DNR Releases Five Year Recreation Plan

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Public comments are now being taken on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources five-year Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP. DNR spokesperson John Pepin tells us the SCORP is a comprehensive recreation plan that accounts for everything from hiking to fishing to boating opportunities at state parks.

“There are all kinds of details in the plan,” Pepin said. “We have extensive appendixes in the plan that go into recreation broken down into regions and also on a statewide process.”

The DNR submits the SCORP to the National Parks Service every five years as it seeks grants and other support for new projects. Pepin says the DNR conducted a statewide survey to find out what residents want from their parks system. They found some surprises.

“One thing is if you look at what is the most popular recreation activity, you might think it’s camping or boating or fishing. Basically, it’s just going outside and going for a walk.”

Pepin says the SCARP looks at everything from federal grants to investment by the state to land acquisition. The public comment period is now through December 1. Public input on the draft will be used in the development of the final plan, which will be submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service by December 31.

See the plan right here.