Lanse
CGRETCHEN WHITER DAML EICHINGER
SUBMITTED: March 18,2019)
RESUBMITTED: April 16, 2019
MEMORANDUM TO THE DIRECTOR
Information: Natural Resources Commission
Subject: Regulate Use of Certain Managed State Lands
Land Use Order of the Disectoe Amendment No.2 of 2019
Autocity
‘Tae Natural Resourees and Environmental Protection Act 1994 PA 451, authorizes the Director to issue
‘orders to implement land use rl,
Di
cuss nd
‘The ntent of this onde isto align management and us of state land consistent with recent legislative
changes aswell sto implement regulatory contrels on tate lands to protect natura, cultural and historic
resourees and provide safety measites for visitors and staf.
Several issues and behaviors have come to the attnton of Department staff These issues and behaviors run
‘contrary to the protection ofthe state managed natural resources and present safety concerns to visitors of
‘these managed state lands. To curtail, and cease these issues and behaviors, it has become necessary 0
provide staf with enforcement ability prohibit these activites, The issues and behaviors include
Use of sky lanterns
Use and acess to designated Mountin Bike Trails
Use and acess tothe DTE Mountain Bike Trail and Mike Levine Lakelands Trl State Park
Use and operation of Elec Bicycles
Use and operation of unmanned aircraft
‘Sky Lantems:
"Numerous complaints have been received by Department sa from visitors and adjacent propety owners
‘regarding the extreme fie hazards sky lanterns present oa sat and neighboring lands with no means offre
control. As.a manager of state land, prokihiting the vs af sky lantern on or overeat land would ait
the stewardship of the state's natral, cultural and historic resources as wel preserving the property of
surrounding private property owners. Its the intent ofthe order to prohibit sky lantems in al areas of tate
pats, recreation areas, boating acess sites and sae forest campgrounds
Tail Access:
‘The DTE mountain bike trail isa developed tal supported and maintained through private funding, and the
Mike Levine Laketands Trail State Park isan improved surface trail, a segment of which spat ofthe ron
‘Bele Trail. The uniqueness of these tas in design, maintenance ad significance of operation, imparts a
greater level of concern fr the integrity of these improved trails, The weight of certain vehicles hasbeen
Known to eause damage to trails and result ina poor tal experience fora usergroups as well as potential
‘weagan ov 7 abe EN)Regulate Use of Certain Managed State Lands
Land Use Order ofthe Director Amendment No.2 of 2019
Page 2
April 16,2019
safety concen fr future users, eis for these reasons that this order seeks a closure of thas ils to
snovmobile use,
Due to the facze and thaw cycle of Michigan's weather and wet conditions during certain times of the year,
itisnot uncommon for routinely maintained designated mountain biking tail to sufer significant damage.
This damage results in «poor til experience fr use, a significant amount of reinvestment of ine and
resources for repairs, and the potential fr injury to users. Is for these reasons that this order requests the
ability for staff to temporarily close designated Mouatain Biko Trails duo to conditions negatively affecting
tho sustanabiiy and safer ofthe wall
Palms Book State Pare
‘The Big Spring, Kitchitkii, located within Palms Book State Pak ia significant natural treasure forall
‘Michigan citizens and visitors. As suc, the Department, through its oder, hus lng taken steps to ensure it
remains in pristine condition for present and future generations. While there are orders in effect that prohibit
‘person from conducting certain activities within the Big Spring, with the emergence of new technologies
‘comes the need to modify the existing orders to contin the protections over his area. With drone activity
now being undertaken in waterbodies, staff have encountered instances where individuals have placed those
‘objects into the Big Spring, ulzing a loophole inthe language of che current order. Updating this oder 0
‘rohibting individuals rom entering, placing or launching any object inthe Big Spring would enhance the
protections curently in place.
Status sone
During the ast legislative session, laws were passed fr the following: 1) allowing operation of Class 1
lect bicyeles on certain improved trails and rail tail on state land and prohibiting operation of Clas It
‘and Clas Il electric bicycles a stat and; and, 2) modifying and prohibiting the operation of n unmanned
ircraft in cetin situations. Its the intent ofthis order to allow th use of recreation unmanned icra t
consistent wih state and federal law, excop in cota identified area.
[By reiterating the requirements of these laws within this order it des nat contrac the laws but instead
allows for enforcement ofthese laws by commissioned Department staf on certain identified tate managed
Tans
‘This odes supported by the relevant divisions ofthe Department and the Michigan Snowmobile
‘Associaton. The Michigan State Parks Advisory Commitee will eview the proposed order at their April
‘meting prior tothe NRC meeting, The Michigan Snowmobile Assocation was consulted and hat noises
‘with the proposed tail restrictions.Regulate Use of Certain Managed State Lands
Land Use Order ofthe Director Amendment No. 2 of 2019
Page 3
April 16, 2019
‘This order is being submited for information and consideration, This oder was submited for information|
‘on April 11,2019, atthe Natural Resources Commission meeting This tem appeared onthe Departent’s
April 2019 calendar and may be eligible for approval on May 8, 2019.
We hele
‘FC Debbie Bezalle, Chet Russ Mason, Ph. D., Chief
Foret Resources Division Wilite Dison
L. Te a 40. O20
sles Deis, Chet Willan Onin
Fisheries Division [Natual Resourees Deputy