State of Michigan

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Lansing

JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM

governor

REBECCA  A. HUMPHRIES

director

 

 

 

BILL ANALYSIS

 

BILL NUMBER:

SB 1085, AS INTRODUCED

TOPIC:

Eliminate sunset on taking of raptors for falconry

SPONSOR:

Senator Richardville

CO-SPONSORS:

Senators Birkholz, Patterson, Van Woerkom, Basham, Prusi, Cherry, and Barcia

 

COMMITTEE:

Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

Analysis Done:

February 15, 2008

POSITION

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) supports this bill.

PROBLEM/BACKGROUND

In 1999, legislation was passed to allow the take of wild raptors in Michigan for falconry purposes.  In the same year, the Department added regulations to the Wildlife Conservation Order governing this activity.  Prior to this, only captive reared raptors and raptors captured outside of the state could be used for falconry in Michigan.

DESCRIPTION OF BILL

This legislation would remove the sunset date on the state statute governing the take of wild raptors in Michigan for falconry purposes.       

SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS

Pro

The legislation would provide statutory protection for the take of wild raptors for falconry purposes.

Con

Harvest quotas set in statute may not be responsive to changing wildlife population conditions and may allow for unsustainable take or may unnecessarily restrict recreational opportunities.  In the absence of statute, the Wildlife Conservation Order will continue to allow harvest opportunities for the take of wild raptors.  The legislation as drafted requires the establishment of an education program about raptors and the initiation of a study to establish survey protocols to monitor wild raptors.  Educational materials have already been developed and this study has already been conducted; these efforts do not need to be repeated.

FISCAL/ECONOMIC IMPACT

Are there revenue or budgetary implications in the bill to the --

(a)     Department

Budgetary:

None known

Revenue:   

None known

Comments:

None known

(b)     State

Budgetary:

None known

Revenue:   

None known

Comments:

None known

(c)     Local Government

Comments:

None known

OTHER STATE DEPARTMENTS

None known

ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION

The Department recommends amending this bill to remove explicit harvest quotas, the need to institute a study to establish surveying protocols, and the requirement to develop an education program about raptors.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES IMPACT

Rules can be promulgated to provide for administration of the act.

 

 

_______________________________

Rebecca  A. Humphries

Director

 

_______________________________

Date

WLD