Genesee News

State Representatives David Martin, Ken Borton, Dave Prestin, and Angela Rigas have expressed their support for the House Oversight Committee's recent actions to investigate the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The committee has authorized Chairman Jay DeBoyer to issue subpoenas for documents related to DNR's activities concerning Canada geese population control and enforcement against pig farmers and game ranches.

The subpoenas come after repeated requests from the committee members, including Rigas, were met with delays. Rigas noted that when she requested documents from the department, she was told it would take nearly seven months to gather them.

Rigas stated, "For over a decade, a taxpayer-funded department has been waging war against honest pig farmers and game ranchers." She emphasized the need for transparency regarding how public funds are being used.

Martin added that there is a necessity for the DNR to clarify how these alleged abuses occurred. He said, "We asked the DNR to be transparent and hand over documents related to how these decisions were made."

Recently, a subcommittee heard testimony about the DNR’s Invasive Species Order affecting pig farmers. Prestin criticized this order by stating that heritage breed hogs are mislabeled as dangerous wild boars. He remarked on what he called "junk science" embraced by the DNR.

Testimonies also revealed undercover operations by the DNR leading to farm infiltrations and forced animal slaughtering based on vague classifications of "Russian boar."

Borton voiced concern over these practices: "I feel for the people that have been forced to watch as the DNR uses their tax dollars to destroy livelihoods."

The subpoenas also aim to uncover information about DNR's euthanasia program for Canada geese which faced public backlash. Lawmakers seek clarity on why such drastic measures were considered necessary.