LANSING -- State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) today announced that the House and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have reached an agreement to continue grooming 16 cross country ski trails that were not scheduled to be maintained this year.
Lahti, the Chairman of the Natural Resources Subcommittee, worked closely with DNR Director Rebecca Humphries to secure funding which will ensure winter recreational trails will be groomed and parking lots will be plowed for the holiday season.
The DNR last week announced that 16 trails throughout Michigan would not be groomed this winter, due to a cut in funding. The trails will now remain groomed until at least mid-January, when Lahti hopes that a supplemental bill will be approved providing additional funding for the grooming.
"In anticipation of a supplemental bill package, immediate funding of winter recreation areas until a January 15th vote on the supplemental budget was necessary to prevent them from closing." Lahti said. "We need to keep these valuable resources open for the enjoyment of our residents and tourists."