Goverment control

[schultz]

Interesting thread, but I'm not certain what to make of it. From what I'm able to piece together from the thread and the committee meeting notes on the State of Michigan's website, essentially they are considering recommendations on how to sustain a proposed Great Lakes Park Preservation Fund. This fund is part of an amendment to the State of Michigan's  Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) that essentially creates a Great Lakes State Park in the state's upper peninsula  submerged lands lying around Michigan, Huron, and Erie.

One such proposal (still in committee) is a voluntary fee/sticker for those of use boaters, swimmers, and divers use the lake resources – including shipwrecks.

The key here is under the current proposal in the Michigan Senate Bill 431:
SEC. 74129. (1) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL CREATE AN ANNUAL GREAT LAKES STATE PARK PASS. THE GREAT LAKES STATE PARK PASS SHALL BE DESIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND SHALL DEPICT SOME ASPECT OF UNDERWATER AQUATIC LIFE OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE GREAT LAKES STATE PARK.

(2) A GREAT LAKES STATE PARK PASS SHALL BE SOLD ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS TO INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO SUPPORT THE GREAT LAKES STATE PARK. HOWEVER, A GREAT LAKES STATE PARK PASS IS NOT NECESSARY TO USE THEGREAT LAKES STATE PARK. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SELL GREAT LAKES STATE PARK PASSES FOR $15.00 EACH.

So the way I read this is it would be similar to paying a small fee to Ducks Unlimited, or even something like the State of Wisconsin's Wolf License Plate protection program.

I'm trying to find out more information, so I've email one of my lawyer acquaintances who monitors things like this within the state government there.

If you want to read more about the House and Senate bills consider the following links: