CWAC Procedures

The Citizens Waterfowl Advisory Committee (CWAC) was borne out of controversy surrounding the 1980 split waterfowl hunting season. The season dates proposed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were altered by the Natural Resource Commission (NRC) after presentations by a few citizens who traveled from downstate to the Upper Peninsula commission meeting. Afterwards, both citizens and the DNR agreed to set up the CWAC to provide citizens with a formal way to provide input on waterfowl issues. It was also recognized that more citizens needed to participate in the process. The concept evolved into the 19 member Michigan CWAC .

Today CWAC is comprised of 11 members-at-large and representatives from 8 waterfowl hunting and conservation organizations. The length each term on CWAC is limited to three years. Members of CWAC are representatives from organizations directly interested in waterfowl hunting and representatives every part of the state. Recently, efforts have been made to include regional members who more closely resemble the average hunter or occasional hunter, rather than only avid waterfowl hunters. The CWAC normally conducts two Saturday meetings per year; the first in March and the second in late July or early August. Meeting locations rotate to make travel distances equitable for all members. Members are expected to attend each meeting, but are permitted to have an alternate act for them if a schedule conflict prevents them from participating in a meeting. The idea is to adequately represent all those who waterfowl hunt in Michigan. The DNR's liason for the CWAC is Senior Wildlife Technician Don Avers(aversd@michigan.gov).