SR-115, As Adopted by Senate, October 9, 2007

            Senator Brown offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 115.

            A resolution recognizing the "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan" as a milestone achievement for the statewide trailways system.

            Whereas, There is general recognition statewide of the many benefits of multiuse trailways, not the least of which are improving health, economic benefits, alternative transportation, access to the environment and natural areas, recreational opportunities, tourism, and multijurisdictional cooperation; and

            Whereas, The "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan" released on May 15, 2007, is a comprehensive set of recommendations for completing an interconnected statewide system of trailways in Michigan; and

            Whereas, The plan is the result of the year-long work of over 100 task force members, working on the following 10 topics: Funding for acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation; Developing a statewide GIS trailway database and website; Property issues: easements and titles; Trailways usage: programming and promotions; On-road connections: linking the trailways; Building trailways support: education and advocacy; Overcoming boundaries: gaining cooperation; Coordinating resources: technical assistance for funding, planning, design; Multiuse trails and design: guidelines and information; and Envisioning a statewide trailways network: opportunities and priorities; and

            Whereas, The task force members included official participation from the National Park Service; Michigan departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Community Health; the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health, and Sports; Travel Michigan; Michigan Recreation and Park Association; Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance; various regional representatives from health, transportation, economic development agencies, and regional trail groups; and local representatives from county, municipal, and township jurisdictions; as well as individual trail advocates and statewide and local nonprofit groups; and

            Whereas, The "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan" contains 39 goals on the previously identified topics and 109 action steps that will be acted upon over the next several years by a number of involved partners who have agreed to continue to collaborate. Action taken to implement a statewide trailways system will be respectful of private landowners and personal property rights; and

            Whereas, The "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan" works in conjunction with the Governor’s recently-released state trails initiative, "Michigan Trails at the Crossroads: A Vision for Connecting Michigan"; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we recognize the "Connecting Michigan Statewide Trailways Vision and Action Plan" and its significant potential to facilitate the completion of an interconnected statewide trail system; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance; the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program; and Michigan Recreation and Park Association Trails, Greenways, and Blueways Committee.