Government
Bill would remove ban on new state property
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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING- A bill that would uncap the amount of land the state owns and manages is being met with some opposition. Sponsored by Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, the bill would raise the 4.626 million acre cap on land and allow the Department of Natural Resources to acquire more. The change would be allowed because the department has a new plan for purchasing and selling land. The state cannot own more land than it does today, according to Brad Garmon, director of conservation and emerging issues for the Michigan Environmental Council. He said the cap is inhibiting the department’s abilities to do its job.