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Admirers of the Jordan Valley, a magnificent natural area northeast of Traverse City, are organizing public
and legislative support to ensure the state-owned land remains permanently off-limits to oil and gas developers.
Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, a Bellaire-based grassroots group, is working with state officials,
the Institute, and citizens to make the Jordan Valley Michigan's first State Land Reserve. The designation,
available under a new law authored by former Rep. Bill Bobier, would formalize an existing state policy that
prohibits drilling on the 22,000-acres of state-owned land in the Jordan Valley. It also would require the
Department of Natural Resources to acquire all private lands within the area that become available.
The issue over drilling in the Jordan came to the fore in 1995, when energy companies bucked public
opinion and state regulations by trying to override a long-established no-drill policy. Thanks to the efforts of
thousands of concerned citizens the attempts were defeated -- the struggle tested the resolve of regulators
from three state agencies and gave statewide prominence to the issue.
John Hummer, program director for Friends of the Jordan, views the State Land Reserve designation as a
way to solidify the state's existing policy and head off further conflict.
"The Jordan Valley is one of the last great places in Michigan," said Mr. Hummer. "In addition to the
existing DNR policy, there needs to be legislative action to specifically guard against mineral development there."
How the New Law Works
The State Land Reserve Act was passed last summer to do just that. The law activates a never-before-used
section of the state Constitution that enables the Legislature to indefinitely set aside state lands from
development. In Michigan, where making money from oil and gas production on state lands has been a
political priority, officially protecting land for conservation marks a significant policy shift.
The law also emphasizes acquiring private inholdings. It gives the state "first right of refusal" when any
private land within the Reserve boundaries is offered for sale -- the state would be obligated to pay fair
market value (see map above for public/private land ownership in the Jordan Valley).
To qualify to become a State Land Reserve, an area must be big and beautiful -- consisting of at least 640
acres of state-owned land and containing a designated natural river, protected wetlands, critical sand dunes, or
other significant natural features.
The Jordan Valley is a perfect fit. Hailed as one of Michigan's "crown jewels," perhaps no place in the
state has its compelling mix of rugged wildness and awe-inspiring beauty.
Friends of the Jordan will submit a petition proposing a Reserve boundary to the Natural Resources
Commission, an advisory panel that oversees the DNR. The NRC will review the application and make a
recommendation to the Legislature. It will require a two-thirds vote in favor of the designation in both the
House and the Senate to establish the Jordan Valley Land Reserve.
Successful designation of the Jordan Valley could pave the way for other natural areas like the Pigeon
River Country State Forest east of Vanderbilt, the Mason Tract on the AuSable River, and the Sand Lakes Quiet
Area near Williamsburg.
CONTACTS: John Hummer, Friends of the Jordan River Watershed, 616-533-5063; Mindy Koch, DNR Real
Estate Division, 517-373-1246; Hans Voss at the Institute, 616-882-4723.
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