The Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting Wednesday, March 26, that will focus on local wildlife issues in the DNR Wildlife Division's Southwestern Management Unit. The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn, located at 622 M-89 in Plainwell.

The Southwestern Management Unit includes Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties.

The purpose of the meeting is to introduce local staff, highlight wildlife habitat and other projects that are planned for the summer months and provide a question and answer period for attendees. In addition, an operations plan for the Pine Creek Impoundment in Allegan County will be presented. Copies of the plan may be obtained at the DNR's Plainwell Operations Service Center, 621 N. 10th Street in Plainwell; phone: (269) 685-6851. Comments received by April 15, 2008 will be incorporated into the final document.

"We feel it is important for residents to be involved with local wildlife issues. As we have done in the past, we will use the public meeting process as a way to provide information and exchange ideas with residents in the Southwestern Management Unit," said Sara Schaefer, unit supervisor.

Individuals attending these meetings are requested to refrain from using heavily scented personal care products, in order to enhance accessibility for everyone. Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for the meeting should contact Cindy McQueer at (269) 673-2430, a minimum of five business days before the meeting. Requests made less than five business days before the event may not be accommodated.