The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will meet on Thursday, Jan. 7, at the Lansing Center, located at 333 E. Michigan in downtown Lansing.

Prior to the Committee of the Whole meeting, several policy committees of the commission will meet.

At 10:15 a.m., the NRC Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries will meet in Room 202. The committee will review regulation changes related to dog tracking, a report on the resident goose fee structure, and update on the 2007 Inland Consent Decree, the elk management plan, receive an update on deer and elk seasons and discuss quality deer management.

At 12:30 p.m., the NRC Policy Committee on Land Management will meet in Room 202. The committee will review potash lease and nonmetallic procedures, gas storage lease and procedures, receive an update on the Phase III of the DNR's Land Consolidation project, the land gift/lease from Aggregate Industries, a review of the land appraisal procedures and discuss timber sales minimum bid.

At 2 p.m., the NRC Policy Committee on Technology, Information, Marketing and Education will meet in Room 202. The committee will receive reports on private funds and how they support Department of Natural Resources priorities, discuss the outdoor recreation agency industry roundtable and there will be a discussion on recruitment and retention efforts.

At 3 p.m., the Committee of the Whole will convene in Room 201. Public appearances before the commission start at 4:30 p.m. Persons wishing to offer public comment before the commission should contact Teresa Gloden, executive assistant to the NRC, prior to the meeting by calling 517-373-2352 or emailing her at glodent@michigan.gov. Persons may also sign up to speak at the meeting site. During the Committee of the Whole, DNR Budget Chief Sharon Schafer will review the department's monthly spend plan.

At 5 p.m., Shikar-Safari Club International will recognize Michigan Conservation Officer of the Year. And at 5:10 p.m., the DNR and NRC will recognize a Partner in Conservation award winner, and then resume public comment.

Agenda items that are eligible for NRC action at this meeting include proposed regulation changes to resident Canada goose management, tracking legally shot game animals, hunt drawing success notifications and a turkey license technical amendment, and the gift of land for a state forest trail in Ionia and Kent counties.

Action items eligible for DNR Director Rebecca Humphries' approval include an order to regulate fees charged to enter Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas; proposed changes to the statewide trout, salmon, whitefish and lake herring regulations; proposed changes to statewide sturgeon regulations on Black Lake; one direct nonmetallic sand and gravel lease in Jackson County; and authorizing several land transactions.

For more information on the NRC, including agendas, supporting documents and past meeting minutes, please visit www.michigan.gov/nrc.