State Rep. Beau LaFave opposed an attempt to charge more fees to ATV users and voted ‘no’ in the Michigan House Wednesday on a proposal to require a Recreation Passport for access to trailhead parking.
“Adding fees to our trailheads is death by a thousand paper cuts for anyone who wants to enjoy pure Michgian,” LaFave, of Iron Mountain, said. “When is ‘enough’ enough? ORV users already have to pay a fee to register their vehicle and a fee to get on the trail. A third fee hike for using the parking lot is too much to swallow.”
The bill passed by the Michigan House on Wednesday would add trailhead parking areas to the list of places requiring visitors to have a Recreation Passport. Currently, only state parks and recreation areas require a Recreation Passport for entry.
“It also hurts our tourism industry in the U.P. to levy a triple tax on those who try to enjoy our state trail system,” LaFave said.
LaFave used his seat on the House Natural Resources Committee to try and kill the bill before it reached the House floor, but was out-voted 7-2. LaFave was joined in his opposition to the bill by the rest of the U.P. delegation, including incoming House speaker, Rep. Lee Chatfield.
The plan passed the House 87-22 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
