September 12, 2022 Policy Update

Justin Tomei • September 12, 2022

State Issues

MUCC has submitted its official public comment on the proposed expansion of Camp Grayling. We also ran a call to action for citizens to provide comments directly to DNR Director Eichinger, the Governor, and their legislators. This grassroots movement was a huge success generating around 1,200 participants resulting in nearly 4,800 emails to leaders across the state. 

Legislature

The legislature has two days of work before the November election. Look for a MUCC call to action on legislative priorities, specifically commercial guiding and charitable online raffles, in the coming weeks!

Natural Resources Commission

The September NRC meeting had a trio of fisheries orders passed and a third tabled for the October meeting in Marquette. The October meeting will have four fisheries orders up for action, two land use orders including one for the new Crystal Waters State Game Area.

Federal

The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management passed the House in December , and a Senate version of the bill was introduced in late April. The bill has been languishing in the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry chaired by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow. MUCC has begun an action alert urging Senator Stabenow to hold a hearing on the bill as soon as possible. That action alert can be found here

MUCC

MUCC’s September Conservation Policy Board meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2022 at Big Bear Sportsmen’s Club in Kaleva. All MUCC members are welcome to attend, but only members of the policy board can vote. Information on the agenda, lodging, and proposed resolutions can be found on the policy board website HERE . Please register if you are planning to attend for an accurate headcount by signing up HERE . Lunch will be on site, the menu is lasagna and salad, and will be $8 cash only, please keep an eye on the policy board website for updates. 

Stay Tuned for Action Alerts

Our traditional email campaigns have proven to be a valuable and effective tool for reaching legislators, but our tracking shows that text messages to our members prove to be an even more effective method of communication.

If you click this link , fill out the form with your cell phone number, make sure both boxes are checked at the bottom, click submit. After that you will get an automated text, respond with YES, and you are all set.

Recent Posts

By Olivia Triltsch May 21, 2026
On Friday, May 15, 2026, high school students who are part of the Reese High Outdoors Club joined MUCC’s On the Ground Junior program and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the Denmark Township Mini State Game Area. Students completed a wildlife habitat improvement project by clearing a grassland habitat of invasive woody growth maintained for pheasants. Using the cut vegetation from the area, students constructed several large brush piles throughout the site to benefit small mammals and other wildlife in the area. Maintaining open grassland habitat is important for supporting species that rely on early successional cover for cover or feeding. Due to suppression of natural disturbances, active management helps to control woody vegetation from gradually overtaking the areas and reducing habitat quality for species that rely on the grassland. The project area is near fields planted by the DNR to provide both habitat and food sources for wildlife, making these improvements part of a larger habitat management effort on the property. In total, students directly improved 10 acres of wildlife habitat through this project. Beyond the on-the-ground impact, the event also allowed students to try a hands-on conservation experience and the ability to contribute to habitat management and public land stewardship in Michigan. Projects like this continue to demonstrate the value of engaging the next generation in Michigan's outdoor heritage and wildlife conservation efforts.
By Olivia Triltsch May 7, 2026
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a group of dedicated volunteers joined Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, Huron Pines, Saginaw Children’s Zoo, and MUCC's OTG program in planting approximately 4,800 jack pine saplings within the Grayling Forest Management Unit in Crawford County. Jack pines are a critical nesting habitat feature for the once-threatened Kirtland’s warbler. In total, volunteers directly impacted about 7 acres of land were prepared by the Michigan DNR for this planting to allow volunteers to maximize their efforts across the land. This is one of our annual events that is perfect for helpers of all ages and interests.
May 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) announces its decision to dissolve after nearly 90 years of conservation advocacy, citing ongoing financial challenges and outlining next steps in an orderly wind-down process.
More Posts