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NEWS & OPINION
Michigan-DNR Director’s Approval of Mullett Lake Trail Access Comes with Restrictions
Posted: 9/29/2006
Contact: Bill Manson: (616) 301-2743
MSA Concerned About Safety Due to Restriction of Hours
Grand Rapids, Mich. - The Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) today applauded the order from Rebecca A. Humphries, Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), providing final state approval for snowmobiling near Mullett Lake. The director's order at today's Natural Resources Commission meeting followed months of study and public input that resulted in a restriction of hours and a 35-mph speed limit along the 12-mile stretch. The trail opening does address MSA's decade-long effort to re-connect the Gaylord-to-Cheboygan Trail.
"For more than ten years we have tried to find a solution to this problem. We commend the DNR for providing relief to snowmobilers, and the Granholm administration for supporting Michigan's economy," Bill Manson, Executive Director of the MSA, said. "However, everyone must still address the fundamental issue of safety due to the restriction of hours."
Heeding concerns voiced by a few landowners with homes on Mullett Lake, the DNR decided to restrict all snowmobile traffic from midnight to 8 a.m. making the 12-mile tract Michigan's only trail area not opened 24 hours per day.
"We have no problem with the speed limit, but we are very concerned about the traffic restriction from midnight to 8 a.m. The DNR tried to appease 26 landowners that are apparently going to file a lawsuit anyway. This was the wrong move because inevitably someone is going to be put in harm's way," said Manson.
The MSA is especially concerned about the safety of approximately 100,000 out of state riders that may not be aware of the restriction of hours near Mullett Lake. It's likely that riders will begin south of Mullett Lake headed for an overnight stopping point in the northern Lower or Upper Peninsula. Those riders not passed Mullett Lake by midnight will have two dangerous paths from which to choose - the lake or the highway. Unknown freezing conditions and traffic on Highway 27 make either route very dangerous, especially at night. Lack of a feasible alternative route is what necessitated opening the trail.
The trail's opening will provide an economic boost to Michigan's economy. Thousands of snowmobile riders travel throughout Northern Michigan every winter, pumping over $1 billion into the State's economy each year. The average snowmobiler spends $4,000 each year on related products and tourism, and spends an average of 7.2 nights per season in a hotel or motel. The impact is felt by thousands of small businesses that depend heavily on snowmobile tourism during the long winter season in Northern Michigan. A contiguous network of snowmobile trails is an important component of winter tourism.
The DNR's action to establish a contiguous trail system is supported by business chambers and hundreds of small business owners. The DNR took public testimony at Indian River on August 2, 2006 to help develop the guidelines for snowmobiling near Mullett Lake. Many supporters spoke on behalf of the business community.
The small group of Mullett Lake homeowners continue to threaten legal action against the state for opening the trail to snowmobiles. Some of them have recently suggested their property rights are being hindered because the DNR asked them to remove personal property from the trail.
"For years the Mullett Lake homeowners have used the state-owned trail as personal storage sites for docks, boat trailers and lawn furniture. Some have even built permanent structures on the trail's right-of-way. It's rather obvious why they don't want us to use the trail. Snowmobilers just want to use state-owned land for riding," said Manson.
The DNR Director's order was the final step of a three-step process. In June the DNR's Trust Fund Board voted to rescind language banning motorized use of the trail, and then the DNR held public hearings to gather testimony. Mullett Lake trail access upholds the State's promise made over ten years ago to connect the trail for snowmobile use.
Snowmobile trails in Michigan are open from December 1st through March 31st.
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The Michigan Snowmobile Association (MSA) is the voice of over 380,000 registered Michigan snowmobilers, and more than 100,000 out of state riders. The MSA also publishes a bi-monthly magazine titled MSA News, which is read by the entire snowmobiling community and available at hundreds of MSA commercial-member sites throughout the State. MSA supports the Safe Riders! You make snowmobiling safe™ campaign, and spearheaded the "Zero Tolerance" program, which urges snowmobilers not to consume any alcohol while operating a snowmobile - the first program of its kind in the United States. The MSA is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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