New Recreation Passport Launched to Fund State Parks

Following its passage earlier this year, with the support of the Municipal League, the state's new Recreation Passport program took effect on October 1st as the completely new mechanism designed to fund state parks in Michigan and provide grant support for local parks. 

State general fund budget support for state parks was eliminated in 2004, limiting state park operations and maintenance to annual vehicle permit sales.  The Department of Natural Resources and the Environment estimated that it would be nearly $5 million short of funding day to day operations and only able to address about 1% of their critical infrastructure repair needs under the prior system. 

Under the new system, the former $24 annual permit and $6 daily permit have been eliminated and replaced with a $10 voluntary fee that will be made available as part of every vehicle's license plate renewal process with the Secretary of State.  Michigan vehicle owners will be asked to choose whether or not to add $10 to their license plate renewal fee.  If they pay the $10, they will receive a renewal tab with a special designation allowing access to all state parks, recreation areas and boat launches.  Revenue from this new Passport will provide support for state park operations, capital maintenance, and state forest campground improvements, along with creating a new grant program to support local parks similar to what is offered through the Natural Resources Trust Fund.  Program advocates believe that the lower annual cost and the broader access provided through the vehicle registration renewal process will result in increased revenues to operate and maintain many of our recreation resources.  Fiscal estimates reveal that participation by anything more than 17% of registered vehicles will result in increased revenue within the system.

Please visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport for more details about this new program.

Chris Hackbarth handles environmental issues for the Michigan Municipal League.  Chris can be reached at 517-908-0303, or by email at chackbarth@mml.org.