LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Upper Peninsula is just as much a part of Michigan as the Lower Peninsula, but the differences between the two when it comes to its ecosystem and natural resources is striking.

That’s why some state representatives in the Michigan House introduced bills that would create a separate Natural Resources Commission to oversee the U.P.

Republican State Reps. Dave Prestin, Greg Markkanen, Parker Fairbairn, and Karl Bohnak are backing House Bills 4783-4786. They said currently the Michigan Natural Resources Commission has rulemaking jurisdiction over hunting and fishing across both peninsulas. However, the “broad-stroke” approach isn’t good for U.P. wildlife or its resources.

 “It truly is a tale of two peninsulas,” said Prestin (R-Cedar River). “The U.P. has wolves and Cougar, the Lower Peninsula does not.” Rep. Prestin continued,  “Moose in our peninsula, Elk in theirs. We have far too few whitetail deer due to out-of-control predation, and they have far too many.”

In addition, the Upper Peninsula’s predator-prey imbalance threatens the whitetail deer population. That population is in decline in the U.P., while lower Michigan is seeing an increase.

“The imbalance between the Upper and Lower Peninsula wildlife proves how ridiculous it is to try to make rules that apply to everyone simultaneously,” said Markkanen (R-Hancock). “If a parent has a teenager and an infant, you don’t just feed everyone mashed peas and carrots. You make a plan that suits the unique needs of each child. Similarly, we need our own NRC that will recognize the unique needs of the U.P. wildlife, not one that just forces more mashed peas down our throats.”

Rep. Bohnak (R-Deerton) is proud that the legislation shows a united U.P. delegation.

“This legislation really underscores our Peninsula over Party mission as a united U.P. delegation,” said Bohnak, R-Deerton. “For years, Republicans and Democrats have joined together to secure our own U.P. NRC because we recognize the people best suited to make decisions about our natural resources are those who live in the U.P.”

If the bills become law, the U.P. NRC commissioners would be appointed by the governor from a list compiled by legislators representing the Upper Peninsula.

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The next Natural Resources Commission meeting is Sept. 11 at Lansing Community College.