Bill Text: MI SR0150 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to oppose the designation of additional national wilderness areas in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2022-06-30 - Adopted [SR0150 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SR0150-Enrolled.html
senate resolution no.150
Senator McBroom offered the following resolution:
Whereas, The National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS), established under the Wilderness Act of 1964, is made up of more than 800 national wilderness areas, which are defined as “areas of undeveloped Federal land retaining their primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation.” National wilderness areas must be formally designated by Congress, and are subject to specific management restrictions which generally aim to preserve them in their natural condition; and
Whereas, Sixteen national wilderness areas have already been designated in Michigan, including the Beaver Basin; Big Island Lake; Delirium; Horseshoe Bay; Huron Islands; Isle Royale; Mackinac; McCormick; Michigan Islands; Nordhouse Dunes; Rock River Canyon; Round Island; Seney; Sleeping Bear Dunes; Sturgeon River Gorge; and Sylvania wildernesses. These areas cover more than 294,000 acres of land throughout the state; and
Whereas, There is an effort underway to ask Congress to designate four more national wilderness areas in the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (UP), including the Ehlco area; Trap Hills; Norwich Plains; and the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Addition. Together, these areas would add over 65,000 acres to the NWPS in Michigan; and
Whereas, In the Record of Decision for the 2006 Ottawa National Forest Management Plan, the areas proposed for wilderness designation were determined by the National Forest Service to lack wilderness characteristics. In their decision, the Regional Forester reported that the area had “no features or conditions that warrant a recommendation for wilderness study” and has “low to moderate wilderness potential”; and
Whereas, There is little evidence that designating additional wilderness areas would result in improving the ecological health of the Ottawa National Forest. Once wilderness restrictions go into effect, opportunities to practice scientifically proven silvicultural treatments, such as selective thinning, harvesting, and planting; prescribed burning; and invasive species management, are limited. These practices have been crucial in helping to restore these areas to the quality they are today; and
Whereas, Potential economic development would be limited by wilderness designation. Local communities currently benefit from economic returns related to timber harvests and tourism in the Ottawa National Forest. In 2016, the National Forest Service reported that the Ottawa National Forest supported an estimated 960 jobs, which resulted in more than $39.3 million of direct income to local communities; and
Whereas, Recreational users currently enjoy a wide range of activities in the Ottawa National Forest, such as hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing, camping, motorized trail activities, and boating. Wilderness designation would significantly limit recreational access to these areas by prohibiting motorized equipment and mechanical transport. Additionally, enforcing such restrictions would increase the burden on entities charged with managing those lands; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we oppose the designation of additional national wilderness areas in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
