Posts by Nick Green
Invasive carp, COVID-19: Michigan lawmakers forced to make tough decisions
Gov. Whitmer signed into law a supplemental budget for the current fiscal year on Monday, but in the face of the necessary COVID-19 response spending, found it necessary to veto $80 million of General Fund money. The cuts included a line-item veto of $8 million set aside to help prevent invasive Asian carp from spreading…
Read MoreLawsuits, otters and predator-killing contests topped NRC agenda last week
Written by Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern Otters, lawsuits and predator-killing contests dominated conversations at the February Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting last Thursday. The February NRC meeting took place on Feb. 13 at the Lansing Community College. A recording of the meeting can be found at the MUCC Facebook page. A full agenda…
Read MoreSenate Votes to Vacate Mitterling Appointment to NRC
Mitterling’s seat sits unfilled after she received notice, during the commission meeting Thursday, that the Senate voted to disapprove her appointment. Partisan politicking won Thursday when a Natural Resources Commission (NRC) appointment was blocked by the Republican-controlled Michigan Senate. In a mostly party-line vote, Senate Republicans were able to vacate the appointment of Anna Mitterling,…
Read MoreNRC To Discuss Furbearer Regulations, Land Transactions at February Meeting
By: Charlie Booher, MUCC Policy Intern The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will weigh furbearer regulations and land transactions at the February meeting. The meeting will take place on Feb. 13 at the Lansing Community College Gannon Building in the Michigan Room (422 North Washington Square; Lansing, MI 48933). As always, if you are unable to…
Read MoreGame fish, recreational anglers win: House Bills 4567-4569 pass House
Game fish are one step closer to swimming away from commercial nets as the Michigan House of Representatives voted to pass House Bills 4567, 4568 and 4569 on Thursday. The tie-barred, three-bill package aims to codify decades-old statute, keep game fish out of commercial nets, establish penalties for the illegal sale of game fish, require…
Read MoreConservation, community leaders launch ProtectMI
State’s natural resources strengthen communities, economy and quality of life Michigan’s natural resources, public lands and outdoor recreation opportunities are second-to-none and what define and unite the state, providing countless benefits to all Michiganders. That’s why they must be protected and enhanced, announced several organizations as they today launched the public awareness campaign ProtectMI. ProtectMI…
Read MoreGov. vetoes HB 4687, ban on baiting stands
MUCC and conservation organizations throughout the state and country commend Gov. Whitmer for vetoing HB 4687 — a bill that would allow the baiting of white-tailed deer — earlier today. Since 2007, Michigan United Conservation Clubs has been opposed to baiting and recreational feeding of cervids due to the concerns with it as a vector…
Read MoreMUCC names Kirk Riley deputy director
Riley takes over as operations, fiscal manager for nation’s largest state-specific conservation organization. Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) named Kirk Riley its new deputy director Sept. 23 following a nine-month, countrywide search. Riley’s role will include operations management, budget and donor development, fundraising, staff oversight, executive board recruitment and succession planning for MUCC. Prior to…
Read MoreMUCC, Nugent face off over baiting white-tailed deer and HB 4687
Baiting deer took center stage this morning as Ted Nugent passionately and candidly claimed he was not a scientist or biologist on the subject — but someone who lives with deer — in front of the House Committee on Government Operations. Nugent, who testified next to Rep. Michelle Hoitenga (R-Manton) and Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington),…
Read MoreCWD Regs Passed at July NRC
A bevy of regulations related to chronic wasting disease and white-tailed deer management were passed by the Natural Resources Commission during July’s meeting and will be implemented for the 2019 hunting season. The meeting was held at the MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Lansing. Every NRC meeting is streamed live through MUCC’s Facebook page. If…
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