State game area master plans available for review

State game area managers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are seeking public input on several draft master plans for state game areas located in the southwestern region of the state, including one that straddles Cass and St. Joseph counties.
Steve Chadwick, supervisor for the DNR Wildlife Division’s southwestern region, said the master plans are important in guiding habitat management, based on both the featured species selected for management at each state game area and use of the areas for recreation such as hunting and wildlife viewing.
He said the agency will also take into consideration how management of the state game areas affects local economies through activities such as timber sales, agricultural production and wildlife-based tourism.
Plans will be available for review through May 31. Comments may be submitted directly to the plan author. After May 31, authors will review comments and make updates, if necessary.
The final master plans will be made available on the DNR website by July 1.
Log on to Michigan.gov to find links to the local and other plans.