Pure Michigan. The slogan the state uses to attract tourists from all over the United States and the world to the nation’s longest freshwater coastline and more than 4.5 million acres of state lands.
These lands are available and open to hunters, anglers, campers, cyclists and many other outdoor enthusiasts and two bills currently before the Senate Natural Resources Committee threaten to slow the state’s acquisition of such lands.
Senate Bill 39 and Senate Bill 40 not only would make it more difficult for the state to acquire and hold public lands; they will also open the door to allow private entities to force the sale of such lands.
The state forest system in Michigan accounts for the nation’s largest single-ownership public lands base for outdoor recreation east of the Mississippi River. Sportsmen across the state of Michigan have done a terrific job ensuring these public lands are properly managed and are urging like-minded opponents to these bills to voice their opinions with state senators.
