The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens’ Advisory Council is scheduled to discuss hunter results from the most recent bear hunting season, West Nile virus in ruffed grouse, crossbows and a council resolution on the number of Upper Peninsula commissioners on the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, when the group meets Thursday in Newberry.

Also anticipated are a report on chronic wasting disease, an update on wolves and cougars and election of officers.

“We have another information-packed agenda for our meeting this week in Newberry,” said Stacy Haughey, DNR Upper Peninsula regional coordinator. "There are several topics selected by the council members that will be of interest to people of the eastern U.P."

The Eastern U.P. Citizens’ Advisory Council and its western U.P. counterpart meet alternating months throughout the year. A joint meeting, held once a year, is scheduled for March 22 in Marquette.

The meeting will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 15 in the lower level conference room at the Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft Health Department, located at 14150 Hamilton Lake Road in Newberry.

The public can participate in the session by offering comments to the discussion during two specified periods at the meeting (for instructions on comment procedures, see www.michigan.gov/upcac).

The DNR’s eastern and western Upper Peninsula citizens’ advisory councils are designed to provide local input to advise the DNR on regional programs and policies, identify areas in which the department can be more effective and responsive and offer insight and guidance from members’ own experiences and constituencies.

The council members represent a wide variety of natural resource and recreation interests. Agenda items are set by the council members and council recommendations are forwarded to the DNR for consideration.

Anyone interested in being considered as a future council member should fill out the application form found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/upcac. For more information, contact the DNR Upper Peninsula regional coordinator’s office at 906-226-1331.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Contact: Stacy Haughey, 906-226-1331, John Pepin, 906-226-1352