A new study says snowmobilers have economic impact on the state as a ban is considered on their activity in Michigan. Photo: jparise via Flickr.
By PAIGE LaBARGE
LANSING–A Michigan State University research study has handed ammunition to opponents of a proposal to ban firearm hunting and snowmobiling in parts of the vast Huron-Manistee National Forest.
It is a 2009 study by forestry Professor Chuck Nelson on the impact of snowmobiling activities in the state.
“We did this regionally and we found that snowmobilers in Michigan and tourists bring in a considerable amount of economic impact to the state,” Nelson said.
The forest covers about 1 million acres between lakes Huron and Michigan in the northern Lower Peninsula.
The study is drawing attention as the U.S. Forest Service considers banning snowmobiling and firearm hunting in nearly 70,000 acres of the forest.
The potential federal action results from a U.S. Court Appeals order in a lawsuit by Novi attorney Kurt Meister, who claims those areas should be designated for quiet recreation.
Nelson surveyed a sample of 3,000 snowmobilers who were 78 percent Michigan residents.
“We looked at how many days were used for snowmobiling in the winter of 2007-08, and we also found that spending related to snowmobiling was $239 million for snowmobile trips and $173 million for snowmobile equipment for 2008-09,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the economy gained $156 million from travel spending and $98 million from equipment spending.
“For tourists, the gas and traveling involved to get to these trails and hotels also generates revenue for Michigan’s economy,” Nelson said. “Overall, we found this recreational activity to be beneficial to Michigan.”
Nelson also studied how many people take part in outdoor activities and found hunting to be the No.1 use of outdoor experience for both tourists and residents.
The House has passed a resolution opposed to the proposed ban for the national forest.
The House Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee discussed the effects on the economy if the ban is imposed.
“Hunters bring in overall revenue to the state and improve economy by traveling and participating in the outdoor experiences the state offers,” Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle, said.
And Rep. Bruce Rendon, R-Lake City, said that in- and out-of-state hunters bring in $28 million.
Bill Mason, executive director of the Michigan Snowmobile Association, cited Nelson’s study and said the forest offers 600 miles of trails, including 13 non-motorized areas that have seven trails.
He said it would damage the economy if they are closed.
“Travel and tourism in Michigan are dependent upon forests like this and closing some of the trails would make it harder to rebuild in the future, if we ever had to,” Mason said at the committee meeting.
Mason referred to Nelson’s study, saying that Michigan has more registered snowmobilers than any other state and that outdoor activities are a necessity for a better economy.
Jane Cliff, public affairs specialist at the Forest Service in the Eastern Region, said that anytime a large proposal is brought up, it has to go through a major analysis.
“The committee meetings are being held because everyone needs to discuss the topic and find what’s best for the state,” said Cliff, who is based in Cadillac. “This is part of the ongoing analysis process, and we have to look at all the evidence presented in order to make a correct decision.”
© 2011, Capital News Service, Michigan State University School of Journalism. Not to be reproduced without permission.
I have been watching the Forest Service for forty years on the Tawas side. I have seen thousands of acres of oak trees removed and converted to Warbler habitat. No food source for any large game and you are restricted, even to foot traffic.
How many fires set in the Mack lake area and have gone out of control? Several! Trying to drive the few remaining summer homes out?
Again in spring of 2010, during a no-burn extreme danger time, guess who is burning?
The Forest Service cutting practices have damaged trout streams in Iosco County. The washout on Appold Drive and thousands of yards of sand washed into Merts creek, 25 years ago and no repair.
All homeowners in Iosco county are required to have a septic system, yet within sight of homes the Forest Service is allowed to install “fisherman outhouses” within a stone’s throw of the Ausable river.
Harold, I’m a bird watcher. I like to ski, snowshoe, hike and take photos. I also LOVE to hunt and fish. I spend 10x more annually, minimum, on hunting and fishing than I do for any of the other pursuits. In addition, my license dollars and excise taxes pay to manage some of the very spots I like to recreate. Keep the snowmobiles on the trails in winter. Keep the ATVs out of the public forests except on special trails meant specifically for them.
The national surveys that show wildlife watching as one of the top pursuits are skewed. The reason? Because hunters also consider themselves wildlife watchers. Who doesn’t? It doesn’t mean folks are coming by the thousands all fall to recreate quietly on the public land, filling hotels, restaurants and more. The most avid birders I know are day birders: they pack everything they need, not buying a thing except fuel in their home town. They have a camera and binoculars. No special clothing or other equipment needed. Meanwhile, the hunters and snowmobilers fill the coffers at businesses all fall and winter, and have more gadgets and gizmos than you can shake a stick at.
Closing the land off will mean much of it is largely unused in fall and winter. What a waste. Meanwhile, birders and hikers could still use the land safely almost ANY TIME in fall, even with hunters present.
Hunters and snowmobilers generate not only revenue to businesses through their activities, they also generate revenue to the state’s conservation programs through purchases of licenses and permits along with taxes on their equipment.
This is an effort by anti-hunters to close large areas historically used for these purposes.
It’s bad resource policy meant to benefit a few elitists.
First, let me say that I value the snowmobile and all terrain cycle (ATC) as tools for work. I have used them both, in my retirement job, as a developer of and worker on x-c ski trails and non-motorized bicycle trails. They are used by farmers, ranchers, and a myriad of other occupations. However, as a recreational toy, I have no use for them, especially for snomos that can travel at 100+ mph and ATCs that can move at 50+ mph. The argument is that the riders are out enjoying Nature, BS, at the speeds that they are usually driven you see little if anything but the trail right in front of you.
In the early years of snomos, back in the 1960s and 70s, they were, low speed, wide track or double track, or very light machines that floated along on top of unpacked or only wind or sun packed snow. Users then were really sightseers of Nature, not now. That is when my experience with snomos began, as a natural resources agency employee, and they were very valuable work machines. Now, most snomos cannot travel off groomed trails without bogging down in the snow, and only a very few models are work machines.
Unwise and unregulated use of ATCs have left, behind them, devastation to the land and water courses. Atc trails have become erosion gullies and stream crossings are sources of aquatic-life-stifling sand bed loads.
In this day and age of dwindling petroleum supplies, is this the way we want to waste fuel? What is wrong with using the legs that we are born with to provide us with recreation, and fitness, instead of depending on a “crotch rocket” to do it for us.
All this having been said, as long as society accepts it and as long as it is done responsibly I believe that the natural resource agency responsible should allow motorized travel thru appropriate parts of the National Forest.
As to hunting, the arguments against it are foolish, lacking in common sense, and filled with unfounded paranoia. Most years there is little if any snow during hunting seasons, downstate, certainly not enough for x-c skiing. As for hiking or biking, common sense dictates that some blaze orange, hi-vis yellow or other brightly colored clothing should be worn when out during hunting seasons. As a lifelong hunter, I have only once heard the “crack” of a bullet pass within earshot of me. As a 30 year long trail runner/hiker, Mt. Bike rider, and x-c skier I have only encountered hunters in my proximity an average of once a season. Certainly I have not had to duck bullets or shot, or rarely ever heard shots.
The tactic of publicly slipping out and targeting Kurt Meister’s location data by the Oceana-Mason County political network is straight out of the anti-abortion clinic playbook, then of course they deny everything.
Hunters and snowmobilers are a minority of the population and there is much greater economic impact from bird watchers, hikers, skiiers, and those who favor quiet recreation. Having about 93% of our public forest land available for noisy, intrusive snowmobiles is far more than enough. Reserving 7% for quieter recreational pursuits borders on the insignificant. Snowmobile use will not decline–it will just be shifted around a bit. It would be better if 93% were reserved for nonmotorized use. That would would bolster tourism which is more compatible with the environment and the wildlife that lives there.