State House Republicans propose 10% DNR budget cut, risking 430 positions

LANSING — The Department of Natural Resources could see nearly a third of its full-time workforce cut under a spending proposal from the Michigan House.

The budget plan from state House Republicans would cut 10% of the DNR’s budget, concerning environmental advocates.

That figure is lighter than some of the cuts proposed at other agencies — but they would result in the loss of more than 430 positions across multiple divisions department.

“They don’t get a whole lot of money already as it is, and decreasing that — we are going to see some pretty devastating changes,” said Emily Smith, conservation policy manager for the Michigan Environmental Council.

Proposed cuts include 114 positions from Parks and Recreation, 56 from the Fisheries Division, 49 from the Wildlife Division, and 30 from