By Nicole Walton
Undated – Several state forest campgrounds slated for closure in the Upper Peninsula will remain open for the rest of the fiscal year, under legislation recently signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The campgrounds are part of 23 across the state that were to be shut down as a cost-saving measure.
The legislation would allow for the transfer of ownership of the campgrounds to local units of government who want to manage them on a long-term basis.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation says tourism by out-of-state visitors was greater than spending by Michigan residents for the first time ever last year.
Officials say the campgrounds will remain open until other options can be determined.