The Department holds title to approximately 4.5 million acres of Michigan’s land surface which is open to the public for a variety of uses. The Department manages these public lands to conserve, protect, and provide public use and enjoyment of the natural resource, recreational, ecological, cultural, and historical values of all these lands for Michigan citizens and visitors to the State.

Historically, the Department has allowed for some limited events or commercial operations to be conducted on state lands as long as they were compatible with the management and purpose of the lands, were consistent with the Department’s mission and policies, and did not conflict with other users of the land. The Department requires prior written permission to conduct these activities and has the authority to collect application, land use, and monitoring fees for these types of activities.

In order to provide for the uniform administration of events and commercial operations in a manner where state lands and public resources will continue to be protected, the Department has revised the rules for the Regulation of Lands Administered by the Department of Natural Resources. Toward the goal of consistent administration of public lands, the Department has developed a draft revised procedure for the review of applications for permission to use state lands.