HARRIS — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has moved the location of a public listening session on proposed deer regulation changes from Wetmore in Alger County to Harris in Menominee County. The location for the listening session is now at the Turtle Room at the Island Conference Center in Harris on MOnday June 10. The time for the meeting is 2 to 4 p.m. EDT.

Several hunting regulation changes have been recommended by the DNR, including a deer baiting and feeding ban in a Core Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Area, which includes portions of Menominee, Dickinson and Delta counties.

This zone surrounds the farm where a deer tested positive for the deadly disease in October 2018.

The change of venue was requested to provide a location within the Core CWD Surveillance Area, where the deer baiting and feeding ban has been proposed.

DNR staffers will be on hand to record comments to be forwarded to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, which is expected to render a decision in July on the DNR’s recommendations. Commissioner Dave Nyberg of Skandia is scheduled to attend the session, along with Chad Stewart of the DNR’s Wildlife Division.

Upper Peninsula deer regulations, in response to chronic wasting disease, including baiting and feeding regulations, are expected to be discussed by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission at its meetings in May, June and July.

As part of a wider package of proposed regulation changes for this year, the DNR has also suggested a moderate increase in antlerless deer hunting licenses.

The Michigan Natural Resources Commission is a seven-member public body whose members are appointed by the governor. The commission has exclusive authority to regulate the taking of game and sportfish and is authorized to designate game species.

The NRC conducts monthly public meetings in locations throughout Michigan. Citizens are encouraged to become actively involved in these public forums, either by writing or by attending meetings to offer public comments in person.

Previous sessions have been held this month in Hermansville and Lansing. The following is a list of upcoming opportunities to offer public comments:

By email: NRC@michigan.gov

By mail: Michigan Natural Resources Commission, P.O. 30028, Lansing, MI 48909-7528

May 22: Upper Peninsula DNR Listening Session: 1-3 p.m. EDT. Michigan Technological University, Memorial Union Building, Houghton. Comments will be recorded and provided to the NRC. NRC Chairwoman Vicki Pontz is scheduled to attend.

May 22: DNR Western Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council meeting: 5:30-8 p.m. EDT, Michigan Technological University, Memorial Union Building, Houghton. A brief update from the May 9 NRC meeting will be presented, along with other topics. Public comment on all topics occurs during this regularly scheduled meeting.

June 10: Upper Peninsula DNR Listening Session: 2-4 p.m. EDT. Location has been changed to the conference center at the Turtle Room at the Island Conference Center in Harris. Comments will be recorded and provided to the NRC. NRC Commissioner Dave Nyberg is scheduled to attend, along with Chad Stewart of the DNR’s Wildlife Division.

June 10 DNR’s Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council meeting: 6-8:30 p.m. EDT, Munising Township Hall, Wetmore. A brief update from the May 9 NRC meeting will be presented, along with other topics. Public comment on all topics occurs during this regularly scheduled meeting.

June 13: Public Comment to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission: Detroit Zoological Society, 8450 West Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI. July 11, 2019: Public Comment to the Michigan Natural Resources Commission: MSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, 4125 Beaumont Road, Lansing, MI.

For more information on the DNR’s recommended regulations, visit Michigan.gov/NRC. Click on the agenda for the May 9, 2019 NRC meeting. Then click on the body of the agenda where the regulations are listed. Documents will pop up to view, print or download.

For more information on chronic wasting disease, visit Michigan.gov/CWD.