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DNR Seeks Public Comment on Revised ORV
Management Plan
Feb. 18, 2008 --
State recreation officials today announced the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in
cooperation with the Off-Road Vehicle Trails
Advisory Board, has released a revised draft
management plan for ORV use in Michigan.
Revisions to the plan were made in response
to public comments on the initial draft plan
that was presented to the public in August 2005.
The plan provides strategic direction for
management of ORV use on public lands
administered by the DNR.
The substantive changes to the 2005 draft
plan are the inclusion of actions the DNR will
take to address illegal ORV use. This includes
actions and recommendations from the ORV
strategy task force that was established as a
result of forest certification, which Michigan
achieved from the Sustainable Forestry
Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council in
2006.
The new plan also addresses other influences
that have come into play since 2005, such as
legislative boilerplate language regarding trail
expansion and pending legislation concerning ORV
operation on public roadways.
The revised draft plan can be viewed online
by going to
www.michigan.gov/dnr, then clicking on the
Recreation, Camping & Boating link to locate the
ORV/ATV page.
Public comment on the revised plan, which may
be submitted via e-mail at
DNR-ORVPlanComments@Michigan.gov, has been
extended until midnight EST, Feb. 25, 2008.
The DNR will present the revised draft plan
to the Natural Resources Commission for
information in April, at which time there will
be additional opportunity for public comment.
Final approval of the plan is scheduled for the
NRC monthly meeting in May.
"Public review and comment are integral to
the planning process," said Lynne Boyd, DNR
Forest, Mineral and Fire Management chief. "All
public comments will be taken into consideration
as we finalize the plan."
The DNR is committed to the conservation,
protection, management, use and enjoyment of
the state's natural resources for current and
future generations.
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