Michigan DNR asks Legislature for new revenue to shore up parks, fisheries and aging dams

Director Scott Bowen told the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources that the Department of Natural Resources' fiscal 2026 budget request seeks new revenue and one-time investments to address deferred maintenance across parks, fisheries and dams.

Bowen said the department is facing long-term funding constraints as hunting and fishing license revenue has declined and fee levels have not kept pace with inflation. “We need to have a real conversation about conservation funding,” Bowen said, noting the DNR has not raised license fees since 2014 and that many costs are roughly 30 percent higher than 11 years ago.

The DNR presented a package of proposals to the subcommittee including: converting the Recreation Passport to an opt-out model (the department estimates raising participation toward 60 percent would generate additional revenue and expand local grant awards), updates to hunting and fishing license and watercraft registration fees, and a one-time $15 million general fund request targeted for dam work on DNR-managed infrastructure. The department also requested supplemental one-time spending from the Game and Fish Protection Trust Fund and additional federal spending authority to support culvert removal, stream connectivity restoration and administration of high-speed internet easement activities on department lands.

Why it matters: DNR…