Michigan Legislation Explores a Separate Natural Resources Commission for Lower and Upper Peninsula

State Reps. Dave Prestin, Greg Markkanen, Parker Fairbairn, and Karl Bohnak announced a plan to create a separate National Resources Commission that would oversee the Upper Peninsula. Currently, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission has rulemaking jurisdiction over hunting and fishing across the entire state, which often leads to broad-stroke rulings that don’t respect the unique nature of U.P. wildlife and natural resources.

“There are numerous distinct differences between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and the list keeps growing,” said Prestin, R-Cedar River. “It truly is a tale of two peninsulas. The U.P. has wolves and Cougar, the Lower Peninsula does not. Moose in our peninsula, Elk in theirs. We have far too few whitetail deer due to out-of-control predation, and they have far too many. Yet, the NRC continues to clamor about how their statewide decisions are what’s best for everyone, when those same decisions are clearly putting the U.P. in jeopardy.”

House Bills 4783-4786 would establish a dedicated Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission that would address challenges specific to the Upper Peninsula and ensure the sustainable management of natural resources.

The U.P. NRC would have exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sport fish within the Upper Peninsula. Commissioners would be appointed by the governor from a list compiled by legislators representing the Upper Peninsula, ensuring local representation and accountability.