Land Use Issues

What is Land Use?

By " Land Use " we generally refer to all aspects of public use of public and private land, including legislative affairs, property rights, citizen lobbying, and trail maintenance activities. While all the clubs and members in our association enjoy and participate in trail riding and 4 wheeling activities, we also realize that we must stand up for our rights to use public lands. That's what our "Land Use" activities are all about.

What Great Lakes is Doing in Land Use

Visit the GLFWDA Land Use Forums for the most up-to-date information.

• Worked with Genesee County Parks to develop three rock crawl areas at The Mounds in Genesee County
• Worked with private citizens and the Oceana County Road Commission to repair a badly eroded section of 56th Street to prevent the closure of this scenic seasonal road
• Helped the MI DNR to design a rock crawl challenge area at the St Helen Motor Sport scramble area in Roscommon County. GLFWDA further enhanced the project by raising over $6,000 in private donations to add additional rocks and materials to the project
• Continuing to develop an appeal of the Forest Plan for the Manistee National Forest
• Provide annual 4WD safety training for the seasonal staff at Silver Lakes State Park
• Maintain 173 miles of ORV routes under a contract through the MI DNR
• Provided training to DNR staff as part of the recent modifications to the MI ORV Safety Training program, which will for the first time ever include safety training related to full-size 4x4 vehicles
• Worked with DNR and other user group representatives to develop a new ORV Safety Training program for Michigan’s ORV community
• GLFWDA Cleans Up! GLFWDA members have contributed labor and equipment to the annual forest cleanup projects sponsored by the Two Trackers Four Wheel Drive Club, ATV Offroad Club of MI and Bruce Menning’s annual cleanup of the St Helen Motor Sport Area

Michigan ORV Regulations

Individuals riding in places other than private property will pay $26.25 annually. Riders wishing to use state designated trails will pay an additional $10 annually. The additional revenue will allow the department to add miles of trails and connections to communities and provide for the inspection, maintenance and improved safety of the trail network.

ORV licenses are available from the DNR at DNR Operations Service Centers, over the Internet at http://www.mdnr-elicense.com, by mail, through participating ORV dealers, and through participating hunting and fishing license agents.

The Handbook of Michigan Off-Road Vehicle Laws

Off-Road Vehicle Advisory Workgroup

US Forest Service Schedule Of Proposed Actions