Aug. 9, 2017

Contact: Ed Golder, 517-284-5815

Natural Resources Commission to meet Thursday in Jackson

Land Use Order and Wildlife Conservation Order regarding Bay City State Recreation Area have been removed from August agenda

A renewal of select commercial fishing regulations, management plans at several state parks, marketing campaigns for hunting, fishing and parks, and an upcoming oil and gas lease auction are just some of the agenda items for the next regular meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. The commission’s meeting is set for Thursday, Aug. 10, at the W.J. Maher Campus of Jackson College, 3000 Blake Road in Jackson. All sessions will take place in Room 140 of the conference center.

Two items related to the originally proposed re-designation of Bay City State Recreation Area as Bay City State Park – and the potential changes in land use that would accompany that re-designation – have been removed from this month’s agenda. A proposed Land Use Order that had been before the director for action, and a proposed amendment to the Wildlife Conservation Order regarding Bay City State Recreation Area that had been before the commission for action, both will return to the NRC agenda for action at the commission’s Sept. 14 meeting in Lansing. The added time will allow for comprehensive review and consideration of public comments.

The Aug. 10 meeting begins with an 8 a.m. meeting of the Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee. The committee will review a presentation from the Green Initiatives Team and receive an update on general management planning at Muskegon State Park and Highland Recreation Area, as well as highlights from the Rose Lake/Plainwell District and the finance subcommittee. The committee also will hear updates about camping fees and the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.

At 10:30 a.m., the NRC Marketing, Partnership, Youth and Outappreach Advisory Committee will hear updates on the Department of Natural Resources marketing and outreach strategic plan, marketing campaigns for hunting, fishing and camping, and goals for the Youth Conservation Council. Additionally, the committee will welcome representatives from Experience Jackson! to talk about the group’s marketing efforts, customer trends and partnership with the DNR.

The Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries meets at 1 p.m. to discuss several small fishing regulations changes, as well additional colors for hunting apparel.

The Committee of the Whole meets at 2:30 p.m. to receive updates on parks and trails, chronic wasting disease, invasive carp and the proposed October oil and gas lease auction. DNR fisheries staff will provide an update on red swamp crayfish (live detections recently were confirmed in two Michigan locations). The Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association is scheduled to be presented with a Partners in Conservation Award for their decades-long commitment to promote, build, maintain and protect trails in and around Washtenaw County.

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

Following public comments, the commission is scheduled to reauthorize state commercial fishing regulations. DNR Director Creagh then is expected to announce decisions on several 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.