MDNR to release their Michigan bass season recommendation 9/24/2014

[djkimmel]

Michigan Bass Season Recommendation to be Presented to NRC October 9

We've been informed the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will release their bass season recommendation publicly sometime on 9/24/2014. I will share it with you as soon as they do so.

The MDNR will be presenting their bass season recommendation to the 7 Natural Resources Commission (NRC) Commissioners and MDNR Director Keith Creagh sometime the afternoon of their next meeting in Cadillac, Michigan, Thursday, October 9.

There is a public appearance period at the end of the regular meeting that afternoon. Anyone is allowed to request to speak before the NRC. If you sign up on or before Friday, October 3rd you can be given up to 5 minutes to speak to the NRC. Signing up after that day or at the meeting gets you 3 minutes.

If you care about the outcome of this long and involved process I encourage you to consider speaking about the bass season options, Michigan bass season and any related things you care about or concern you.

The meeting will be located Thursday, October 9, 2014 at:
McGuire's Resort
7880 Mackinaw Trail
Cadillac, MI 49601
9am - ~5 - 5:30pm (unconfirmed until agenda comes out)

Committee meetings generally start at 9am with the Fisheries and Wildlife committee starting at 1pm. That is a good part to attend though the morning committees also often have good information in them. I'm not sure yet if MDNR Fisheries Division will present their bass season recommendation during that part of the meeting or during the Director's Report which normally starts at 2:30pm. That would be the latest I would recommend any interested party shows up for.

Once the regular Committee of the Whole (Asst Attorney General, 7 Commissioners and DNR Director) have completed their agenda the public appearance portion begins. Pre-signed speakers go first. Later sign ups follow. This part of the meeting can start anywhere from 3:30pm until 5:30pm. You want to make sure you are there and ready before then.

They will release an agenda for the October 9 public meeting soon. I recommend you review the latest public appearance guidelines (PDF). Previous minutes generally take awhile to get posted but you can look at older minutes. All of the available information can be found at www.michigan.gov/nrc.

To sign up to speak at the meeting ask any questions you can contact the MDNR Assistant to the NRC Cheryl Nelson, 517-284-6237, NRC@michigan.gov

I will answer any questions I can. I will be speaking at the meeting on behalf of Michigan B.A.S.S. Nation. This is the real, final great chance to affect the outcome of our Michigan bass season. The NRC and Director Creagh will hear everyone, and then we most likely get a decision at the November meeting.

If you can't attend the meeting you can provide written comments anytime from now until October 9 to the NRC through Cheryl Nelson, or you can mail them to the Commissioners. Their addresses are on the website. If you do so, and I recommend you do, include MDNR Director Creagh since he will most likely sign any new fisheries order. Even if you speak, providing a written copy of your comments, even including more detail, is highly recommended.

[Kal-Kevin]

so when you say "their recommendation" is this what they have to do before they take it to the meeting in November? I never really understand how things are done some days with the DNR.

[djkimmel]

The MDNR is coming out with their department recommendation to present to the NRC and the MDNR Director at the October 9 NRC meeting. This gives the public a chance to also hear their thinking. The public then has another month to comment on the MDNR recommendation before the NRC/Director decide what they are doing at the November NRC meeting.

We plan on bringing in several bass experts to present a very strong case at the October 9 meeting. I encourage anyone else who cares and wants this done right to attend and comment on the bass season too. You can also submit written comments.

[Kal-Kevin]

Thanks Dan for the advice and answer I now feel I can write a letter on it with out doing damage.  I will not be able to make the meetings, do to family things, but where would you say is the best to write it to? How should I address it for the best results? I think I will wait till they come out with the recommendation and see what it say for sure before writing it.

[djkimmel]

Yes - wait for their recommendation on 9/24/2014. You can email a letter to NRC@michigan.gov or you can mail paper letters to the 7 Commissioners mailing addresses on this page: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-65134_65145-26986--,00.html

Please send a letter to MDNR Director Keith Creagh also. You can email to DNR-Director@michigan.gov or mail letter to:
Director Keith Creagh
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Executive Division
P.O. Box 30028
Lansing, MI 48909

I'll share an example letter once I have the MDNR bass season recommendation.

[Kal-Kevin]

Sound good will be waiting for your words on it

Thanks