Michigan needs to reduce the cost of maintaining State campgrounds. They have already closed some campgrounds to meet reduced funding levels. Looking to the future, if funding cuts continue, as we all expect they will, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Lansing is looking for your input on how to shrink the cost of State campgrounds.
The DNR has created a questionnaire for the general public to help them establish which criteria should guide decision making on reducing expenses to meet the expected revenues.
"The campground evaluation process includes an opportunity for the public to provide their thoughts on what criteria should be considered when evaluating the state forest’s 145 campgrounds and 2 cabin facilities for downsizing. The public will then be asked to rank each criteria in their importance for making this evaluation. The DNR has identified six criteria to be used in this effort as outlined on this questionnaire."
- Campground Quality
- Renovation Needs
- Associated Recreation Activities
- Proximity to other campgrounds
- Use and Occupancy
- Financial Sustainability
There is space for you to add other criteria. The form on the website asks you to rank which criteria are most important. All responses are due to the DNR by close of business on September 14, 2009.
There are two PowerPoint presentations that provide a history of the campground funding and a description of the evaluation process.
You need Adobe Acrobat to complete the questionnaire online. You need Acrobat Reader to view and print the form to mail in. Acrobat Reader is free. There is a link on the DNR web page to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.
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Comments
Wow. I didn't know about this. People should really get involved and get their opinion out there.
Actually, a solution to the DNR funding has been proposed and considered by the House and Senate. This proposed funding would not dip into tax dollars and has been successfully implemented in Montana. Unfortunately, the House and Senate have chosen to put the bill on hold until they have had the chance to review other budget items, such as an increased gas tax and vehicle registration (nearly doubling the cost).
This is a shame. Virginia is doing the same sort of reduction. They closed 19 major highway rest stops last month. I'm sure more types of closings will continue.
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