WELLSTON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Federal officials say an education plan will be put into place to help curb drunken behavior instead of a ban on alcoholic beverages along sections of three rivers in the Huron-Manistee National Forest in northern Michigan.
The plan announced Wednesday includes public service announcements, informational signs and outreach aimed at improving people's behavior.
"We are launching the 'It's All Yours' campaign. This campaign reminds people that these rivers are yours enjoy, yours to share and yours to sustain. We're asking folks to take simple steps like be courteous to other river-goers, drink in moderation and properly dispose of waste," Nate Peeters, public affairs officer for the National Forest, told WWJ's Beth Fisher.
Officials in February had announced an alcohol ban, saying it would protect natural resources and public safety on the Au Sable, Manistee and Pine rivers. But a week later they agreed to put off the ban after public backlash. Violations would have been punishable by fines up to $5,000 and possible prison time.
The U.S. Forest Service says many people favored the ban.
"To put it politely, we've seen a lot of issues ranging from dangerous behavior on the water to public urination, nudity, trespass, and a number of other issues that have damaged the water systems themselves and put people's safety at risk," said Peeters.
Critics, however, said the ban would hurt tourism. Thousands signed an online petition against it.
"A lot of people were upset that they would no longer be able to enjoy a beer on the river but they also didn't really want to see drunk and disorderly behavior," Peeters said. "There's a lot of passion for the rivers and we decided that we could harness some of that passion and come up with a community driven alternative to the alcohol ban."