LANSING, Mich. — Sen. John Damoose joined his colleagues on the Senate Committee on Appropriations in approving the 2025 recommendations for Natural Resources Trust Fund development and acquisition projects.
“The Natural Resources Trust Fund helps protect and enhance access to Michigan’s natural resources,” said Damoose, R-Harbor Springs. “Many Michigan families, including my own, enjoy spending time outdoors, and these funds help open doors to recreational opportunities across the state and offer significant improvements here in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.”
The NRTF is supported by interest earnings from the development of state-owned mineral rights. The fund’s dollars are constitutionally restricted to recreation improvements and land acquisitions.
The recommendations include nearly $42 million for 68 recreation development projects and 17 land acquisition projects.
The 37th Senate District will receive over $2.3 million for seven projects, including:
- $400,000 for the Ottaway Crossing Footbridge and additional parking in Grand Traverse County. The bridge will connect trails and destinations on both sides of the Boardman-Ottaway River.
- $237,500 for the village of Central Lake to develop a new fishing pier on Lake Street. The project will include a parking area, an accessible walkway with benches and picnic tables, and a large fishing pier on the Intermediate River.
- $400,000 to redevelop Whitefish Point State Harbor in Chippewa County by building a new dock and improving accessibility and parking.
- $400,000 for Nakwema trail development in Charlevoix County. Funding will be used to develop 2.5 miles of paved, nonmotorized trail through Fisherman’s Island State Park. The trail will become part of the 45-mile Nakwema Trailway, linking Charlevoix to Traverse City.
- $193,700 for a kayak launch and other accessibility improvements to Thurston Park in Central Lake.
- $322,000 for construction of the Boyne City Open Space project, which will include parking and sidewalk improvements, stormwater improvements, a rain garden, and furnishings, such as benches, a bike station and mobility mats.
- $400,000 for extension of the Three Mile Trail from the current terminus at South Airport Road to a proposed trailhead in East Bay Township.
“These projects will help highlight just how much our region has to offer,” Damoose said. “I proudly supported the release of these funds during the committee vote and look forward to helping get this bill through the Legislature and signed into law so we can start getting shovels in the ground.”
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