April 11, 2016

Contact: Ed Golder, 517-284-5815

Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Lansing

Fall turkey hunting regulations, a collaborative response to chronic wasting disease, the Department of Natural Resources’ use of social media and many other topics will be covered at the next regular meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission set for Thursday, April 14, in Lansing.

The commission’s Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee will start the day with a 9 a.m. meeting at the Demmer Shooting Sports and Education Center, 4830 E. Jolly Road. Committee members will consider a resolution in support of Fisherman’s Island State Park’s draft general management plan; receive a presentation on the goals, objectives and history of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division’s Green Initiatives Team, and get an update on programs and efforts at Michigan state parks and recreation areas.

The remainder of the day’s sessions will take place in Conference Room 101 of the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center, 4125 Beaumont Road in Lansing.

At 10 a.m., the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries will discuss fall turkey and migratory game bird regulations and receive reports on chronic wasting disease response measures, a spinning-wing decoy evaluation at Harsens Island and bovine tuberculosis surveillance. The DNR Wildlife Division also will present its annual report, as well as the most recent update to the division’s strategic plan – the GPS: Guiding Principles and Strategies.

At 1 p.m., the Marketing, Partnership, Outreach and Youth Advisory Committee will receive presentations on the DNR’s successful use of social media and the latest marketing plans promoting state parks and hunting and fishing opportunities.

The Committee of the Whole will meet at 3 p.m. DNR Director Bill Moritz’s report will include updates on the minerals management auction process, parks and trails development, the Kalamazoo Dam removal project, and the budget and latest legislative news. The committee also will hear about the recent North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference and the department’s fish and wildlife habitat grants.

Immediately following the Committee of the Whole reports, the NRC will receive public comments. Those wishing to address the commission should contact Cheryl Nelson, executive assistant to the NRC, at 517-284-6237 or nelsonc@michigan.gov to register.

Following public comments, the NRC is expected to set migratory game bird hunting seasons, elk regulations and license quotas, coyote and nighttime predator hunting regulations, and bear harvest allocations for the Newberry and Red Oak bear management units. Commissioners also will consider a fish disease control order.

Director Moritz is scheduled to announce orders on the use of state-managed wildlife and game areas, open riding opportunities for equestrians at the Pigeon River Country State Forest, and a feral swine research area in Arenac, Bay, Gladwin, Midland and Ogemaw counties. Moritz also is expected to finalize the acreage for the proposed May oil and gas lease auction and announce his decision on four proposed land transactions.

For more information about the Natural Resources Commission, including full agendas and meeting minutes, visit www.michigan.gov/nrc.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.