Greg_MacMaster
Guest
All good questions.
1 Who / What is "GTBUP"?
A. The (proposed Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve) seeking approval to be the 12th bottomlands preserve in the Traverse City -5 County region of NW lower Michigan.
2 What specific reasons have MUPC given for not supporting the legislation?
A.Well, that depends on what letter you read, if you take Larry Sanders letter, he states a number of things that just aren't relevant (from old legislation)and was very defensive in nature. (He was a lawyer, so he has that tone in his letter). The sad thing is.. The State Park has been there since 1899 – so when he said “Poor legislation”, he was damning everybody who supported (bi-partisan)it over the past 111 years. So he didn’t make himself look good or represent the MUPC well at all.
A.Now, if you take the MUPC President's letter R. Bloomfiled – “Very” well written and tactful and asked to be considered in this and future legislation. (and this would seem reasonable). Any objections most likely came from what was supposed to be sent out on a press release as "Re-dedication of a State Park" and not "Proposed State Park". Just one word missing and the walls came down. The MUPC feels it will change the preserves, status and functionality I guess. But the State Park re-dedication is just that, a re-dedication..everything stays the same. They also contend not being notified or consulted...But this idea of recreation and tourism was presented to the in the fall of 2005 in a power point e-mail from me to them.
3 Who would decide who becomes a member of the "committee that will represent you -the diver, the charter boat operator, promoting, marketing and so on."?
A. The Governor will have the ultimate authority - but you can write your Senator and ask to be nominated, then go thru the usual process of approval and then get appointed by the Gov. usually within 6 months. I would encourage you to contact your Senator to be nominated.
4 What role does the MUPC have today, working with the DEQ? (I thought the DNR was responsible for the bottom-lands)
A. The role of the MUPC is more of an advisory position and that's only if they are notified of issues that are relevant. However in past years, many feel...and I'm one of them, that th MUPC has become more of a "club house" group of people. They do put out a divers guide and not much mor from what I have observed first hand over 18 months. The MUPC can change to a more aggressive role and help shape the future of underwater tourism in the Great Lakes. But at last count, they were interested in "preservation". The MDNR is responsible for the bottomlands - however the MDNR was never at any meetings (Michigan Underwater Salvage & Preserve Committee) and often looked down upon by other agencies that were at the meeting :mooner: . So the MDEQ & MDHAL took over
. Any topic on recreation or tourism, and their mouths would shut and not say a word :no ...because they can't. The topic of “Recreation” dominates those committee meetings and it falls on deaf ears 
. The MDEQ received a fine (money) from a shipwreck hunter and that money was supposed to go back to the MUPC but they earmarked it for a lawsuit somewhere else. :huh:
5 Is there a budget for the preserves?
A.I can speak for the GTBUP that we do have a budget. I would say “No” to most of them. However it would be left up to the individual preserve officers to handle their own budget. Some have no money and a few manage accordingly. They are all managed individually by their own elected members of that preserve.
If so, who controls the spending and how can I obtain a copy?
A. For the GTBUP, we have the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (An umbrella 501(c)3 organization) that administers the funds on our recommendation. Myself, the V.P. and the Treasurer. We're waiting for our501(c)3 status from the IRS. Our strategic plan has it all laid out in the “News” section of the website. You are free to request a copy by writing to the Community Foundation. Interesting question on the others… - not sure. They should all be non-profit so I would think that their accounting profile can be made public if requested. I would contact the preserve (representative) you are interested in. Ron Bloomfield is the President and can be reached at bchsrb@mindspring.com
6 Who would control the spending of "voluntary fees" and how would they be distributed equally throughout the state?
A. The Committee would decide how the funds should be spent. No guidelines have been established yet because the committee hasn't formed yet. As far as equally?.. "My opinion" : If no one wants the money, then it would sit in teh ac****. a certain amount would be earmarked for the bottomlands and this would include the preserves that are active. (besides the fact they shot themselves in the foot by not supporting any of the legislation) - The rest of the funds go into an account until it reaches 1 million dollars or more..– then disperse the interest as annual payments ($80,000+) wherever it is needed (we will have become self-sustaining!
) . If no one is active in maintaining the preserve, they shouldn’t get the funds. This will force those who want to do something but can’t because of no money. I think proposals from organizations and individuals, who are interested in using those dollars to help create dive opportunities, promote underwater tourism and so on, would be highly considered. But there are many other reasons, which are outlined in the House bills.Make your voice count and let us/them know where you would like to see the funds dispersed. I do know that any organization requesting funds will have a credit/background check to ensure the money would go to reputable individuals/organizations. Key point.. No federal sanctuaries :no ,.. Only State bottomlands and State preserves.
I hope I answered your questions.
G
1 Who / What is "GTBUP"?
A. The (proposed Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve) seeking approval to be the 12th bottomlands preserve in the Traverse City -5 County region of NW lower Michigan.
2 What specific reasons have MUPC given for not supporting the legislation?
A.Well, that depends on what letter you read, if you take Larry Sanders letter, he states a number of things that just aren't relevant (from old legislation)and was very defensive in nature. (He was a lawyer, so he has that tone in his letter). The sad thing is.. The State Park has been there since 1899 – so when he said “Poor legislation”, he was damning everybody who supported (bi-partisan)it over the past 111 years. So he didn’t make himself look good or represent the MUPC well at all.
A.Now, if you take the MUPC President's letter R. Bloomfiled – “Very” well written and tactful and asked to be considered in this and future legislation. (and this would seem reasonable). Any objections most likely came from what was supposed to be sent out on a press release as "Re-dedication of a State Park" and not "Proposed State Park". Just one word missing and the walls came down. The MUPC feels it will change the preserves, status and functionality I guess. But the State Park re-dedication is just that, a re-dedication..everything stays the same. They also contend not being notified or consulted...But this idea of recreation and tourism was presented to the in the fall of 2005 in a power point e-mail from me to them.
3 Who would decide who becomes a member of the "committee that will represent you -the diver, the charter boat operator, promoting, marketing and so on."?
A. The Governor will have the ultimate authority - but you can write your Senator and ask to be nominated, then go thru the usual process of approval and then get appointed by the Gov. usually within 6 months. I would encourage you to contact your Senator to be nominated.
4 What role does the MUPC have today, working with the DEQ? (I thought the DNR was responsible for the bottom-lands)
A. The role of the MUPC is more of an advisory position and that's only if they are notified of issues that are relevant. However in past years, many feel...and I'm one of them, that th MUPC has become more of a "club house" group of people. They do put out a divers guide and not much mor from what I have observed first hand over 18 months. The MUPC can change to a more aggressive role and help shape the future of underwater tourism in the Great Lakes. But at last count, they were interested in "preservation". The MDNR is responsible for the bottomlands - however the MDNR was never at any meetings (Michigan Underwater Salvage & Preserve Committee) and often looked down upon by other agencies that were at the meeting :mooner: . So the MDEQ & MDHAL took over
. Any topic on recreation or tourism, and their mouths would shut and not say a word :no ...because they can't. The topic of “Recreation” dominates those committee meetings and it falls on deaf ears . The MDEQ received a fine (money) from a shipwreck hunter and that money was supposed to go back to the MUPC but they earmarked it for a lawsuit somewhere else. :huh: 5 Is there a budget for the preserves?
A.I can speak for the GTBUP that we do have a budget. I would say “No” to most of them. However it would be left up to the individual preserve officers to handle their own budget. Some have no money and a few manage accordingly. They are all managed individually by their own elected members of that preserve.
If so, who controls the spending and how can I obtain a copy?
A. For the GTBUP, we have the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (An umbrella 501(c)3 organization) that administers the funds on our recommendation. Myself, the V.P. and the Treasurer. We're waiting for our501(c)3 status from the IRS. Our strategic plan has it all laid out in the “News” section of the website. You are free to request a copy by writing to the Community Foundation. Interesting question on the others… - not sure. They should all be non-profit so I would think that their accounting profile can be made public if requested. I would contact the preserve (representative) you are interested in. Ron Bloomfield is the President and can be reached at bchsrb@mindspring.com
6 Who would control the spending of "voluntary fees" and how would they be distributed equally throughout the state?
A. The Committee would decide how the funds should be spent. No guidelines have been established yet because the committee hasn't formed yet. As far as equally?.. "My opinion" : If no one wants the money, then it would sit in teh ac****. a certain amount would be earmarked for the bottomlands and this would include the preserves that are active. (besides the fact they shot themselves in the foot by not supporting any of the legislation) - The rest of the funds go into an account until it reaches 1 million dollars or more..– then disperse the interest as annual payments ($80,000+) wherever it is needed (we will have become self-sustaining!
) . If no one is active in maintaining the preserve, they shouldn’t get the funds. This will force those who want to do something but can’t because of no money. I think proposals from organizations and individuals, who are interested in using those dollars to help create dive opportunities, promote underwater tourism and so on, would be highly considered. But there are many other reasons, which are outlined in the House bills.Make your voice count and let us/them know where you would like to see the funds dispersed. I do know that any organization requesting funds will have a credit/background check to ensure the money would go to reputable individuals/organizations. Key point.. No federal sanctuaries :no ,.. Only State bottomlands and State preserves. I hope I answered your questions.
G
