"Thank you for what you are doing," wrote Robert M. Weir. "Please do more. The environment is our ultimate infrastructure."

Weir's comment was typical of the more than 800 others received by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources in response to the DNR's draft 2008-2012 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

People in Michigan have a passion for the outdoors and strongly support the conservation of our natural resources.

Michigan is one of 50 states that must compete for its share of money through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which the National Park Service makes available for the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation facilities.

Over the past five years, Michigan's share has totaled $12.5 million.

"Although Michigan ranks sixth in the nation in funding received through the LWCF, we must have a five-year recreation plan in place in order to continue our eligibility to receive these funds, which are critical to helping the DNR achieve its goals in meeting the needs of outdoor recreation users throughout the state," said Deborah Apostol, Recreation Grants unit manager for DNR's Grants Management.

Michigan's current State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) expires at the end of this year, Apostol said.

One of the most important factors in updating the 2008-2012 SCORP was public involvement.

Under the direction of Dr. Chuck Nelson, a faculty member of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, a survey of 2,001 randomly selected registered voters and 773 local recreation providers was conducted this past summer.

Voters and providers were asked what kinds of outdoor recreation were most important to them, what they thought of the priorities of the existing plan and what changes they would like to see in the new plan.

According to the survey, 70%
of voters were satisfied with the amount of public outdoor recreation, but only 42% were satisfied with the quality of that recreation experience.

"In terms of what would make their experience better or more enjoyable, most responded that cleaner bathrooms and an overall safe and well-kept park were a priority," Nelson said.

Among registered voters, Nelson found "the most common outdoor recreation activities are walking outdoors, followed by relaxing outdoors, driving for pleasure, swimming in a lake, river or pond and sightseeing."

When asked which activities were most important to people, regardless of whether they participated in them or not, Nelson said the results were slightly different and included fishing, hunting and camping, in addition to walking and relaxing outdoors.

To address these needs, the DNR identified nine key initiatives in the plan, two of which are new. The first seven initiatives include:

• Resource Conservation -- includes acquisition of in-holdings, development or renovation at recreation sites that result in cleaner surface waters through reductions in erosion and other sources of pollution; wetland conservation; restoration of native communities of flora and fauna and the provision of fish habitat improvements at or near public access points on state waters.
• Trails -- recommends connecting existing recreation sites and linking existing trails to form a more cohesive network.
• Universal Access to Recreation -- includes the evaluation of existing facilities and venues, renovation to address deficiencies, and new facilities designed to enable the full range of Michiganians and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreation venues.
• Community Outdoor Recreation -- focuses on the development, restoration and renovation of facilities at the local level.
• Forest Recreation Infrastructure -- focuses on the renovation and construction of low intensity, rustic recreation facilities in state forests.
• State Park Infrastructure - includes the renovation and construction of facilities at campgrounds, water access sites, trails, etc.
• Coordination and Communication - seeks to expand systematic coordination, cooperation and information-gathering among recreation providers.

The two initiatives that are new to the 2008-2012 SCORP are:

• Green Technology -- this goal is to reduce the use of energy in the provision of outdoor recreation by incorporating environmentally friendly practices and technology in the design, development and renovation of outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Recruitment and Retention of Hunters and Anglers -- this goal is to reverse the decline in the number of hunters and anglers by providing more public hunting opportunities, providing for a wider spectrum of society to participate in hunting, and creating and expanding mentoring programs.

In October, the DNR hosted five public workshops across the state that were aimed at presenting these nine initiatives and gaining input on changes that needed to be made.

The next step in the coming weeks will be to incorporate all of the feedback from these workshops and written comments and complete the final version of the SCORP, which will be presented to the Natural Resources Commission for approval.

"The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been one of the tools the DNR has used to develop and protect Michigan's recreation resources at every level,"said DNR Grants Coordinator Lisa McTiernan, who is helping to write the final plan.

Because the demand for outdoor recreation continues to grow, McTiernan said the SCORP will establish the state' recreation priorities for the next five years.

"In light of considerable feedback from such diverse user groups as RV and rustic campers, backpackers on the North Country National Scenic Trail, mountain bikers in state parks and forests, to picnickers and bird watchers, the public is aware and actively engaged in determining what those priorities will be."