Minutes of Meeting MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION Harley Hotel 3600 Dunckel - Jolly Road and law Building Auditorium 525 West Ottawa lansing, Michigan November 7-9, 1984 PRESENT Harry H. Whiteley, Chairman Thomas J. Anderson E. R. Ca ro 11 0 Marlene J. Fluharty Stephen V. Monsma - Wednesday and Thursday Morning Only O. Stewart Myers Raymond Poupore - Wednesday and Thursday Only Ronald O. Skoog, Director - Thursday and Friday Only . John M. Robertson, Executive Assistant Thomas Emery, Assistant Attorney General - Thursday Afternoon Only 'Department Staff * * * PUBLIC APPEARANCES Fijalkowski, Dennis, Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation Kapp, Dr. Ronald 0., Provost and Vice President, Alma College, and Member of the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Board Kelley, Cliff, General Manager, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Industries, Inc. Kruger, Kyle, Michigan State University laidlaw, David, Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Park Authority Mainville, Frank, Outdoor Editor, lansing State Journal Metzgar, Don, Director, Exploration and Michigan Operations, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Industries, Inc. Myler, Ben, Pere Marquette Watershed Council Nicholson, Bob, Pere Marquette Watershed Council Pelt, Andy, Executive Director, Michigan Steelhead and Salmon Fishermen's Association Sellers, Mark, Michigan Herpetology Association Taylor, Dr. William, Michigan State University Minutes November 7-9, 1984 Page 2 Acting ChaiPman Andepson caZZed the Wednesday evening session to oPdep at 7:50 p.m. (Chairman WhiteZey entepod s~tZy thepeaftep.) * * * BaitiryJ Issue: Ch.a:l-Zes J. Guenthep~ Chief~ WiUUfe Division~ discussed the issue of baiting and distPibuted a summary titled~ "!WiUlife Baiting Papep". In pesponse to a request from the Michigan United . Conservation Clubs (MUCC)~ staff is developing a policy on baiting~ ta:z>geted fop the 1985 MUCC Convention. Guenthep 7Pi Zl keep the Commission advised on the ppogress of the poZicy and 7PilZ ppovide a dr>aft poUcy for reviet.J by the Corrunission in June~ Z985. Revisions to the Spopt Fishing Act: Frank Opolka~ Chief~ Lc!Ju Enfopcement Division~ and Dave Bopgeson~ Acting Chief~ Fishrnes Division~ reviewed the ppoposed revisions to this Act. ConsiderabZe discussion centered around maintaining flexibiZity in the setting of regulations. Direction has been aimed at attempting to have authoPity delegated to the Commission by the Legislature. Staff was dipected to re­ examine the proposed revisions and bPing this matter back to the Commission for furthep reviet.J and discussion. State Parks SZide P:roesentation: Jack ButtepfieU~ Chief~ Parks Division~ intpodUced Ron NageZ of his staff who gave a slide presentation on Parks Division programs. The Commission was intepested in fiZms and sZide shows avaiZabZe for use 7Pith constitutent gPOUps. P:roocess 0 "Im in and Backcasti ": Assistant Director Cleary intl'od:uaed Dav~ Hales~ Un~vel'sity of Michigan~ who discussed the pl'actiae of "Imaging and Baakcasting". He discussed the process whiah is a training tool aimed at deveZoping a fpamework in which to handle decisions as opposed to attempting to deal with decisions on a one­ on-one aase basis. He indicated that one of the prob lerns that organi2ations frequently encounter is the ppeoacupation of day-to- day needs and a Zaak of adequate time for future planning. He volunteered to conduct a session for the commission aimed at attempting to identify future needs. The Commission was very receptive to Mr. HaZes' suggestion and asked Executive Assistant Robertson to arrange this session in the near future. The meeting adJourned at lO:50 p.m. Minutes November 7-9, 1984 Page 3 Acting Chairman Monsma called the regular monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission to order at 9:00 a.m., Thursday, November 8, 1984. * * * STAFF REPORTS European Resource Recovery Tour: Commissioner Fluharty reported that 18 Michigan people toured resource recovery facilities in Northern Europe. The tour was funded by grants from the German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. No State funds were used. Fred Clinton, Community Assistance Division, distributed a report containing details of the tour which was made up of.legis1~tors, local government officials, environmental groups, business representa­ tives and news media people. The purpose of the visit was to provide key decision makers an opportunity to observe resource recovery operations. The tour included visits to six waste energy facilities, one landfill, and one recyc1ing-composting operation. Detailed scientific and cost data were not gained. It was found that odor, litter, traffic and noise can be controlled. Areas of air emissions, bottom ash and fly ash are still of concern. It is possible to reduce the total volume of waste by 90%, which is a substantial step in getting away from landfills. A more detailed report on the tour will be presented at the December, 1984, meeting. Evaluation of Seasonal Lake Trout Closures: Dave Borgeson, Acting Chief, Fisheries DiviSion, reported on lake trout closures on Lakes Michigan and Huron and reviewed the impacts of the new rule as requested by Commissioner Carollo. A meeting was held November 5, 1984, with staff and interested groups. The general consensus, except for Northern Lake Huron, was that the sport fishing regulations should be extended to June through Labor Day. However, a change should await progress that is expected on the Indian fishing litigation. Minutes November 7-9, 1984 Page 4 Wilderness and Natural Areas Implementation Plan: Dennis Hall, Land Resource Programs Division, distributed and presented a report on the Wilderness and Natural Areas Program Reactivation. He provided background information stating that 19 areas have been dedicated since 1979, totalling 53,000 acres. The following recommendations were made: 1. That the Governor reestablish the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Board. 2. That the Department begin evaluating the feasibility of creating a Michigan Natural Heritage Program, which could combine several programs to protect Michigan's outstanding natural features, including the Wilderness and Natural Areas Act, Natural Beauty Roads Act, Natural Rivers Act, Sand Dune Protection, Natural Features Inventory Project, and others. 3. That the Division continue to participate in the development process of the Department's Forest Management Plans--one function will be to ensure proper consideration of natural features information into that planning process. With Legislative approval of the proposed 1985-86 budget, the Department can begin moving the Wilderness and Natural Areas Program forward with the formal dedication of the 16 acres which remain pending for action. Depending upon the final outcome of the examination of the establish­ ment of a Michigan Natural Heritage Program, this effort could begin in October of 1985. With the information provided from the Natural Features Inventory Project, the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Board can begin evaluating many of the areas identified by that effort for possible incluSion under the Act. Commissioner Carollo requested that staff prepare for him information on deer density within the Porcupine Mountains State Park as well as comparable areas in the lake Superior watershed outside of the Park boundaries. Commissioner Monsma expressed concern over how much staff support would be available when the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Board is appointed by the Governor. Hall stated he would be assuming this responsibility, along with handling three other statutes. Monsma feels there is a need for at least one full-time staff person. Minutes November 7-9, 1984 Page 5 COfllllissioner Fluharty, supported by Commissioner Anderson, moved that the Commission: a) urge the Governor to make appointments to the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Council; b) request the Director to look at the possibility of establishing a Natural Heritage Program that might involve consolidation of existing programs in related areas; c) request the Director to offer staff assistance to the Wilderness and Natural Areas Advisory Council as it develops plans for implementation of a program and budget; and d) be informed of progress in these areas six months from now. The Motion carried by voice vote. Pere Marquette Brown Trout Study: Dave Borgeson introduced the subject of the early results of a study recently done on the Pere Marquette River. He expressed pleasure with the results of the discussions with Dr. William Taylor and Kyle Kruger of Michigan State University, but the study does pose questions. The study will be helpful in making decisions and is a basis for further research on the Pere Marquette. Dr. William Taylor gave background and presented data on brown trout angler days and angler catches. Questions that need to be addressed are: to decide what kind of fish should be in the Pere Marquette; to decide if the brown trout population has been harmed significantly; to determine if there is a decline in the number of brown trout fishermen on the River. Taylor compared other trout streams with the Pere Marquette to determine the potential capabilities. * * * The meeting recessed at 11:00 a.m. to meet with the Michigan Agriculture Commission, 4th Floor, Ottawa Towers North, Lansing, Michigan. Minutes November 7-9, 1984 Page 6 Michigan Agza-fculture/Natural, Resoupces Cormrission Meeting: Department of Agricul,ture r-epr-esentatives indicated that at a r-ecent meeting with r-epr-esentatives of the f~ng community in Menominee County, ther-e was coneem e:r:pr-essed over- the Department of Natural, ResOUI'ees effons to r-educing the buZ'geoning white­ taiZed deer- popuZation. c:ha.r>t.es Guenther-, Chief, WiZdUfe Division, r-evietVed the r-eguZations p Zaeed into effeat this year and identified the advantages to this system over- the pr-eviously e~tended white­ taiZed deer- season. FolZowing discussion, it was the aoncZusion of both Commissions that additional pubUcity shouZd be given to the effor-ts of the Department of Natural, ResOUPees to deal with the oveza-popuZation of deer- and to focus effor-ts on advising hunter-s to make aontact. with and 'wor-k thr-ough the Zandoumer-s and agncultural peopl,? in the area.