The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will reduce public walk-in hours at its Sault Ste. Marie Customer Service Center starting July 1.
According to the DNR’s Monday, June 22 announcement, the office will shift from offering public walk-in hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
DNR officials said this change was made after considering operational capacity, walk-in traffic and limited staffing. The Sault Ste. Marie office, located at 4131 M-129, has the lowest consistent in-person activity among the DNR’s 13 customer service centers.
“Face to face, on the phone or online, the DNR remains committed to providing our customers and the community with the best possible service,” said Aaron Crawford, the DNR’s Northern Michigan administrative manager, in the announcement. “We welcome the public to visit the Sault Ste. Marie office during those walk-in hours, knowing that some things — such as obtaining assistance with a timber sale transaction or getting guidance on new hunting or fishing regulations — can take a little more time.”
After July 1, the Sault office will be considered a DNR field office. DNR officials noted that customers can still access resources and information by phone at 906-635-5281, in-person five days a week at the Newberry Customer Service Center in Luce County or online, where residents can purchase a license or permit, report a harvest and more.
This article originally appeared on The Sault News: DNR to reduce walk-in hours at Sault Customer Service Center
Reporting by Jillian Fellows, Sault Ste. Marie News / The Sault News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jillian Fellows, Sault Ste. Marie News | USA TODAY Network
