Policy
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 MoreUSFWS Seeking Public Comment on Cormorant Control
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking input from the public on management efforts for cormorants. The proposed rule would establish a permit for state wildlife agencies to authorize management techniques that were previously prohibited. States would have the delegated authority to determine whether, when, where and for what purposes to control cormorants…
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 MoreMichigan Natural Resources Commission Votes on U.P. Brook Trout Limits; Welcomes New Commissioner
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) had a fairly short agenda Thursday but did make a significant decision regarding a contentious U.P. brook trout limit after receiving a number of updates. Meetings began with a convening of the NRC Wildlife and Fisheries Policy Committee. Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter updated commissioners on a recent land…
Read MoreNatural Resources Commission Meets January 9th
The Natural Resources Commission will meet on Thursday, Jan. 9th at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (4125 Beaumont Road Lansing, MI 48910). If you are unable to attend in person, check out the MUCC Facebook page for live streaming. A full agenda for the day can be found here. Thursday’s meetings will start…
Read MoreMichigan Can Do More to Prevent Animal Waste from Polluting Water
The National Wildlife Federation and Michigan United Conservation Clubs are urging the state of Michigan, in comments filed today, to strengthen protections for clean water to prevent animal waste from largescale livestock operations from fouling rivers, lakes, streams and the Great Lakes. Animal waste that runs off farm fields and into local waters can fuel toxic…
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 More