There will be a joint meeting of the two Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Councils on Thursday, March 19, in Marquette, the Department of Natural Resources announced today. The joint meeting will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m in the Citizens Forum Room in Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. in Marquette. The meeting is open to the public.

Sharon Schafer, DNR budget director, will address the joint meeting of both councils. Schafer's presentation will give an overview of the DNR's budget structure, including restricted funds. Only four percent of the DNR's budget is state General Fund dollars, while 78 percent is restricted funds. The remainder is federal funding.

The CACs were formed to give UP citizens more input into DNR regional programs and policies. The councils, both an Eastern UP and Western UP one, have a wide array of outdoor recreation interests represented and help the DNR identify how it can be more effective in the region.

For more information on the joint meeting or the CACs, contact Stacy Welling, DNR UP field deputy, at 906-228-6561.