DNR Director Rodney Stokes informed the Natural Resources Commission Thursday that the DNR was lowing many fees at state forest campgrounds to align them more closely with fees at state parks and recreation areas offering similar amenities. Under the new revisions, most state forest campgrounds will be charging $13/site/night, down from $15. Campgrounds identified as equestrian state forest campgrounds, those associated with ORV trails, and the semi-modern Houghton Lake state forest campground will charge $17/site/night, down from $20.

Michigan DNR expands Recreational Passport use. Director Rodney Stokes signed a land use order that classifies state forest campgrounds and non-motorized pathways as state recreation areas. This requires people using these areas to have a valid Michigan Recreation Passport on their vehicle. The extra funding generated will go back into maintenance and operations of state forest recreation programs. Visitors who do not have the Recreation Passport will be given the opportunity to obtain one during the first year.

The state parks of Michigan have an official ice cream flavor. The flavor was chosen by the 2012 outstanding outdoor kids Lexi Loehfelm, 11, of Ada; Noah Ekdom, 12, of Roscommon; and Jimmy McGrath, 15, of Carleton. The kids chose from Michigan Chocolate Covered Cherries, Pure Michigan Jubilee, Shiver MI Timbers, and Pure Michigan Caramel Apple. The kids along with the help of Meijer Corporate Research Chef Ray Sierengowski, pick the flavor Pure Michigan Caramel Apple making it the official Pure Michigan ice cream flavor of Michigan state parks.

Some states have decided to close more state parks because of budget restraints, but the head of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources says there will be no closings in Michigan. Stokes says "we're not closing state parks." He does say however that an infrastructure problem in the parks because of aging sewer lines and the like. He is also hopeful that the new state park pass system, where motorists who register their vehicles are asked to buy a ten dollar pass, will help raise more money for parks. (MRN)