The Michigan League of Conservation Voters applauded Attorney General Bill Schuette for his affirmation that Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) is constitutionally guaranteed to be used solely for protecting the resources for future generations.
The Attorney General’s opinion is a huge victory for Michigan’s natural resources and affirms what experts, statewide leaders and Michigan residents have been saying all along: Hands off the Natural Resources Trust Fund.
Attorney General Opinion 7270 concludes that NRTF dollars “ cannot be used for the maintenance of existing public recreation facilities, such as maintenance dredging of existing harbors” (p.1) . The opinion comes after Governor Rick Snyder signed into law legislation that found alternate funding for emergency dredging projects to address low water levels in the Great Lakes, rather than tapping the NRTF. Michigan LCV vocally supported the Governor’s action.
[mappress]
Press Release, April 25, 2013