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NRC Adopts Eat-What-You-Road-Kill Policy

A new rule makes it easier for drivers who hit and kill an animal to claim their road kill.

The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Rick Pluta reports.

The new rule replaces the previous policy that said people who want to claim road kill have to wait for an officer to show up and issue a special permit. Dean Molnar is with the state Department of Natural Resources. He says it helps ensure the animal’s meat and carcass won’t go to waste. And he says it helps out county road commissions – especially in rural areas with fewer road crews.

       “You know, that’s one less animal they have to clean off the road,” he says. 

The rule was adopted recently by the state Natural Resources Commission to comply with a law passed by the Legislature.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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