Michigan DNR Seeks Public Input on a New General Management Plan for Wilderness State Park
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to take part in an online survey to provide valuable input on a new General Management Plan for Wilderness State Park in Emmet County.
Wilderness State Park is administered by the DNR Parks and Recreation Division. The park offers visitors a variety of year-round recreational activities within its 10,000-plus acres, including 26 miles of beautiful Lake Michigan shoreline, numerous trails, six rustic cabins and three rustic bunkhouses.
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division uses General Management Plans to define long-range planning and management strategies. This General Management Plan will assist the Parks and Recreation Division in meeting its responsibilities to protect and preserve the site’s natural and cultural resources, and address access to land- and water-based public recreation and educational opportunities.
This is the first of several opportunities for citizens to be part of the planning process, which will include availability of draft documents online for review and comment, and a public open house to be announced in the fall.
The survey can be found online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/WildernessStatePark and will be available until Sept. 6, 2013.
For more information about this survey or the proposed plan, contact Debbie Jensen, DNR park management plan administrator, at 517-335-4832 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired). Additional information on the DNR’s General Management Plan process is available at www.michigan.gov/parkmanagementplans.
For more information about Wilderness State Park, visit www.michigan.gov/wilderness.
The Recreation Passport is an easy, affordable way for residents to enjoy and support outdoor recreation opportunities in Michigan. By checking “YES” for the $11 Recreation Passport ($5 for motorcycles) when renewing a license plate through the Secretary of State (by mail, kiosk, on-line at www.expresssos.com or at branch offices), Michigan motorists get access to state parks, recreation areas, state forest campgrounds, non-motorized state trailhead parking and state boat launches. In addition, Recreation Passport holders can enjoy real savings at businesses and retailers that participate in the Passport Perks discount program. The Recreation Passport is valid until the next license plate renewal date. Nonresidents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($30.50 annual; $8.40 daily) at any state park or recreation area or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.
Learn more about this creative way of sustaining Michigan’s outdoor recreation and natural resources at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport. For information on Passport Perks shopping discounts or how businesses and retailers can enroll in the program, visit www.michigan.gov/passportperks.
