PRESS RELEASE: Michigan Land Resource Project

CONTACT:
William Rustem, MEER Staff Manager
517-484-4954
Holly Madill, Public Sector Consultants
517-484-4954

Study Maps Effect of Land-use Decisions on the State’s Identity and Economy Through 2040

3 December 2001—Lansing, MI— The Michigan Economic and Environmental Roundtable (MEER) and Public Sector Consultants, Inc. on Friday released the final report of the Michigan Land Resource Project—a study that projects the future of agriculture, forestry, tourism, and mining if present land use trends continue.

Using a land transformation model developed by researchers at Michigan State University, the Michigan Land Resource Project projects the future of Michigan in a mapping format for the years 2020 and 2040. It then features detailed economic forecasts for the land-based industries of agriculture, forestry, tourism, and mining in the state. The economic forecasts were prepared by researchers associated with Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Michigan Technological University.

“These industries are important to Michigan. They represent approximately one-third of Michigan’s economy,” states Al Almy of the Michigan Farm Bureau.

“The future of these industries matters to Michigan because in addition to their direct contribution to the economy, they shape the Michigan landscape that creates a quality of life that attracts business and employees,” says Jim Barrett, President of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.

The project was overseen by a diverse advisory group consisting of representatives from the land-based industries and includes Al Almy, Michigan Farm Bureau; Jim Barrett, Michigan Chamber of Commerce; Jim Goodheart, Michigan United Conservation Clubs; Chris MacInnes, Crystal Mountain Resort; Mark Pontti, International Paper; and Bill Taylor, MSU Fisheries and Wildlife.

The Michigan Land Resource Project was funded by grants from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek and the Frey Foundation of Grand Rapids. The complete report is available on-line at http://www.publicsectorconsultants.com.

Among the major findings of the report:

• Michigan will lose 25 percent of its orchard land in the next 40 years.
• The state’s destination resorts, particularly those in the northern lower peninsula, are threatened by encroaching development along the travel corridors that lead to them.
• In order to keep forestry harvesting costs down, access to large parcels is necessary. As the land becomes more fragmented, the price for harvesting Michigan’s timber will increase.
• Michigan will lose 1.9 million acres of farmland in the next 40 years.
• Land available for hunting will dramatically decrease, while “edge” species such as white-tailed deer will continue to increase in numbers.
• “Built” land will increase by 4.1 million acres across the state, more than tripling the existing amount of “built” land.
• Transportation costs associated with moving construction materials farther distances will dip into the profit of mining operations.
• We are experiencing a phenomenon where mining, agriculture, and forestry are unable to compete with the value of the land for other uses and large contiguous parcels are being fragmented into smaller, less-economically viable blocks.

“Though the trends presented may not be the image of Michigan that we cherish, it’s not too late,” says Chris MacInnes, Senior Vice President for Crystal Mountain Resort. “People can make a difference. We can help change these trends and still have time to make important choices. We can support policies and regulatory changes designed to preserve the character of our 37 million acres for the next generation. Or we can accept the status quo.”

“This project was not meant to be a crystal ball. However, it does provide very realistic projections about changes in the state’s land-based industries over the next 40 years,” says Bill Rustem, Michigan Land Resource Project Manager and vice-president of Public Sector Consultants. “It is intended to spark discussions and debate about where our state is headed if current land use trends continue. If those trends do continue, the study shows dramatic effects on both the state’s economy and our quality of life.”

For more information, to receive a copy of the complete report about the Michigan Land Resource Project, or to request a speaker for an event, contact Holly Madill at 517-484-4954.

MEER is a public, not-for-profit organization that assumes that the well-being of people and other living things depends on a healthy and sustainable environment and economy. The organization maintains that this principle of sustainable use should be the basis for all resource management decisions. MEER provides a forum where Michigan leadership representing business and industry, conservation and environmental organizations, local government, agriculture, and academia can address the complex challenges of balancing economic development with environmental and resource stewardship by building consensus among diverse stakeholders. MEER’s Michigan Land Resource Project encourages constructive debate about sustainable development; however, it does not advocate for any one industry or political agenda.

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 to “help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations.” Its programming activities center around the common vision of a world in which each person has a sense of worth; accepts responsibility for self, family, community, and societal well-being; and has the capacity to be productive and help create nurturing families, responsive institutions, and healthy communities. To achieve the greatest impact, the foundation targets its grants toward specific areas, including health; food systems and rural development; youth education and higher education; and philanthropy and volunteerism. Within these funding areas, grants are targeted toward promoting leadership; information systems/technology; efforts to capitalize on diversity; and family, neighborhood, and community development programming. Grants are concentrated in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean, and southern Africa.

The Frey Foundation, based in Grand Rapids, is one of Michigan’s largest family foundations. Grants are provided primarily to nonprofit organizations in southwestern Michigan for projects to enhance children’s development, protect natural resources, promote the arts, and expand philanthropic and civic action. The Frey Foundation was established in 1974 by the late Edward J. and Frances T. Frey. Mr. Frey was longtime chief executive officer of Union Bank (now Bank One) and founded Foremost Insurance Company in Grand Rapids. Trustees of the Frey Foundation are David G. Frey, Edward J. Frey, Jr., John M. Frey, and Mary Caroline (Twink) Frey.