Posts by Ian FitzGerald
Great Lakes Consent Decree: Implications, background, history
This is the first in a series of updates to let those interested in the sport and commercial fisheries of the Great Lakes know what is happening in the negotiation of a new agreement between the State of Michigan, the federal government and the five Michigan tribes holding a treaty right to fish within the…
Read MoreTests needed for Bovine TB Surveillance Program
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) work in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish surveillance quotas in order to detect changes in the occurrence of bovine TB in free-ranging white-tailed deer. The seven counties surrounding MDARD’s Modified Accredited Zone (MAZ) have…
Read MoreAction Alert: Call your senator urging them to support commercial fishing legislation
Current statutes and administrative rules regarding the licensing and regulation of commercial fishers in Michigan are decades old and do not sufficiently protect game fish from commercial impacts. Further, MDNR conservation officers are unable to adequately protect the fisheries from exploitation and illegal activity due to the outdated statute. House Bills 4567, 68 and 69…
Read MoreGov. signs appropriations bill putting carp money back on the table
Gov. Whitmer signed Senate Bill 745 yesterday, which reappropriated the $8 million earmarked for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project meant to keep invasive Asian carp from the Great Lakes. In March 2020 amid COVID-19 budget constraints, Gov. Whitmer line-item vetoed the $8 million that was earmarked as Michigan’s contribution for the preconstruction, engineering…
Read MoreMUCC and The Average Conservationist Partner to Give Back to Conservation
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and The Average Conservationist are excited to announce a collaboration benefiting conservation. A t-shirt collaboration between the organizations will raise funds for direct conservation work in Michigan. The design features the words Michigan United Conservation Clubs underneath a forest and white-tailed deer silhouette. To buy one of these exclusive shirts,…
Read MoreNRC Discusses Deer Regulations, Small Game Rules at May Meeting
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC State Conservation Policy Fellow The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) weighed hunter orange requirements, doe tags and muzzleloader season changes ahead of expected action in June. The NRC met virtually on Thursday, May 14 to consider a full agenda. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hosted the meeting, and a…
Read MoreeNRC 2.0, Deer Regulations
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is slated to take up deer regulations and small game and upland bird rules at the May meeting. The meeting will take place virtually on May 14, and a full agenda for the day can be found here. The Department of Natural Resources…
Read MoreMUCC Annual Convention canceled for June 2020
Due to concerns regarding COVID-19, this summer’s Michigan United Conservation Clubs Annual Convention has been canceled. Convention was previously scheduled from June 26 to 28. This decision is in the best interest of our members to ensure their safety and well-being, and please know that this decision was not made lightly. A total of 23…
Read MoreE-NRC Meeting Rules on a Full Agenda
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern Beavers, otters, electric traps, and elk took center stage at the April Natural Resources Committee (NRC) meeting. The most recent NRC meeting took place online on April 16, and a full agenda for the day can be found here. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) hosted the…
Read MoreNRC to Meet Online in April with a Full Agenda
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) is slated to take action on topics from lake trout and crayfish to elk, ducks and platform hunting. This unique meeting of the NRC will take place virtually on April 16, and a full agenda for the day can be found here. The…
Read More