At the Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council meeting in Newberry Thursday, Dec. 3, participants are scheduled to hear a preliminary recap on the archery and firearm deer hunting seasons in the eastern U.P.
The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST at the Pentland Township Hall, located at 15474 M-28, south of Newberry.
Additional agenda items include information on the DNR’s “Keep the U.P. CWD Free!” education campaign, the Good Neighbor Authority recently developed between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service and an update on two proposals for net pen aquaculture in the Great Lakes.
An update will also be provided on Senate Bill 245 being considered in the state Legislature, which stiffens the penalties for illegal killing or possessing of certain game, including bear, moose and elk.
Trapping opportunities in Michigan will also be discussed, along with a proposed council meeting schedule for 2016.
The public can participate in the session by offering comments to the discussion during two specified periods at the meeting (for instructions on comment procedures, see www.michigan.gov/upcac).
The DNR’s eastern and western Upper Peninsula citizens’ advisory councils are designed to provide local input to advise the DNR on regional programs and policies, identify areas in which the department can be more effective and responsive and offer insight and guidance from members’ own experiences and constituencies.
Council members represent a wide variety of natural resource and recreation interests. Agenda items are set by the council members and council recommendations are forwarded to the DNR for consideration.
Anyone interested in being considered as a future council member should fill out the application form found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/upcac. For more information, contact the DNR Upper Peninsula regional coordinator’s office at 906-226-1331.
Photograph information courtesy of the DNR: Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council member Gary Gorniak of Moran, left, watches as Michigan Department of Natural Resources wildlife division staff age a buck Gorniak brought in to the Mackinac Straits deer check station at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace. Gorniak shot the buck Nov. 17 during the firearm deer hunting season in Mackinac County.
