Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials today announced a March 29 meeting in Dowagiac to discuss and receive public comment on state property in Cass County.

The March 29 meeting, from 6-8 p.m. at the Southwestern Michigan College, Room 141 Lyons Building, 58900 Cherry Grove Road, is an opportunity for interested residents to review the department's preliminary recommendations and offer public input.

The DNR last year identified new boundaries for state parks, forests and game areas as part of its effort to best manage state land holdings. The second of three phases in the DNR's land ownership strategy reviews state-owned, DNR-administered lands located outside the boundaries and evaluates their contribution to the DNR's natural resource management goals.

"Ultimately, we are working to ensure that lands managed by the DNR are effectively meeting public needs," said DNR Resource Management Deputy Mindy Koch. "These lands are key in fulfilling the DNR's mission of providing public outdoor recreation and natural resource protection and management for present and future generations."

The DNR Land Exchange Review Committee will incorporate public comments into its final recommendations to the DNR Director, expected in April.

For more information, visit the land consolidation strategy page on the DNR Web site, or call Paul Yauk at (517) 335-4824.