Great Lakes State Park Six Bill Package Summary
(Information provided by the office of 35th District Senator Michelle McManus)

Senate Bill 429 Sponsored by Senator Michelle McManus (R-Traverse City).

Creates the Great Lakes State Park and requires the Department of Natural Resources to manage those lands. It amends legislation in 1899 that gives the state control over the Great Lakes bottomlands.

Senate Bill 430 Sponsored by Senator Patty Birkholz (RSaugatuck Township).

Creates the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund in the state treasury. The bill outlines the specific uses of the fund for the management of the Great Lakes State Park, administration, maritime history, underwater archaeology, park and recreation planning, enhancement of recreation opportunities, intentional sinking of vessels, tourism research and marketing, heritage education, and law enforcement.

Senate Bill 431 Sponsored by Senator Michael Prusi (DIshpeming).

Requires the DNR to create an annual Great Lakes State Park pass. It requires the DNR to design the pass and states that the pass can be sold only on a voluntary basis. A pass is not necessary to use the Great Lakes State Park. The proposed price of the pass is $15, with funds collected from the sales of the pass to be forwarded to the Michigan Treasurer and credited to the Great Lakes State Park Preservation Fund.

House Bill 4638 Sponsored by Representative Steve Lindberg (D-Marquette Township).

Designates an advisory committee composed of the following:

+ Two DNR representatives, one for park and recreation planning and one for law enforcement on Great Lakes surface waters and bottomlands.

+ One representative from Travel Michigan for tourism, research, and marketing.

+ One Department of Environmental Quality representative.

+ One Department of History, Arts, and Libraries representative.

+ Six individuals from the general public appointed by the governor.

House Bill 4639 Sponsored by Representative Daniel Acciavatti (R-Chesterfield Township).

Adds new functions for the committee established in House Bill 4638, such as establishing guidelines for the discovery of shipwrecks and making recommendations for use of funds from the Great Lakes State Park Preservations Fund.

House Bill 4640 Sponsored by Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch).

Places management responsibilities for the Great Lakes State Park with the DNR and the Natural Resources Commission. It will require them to manage the park to protect and preserve its natural resources and to enhance recreational opportunities within its boundaries, including, but not limited to, boating, fishing, swimming, and scuba diving.