Bill Text: MI SR0011 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to encourage the United States Forest Service to work on an agreement with the owners of privately held hunting camps on leased acres within the Ottawa National Forest to allow the hunting camps to remain on federal land.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2017-02-21 - Adopted [SR0011 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-SR0011-Enrolled.html
SR11, As Adopted by Senate, February 21, 2017
Senator Casperson offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 11.
A resolution to encourage the United States Forest Service to work on an agreement with the owners of privately held hunting camps on leased acres within the Ottawa National Forest to allow the hunting camps to remain on federal land.
Whereas, Starting in the late 1950s, Michigan residents were offered an opportunity to lease privately-owned land from the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) to build recreational hunting camps. In 1991, the UPPCO announced intentions to sell the land currently under lease to an intermediary who would simultaneously sell the land to the United States Forest Service (USFS). Existing leaseholders were offered an option to sign a 25-year, non-renewable lease on the land that was to be sold or to immediately vacate the property. The leases were signed in March of 1992, and the United States Forest Service (USFS) took control of the land in June 1992. The land currently under private lease accounts for less than 1,100 acres in the Ottawa National Forest; and
Whereas, Hundreds of people have experienced the wonders of Michigan's great outdoors at these hunting camps. The Ottawa National Forest is almost one million acres of rolling hills, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. Those who lease land in the forest have built outdoor recreational traditions with their families. The hunting camps allow them to experience the seclusion and isolated environment of the Ottawa National Forest while engaging in varied recreational activities including hunting, fishing, canoeing, and snowshoeing; and
Whereas, The USFS informed leaseholders that leases would expire on January 1, 2017, because of its national policy not to lease national forestland to individuals. The holders of the active leases now have until March 31 to remove the hunting cabins and return the land to its natural state; and
Whereas, The expiration of the leases will hurt local economies in Ontonagon and Gogebic Counties. It will result in over $35,000 in lost lease fee revenue to the townships and almost $10,000 in tax revenue to the counties. Even a greater loss will be realized by local businesses, including gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, and restaurants that benefit from the patronage of the camp families; and
Whereas, The expiration of the leases will eliminate refuge for people from the occasionally harsh and unexpected shifts in weather conditions. The Ottawa National Forest covers a large area in the Western Upper Peninsula. Camp owners often leave their cabins or outbuildings unlocked to the relief of individuals stranded in the woods who have sought shelter. A Boy Scout troop once sheltered at the Twin Pines camp after being caught in a storm, and a group of snowmobilers is known to regularly rest at one of the camps; and
Whereas, The USFS Recreation Residence Program provides private citizens an opportunity to own single-family cabins in designated areas of national forests. Currently, 15,570 recreation residences occupy national forest system lands throughout the country; and
Whereas, Although the National Forest Service placed a moratorium on the establishment of new tracts under the Recreation Residence Program in 1968, the authority to issue special use authorization under the Recreational Residence Program remains in federal regulations (36 CFR Part 251). Therefore, lifting the moratorium for the limited purpose of establishing a recreation residence tract in the Ottawa National forest and issuing special use authorization permits are possible and would allow the many families currently leasing in the Ottawa National Forest an opportunity that is provided to thousands of people elsewhere in the country; and
Whereas, Converting to the Recreation Residence Program would maintain a tax base for local governments, provide continuing support for the local economy, and ensure that hunting and recreational traditions held so dear by Michigan residents continue to be experienced in the Ottawa National Forest; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we encourage the United States Forest Service to work with the owners of privately held hunting camps on leased acres within the Ottawa National Forest to allow the hunting camps to remain on federal land under an agreement such as providing special use authorization under the Recreation Residence Program; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Chief of the United States Forest Service and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
