LANSING — The director of the Department of Natural Resources is pushing back against proposed cuts of tens of millions of dollars.

Director Scott Bowen spoke before the Natural Resources Commission Thursday, urging lawmakers to scale back the potential cuts.

Bowen highlighted various initiatives from the DNR including the stocking of more than 20 million fish a year, the management of 4.5 million acres of forest and ensuring that more than 200 dams remain functional and safe.

Bowen also says that more than a thousand miles of Northern Michigan trails remain uncleared from March’s ice storm, adding to the need for continued funding.

“That’s not a snap of the fingers job — it takes manpower. It takes saws,” he said. “Our foresters are already stretched thin with their daily responsibili

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