November 8, 2007, Introduced by Senators KUIPERS, RICHARDVILLE, PAPPAGEORGE, BIRKHOLZ, GILBERT, KAHN, BROWN, GLEASON, JANSEN, VAN WOERKOM and HARDIMAN and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
by amending section 72105a (MCL 324.72105a), as added by 1997 PA
129.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 72105a. (1) The department shall establish an "adopt-a-
trail" program that will allow volunteer groups to assist in
maintaining and enhancing Michigan trailways and rail-trails.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), volunteer groups in the adopt-
a-trail program may adopt any available Michigan trailway or rail-
trail or Michigan trailway or rail-trail segment and may choose any
1 or more of the following volunteer activities:
(a) Spring cleanups.
(b) Environmental activities.
(c) Accessibility projects.
(d) Special events.
(e) Trailway maintenance and development.
(f) Public information and assistance.
(g) Training.
(3) The department shall designate the activities to be
performed by a volunteer group in the adopt-a-trail program. The
department may provide for more than 1 volunteer group to adopt a
Michigan trailway or rail-trail or Michigan trailway or rail-trail
segment.
(4) A volunteer group that wishes to participate in the adopt-
a-trail program shall submit an application to the department on a
form
provided by the department. Additionally, the volunteer groups
group shall agree to all of the following:
(a)
Volunteer groups shall To participate in the program for
at least a 2-year period.
(b)
Volunteer groups shall To consist of at least 6 people who
are 18 years of age or older, unless the volunteer group is a
school or scout organization, in which case the volunteers may be
under 18 years of age.
(c)
Volunteer groups shall To contribute a total of at least
400 service hours over a 2-year period.
(d)
Volunteer groups shall To comply with other reasonable
requirements of the department.
(5) A state park manager or a district forest manager may
issue free camping permits to volunteers who are actively working
on
adopt-a-trail projects that last more than 1 day, free camping
permits
if campsites are available. A state
park manager or a
district forest manager may waive state park entry fees for
volunteers entering state parks to work on adopt-a-trail projects.
(6) While a volunteer is working on an adopt-a-trail project,
the volunteer has the same immunity from civil liability as a
department employee and shall be treated in the same manner as an
employee under section 8 of 1964 PA 170, MCL 691.1408.
(7) The department shall design and erect along or near the
entrance of each Michigan trailway or rail-trail in the adopt-a-
trail
program or along the trailway an adopt-a-trail program sign
with the name of the volunteer group's sponsoring organization
listed for each volunteer group that has contributed at least 100
service hours by volunteers.
(8) The department shall provide each volunteer group
conducting cleanup activity under this section with a method for
the volunteer group to record the types and amount of trash
collected during the group's cleanup activity. The department shall
request that the information be forwarded to the department upon
completion. The department shall provide information it receives
under this subsection to the department of environmental quality.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless Senate Bill No. 901
of the 94th Legislature is enacted into law.