LANSING, MI — Language tucked into a state budget passed by House Republicans would spell the end of proposed limits on development along a beloved northern Michigan river.

The omnibus fiscal 2026 budget passed by the House in late August includes a provision that would stop the state from adding the Little Manistee River to its list of designated ‘natural rivers’ where some development is limited to create a wild and scenic corridor.

Buried on page 716 , the provision would prohibit the Department of Natural Resources from using fisheries management funds to designate the river, effectively canceling a multi-year effort led by the Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council.

House Republicans said the prohibition is part of their attempt to check alleged bureaucratic overreach a

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