State recreation plan up for public comment:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials
today announced the impending deadline for public comment on the state's
Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.
Michigan's plan expires at the end of the year. The National
Parks Service requires SCORPs from all states applying for Land and
Water Conservation Fund dollars, which are used to develop facilities
for public outdoor recreation.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Grants
Administration Division administers LWCF funds for the state, allocating
them for state and local government projects as well as other public
agencies.
The DNR has contracted with Michigan State University's
Department of Park, Recreation, and Tourism Resources to develop the new
plan. As part of the plan development process, MSU has prepared
documents outlining the significant outdoor recreation issues and policy
guidelines for using LWCF to address statewide recreation needs. These
documents are available through the DNR website or by contacting the
DNR. Written feedback on the draft materials should be provided to the
DNR by Nov. 8 at the following email address harlowl@michigan.gov or
mailed to the DNR Grants Administration Division, PO Box 30425, Lansing,
MI 48909-7925.
In addition to the written documents, DNR and MSU have scheduled
three informal public information/discussion sessions to receive
feedback on these goals and objectives. A list of the dates, times and
locations for these sessions is attached. The sessions will include a
brief overview of draft recommendations regarding how DNR should use its
LWCFs. There will also be an opportunity for questions, discussion and
feedback.
There will be another opportunity to provide formal written
comments in January or February 2003, once the full SCORP is drafted and
made available for public review.
Questions regarding the SCORP process may be directed to Dr.
Charles Nelson at
nelsonc@msu.edu or Mr. Jim Wood, Resource Protection Section Manager
for the GAD at 517-373-9125.

SCORP information and discussion sessions

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2002
3:00-5:00 PM
MSU/Clarksville Agricultural
Experiment Station
Large Conference Room
9032 Portland Road
Clarksville, Michigan 48815
Off I-96 at Exit 59; Between Grand Rapids and Ionia

Friday, Nov. 1, 2002
3:00-5:00 PM
USDA Forest Service St. Ignace District Ranger Station
Large Conference Room
1498 West US-2
St. Ignace, Michigan 49781
On the north side of US-2, 4 miles west of St. Ignace.

Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2002
3:00-5:00 PM
MSU/Tollgate Conference Center
Americana Conference Center
28115 Meadowbrook Road
Novi, Michigan 48377
Off I-96 at Exit 162 or west off M-5 at the 12 Mile Road Exit;
Northwest corner of 12 Mile and Meadowbrook Roads

Source: MDNR