To the Journal editor:

In response to a May 2 letter to the editor from Jerry Gregg of Negaunee about state Recreation Passport fees, according to Michigan law, the funds generated through this program are distributed to specific restricted funds.

The first portion of the funding distribution replaces money previously generated by state park and boating motor vehicle permits, with a portion going to the Secretary of State to manage collection of the Recreation Passport fees.

The second disbursement goes to several specific items: 80 percent to rebuild and maintain state parks, 10 percent for local park and recreation grants, 7 percent for forest recreation, 2.75 percent for cultural and historic renovation and .25 percent to promote the Recreation Passport.

The 10 percent of funds for local governments provides grants to rebuild parks managed by local governments, such as Perkins Park, which is managed by Marquette County. The goal of this program is to improve Michigan’s recreational opportunities.

The Forest Recreation account receives 7 percent of the funds which is used for operation, maintenance and capital improvements of State Forest Campgrounds, including Bass Lake, as well as pathways and other nonmotorized trails. There are 140 Michigan State Forest Campgrounds, including 51 in the Upper Peninsula, with three in the Gwinn area.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has made improvements at Bass Lake State Forest Campground to better the camping experience for the visitors, including new vault toilet buildings within the campground loop, new campsite markers, recontouring the road to the boating access site, adding stone to minimize rutting due to runoff and yearly brush removal to accommodate increasingly large camping units.

In addition to these enhancements, additional improvements are planned. These projects are in addition to weekly maintenance, such as cleaning toilets, mowing grass, removing litter and registering campers.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts of DNR staff, cleanup at many State Forest Campgrounds is a constant problem. The remote nature of these facilities, which is the draw in the first place, makes it very easy for individuals to litter or dump household refuse at the campgrounds.

At Bass Lake, the problem of household trash became significant. Despite its rustic nature, there are numerous seasonal and permanent homes in the area, and garbage receptacles became filled with much more than campers’ trash.

These bins became the normal trash drop off area for many more individuals. Although inconvenient, asking campers to bring their trash to the Gwinn Field Office was necessary to reduce dumping at the campground.

John Pepin, deputy public information officer

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Marquette