Update on the DNR Funding Bill, Sea Grant Workshops and 1st Reminder of the Joint Lake Huron and Lake Michigan Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee
Hi Everyone,
I received another update Friday on the progress of the Governor’s DNR Budget and fee restructuring package. As I stated before there is continued support from Organizations but some of the Legislators would like to hear more from individuals.
If you have not already done so, or if you want to encourage your Legislators again, just click the following links for their contact information, SENATOR List and REPRESENTATIVE List. If the DNR Budget Bill is not approved, it will be next to impossible to move forward on expanding hunting and fishing opportunities in Michigan. To say the least, that would be devastating for hunters and anglers but also a major blow for expanding the State’s economy. For your convenience, below are some of the areas that will be implemented if the funding package is approved.
-
Increasing the rearing and stocking of fish by addressing infrastructure needs at DNR hatcheries
-
Increasing the acres of public game areas receiving habitat management or maintenance; providing grants to stakeholders for this purpose; increasing the acres of state forest land where wildlife habitat management or maintenance is performed
-
Providing grants to stakeholders to increase fisheries habitat on inland lakes and streams
-
Increasing outreach to anglers who fish for perch, bluegill and bass to improve angler retention
-
Increasing the Pheasant Restoration Initiative focus on public lands throughout southern Michigan
-
Increasing technical assistance for fisheries habitat improvement on coldwater streams
-
Increasing creel surveys and assessments on inland lakes and streams
-
Expanding hunter access opportunity in southern Michigan
-
Replacing the Great Lakes research vessel Chinook: $2 million one-time General Fund expenditure to replace the 65-year old Great Lakes research vessel
-
Training and hiring 25 new Conservation Officers