Last Friday, the Michigan House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural Resources approved a budget package which did include a hunting and angling license fee package which is generally consistent with that advanced by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) as a part of the Governor’s FY 2013-2014 budget proposal. 
For those who have been supporting the idea of strategic reinvestment in our natural resource programs, infrastructure and field personnel, that’s pretty much where the good news ends. In fact, by the time the subcommittee got done stripping out the Governor’s proposed General Fund support, the Great Lakes research vessel replacement, funding for the hiring and training of new Conservation Officers, and the $9.7 million allocation from the State Waterways Fund for dredging, the Subcommittee proposal results in a net reduction of $2.3 million from current budget levels (see Summary Report). This also represents a nearly $19 million reduction from the Governor’s original budget proposal. If that number sounds familiar, it is. This $19 million budget reduction is eerily similar to the $18.1 million in new revenue which had been projected as a result of the license fee restructuring.
Although we don’t pretend to fully understand the Michigan legislative sausage-making process, we are told that there may be hope for some level of budget line-item restoration as a parallel effort gets started on the Senate side of the Capitol dome.
Frank Krist also shares his update on the situation below:
“Draft 1 of House Bill 4219, which introduces the new DNR budget, has been reported by the House Subcommittee on Appropriations and the analysis is attached. The hunting and fishing fee restructuring package would be approved but several of the other proposals from the Governor would not be funded including:
- The Lake Huron Research Vessel
- Conservation Officer and Academy Training
- Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention and Control Specialist
- Summer Youth Program
- Conversion of Belle Isle to a State Park
“It is not too late to express concerns to your Senators and Representatives. There is still interest from some of the legislators in providing funds for a new Lake Huron research vessel and it would be productive to let your legislators know again that replacing the 66 year old vessel will not only result in a safer and more efficient vessel but also it is crucial in monitoring and improving the Great Lakes fisheries. As we know, conservation officers are at very low levels and additional general fund money in restoring their numbers would be very beneficial to protecting the natural resources of the State.”
For yet an additional perspective, here’s a link to MUCC’s somewhat more positive take on the events which transpired last week:
http://www.mucc.org/2013/03/house-subcommittee-passes-dnr-budget-your-voices-were-heard/
Although we recognize that many following this issue have already called and emailed their respective State Representatives and Senators, we need to continue the effort by encouraging others to do likewise. The next two weeks of legislative recess are critical and during this time we cannot let others reshape the debate or mis-characterize the growing level of support which exists for the license fee package.
Northern Michigan Conservation Network 
March 24, 2013
Conservation Policy, Fisheries, Legislation, Wildlife