Monroe Review

Michigan residents recently voted overwhelming in favor of Proposal 1, which will change rules for how the state uses oil and gas leasing money to fund recreational parks, according to reporting by Bridge Michigan.

Proposal 1 will lift the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund's $500 million cap and give fund managers more flexibility to decide how much of the fund should be spent on land acquisition and development projects, including building trails and playgrounds, improving restrooms and increasing handicap accessibility.

“This is a victory for Michiganders in every corner of the state -- from the U.P. to Detroit,” said Becca Maher, the proposal's campaign manager. “With the passage of Proposal 1, voters sent a clear message to Lansing -- we must prioritize protecting our natural resources and conserving and creating access to our outdoor spaces, now and for future generations.”

Michigan law previously required that the trust fund board spend at least 25% of annual disbursements on land purchases and had limited spending on development projects to no more than 25%.

Critics of Proposal 1 worry that the proposal will shift funds away from preservation initiatives to plug holes in parks budgets.