Trust Fund Recommends $35.7 Million for Land and Recreation Projects
The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund recently recommended $35.7 million for 67 land acquisition and recreation projects in 2010.
December 15, 2009
By Heart of the Lakes
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-39002_16791---,00.htmlThe Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund recently recommended $35.7 million for 67 land acquisition and recreation projects in 2010.The Trust Fund is a constitutionally protected fund that provides a source of funding for public acquisition of lands for resource protection and outdoor recreation. Several projects totaling nearly $8 million benefitted from community and state partnerships with Michigan land conservancies—Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Land Conservancy of West Michigan, Little Traverse Conservancy, Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy in Michigan.
Both the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and The Nature Conservancy in Michigan are integral partners with the City of Saugatuck and its efforts to acquire 171 acres of ecologically significant Lake Michigan dune lands adjacent to the City’s Oval Beach Park, currently owned by Oklahoma businessman Aubrey McClendon and formerly owned by the Denison family. Their efforts were rewarded with a $10.5 million ($3.5 million over three years) grant from the Trust Fund. Although short of the $12.6 million requested in order to sign the deal on the $20 million project, it represents a major commitment by the state for the purchase of this property that provides habitat for rare and declining species. Fortunately, the owner dropped the price by $1 million and other donors came forward to close the funding gap enabling the Land Conservancy of West Michigan to close on the property before the end of the year.
$2.26 million was recommended for the next phase of the Acme Shoreline Preservation Initiative in Acme Township, Grand Traverse County. The Shoreline Initiative’s goal is to open the waterfront in the township for a broad range of public uses. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is a key partner in the effort, coordinating appraisals, securing option agreements to purchase properties, and helping to raise the needed funds.
The Little Traverse Conservancy has been pleased to work with Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff on the conservation of property adjacent to the Pigeon River Country State Forest ever since it was identified by the Wildlife Committee of the Pigeon River Forest Advisory Council as a priority for protection. This year, the Trust Fund recommended $1.8 million for acquisition of 1,060 acres to add to the State Forest, including over 6,600 feet of Little Pigeon Frontage. They expect more to come from this successful collaborative effort.
Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy and Addison Township (Oakland County) teamed up to secure public access to the natural and water resources of a passive recreation nature park. The Trust Fund recommended $428,000 for the township’s purchase of the 82-acre Lake George Nature Preserve, property Six Rivers had secured in early 2008.
All recommended Trust Fund projects must go to Governor Granholm for review and then to the Michigan legislature for appropriation.
