Ontonagon’s J.R. Richardson was recently re-appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission for another four-year term. We think this is good news, as Richardson has been a strong advocate for the Upper Peninsula since his initial appointment by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2007.

With the recent move of former NRC Commissioner John Madigan of Munising to the Michigan Travel Commission, the U.P. has Richardson remaining as the sole U.P. commissioner on the seven-member panel, which is the rulemaking body for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Madigan was another advocate for the U.P. and his contributions to the NRC are appreciated and will be missed. We trust Richardson will continue efforts he and Madigan engaged in to bring improvements and enhancements to the region on a range of fronts.

“We accomplished many of our goals working with our legislators, local outdoors person’s groups, state, local, federal agencies, tribes, neighboring states our Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff and our stakeholder partners,” Richardson said for a Journal story.

Among the issues Richardson said they have worked “extremely hard” on included Family Friendly fishing, U.P. Habitat Work group, Citizen’s Advisory Councils, Timber Advisory Committee, offering alternatives for electrical power ideas, effective fish plants for the U.P., ruffed grouse, duck and goose habitat and accessibility to hunting grounds, along with marketing Michigan.

“We have also dedicated a lot of energy securing a U.P. trail easement person to work on securing multi-use availability,” Richardson said. “We have a lot of upside economic development dependent on these from an ATV, snowmobile and equestrian aspect.”

Richardson had been serving as the most recent NRC chairman. We congratulate him on his recent re-appointment and look forward to his continued good representation for the region and the state on this committee, which is vitally important to Michigan, its abundant natural resources and those who seek to enjoy them.