Policy
November 2023 NRC Recap
Commissioners adopted an amended version of the Nyberg Amendment, changing the bag limit for steelhead on 11 streams across Michigan. In addition to lowering the bag limit on certain streams, the adopted amendment to Fisheries Order 200.23A clarified boundaries to streams in the amendment and removed immediate effect. The amended order, as passed, will now…
Read MoreNovember NRC Preview
Michigan United Conservation Clubs board voted to oppose lower steelhead bag limits at the upcoming November Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 9:30 am at Lansing Community College. Commissioners will consider one order: the MUCC-opposed amendment to proposed Fisheries Order 200.23A that would lower the bag…
Read MoreCoalition to Protect Michigan’s Resources will appeal adoption of Great Lakes Consent Decree
The Coalition to Protect Michigan’s Resources (CPMR), a sport fishing organization focused on protecting the fishery in the Great Lakes, filed an appeal opposing entry of the 2023 Great Lakes Consent Decree in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The order to accept the decree, given in August by Judge Paul Maloney, entered the five…
Read MoreOctober NRC Recap
An update on the legal status of wolves in Michigan, as well the steps going forward were debuted at the October Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting in Escanaba Thursday. NRC Chair Tom Baird requested the update several months ago. The presentation went into detail on both the current legal status of wolves, including where it…
Read MoreHB 5108 introduced, puts Michigan’s fishing heritage at risk
MICHIGAN’S SPORTFISHING HERITAGE IS AT RISK New legislation dropped today in the Michigan House would put Michigan’s $2.3 billion dollar annual recreational angling industry and our fishing heritage at risk. HB 5108, sponsored by Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), would allow for the state-licensed commercial take of game fish, including lake trout, smallmouth, panfish, walleye,…
Read MoreOctober NRC Preview
A wolf management decision tree requested by commissioners will be unveiled at the October Natural Resources Meeting in Escanaba. The Oct. 12 meeting is scheduled to begin with Coffee with Commissioners from 8 to 9 a.m. The agenda for the meeting can be found here. While in the UP, commissioners will have pike, warm water…
Read MoreBiden will decide funding fate for archery, hunters’ safety programs in schools
In early August, conservation and shooting sports organizations learned of an improper interpretation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) that prevented schools from receiving federal funding if they have archery or hunter safety programs. Knowing how important these programs are to childhood maturation and safety, conservation nonprofits across the country immediately called for a…
Read MoreSeptember NRC Recap
September’s Natural Resource Commission meeting was the first for new director Scott Bowen. Bowen introduced himself to those in attendance, highlighting his experience at other state agencies, stating that the DNR will by far be the most interesting. Commissioner Dave Nyberg spoke on a fisheries amendment related to steelhead he is working on and intends…
Read MoreSeptember NRC Preview
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) will be presenting to the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Policy and Governance Committee at the September NRC meeting. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 14 at Lansing Community College West Campus. MUCC will be presenting policy resolutions passed at the March Annual Convention, and provide…
Read MoreGreat Lakes decree put in place despite stakeholders’ and anglers’ objections
A federal judge accepted a proposed consent decree controlling five sovereign Michigan Tribes, the federal government and the state, overruling evidence that expanded gillnetting would negatively impact the Great Lakes. In handing down his order, Judge Paul Maloney rejected the Coalition to Protect Michigan Resource’s claim that biological harm is likely to happen to the resource and…
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