In Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for the conservation, protection, management, use, and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources.  The DNR was created pursuant to MCLS § 324.501.

The head of the DNR is the commission of natural resources with seven members[i].  The seven members of the commission are appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate.  The commission establishes general policies pertaining to natural resources management and environmental protection.  However, the principal executive officer of the DNR is the director of the DNR.  The director is appointed by the commission and s/he serves at the pleasure of the commission[ii].

Some of the duties of the DNR are[iii]:

• to protect and conserve the natural resources of the state;
• to  provide and develop facilities for outdoor recreation;
• to prevent the destruction of timber and other forest growth by fire or otherwise;
• to  promote the reforesting of forestlands belonging to the state;
• to prevent and guard against the pollution of lakes and streams within the state; and
• to foster and encourage the protection and propagation of game and fish.

The powers of the DNR include[iv]:

• to promulgate and enforce reasonable rules concerning the use and occupancy of lands and property under the DNR’s control;
• to conduct investigations that the DNR considers appropriate for the proper administration of its functions;
• to remove and dispose of forest products for the protection, reforestation, and proper development and conservation of the lands and property under the control of the DNR;
• to require the payment of a fee or other authorization to allow persons to hunt and take waterfowl on a public hunting area managed and developed for waterfowl.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment

[i] MCLS § 16.351.

[ii] MCLS § 16.355.

[iii] MCLS § 324.503.

[iv] MCLS § 324.502.