Conserving Michigan's Natural Resources: Funding Implications for DNRE Lands

1. + Funding Fish and Wildlife Conservation - Implications for Recreational Uses of DNRE Lands 12/1/2010 MSTAC and ETS Meeting

2. Presentation Outline • The Department’s mission and history of conservation • Conservation funding nationally and in Michigan • User pay – user benefit • Permanent and indefinite • Eligibility rules • Implications of conservation legacy and funding on land uses • Discussion

3. Department Mission The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment is committed to the conservation, protection, management, accessible use and enjoyment of the State's natural resources for current and future generations

4. Fish and Wildlife Conservation • Michigan has a rich history of conservation • Initiatives and laws beginning in mid 1800s lead to DNRE and conservation leadership • 19th century was bleak but also gave rise to a conservation ethic

5. Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir Fish and Wildlife Conservation • The North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation America • is “the worlds best experiment in conservation” Aldo Leopold

6. Funding Conservation • Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act of 1934 • Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 • Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950

7. Funding Conservation • Built on “User Pay – User Benefit” system • “Permanent and Indefinite” source of funds • Eligibility rules

8. User Pay – User Benefit • Duck Stamp – Hunting license: • $15 annually to hunt migratory birds • Entrance to National Wildlife Refuges • Purchase or lease wetland habitats as part of NWRs

9. User Pay – User Benefit • PR – Excise tax on manufacturers: • 11% firearms and ammunition • 10% on handguns and revolvers • 11% on archery equipment and arrow components • Matched with state fees from selling hunting licenses

10. User Pay – User Benefit • PR – Apportioned to states for wildlife: • Research • Restoration • Conservation • Management and enhancement of populations and habitat • Associated public benefit (e.g., hunting, wildlife viewing) • Hunter education, shooting ranges

11. Excise Tax Industry US FWS Wildlife Management Grants in Aid State Agencies User Pay – User Benefit

12. User Pay – User Benefit • DJ – taxes and duties: • 10% excise tax on fishing equipment • 3% excise tax on electric trolling motors • Motorboat and small engine fuel tax • Import duties on tackle, pleasure boats, and yachts • Matched with state fees from selling fishing licenses

13. User Pay – User Benefit • DJ – Apportioned to states for fish: • Research • Restoration • Conservation • Management and enhancement of populations and habitat • Associated public benefit (e.g., fishing)

14. Permanent and Indefinite • Funds collected by IRS and deposited into trust funds • Funds are automatically apportioned, not part of annual budget appropriations • Funds are protected, to states as grants for eligible purposes • Provide state agencies with stability and dependability

15. Permanent and Indefinite - DS

16. Permanent and Indefinite - PR

17. Permanent and Indefinite - DJ

18. DNRE’s PR and DJ Funds

19. DNRE’s 2010 PR and DJ Funds

20. Wildlife Division Funding 2011 Wildlife Division Proposed Expenditures ~$30 Million Budget

21. Eligibility Rules • Michigan has participated in PR and DJ since their inception • Assent Legislation • Assent to the provisions of the act • Follow all regulations promulgated to implement the act • Protect license fees from diversion • MCL 324.40501 • Constitution Section 40 of Title IX

22. Eligibility Rules • Lands acquired with federal funds must continue to serve their intended purposes -43 CFR 12.71(b) • Real property must serve its intended purposes and remain under management control of state fish & wildlife agency -50 CFR 80.14 • License fees, allowable uses, diversion and penalties -50 CFR 80.4(a)

23. Implications for DNRE Land Uses • Department’s mission - protect natural resources while providing outdoor recreation • Certain DNRE lands are intended for fish and wildlife conservation • Michigan has invested in these lands with federal funds and license fees • DNRE cannot allow uses to conflict with fish and wildlife conservation on these lands

24. Implications for DNRE Land Uses • Balance increasing recreational use demands with the intended resource management purposes on certain lands • Numerous activities are restricted • e.g., Hunting, Fishing, Horses, ATVs and ORVs, Snowmobiles, Bicycles, Metal Detecting, Geocaching, Road and Trail Development, etc. • Restrictions are continuously monitored and modified as needed

25. Implications for DNRE Land Uses • 16 State Parks and Recreation Areas • Have equestrian opportunities • 208 miles of trails • 7 equestrian campgrounds • State Forest • 322 miles of equestrian trails • 457 campsites open to equestrians; dedicated equestrian trail camps • ~3.8 million acres with no horse restrictions

26. Implications for DNRE Land Uses • Shore to Shore Riding and Hiking Trail • 400 mile integrated trail and camping network • Half is on state forest • State Game Areas • ~400,000 acres managed specifically for wildlife management • With few exceptions, horse use is not allowed

27. Questions? Thank you for your interest in Michigan’s natural resources