Michigan State Waterways Commission to meet April 22 in Lansing

The Michigan State Waterways Commission will hold its regular meeting on Friday, April 22, at the Country Inn & Suites, located at 6511 Centurion Dr. in Lansing. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m.

The commission will take action on resolutions honoring former Waterways Commissioner Denny Bailey, the recommended 2011 Waterways Grants to Grant-in-Aid partners, and a proposal to amend Public Boating Access Site land use orders. The commission will also introduce the two newly appointed commissioners -- Van W. Snider, Jr. of Farmington Hills, president of the Michigan Boating Industries Association; and James R. Hansen of Escanaba, field supervisor for student teachers at Lake Superior State University.

The commission will also receive updates and reports from Department of Natural Resources staff on various boating projects, operations and other related items that affect the boating program, including the 2011 boating indicators legislative update, a harbor marketing plan, and an update on the sale of Recreation Passports.

The public will also have an opportunity to address the commission on boating issues during the public comment portion of the agenda.

The Michigan State Waterways Commission is an advisory group, created under Public Act 451 of 1994, Part 781, to address issues concerning public boating opportunities in Michigan, including the acquisition, construction and maintenance of recreational harbors, channels, docking and launching facilities, administration of commercial docks in the Straits of Mackinac, and to advise on regulations and grant funding for the Great Lakes Harbors of Refuge.

For more information about this meeting, persons wishing to provide public comment on any boating-related issue, or persons needing accommodations to attend this meeting, contact Cheri Lee, DNR Parks and Recreation Division, at 517-373-2699 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or visit the website at www.michigan.gov/dnr, under “Commissions, Boards and Committees.” A copy of the agenda is also available on the web site.