North Michigan News

State Representative Ken Borton has voiced concerns regarding the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) approach to increasing fees for Michigan residents. On Friday, Borton, alongside nine lawmakers from Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, sent a letter to DNR Director Scott Bowen. They requested that the department halt efforts to impose additional costs on outdoor enthusiasts.

“These deceiving efforts to boost their own bottom line just further expose DNR leadership’s long-term plan of stripping every ounce of joy from those who enjoy the outdoors,” stated Borton, R-Gaylord. He expressed particular concern over plans to transition enrollment into annual recreation passports on license plates from an opt-in to an opt-out model. “My wife and I love the recreation passes because we frequent state parks across Michigan, but we also love our freedom to opt-in to the program. No one should be automatically enrolled into a program they may be entirely unaware of.”

The DNR is currently considering fee increases for hunting, fishing, and boating licenses. Additionally, under the proposed opt-out model for recreational passports, less than 20% of funds generated would support state parks, with most funding returning to the DNR.