Whitmer Signs Bill Investing in Outdoor Recreation

Whitmer Signs Bill Investing in Outdoor Recreation

by | May 6, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

May 6, 2021

Contact: Jon Mayes (DNR), mayesj@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bill Investing in Outdoor Recreation

in 76 Communities Across Michigan 

 

 LANSING, Mich. — Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today signed HB 4469 which appropriates $37.8 million in Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grants that will support 76 recreation projects and land purchases throughout Michigan recommended by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board in December.

 

“The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund supports quality outdoor recreation, giving Michiganders the ability to safely enjoy the outdoors and boosting local economies,” said Governor Whitmer. “This funding is crucial to helping communities utilize their natural resources and make Michigan’s public spaces more accessible and attractive to residents and visitors. I am proud to sign this piece of bipartisan legislation into law and support Michigan’s recreational resources and economy.”

 

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund is a restricted fund that was established in 1976 to provide funding for public acquisition of lands for resource conservation and outdoor recreation, as well as for public outdoor recreation development projects. It is funded through interest earned on funds derived from the development of publicly owned minerals. Over the past 45 years, the Trust Fund has granted more than $1.2 billion to state and local units of government to develop and improve recreation opportunities in Michigan.

 

The Trust Fund board recommends funding to both state and local agencies for development projects and land acquisitions that will increase the quality and quantity of public outdoor recreation opportunities. This round of grant funding includes continued support of:

  • Trail systems, specifically those with broad regional and statewide impact and connectivity.
  • Acquisitions of high-quality, unique natural resources including geologic features, wildlife habitat and Great Lake and river access.
  • An extensive range of development projects that expand opportunities across Michigan for camping, fishing, biking, hiking and snowmobiling.

 

This year, the Trust Fund board recommended nearly $27.3 million for acquisition grants and $10.5 million for development grants. In all:

  • 26 acquisition grants were awarded to local units of government for a total of $20.8 million, while four acquisition grants went to the Department of Natural Resources for projects totaling nearly $6.5 million. 
  • The Trust Fund board also recommended $9.3 million in 42 development grants to local units of government, while four DNR projects garnered $1.2 million.
  • The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund board considered 136 applications seeking more than $60 million in funding. In a competitive process, all applications were carefully evaluated based on scoring criteria approved by the board.

 

Dan Eichinger, director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, said Trust Fund support is especially meaningful right now.

 

“Appreciation for Michigan’s outdoor spaces and recreation opportunities has always been strong, but this past year was an important reminder of how valuable these resources are to our residents,” said Eichinger, who also serves as a member of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board. “People increasingly used and relied on these spaces to hike, bike, camp, hunt, fish and explore, or to share the outdoors with their kids, and many of these opportunities were fully or partially funded by Trust Fund grants.”

 

The governor signed the bill on Discovery Pier at Greilickville Harbor Park in Elmwood Charter Township. The township, one of more than 70 Trust Fund grantees this year, will receive $300,000 to further the recreation-based development of the pier area around the old coal dock. Planned amenities at Discovery Pier include the only universal access kayak launch and trailhead on the West Grand Traverse Bay Water Trail, paved parking, a rain garden with native Michigan plants for stormwater management, dark-sky-compliant LED lighting, shade pavilions, and an environment that welcomes deep-water fishing, picnicking and birdwatching.

 

“I think this is a great example of how a local municipality, a nonprofit and the state can work together to create a special place,” said Jeffrey Shaw, Elmwood Township supervisor. “We’re happy to have the Discovery Pier here in Elmwood Township and we look forward to working together for years to come.”

 

 The Trust Fund board’s recommendations go to the Michigan Legislature for review as part of the appropriations process. The Legislature then forwards a bill for the governor’s approval.  A list of the final recommendations made by the Trust Fund board is available at Michigan.gov/MNRTF. 

 

Watch this short video to learn more about the story of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

 

This bill was sponsored by Rep. Sue Allor, R – Wolverine.

 

A copy of HB 4469 can be found here.
EGLE announces extension for grant application

EGLE announces extension for grant application

by | May 6, 2021 | Environmental

EGLE Main GovD banner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2021
EGLE Media Office, [email protected], 517-284-9278
Steven Noble, Electronics Recycling Specialist, [email protected] ,517-449-6153

EGLE announces date extension for grant application for electronics recycling

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announces $500,000 in available funding for Rural Electronics Grants. The deadline for grant applications has been extended and applications are due no later than July 2, 2021. The original May 14, 2021, deadline was extended to support requests from communities for additional time to prepare proposals.

This grant opportunity will support increased access to electronics recycling in the state. Grants can be used to:  support improvements to current collection facilities; support electronics recycling events leading up to the establishment of permanent collection locations; support the collection, handling and proper recycling of consumer electronics; and provide collection and recycling infrastructure support to registered electronics recyclers.

The funding is made available through the Renew Michigan Fund. Eligible entities include cities, villages, townships, charter townships, counties, tribal governments, conservation districts, municipal solid waste or resource recovery authorities, non-profit organizations, health departments, colleges or universities, and regional planning agencies. For-profit Michigan based registered electronics recyclers are eligible for infrastructure funds.

Two rounds of grant approvals will be given. Grant requests submitted by May 7, 2021, will be the first round. The maximum request amount per collection location and collection event grants is $15,000 per location. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposal with Electronics Program staff prior to submittal. Funds are available on a first come first served basis.

To view the Request for Proposal and for more information about the EGLE electronics recycling grants program, visit Michigan.gov/MIRecycles and click on the “Grants” tab.
AG Alert as Scammers Threaten Service 

AG Alert as Scammers Threaten Service 

by | May 6, 2021 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media Contact:

Lynsey Mukomel 
517-599-2746

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, May 6, 2021

Attorney General Nessel Reissues Consumer Alert as Scammers Threaten Service

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing a Consumer Alert as scammers impersonating Consumers Energy target Michiganders.

The Department has received several complaints of someone cold-calling customers and threatening to shut off their power if the person doesn’t pay off a balance in 30 minutes, which is a utility imposter scam that attempts to take advantage of the customer’s concern for maintaining electricity or another vital utility.

A similar scam targeted DTE Energy customers late last year.

“This is important enough to bear repeating: it is imperative people are aware that bad actors will stop at nothing to scam unsuspecting customers,” said Nessel. “If this Consumer Alert prevents even one Michigander from turning over personal information or money, it will have served its purpose of beating scammers at their own game.”

It’s important to remember Consumers Energy and other utility companies will never:

  • cold-call you and give an ultimatum that your service will be shut off shortly unless you act;
  • visit your home to collect a bill or threaten shutoff;
  • request immediate payment through a prepaid debit card, or any form of unusual payment;
  • request personal or financial information such as a Social Security number; or
  • claim a customer is entitled to a refund or rebate by asking for bank account or credit card information to make the alleged refund.

Scammers are relentless, said Nessel, who earlier this week warned of scammers reaching out to loved ones of COVID-19 victims offering to register them for funeral assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “My department is committed to protecting Michigan residents from bad actors, wherever they are.”

If you suspect you have been contacted by an imposter, you may file a complaint online with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection team or call 877-765-8388.

View the consumer alert here for more information on utility scams and how to protect yourself.
Mental Health Awareness Month wake of COVID-19

Mental Health Awareness Month wake of COVID-19

by | May 6, 2021 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2021

CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michigan.gov

Mental Health Awareness Month takes on new
importance in wake of COVID-19 pandemic
Mental wellness resources available at Michigan.gov/StayWell

LANSING, Mich. – After a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic challenged the mental resiliency of all Michiganders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service (MDHHS) join mental health advocates across the nation in recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

Observed nationally since 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month promotes mental health education and support in hopes of decreasing the stigma often associated with seeking help for mental illness.

“This Mental Health Month and year-round, we must remember that it’s OK to not be OK,” said Governor Whitmer. “I encourage Michiganders to reach out to friends or family who may be struggling or get help themselves if they need it. Together, we can remove the stigma around accessing mental health care and uplift each other.”

“The pandemic has highlighted the critical role mental health plays in our overall wellbeing,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “Recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month serves as a reminder to honor our minds as we work to fight this pandemic. And of course, we also want to honor the countless professionals across the state who work tirelessly to help individuals with mental illness get the support they need.”

Across the U.S., reports of increased stress-related conditions are high as individuals face the strains of the COVID-19 crisis. According to recent data (March 3 – 15, 2021) from the Household Pulse Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 30% of Michiganders reported symptoms of anxiety or depression during the seven days prior to being surveyed. The survey shows Michigan’s self-reported symptom numbers have hovered between 30% and 49% since December 2020. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the negative psychological impacts of a disaster can last for months or years – and if left untreated, can contribute to mental illness.

MDHHS is working on several fronts to focus attention on mental health as part of public health. The Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission recently released an initial report with recommendations on how to reduce the suicide rate, including increasing and expanding access to care for at-risk Michiganders.

Early in the pandemic, MDHHS partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Administration and SAMHSA to develop the Stay Well program, offering emotional support through the Stay Well counseling line seven days a week, 24 hours a day (dial 888-535-6136 and press “8.”)  The program’s website, Michigan.gov/StayWell, offers links to a variety of mental health resources, including crisis help lines, virtual support groups, guidance documents, videos and recorded webinars.

For mental wellness resources, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.
May 6 – 12 is Nurses Week

May 6 – 12 is Nurses Week

by | May 6, 2021 | Regional News

Header 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2021

Contact: [email protected]

 

 

Gov. Whitmer Signs Proclamation Marking May 6 – 12 as Nurses Week

 

LANSING, Mich. — Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a proclamation marking May 6 – 12 as Nurses Week.

 

“Nurses play a crucial role in our healthcare system, and they have selflessly served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year,” said Governor Whitmer. “In times of crisis or calm, nurses consistently provide high-quality, personalized care and support other health care workers, routinely going above and beyond for their patients. The best way we can say thank you to our nurses is by masking up, washing our hands, social distancing, and getting our vaccines as soon as possible.”

 

“Nurses in general and AFSCME nurses in particular have been and continue to be Michigan’s Warriors and Superheroes at the frontlines during this pandemic. Their professional NEVER QUIT attitudes in the face of this tremendous challenge have saved us in this crisis,” said AFSCME Council 25 President Lawrence A. Roehrig. “They continue to risk their own lives, in spite of so many who have already lost their own. These superheroes battle COVID in spite of the risks to themselves and their families. They constantly and tirelessly work countless hours to care for the most vulnerable loved ones we all share. A simple ‘Thank You’ does not do any of these healthcare professionals justice. We MUST honor their sacrifices by being vaccinated as soon as possible. Together, we can make their sacrifice worthwhile. Getting ‘stuck’ by a nurse is not a bad thing in a pandemic. It will save countless lives.”

 

As of April 2021, Michigan is home to 22,860 Licensed Practical Nurses and 164,493 Registered Nurses.

 

View the full proclamation here.