Should the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have the power to set aside an area of land specifically to maintain biological diversity? It means protecting the variety of plants and animals living in that area. The question has fueled passage of Senate Bill 78 in the State Senate. It awaits action in the State House. The bill would prohibit the Michigan DNR from setting aside land specifically for maintaining biodiversity. The MDNR would have to ask permission each time it wanted to set aside land. Senate Bill 78 is sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba). He thinks the MDNR should have to request approval from the Legislature each time it wants to set aside land. Two weeks ago, Stateside spoke with Senator Casperson about the bill. "Biodiverity can mean different things to different parts of the land. We think there should be oversight. It seems like it's dependent on who's in charge that gets to do that. And we have a concern with that, especially when you look at what
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