North Michigan News

State Representatives from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula have announced a proposal to create a separate Natural Resources Commission (NRC) for the region. The plan is led by Reps. Dave Prestin, Greg Markkanen, Parker Fairbairn, and Karl Bohnak, who argue that the current statewide NRC does not address the distinct needs of the U.P.’s environment and wildlife.

“There are numerous distinct differences between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the list keeps growing,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “It truly is a tale of two peninsulas. The U.P. has wolves and Cougar, the Lower Peninsula does not. Moose in our peninsula, Elk in theirs. We have far too few whitetail deer due to out-of-control predation, and they have far too many. Yet, the NRC continues to clamor about how their statewide decisions are what’s best for everyone, when those same decisions are clearly putting the U.P. in jeopardy.”

The lawmakers point to issues such as predator-prey imbalances that threaten species like whitetail deer in the Upper Peninsula while populations increase rapidly elsewhere in Michigan.

“The imbalance between the Upper and Lower Peninsula wildlife proves how ridiculous it is to try to make rules that apply to everyone simultaneously,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “If a parent has a teenager and an infant, you don’t just feed everyone mashed peas and carrots. You make a plan that suits the unique needs of each child. Similarly, we need our own NRC that will recognize the unique needs of the U.P. wildlife, not one that just forces more mashed peas down our throats.”

Lawmakers also criticized the existing commission for scheduling only one meeting in the Upper Peninsula this year.

“The U.P. deserves honest representation when it comes to decisions over its natural resources,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “The fact that the current NRC only decided to meet in the U.P. once this year is glaring proof of where its priorities lie. The NRC cannot simultaneously say they can handle and understand U.P. wildlife and then choose to ignore us all the same. It’s not right and proves exactly why we need our own NRC.”

House Bills 4783-4786 would establish an Upper Peninsula-specific Natural Resources Commission with authority over hunting and fishing regulations within its boundaries.

“This legislation really underscores our Peninsula over Party mission as a united U.P. delegation,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “For years, Republicans and Democrats have joined together to secure our own U.P. NRC because we recognize the people best suited to make decisions about our natural resources are those who live in the U.P.”

Under this proposal, commissioners would be appointed by Michigan’s governor from a list provided by legislators representing districts in the Upper Peninsula.