Conservation and Environment

Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Children under 10 would be allowed to hunt as long as they’re with an adult mentor through legislation that has passed the Michigan House.

The measure adopted Tuesday by an 85-23 vote next goes to the Senate, which has passed similar legislation. Read complete story on Detroit Free Press.

Legislation that could eliminate the need for state park and boating access site motor vehicle permits in Michigan appears stalled. Michigan is trying to adopt a program - the Recreation Passport Proposal - that has worked very well in other states such as a very successful Montana program. Find out more at Citizens for Michigan State Parks on the Recreation Passport Proposal. GreatLakesBass.com supports user pay systems, but there is no doubt our state lands owned by everyone need more help. Please consider supporting the bills.

A new web page has been created on the official Michigan.gov web site dedicated to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) merger into the new Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE).

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November 12 Workshop at Highland Adult Activity Center
Oct. 26, 2009

The Department of Natural Resources will hold a public workshop to seek input on the proposed management plan for Highland State Recreation Area in Oakland County. The workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Highland Adult Activity Center, located at 209 N. John St. in Highland.

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Ongoing streamlining effort abolishes DNR, DEQ; transfers functions to DNRE

LANSING, October 8, 2009 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today issued Executive Order 2009-45, creating a new Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) to protect and conserve Michigan's air, water and other natural resources. The new department will assume the powers and functions of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), which are abolished by the executive order. The order takes effect January 17, 2010.

"The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is a new department for the 21st century," Granholm said. "Experience has shown us that conserving natural resources and protecting the environment go hand-in-hand. These efforts now will be coordinated under one department."

The new department's mission will be to conserve, manage, protect and promote Michigan's environmental, natural resource, and related economic interests for current and future generations. This includes implementing an ecosystem-based strategy for resource management, effectively using natural resources in a sustainable manner, and providing for continuous improvements in Michigan's air, water and soils while facilitating and encouraging economic growth.

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Contact:   Sharon Hanshue 517-373-1280
Agency:   Natural Resources

July 20, 2009

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced that a one-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River between the Penn Central Railroad Crossing and the Plainwell No. 2 Dam will be closed to public access starting Saturday, Aug. 1. Cleanup operations to remove targeted soils and sediments containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are slated to begin at that time and will continue until December 2010.

Contractors will be operating heavy construction equipment on both sides of the river as well as on two mid-channel islands, making it too dangerous to allow access to canoeists, kayakers and other boaters. Signs will be posted to alert river users of the closure.

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5/17/07: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources released their final version of the new Fish Disease Control order for state waters. Great consideration given for catch-and-release tournament anglers, but anglers also need to help out. See the GreatLakesBass.com VHS page for more details on FO-245