DNR Adjusts, Cancels Some Public Events and Meetings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 030 – March 17, 2020

Contact: DNR-Public-Info@Michigan.gov

LANSING, MICH. In accordance with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendations designed to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will cancel, postpone or adjust several public meetings and events.

Please visit the DNR closures webpage for up-to-date facility closure information.

Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting adjusted

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission meeting, scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, March 19, at the Michigan Library and Historical Center, is taking place with major adjustments. There is a statutory requirement to hold a monthly NRC meeting; however, in response to the COVID-19 situation and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2020-02, there will be no voting, presentations or any deliberations at the meeting. The DNR strongly encourages the public not to attend in person, but instead to submit any comments in writing to NRC@Michigan.gov.

The executive directive, issued March 13, provided the NRC with guidance regarding compliance with the Open Meetings Act during the COVID-19 emergency. This instructs the NRC, to the extent practicable, to consider postponing public meetings and/or agenda items that may be deferred until a later time. All action items on the March agenda will be postponed until the April meeting. In addition, the Wildlife and Fisheries Policy Committee will not be meeting in March.

Visit Michigan.gov/NRC for the updated agenda. Questions can be directed to NRC@Michigan.gov.

Canceled meetings

The following meetings have been canceled:

• Belle Isle Park Advisory Committee, March 19, Belle Isle Nature Center, Detroit.
• U.P. Wildlife Habitat Workgroup, March 24, River Rock Lanes, Ishpeming.
• Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council, March 25, Marquette Township Community Center.
• DNR’s Western U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council and the Marquette County Planning Department to provide input in the revision of Marquette County’s master plan, March 25, Marquette Township Community Center.
• A public meeting on development of a DNR shooting range in Marquette County, March 26, Richmond Township Hall, Palmer.
• Northern Inland Lakes Citizens’ Advisory Committee, April 17, Tuscarora Township Hall, Indian River.
• Lake Michigan Citizens’ Fishery Advisory Committee, April 23, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Clare.

Frequently check the DNR boards, commissions, committees and councils webpages for updates on further meeting cancellations and postponements, as well as new meeting dates as they are confirmed.

Canceled events

The DNR Fisheries Division Coffee and Conversations events – which invite the public to discuss local and statewide fisheries management activities with DNR staff – have been canceled, with the exception of the northern and southern Lake Huron management unit virtual meeting, scheduled for May 7. Some of these canceled events may be rescheduled as virtual meetings. Watch that webpage for updates.

Additionally, other DNR events and programs likely will be canceled or postponed in the coming weeks. Please check Michigan.gov/DNRCalendar often for up-to-date information.

Additional coronavirus information

The state is taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in reducing the coronavirus risk to Michigan residents.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

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