A resolution to urge the Department of Natural Resources to deny the Michigan National Guard’s request to expand the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center.
Impact
The resolution emphasizes that the proposed expansion contradicts the core mission of the DNR, which is to protect the state's natural resources, support outdoor recreation, and prevent pollution. The concerns highlighted include potential hazards to important habitats, notably those of the Kirtlands Warbler, and risks to sensitive environmental areas such as Dead Stream Swamp, a National Natural Landmark. Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to address contamination issues related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the existing Camp Grayling area, suggesting that any expansion could exacerbate these environmental challenges.
Summary
Senate Resolution SR0032 urges the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to deny a request from the Michigan National Guard to expand the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center. This facility, located in the northern Lower Peninsula, is already the largest National Guard training area in the United States, covering 148,000 acres. The proposed expansion seeks to increase this area by an additional 162,000 acres, effectively doubling its size. The resolution reflects widespread public opposition from citizens, environmental groups, and local governments concerned about the implications of such an expansion on natural resources.
Contention
Notably, the resolution signals significant distrust in how the DNR manages its responsibilities in light of military expansion. The legislators propose that accountability to the public should be paramount and that the interests of Michiganders, especially regarding recreational activities in pristine natural settings, must be protected. There is a clear juxtaposition between the desires of military training operations and the public's plea for environmental stewardship, which could shift state law and policy towards greater protection of natural habitats in face of military expansion.
A resolution to urge the Department of Natural Resources to deny the Michigan National Guard’s request to expand the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center.
A resolution to urge the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Commission to declare the Houghton-Douglass Falls as the Houghton-Douglass Falls Veterans Scenic Site, a unit of McLain State Park.
A resolution to commemorate Ronald Olson upon his retirement from his role as the Chief of Parks and Recreation at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
A concurrent resolution to urge the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, in coordination with the U.S. Department of the Interior and the federal government, to re-establish a viable and self-sustaining wolf population in the Lower Peninsula.