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Sustainable Funding For Resource Management Is Key To State's Conservation, Economic And Healthy Community Pillars
10/29/07
Lansing, Michigan — With its abundant natural resources, Michigan should be the nation's leader in their sustainable management and in capitalizing on the contribution they can make to the state's economy and quality of life. Program cuts announced this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to meet projected state budget shortfalls undercut these goals, reinforcing the need for reasonable, short-term increases in hunting and fishing licenses and a genuine commitment to develop responsible, long-term funding for natural resource programs.
"Michigan United Conservation Clubs is on record from the beginning as being supportive of reasonable license fee increases as a short-term answer to ensuring that critical natural resource programs are maintained," said MUCC executive director Dennis Muchmore. "Due to the lack of action on game and fish license fee increases, we recognize the DNR is forced to make cutbacks; however, many of the proposed cuts eliminate some of the most important conservation and natural resources protection programs that are at the core of maintaining fish and game protection in Michigan."
While several license fee proposals have been floated to help fill funding gaps, each has been immediately quashed.
"While Michigan's hunting and fishing community certainly appreciates its responsibility to pay its fair share in funding natural resource programs as we have historically, we believe these resources that are vital to Michigan's health and economy benefit every citizen of this state should be a shared responsibility. A plan for long term funding that reflects the state's value of its natural resources is needed."
License fees from the Game and Fish Protection Funds make up a quarter of the DNR's annual budget. The DNR is projecting a $2.5 million shortfall in the Game and Fish Protection Fund in fiscal year 2008 and a $13 million shortfall in fiscal year 2009. To address these shortfalls, the DNR has proposed cutting about $8.2 million in 2008. Some of the proposed cuts include a reduction in conservation officers, closing of state fish hatcheries and a number of managed waterfowl areas.
"MUCC has always stood for credible science-based wildlife management — our mission remains focused on ensuring this approach is maintained," said Muchmore. "If we find that critical programs or services related to this mission may be jeopardized as a result of policymakers' inability to solve financial crises, we will take the lead in finding better alternatives that ensure Michigan's outdoors is not jeopardized. Meanwhile, we will keep our eyes focused on securing a long-term funding solution."
Media Contact:
Tony Hansen, 517-346-6483
10/29/07
Lansing, Michigan — With its abundant natural resources, Michigan should be the nation's leader in their sustainable management and in capitalizing on the contribution they can make to the state's economy and quality of life. Program cuts announced this week by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to meet projected state budget shortfalls undercut these goals, reinforcing the need for reasonable, short-term increases in hunting and fishing licenses and a genuine commitment to develop responsible, long-term funding for natural resource programs.
"Michigan United Conservation Clubs is on record from the beginning as being supportive of reasonable license fee increases as a short-term answer to ensuring that critical natural resource programs are maintained," said MUCC executive director Dennis Muchmore. "Due to the lack of action on game and fish license fee increases, we recognize the DNR is forced to make cutbacks; however, many of the proposed cuts eliminate some of the most important conservation and natural resources protection programs that are at the core of maintaining fish and game protection in Michigan."
While several license fee proposals have been floated to help fill funding gaps, each has been immediately quashed.
"While Michigan's hunting and fishing community certainly appreciates its responsibility to pay its fair share in funding natural resource programs as we have historically, we believe these resources that are vital to Michigan's health and economy benefit every citizen of this state should be a shared responsibility. A plan for long term funding that reflects the state's value of its natural resources is needed."
License fees from the Game and Fish Protection Funds make up a quarter of the DNR's annual budget. The DNR is projecting a $2.5 million shortfall in the Game and Fish Protection Fund in fiscal year 2008 and a $13 million shortfall in fiscal year 2009. To address these shortfalls, the DNR has proposed cutting about $8.2 million in 2008. Some of the proposed cuts include a reduction in conservation officers, closing of state fish hatcheries and a number of managed waterfowl areas.
"MUCC has always stood for credible science-based wildlife management — our mission remains focused on ensuring this approach is maintained," said Muchmore. "If we find that critical programs or services related to this mission may be jeopardized as a result of policymakers' inability to solve financial crises, we will take the lead in finding better alternatives that ensure Michigan's outdoors is not jeopardized. Meanwhile, we will keep our eyes focused on securing a long-term funding solution."
Media Contact:
Tony Hansen, 517-346-6483
