Even if you can’t attend Advocacy Day in person, you can still be a part of the action by participating in our Virtual Lobby Day! Please urge your Representative to cosponsor our vulnerable user legislation. This legislation will create enhanced penalties for drivers who injure or kill bicyclists! With over 80 locally adopted Complete Streets ordinances, Michigan is leading the nation with these policies. As communities continue to implement Complete Streets, more and more individuals are choosing active transportation like walking and biking. Improved infrastructure alone; however, does not guarantee safety. “Share the Road” principles must be stressed and stiffer penalties should be implemented for drivers who fail to safely coexist with other legal users of the roadway.

Make a difference! Contact your representative TODAY and ask them to cosponsor the Vulnerable User Bill.

Find out all about the Michigander this Sunday at the Michigander Expo, happening at Maybury State Park in Northville from 10 am to 3 pm.

We will have  seminars on bikes from several area bike shops that are joining us (American Cycle & Fitness, Performance Bikes and South Lyon Cycle)  as well as a seminar on  camping equipment from Moosejaw.  Barry Culham, Michigander Coordinator, will talk all about this year’s ride and answer your questions.  Nancy Krupiarz, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Executive Director, will talk about new trail connections  and respond to inquiries about Michigan’s trails.  A light lunch is included.  The admission is free of charge, but you will need a Recreation Passport ($12 for the year)  to get in the park, which you can purchase at the gate to the park.  Bring your bike and you can access 4 miles of paved trails or 11 miles of singletrack for your riding pleasure.

Please use the 8 Mile entrance to find your way to the Expo location, and follow the Michigander Expo signs to the Walnut Shelter. Map . . .

See you there!!

The event starts with an optional bike parade down Michigan Avenue, Michigan’s “Main Street”,  from Michigan State University to the State Capitol, follows with an update on the latest policy issues and the important opportunity to meet with legislators, and then ends with a nutritious and delicious lunch.  There is even a post-event bike ride around the Capitol area for those who can stay a little longer to enjoy the day.

Nothing helps more to make positive policy changes than having bicyclists show up from across the state to show how much they care about these issues.    Talking to legislators is easier than you think, you will be paired with others for your visits, and the result is you will feel inspired from being engaged in the Michigan democratic process by giving input on issues that are near and dear to your heart.  It is an enjoyable day, and you will receive abundant gratitude from your Michigan bicycling organizations for playing an ESSENTIAL role in shaping bicycle policy.  For more information and to register see the attached flier.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com file photo

The city of Ypsilanti has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund grant program to go toward the Border to Border Trail project that will run through the city’s Water Street property.

Ypsilanti is the only community in Washtenaw County to receive a grant for the 2012 round.

Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation on March 27, approving $23,348,700 in trust fund grant appropriations, funding 76 recreation development projects and land acquisitions in 43 Michigan counties.

Ypsilanti’s funding will be used to construct a multi-use trail, plaza, fishing pier, Huron River overlook, signage and site amenities. The city believes the enhancements will attract bikers, walkers, strollers and joggers to the area.

The entire project is estimated to cost about $592,000. The city already received a $289,400 trust grant that also will go toward the Border to Border Trail project.

The pedestrian bridge will cross from Riverside Park to a corner of the Fischer Honda dealership parcel on the east side of the Huron River. The city recently approved a $31,500 purchase of access easement with the dealership, allowing them access to a piece of property.

The city, who is working with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation on this project, met on Tuesday, March 12 to approve funding to cover the cost of the easement.

City Planner Teresa Gillotti previously told AnnArbor.com it was looking at a 2013 construction date. Linking Frog Island Park, Riverside Park, Water Street and Water Works Park continues to be a priority for the city, Gillotti said.

State Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, applauded the city receiving the grant.

“Washtenaw County has long been a leader in preserving our beautiful parks and green spaces, and I am honored to represent constituents who understand the important role these special places play in our quality of life,” Warren said in a statement. “I commend the Natural Resources Trust Fund for supporting this critical project, which will make a number of recreational activities more accessible to our residents, while improving the local economy and encouraging tourism in the area.”

Schuette: Hands Off Natural Resources Trust Fund

Despite the introduction of legislation attempting to do so, Attorney General Bill SCHUETTE today issued a formal opinion with a clear message: Stay out of the Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF).

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund cannot be used as an ATM,” said Schuette. “The voters enshrined the Trust Fund in our Constitution for a very specific purpose: To preserve and protect Michigan’s bountiful resources for generations to come. The message is straightforward — hands off the Trust Fund.”

As MIRS previously reported, there had been discussion about an opinion on the NRTF issue in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (See “DNR Wants AG Guidance On NRFT Money For Dredging,” 3/22/13). It was DNR Director Keith CREAGH who requested the opinion.

The 12-page opinion says that according to the constitution, the NRTF cannot be used for maintenance of existing public recreation facilities, including the maintenance dredging of existing harbors.

Sen. Tom CASPERSON (R-Escanaba) sponsored  SJR Q, which would allow the NRTF to be opened up to additional uses. MIRS asked what he thought of the AG opinion.

“I’m not going to debate him if he’s made an opinion,” Casperson said. “Certainly, the Trust Fund can be revised with a constitutional amendment and put before the people that way”

He said there would be conversations about that option.

“Just because he’s made a ruling doesn’t mean it’s done,” Casperson said. We’ll have a public debate on it.”

He said he believes the NRTF has a “bias” against motorized activities like off-road vehicles (ORVs), which he said is the largest growing activity in northern Michigan.

“That’s our economy,” he said.

Casperson wants NRTF money to go to ORV trails, as well as fixing existing parks, bridges and facilities. But he said that the percentages for spending are “tilted heavily” toward purchases of new land, which means that officials’ “hands are tied” to keep buying more land even if they don’t want to.

“I’m looking for balance and I’m not seeing a lot,” he said.

However, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters (MLCV) today lauded the move.

Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Lisa WOZNIAK, Executive Director of the Michigan LCV. “The Attorney General’s opinion is a huge victory for Michigan’s natural resources and affirms what experts, statewide leaders and Michigan residents have been saying all along: Hands off the Natural Resources Trust Fund.”

The Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) also had good things to say about Schuette’s opinion.

“The Natural Resources Trust Fund was meant to create long term outdoor recreation benefits for the people of Michigan, both current and future generations, said MUCC Executive Director Erin McDONOUGH. “Michigan United Conservation Clubs, along with the Michigan Oil and Gas Association, have protected it for those purposes since its creation. We thank Attorney General Schuette for issuing this opinion to protect the Trust Fund for acquisition and development. We’re also happy to see that it identifies a more appropriate funding source for dredging with the Waterways Account.”

In the opinion, Schuette outlined the low water levels and federal dredging backlog that had led some to question whether money from the trust fund could be spent on dredging and other maintenance purposes.

“The short answer to that question, as explained below, is no,” wrote Schuette.

Doing so, wrote Schuette, would constitute the Legislature substantially changing the meaning or scope of the constitutional language adopted by the people.

He said the constitution was properly understood to direct NRTF dollars to one-time expenditures to build or expand facilities for long-term use, as opposed to paying for recurring costs needed to maintain facilities that already exist.

“As worthy and necessary a purpose dredging may be, particularly in light of present lake levels, such use of Trust Fund money would constitute a misappropriation, contrary to the expressed intent of the Legislature that created the Trust Fund, and as approved by the voters of this State,” wrote Schuette, saying the Legislature could possibly seek to amend the constitution to allow for such a thing.

However, he did note that the Waterways Fund could be used for dredging purposes — a good thing, since Gov. Rick SNYDER recently signed legislation appropriating $10 million from that fund toward a dredging fix (See “Emergency Dredging Bill Signed, Long-Term $10M Problem Remains,” 3/27/13).

The language around the Waterways Fund, said Schuette, specifically allows for maintenance-type projects.

“This opinion should put the speculation to rest. Maintenance dredging projects cannot be funded by the Natural Resources Trust Fund, period,” said Schuette.

The opinion is Attorney General Opinion 7270.