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MUCC Policy Report for 12-07-07Happy Holidays! As this Christmas season approaches, we have some news that is sure to put the glow into any reindeer’s nose!This edition:
Can you fit $5 million in a Christmas stocking?Your great work has yielded a positive solution to our Game and Fish Protection Fund problem. The Governor has requested that $5 million of general fund dollars be put into the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Budget for this fiscal year. Four million dollars will go into the Game and Fish Protection Fund to offset the need for Hunting and Fishing License fee increases for this year. A license fee increase will still be necessary for 2009 and beyond or an alternative source of funding must be secured. The additional $1 million will replace the $1 million which the Governor vetoed earlier this year and which would have caused the layoff of conservation officers. This additional money will have to be passed by the legislature in a supplemental appropriations bill which is expected to move before Christmas break. Please contact your legislators and ask them to support the general fund support for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a stop-gap until long-term sustainable funding is found. In addition, general funds are recommended for MDEQ to off-set the need to increase eight permit fees and the revenue shortfall built into their FY 2008 budget. This is also a one-year bail-out with additional fees needed in FY 2009. Help shape MUCC’s policy: Participate in the annual resolution processAs always, MUCC would like to invite its membership to submit resolutions for its annual convention. Resolutions serve as the backbone of our organization, providing the policy positions that guide MUCC in its actions across the state and in Washington D.C. The purpose of the resolution process is to adopt new policy or support or oppose policy that is already in place. Members can submit resolutions through their affiliated clubs, districts, or regions. While detailed instructions on drafting resolutions can be found on our website, here are some key things to consider.
Michigan legislature urges Congress to take action on cormorantsMichigan’s House of Representatives will soon be voting on resolutions which call for the federal government to remove the double-crested cormorant from the list of protected species under the Migratory Bird Act of 1918. The removal of these birds from the list would allow for increased management activities, which would in turn reduce cormorant numbers to a healthy, sustainable population that would not severely impact the state’s fisheries and environment. House Resolution 0230 and House Concurrent Resolution 0057 were recently unanimously passed out of the Tourism, Outdoor Recreation, and Natural Resources committee last week. If adopted, these resolutions will send a strong message to the federal government about the destruction these birds have caused in the state. DNR forest open houses provide opportunity for your involvement The Department of Natural Resources will continue to hold open houses concerning proposed management plans for the state’s forests through the winter. These open houses provide the public with an opportunity to comment and give input on upcoming forest management projects. These projects correspond to the various Forest Management Units across the state. In any given year, approximately one tenth of the state’s forests come under review. On December 4, an open house was held at the DNR’s Gladwin Field Office for the Gladwin Forest Management Unit. Upcoming open houses will cover the Shingleton and Newberry Forest Management Units on January 15 and 16. It is important that the public participate in these open houses. They are the best place for you to give your input on how the trails, trees and other aspects of the forests near you are managed. Find out more about how you can participate in these open houses by going to the DNR’s website at: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr or call MUCC at 517-346-6475 if you need help.
Climate change and federal wildlife fundingClimate change is a serious threat to wildlife and wildlife habitats in Michigan, the United States, and around the world. While addressing the source of climate change is critical, additional attention is needed to help wildlife adapt to climate change and reduce the other stressors on their habitats and ecosystems.U.S. Senators Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and John Warner (R-VA) have included provisions in America's Climate Security Act (S.2191) that could provide billions for the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Program. The Climate Security Act (CSA) will devote a percentage of the proceeds of the auction of emissions permits toward measures to help wildlife and natural resources adapt and survive climate change; this system could generate roughly $175 billion for natural resources conservation during the first 19 years of the program. Funding will be divided among many state, federal, and tribal programs and agencies for habitat acquisitions, private land conservation, tribal and international conservation, federal and state planning, and carbon sequestration programs. This bill will require states to generate only a 10 percent match to receive federal funding. For more information, please visit the Teaming with Wildlife website: http://www.teaming.com/funding/climate.html This week, S.2191 has been reported favorably (with amendments) out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Please contact your U.S. Senator and urge them to support strong state fish and wildlife adaptation funding in the Lieberman-Warner “America’s Climate Security Act” (S.2191) and any other climate change legislation. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow: 202-224-4822, senator@stabenow.senate.gov U.S. Senator Carl Levin: 202-224-6221, senator@levin.senate.gov
Attend the Great Lakes restoration message training workshop*Lunch provided Is your organization a member of the Healing our Waters Coalition? Would you like to be? You find out more about this Coalition by attending the message training workshop. This workshop will teach you and your organization how to talk about the importance of protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. It will also help your organization generate ways to consistently get the message out using your organization's communication vehicles. This workshop will take place on Thursday, December 13th from 12noon-4p.m. at MUCC Headquarters (2101 Wood St., Lansing, MI 48909). Please R.S.V.P. to April Bennett at 517-346-6472 or abennett@mucc.org by Monday, December 10th at 5p.m. Feel free to pass this e-mail on to anyone who may be interested. The Citizen’s Committee for Michigan State Parks (CCMSP) announces proposal for long-term funding for state parks On November 28th, the CCMSP met and voted in favor of a resolution to move forward with a plan to improve funding for Michigan’s State Parks and other outdoor recreation venues by having an additional fee ($9 is the suggested fee) on Michigan’s license plate and eliminate in-state motor vehicle permits for State Parks (current cost $24 annual, $6 daily) and Boating Access Sites permits. The fee would be able to be refunded to state citizens who did not use to the state park system or boating access sites if they fill out a form from the Secretary of State office. Out-of-state permits would still be sold, but in-state permits would be eliminated using your license plate to gain access in to state parks and boating access sites. The plan allows for a possible $41 million dollars to be raised annually for Parks and Recreation if 65% of Michigan citizens participate. For more information or to get a copy of the proposal, please email abennett@mucc.org or call (517-346-6472) April Bennett, Resource Policy Assistant for MUCC. |
MUCC Policy Action Report
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