvements

[Zookeeper]

Jim, you&#39;re not an idiot, you&#39;re a voter. Pay no attention to the man behind the budget curtain&#33; :P

Seriously, what this means is that the Senate is sending a message to the DNR that they don&#39;t get the money to make more trails until the Senate gets to see how and where they are going to spend the money.

[WhiteRhino]

It would seem in my book that this is just what the DNR wants. If they drag their feet, they get a slap on the hand by the senate saying you don&#39;t get the money. Since they didn&#39;t want to add more trails anyway, this is a perfect excuse for the DNR. No money=no new trails. Case closed.

[Creative Fab]

This is probably the same reason we do not have a Southeast MI ORV area as was mandated by the legislature back in 1992. The DNR didnt come up with a chunk of land or a solid plan for presentation and it fell by the wayside&#33;

:thumb-up: DNR

[phittie1100]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zookeeper &#064; May 24 2006, 04&#58;18 PM) 14405</div>

Seriously, what this means is that the Senate is sending a message to the DNR that they don&#39;t get the money to make more trails until the Senate gets to see how and where they are going to spend the money.
[/b]

What it really means is WE don&#39;t get the money for new trails. I want a job where you can just ignore what your boss says and still get a paycheck. :Ironman:

[Zookeeper]

I wouldn&#39;t throw in the towel yet. Sen. McManus hasn&#39;t abandoned the idea, she just wants to see it used for the right thing. After all, if you just throw money at the DNR without having the plan in place, they&#39;ll find a way to use it for "administration" of creating the list and zero dollars will actually end up in new trails. :WhiteRhino:

If you want to register your support for continuing efforts, send a note to Sen. Michelle McManus urging her to keep the heat on the DNR for to finish their report and get this project moving forward. If you contact her, though, remember she&#39;s our friend in this fight so be nice&#33; :bigemo_harabe_net-145:

Here&#39;s the info: http://www.senate.mi.gov/gop/senator/mcman...ntact/index.htm (http://www.senate.mi.gov/gop/senator/mcmanus/contact/index.htm)

[MiniJ]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zookeeper &#064; May 24 2006, 05&#58;45 PM) 14411</div>

If you contact her, though, remember she&#39;s our friend in this fight so be nice&#33;

[/b]

I second that&#33; :thumb-up:
As the Senator&#39;s writer, I&#39;d really hate to see her in a bad mood - That just makes my day more unpleasant. :WhiteRhino:

Seriously though, she really is on our side, so go ahead and let your voice be heard.

[WhiteRhino]

Letter sent&#33;

[n8big]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino &#064; May 25 2006, 08&#58;35 AM) 14417</div>

Letter sent&#33;
[/b]



Also Letter sent&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; Hopefully every little bit helps&#33;&#33;&#33; :rolleyes:

[Renegade II]

&#036;100 is about right for the DNR budget, that will give them less diesel fuel for the dozers they use to burm off trail entrances. I&#39;d love to see an audit of where all the ORV/Silver Lake money really goes. I&#39;ve been paying the ORV fees since the mid 80&#39;s and the only thing I&#39;ve seen happen so far is they put in an easy entrance to the dunes and closed off every trail that&#39;s more difficult than a gravel road. Until Turtle Ponds is back open I will have little faith that the DNR is here for assistance.

Closed unless posted open is just plain un American&#33; angry

I just needed to vent, sorry.

[arcticjeff]

Sent an email just a few minutes ago. Thanks for letting everyone know whats happening.