Proposal would raid the Natural Resources Trust Fund

[djkimmel]

MUCC News

Proposal would raid the Natural Resources Trust Fund

It did not take long for one lawmaker to target one of Michigan's greatest conservation achievements - the Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) - in a renewed attempt to divert constitutionally protected conservation dollars to transportation infrastructure. A legislative package introduced by State Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville) last week would re-allocate fund from the NRTF to the State Transportation Fund and Aeronautics Fund.

Michigan was the first state to establish a trust fund for the purpose of protecting natural resources. Created by the Michigan Legislature in 1976 and supported by MUCC, the NRTF was brokered as part of a larger deal to allow oil and gas devlelopment in Michigan's Pigeon River Country State Forest, home of the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi River. The whole idea behind the NRTF was that royalties from oil and gas development would be held in trust for the purpose of improving wildlife habitat and recreational access as an offset to the displacement of habitat and access from development. The NRTF is used to provide funds to local governments for the purpose of improving recreational opportunities for residents as well as purchase land for recreation and conservation.

Read entire story on MUCC.org

[djkimmel]

Why is it always okay for some people to short-change us outdoors people? Good thing he's not in my district or I would campaign against him!