CHARLESTON, W.Va. — DNR Director Brett McMillion told state lawmakers the new format for the Natural Resources Commission meetings had been a rousing success.
Last year, the DNR changed the Commission meeting format from a location somewhere in West Virginia on a Sunday afternoon, to a live-streamed meeting from six locations across the state simultaneously where people can attend and participate. They also moved the meetings from Sunday afternoon to a weekday evening.
“Total views topped over 1400 per meeting. We have over 100 folks join in the live stream. We’re seeing participation at levels we haven’t for many years in person. We had over 29 people attend in those six locations which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s big for this commission given the history it’s had,” he said.
McMillion told the Senate Natural Resources Committee the change was a result of Governor Patrick Morrisey’s executive order to look at inefficiencies and how to improve the operations. McMillion said they decided to target the Commission meetings for improvement.
“How would we get the public more involved, how do we become more transparent, and how to we encourage that participation,” said McMillion.
He concluded the live streamed events which are at the DNR’s six district headquarters and at the State Capitol, rather than one, have been a successful solution. He said they have implemented present technology and brought the Commission and the agency into modern times.
The Commission is required to meet once each quarter of the year. The first of those meetings for 2026 will be at 6 p.m. Thursday. The public can attend in person or watch the live stream on the Department of Commerce YouTube Channel.