This week, Governor Rick Snyder approved of a strategy removing land purchasing caps for the State of Michigan. The plan provides for legislative approval of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Managed Public Land Strategy and establishes procedures and guidelines for how and when they state can purchase land in Michigan. In 2012, legislation was signed into law requiring DNR to create a strategic plan for public land management.

Under the new provisions, the state can purchase land, with the following restrictions:

• The DNR must consider the potential impact the purchase may have on private property in the immediate vicinity.
• Payment In Lieu of Taxes must be made on time and in full for the DNR to continue purchasing land north of the Mason-Arenac line. If full payment is made later that fiscal year, or the land acquisition is approved by the local unit of government via resolution, then the DNR may continue with its purchase.
• If 40% or more of the land in a county is owned by the state or federal government, or is commercial forestland, the DNR could not acquire land in that county if, within 60 days after it sends notice of its proposed acquisition to local legislative bodies, the DNR receives a copy of a resolution rejecting the proposed acquisition.
• The DNR is required to work with a requesting local government to allow use of state land for outdoor recreation opportunities and expanding access to the land, including removal of berms, gates or other barriers, through an approval process that allows for public hearing and input.

The plan also expands the allowable use of money in a state “Land Exchange Facilitation Fund” to include activities, surveys, environmental assessments, certain administrative and transaction costs, payment for natural resources management and maintenance, development projects, and various assessments paid to other state funds.

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