Member's Area

Judge Paul Maloney granted the Coalition to Protect Michigan Resources (CPMR) request to be heard in open court on their motion.

by admin

On Monday, United States District Judge Paul Maloney granted the Coalition to Protect Michigan Resources (CPMR) request to be heard in open court on their motion. The request to intervene in the treaty right case will be heard in federal court on August 25.

The court also asked all parties to address a federal court of appeals decision (Wineries of the Old Mission Peninsula Ass’n v. Twp. of Peninsula) that granted a local association’s request to intervene in another federal lawsuit. The recent Wineries decision granting an interest group intervenor status regarding certain township ordinances could set precedent in the CPMR case.

This is the second filing (click here to read) from the conservation coalitions in less than a month. The first challenged the State of Michigan’s ability to represent its members and protect the fishery in the ongoing Great Lakes Consent Decree negotiations, to which CPMR has been recognized as a friend of the court (amicus curiae) since the 1990s. The filing asks the judge to grant intervenor status to CPMR and the Bay De Noc group.

CPMR President Tony Radjenovich said that the recent appeals court decision provides hope that recreational angler interests in Michigan will be represented. “The recent decision lays a foundation for CPMR and our members to have their day in court and make their position known,” Radenjovich said. “We are optimistic that the voices of tens of thousands of our members, who are boaters, charter captains, recreationists and anglers, will be heard in this case.” “Amicus” status allows CPMR and the Bay De Noc group to attend negotiations as interested parties; however, it stops short of allowing the coalition to have any legal standing in negotiations.