Michigan House Bill HCR0007

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/18/23
• Refer: 10/18/23

Caption

A concurrent resolution to oppose the designation of additional federal wilderness areas in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and to urge the United States Congress to declare the entire city of Ann Arbor a wilderness area.

Impact

HCR0007 brings attention to the existing sixteen national wilderness areas in Michigan, which collectively cover over 290,000 acres. The resolution highlights ongoing efforts to designate four additional areas in the Ottawa National Forest, which would add approximately 51,000 acres to the system. The sponsors argue that these proposed designations do not possess significant wilderness characteristics and would not enhance the ecological health of the forest. They express concern over the restrictions that designation would impose on local silvicultural practices necessary for maintaining the forest's health.

Summary

HCR0007 is a concurrent resolution that aims to oppose any additional federal wilderness area designations in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, while simultaneously urging Congress to declare the entire city of Ann Arbor a wilderness area. The resolution references the National Wilderness Preservation System, established under the Wilderness Act of 1964, which outlines specific management restrictions to preserve undeveloped federal land. The sponsors of this resolution are concerned about the implications of new wilderness designations on local economies and the limitations they impose on land management practices.

Contention

A central theme of the resolution is the potential economic impact on local communities, which currently benefit from timber production and tourism related to the Ottawa National Forest. The United States Forest Service indicated that roughly 980 jobs and over $45 million in income are tied to this forest area. The resolution underscores that wilderness designation could impede recreational uses and significantly reduce motorized activities, which have become integral to local tourism and recreation.

Final_notes

Ultimately, the resolution explicitly opposes future wilderness designations while promoting a controversial request to designate all of Ann Arbor as wilderness. This dual aim raises questions about land use prioritization and reflects broader tensions around local versus federal management of natural resources, particularly in regions where economic activities are closely tied to land management practices.