Every now and again, governments at whatever level contemplating change in policy give ordinary citizens an opportunity to influence that change.

While this can be done in several different ways, the most common and familiar is the public commentary period. That’s when written and/or oral comments are accepted on some proposed change.

On more than a handful of occasions in the past, we have used this space to encourage citizen participation in this process because it allows involvement before something is started, when changes are easier to make.

To some degree, that’s what we have with Michigan’s wolf management plan, created in 2008 and updated in 2015.

It’s being updated this year, using public input to identify prominent issues, assess public attitudes, and review the biological and social science surrounding wolves.

“Now that we have written a draft of the updated 2022 wolf management plan, it’s important that we gather feedback from the public to ensure the changes we’re proposing will support the long-term presence of a viable wolf population in Michigan, while addressing the needs of those with an interest in the health and viability of the state’s wolf population,” said Cody Norton, DNR large carnivore specialist, in a news release.

There are few issues as divisive as wolf management, with the sides clearly drawn and just as clearly at odds over what to do with the iconic predator.

Michigan’s gray wolf population was almost eliminated by the mid-1970s. Now, Michigan has a wolf population close to 700 in the Upper Peninsula. Gray wolves in Michigan were again removed from the federal endangered species list in early 2021, but a federal court decision in February returned them to federal protection.

Here’s how to get involved. The online questionnaire at bit.ly/3Avpkac will accept comments through Aug. 4. For more information about wolves in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/ Wolves.

— The Mining Journal, Marquette