September 21, 2005, Introduced by Senators BISHOP, GARCIA, BIRKHOLZ and BROWN 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, volunteer groups
shall agree to the following:
(a) Volunteer groups shall participate in the program for at
least a 2-year period.
(b) Volunteer groups shall 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 contribute a total of at least 400
service hours over a 2-year period.
(d) Volunteer groups shall comply with other reasonable
requirements of the department.
(5) A state park manager or a district forest manager may
issue 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 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 a volunteer group conducting
litter cleanup efforts under the adopt-a-trail program with a
method for the volunteer group to record a general characterization
of the types and amount of trash collected during the group's
cleanup effort. The department shall request the group to forward
the information recorded to the department of environmental quality
on completion.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect
unless Senate Bill No. 767
of the 93rd Legislature is enacted into law.