(AP) -- The days that Dave and Ruth Tree spend camping, fishing and walking in the woods at Mud Lake State Forest Campground may be numbered. The Midland couple worry their longtime refuge 70 miles northeast of Grand Rapids could be closed next year because of state budget cuts.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources already has shut down 12 of its 145 state forest campgrounds this year. Further closings may be needed when the new budget year starts Oct. 1.
State parks are supported by camping and user fees, but state forest campgrounds rely on general fund dollars. They could fall victim to cutbacks aimed at fixing a $2.8 billion budget shortfall.
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