Michigan's DNRE Invites Public to Discuss Draft Deer Management Plan

[Fishwhisperer]

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment is inviting the public to participate in the deer management planning process. Throughout February and March, eight public open house meetings will be held across Michigan to discuss the draft statewide deer management plan. These meetings will be held 7 to 9 p.m. EST, with the exception of the Crystal Falls meeting, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. CST.

"These open houses are to present the first draft of the Deer Management Plan to the public and to receive comments on the plan," said John Niewoonder, DNRE wildlife habitat biologist. "The citizen-based Deer Advisory Team, DNRE staff and others involved with the recommendations for this plan have worked diligently to create this document."

Local staff will be available after the meeting for other deer questions; the open house portion will focus solely on the draft plan. The plan is available for review on the DNR Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7...153---,00.html.

Public open house locations and dates are as follows:

Tuesday Feb. 23, MDOT Southwest Regional Office, 1501 E. Kilgore Rd., Kalamazoo

Thursday Feb. 25, Novi Community Center, 45175 W. 10 Mile, Novi

Tuesday March 2, Alpena Civic Center, 133 Johnson St., Alpena

Wednesday March 3, Cadillac High School All Purpose Room, 400 Linden, Cadillac

Tuesday March 9, Comfort Inn, 13954 State Highway M-28, Newberry

Wednesday March 10, Forest Park Elementary School, Multi Purpose Rm., 810 Forest Parkway,

Crystal Falls (6 to 8 p.m. CST).

Tuesday March 16, Quality Inn, 3121 East Grand River Ave., Lansing

Thursday March 18, Northwood University, Sloan Building, Rm. 210, 4000 Whiting Dr., Midland

Individuals can also submit written comments via e-mail or U.S. mail. Send comments to:

John Niewoonder, DNRE Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 30444, Lansing, MI 48909 or via e-mail at: [email protected].

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations for effective participation in the meeting should contact Alice Stimpson at 517-373-1263 or [email protected], at least seven days prior to the meeting date to request mobility, visual, hearing, or other assistance.