NEGAUNEE - Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment Director Rebecca Humphries has spent the last few days touring the Upper Peninsula, talking with staff and the Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council.
The CAC, an advisory group to the DNRE, met Monday at the Negaunee Senior Center, and voted to urge the DNRE to continue in the effort to bring about delisting of Great Lakes region wolves.
"Michigan is very supportive of delisting," Humphries said. "The population of the Great Lakes is recovered. The question is how do you get it to be delisted."
Humphries said Michigan wolves could be delisted under a petition filed by the state of Minnesota.
Although an original motion recommended the DNRE file a separate petition with the federal government, Humphries said it would be more effective as a legal strategy to remain under the Minnesota petition.
"This isn't a final decision, but I feel I have to do this based on what the people are asking me to do, who I sit here and represent," said Rory Mattson, a member of the CAC from Delta County, who made the motion.
"Rory brought this on in an attempt to put more pressure on the situation and try to get some movement. I think that's a frustration that a lot of people in the U.P. have," George Lindquist, another CAC member, said.
Three members of the public spoke at the meeting, all in favor of wolf delisting.
"I would consider Michigan's handling of this a case of misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance," said Gregg Stoll, of the Upper Peninsula Sportsmen's Alliance. "They (wolves) are out of control. Everyone admits it."
The CAC and Humphries also heard a presentation on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, which is in the process of construction through the city of Ishpeming.
Prior to the meeting, a group took a short walking tour of the trail running through the Old Town area of Negaunee.
The tour gave visitors a chance to view the artwork along the trail, as well as the new interpretive signs that have been put up.
"We know that trails are bringing people into our area," said Carol Fulsher, director of the Iron Ore Heritage Authority. "We have a lot of different types of recreationalists here."
The council also heard a presentation by DNRE staff on cougar identification, as cougar sightings have grown more numerous in the past few years.
Humphries also and toured the Ishpeming Area Waste Water Authority and the new biosolids facility Monday. The project is the state's first in-vessel composting system for treating municipal biosolids.
The $1.5 million project uses renewable natural resources, including wood chips, instead of natural gas, as its energy source and produces high-quality compost for sale to area gardeners.
During her swing through the U.P., Humphries also attended the Republic Fishing Derby.
Johanna Boyle can be reached at 906-486-4401. Her e-mail address is jboyle@miningjournal.net.
