• Seamless digital maps of surface waters done along Canada/U.S. Border

• VA - New Secure Veteran Health ID Cards

• New license options coming in March

• 2014 Fishing Guide available at license dealers 

• DNR beginners fly-fishing seminar for youth-adult pairs, May 2-4

• Open house on 2014-2015 Hunting Season Proposals

• Ohio Licenses now on Sale

• Other Breaking News

Rod & Reel Raffle

We are raffling off 5 rod n� reel sets to raise funds for a local VFW Post that does a whole lot of good for returning veterans.

Your participation and purchase of a ticket � or tickets - will help us raise the necessary funds to meet our goal and help these guys; thanks.

Rod & Reel Raffle

Tickets $20.00 each      Only 500 tickets to be sold

Proceeds to aid Veterans

5 winners (100 to 1 odds)

Brands to be raffled include:

Abu Garcia       Okuma             Pflueger

Pinnacle   Quantum   All Star

High-end pro edition units in sets or combination

Spinning and Baitcast sets                   IM 8 rods in 6', 7 and 8' lengths

For detailed rod & reel info: click here

Seamless digital maps of surface waters done along Canada/U.S.Border

Clearer views of waters along the U.S. and Canadian border are now possible with new seamless digital maps. These maps make it easier to solve complex water issues that require a thorough understanding of drainage systems on both sides of the International Boundary.

 "In the past, cross-border maps were not always accurate, but now these new digital maps are fully linked across the entire U.S. and Canadian border," said Peter Steeves, physical scientist with the USGS. "This cooperative project allows scientists on either side to look at the water just as nature does, irrespective of the artificial line separating the two nations."

Developed cooperatively by both countries, the digital maps make tackling difficult issues more effective. For example, levels of phosphorous flowing from Lake Champlain in Vermont into Quebec can now be better understood; flooding in the Red River Valley (which flows north from Minnesota and the Dakotas into Manitoba) can be traced; salmon fisheries in the Columbia River Basin in the Pacific Northwest can be efficiently restored; and understanding localized water use and water availability all along the border is now improved.

"The USA/Canada coordinated mapping efforts along the International Border have opened doors to joint scientific analysis that rely on hydrography integration", said David Harvey, National Manager with the

Environment Service of Canada. "Water quality and quantity modelling are already being developed on top of this enriched database."

The advent of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) over the past 20 years has allowed for advancements in the analysis potential of digitally mapped water features to a degree hardly imagined when the USGS started mapping in the 19^th century.  As technology improves in the years to come, even more progress will be made, such as in the use of lasers to map the earth, new techniques to analyze information, and faster computers to process the data.

For more than 125 years, the USGS has provided accurate maps of the nation's surface waters. During the last two decades this mapping has become digital, using computers and new technologies to provide unprecedented knowledge of water resources. This data is stored in the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and Watershed Boundary Dataset (WBD).

The principle agencies involved in this effort are the USGS and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), with oversight by the International Joint Commission (IJC).  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Agricultural Foods Canada, Environment Canada along with many provincial and in-state partners participated throughout the process.  

Additional information on the NHD and WBD can be found at http://nhd.usgs.gov/.

VA - New Secure Veteran Health ID Cards

WASHINGTON � The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) last week announced the phased roll out of newly designed, more secure Veteran Health Identification Cards. The new cards are distinguished by additional security features and will have a different look and feel. 

In addition to being more secure, the card has been transformed into a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC).  Similar to a typical health insurance card, the VHIC displays the Veteran�s Member ID, a new unique identifier, as well as a Plan ID, reflecting the Veteran�s enrollment in VA health care. 

�VA is committed to providing high quality health care while ensuring the personal security of Veterans,� said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.  �These new identification cards are an important step forward in protecting our nation�s heroes from identity theft and other personal crimes.�

The VHIC is personalized to display the emblem of the Veteran�s branch of service.  It also provides features that make it easier to use, such as the addition of �VA� in Braille to help visually impaired Veterans, and the

printing of VA phone numbers and emergency care instructions on the

cards.

The card replaces the Veteran Identification Card (VIC), which was introduced in 2004.  As part of a phased rollout, starting this month, the card will only be offered to newly enrolled and other Veterans who have not been issued a VIC.  Then, in early April, VA will begin a three month effort to automatically issue the more secure VHIC to current VIC cardholders.   VA recommends Veterans safeguard their VIC as they would a credit card, and cut up or shred the card once it is replaced.  While not required to receive VA health care, all enrolled Veterans are encouraged to get a VHIC.   

Enrolled Veterans can get more information about the VHIC by visiting their VA medical facility enrollment coordinator or the website www.va.gov/healthbenefits/vhic, calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA health care system can apply for enrollment at any time by visiting www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, Calling 1-877-222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

Open house on 2014-2015 Hunting Season Proposals

Input also accepted online at wildohio.com

OLUMBUS, OH � The Ohio DNR invites public comments regarding the 2014-2015 hunting, trapping and fishing regulations at open houses on Saturday, March 1, 12-3 p.m., and online through Sunday, March 2. Input concerning proposed hunting season dates, bag limits and rule changes will be accepted during open houses and online at wildohio.com. Comments about Ohio�s white-tailed deer and wild turkey hunting seasons are welcomed. Regulation proposals were presented to the Ohio Wildlife Council at meetings on Jan. 8 and Feb. 5.

Open houses are open to the public. Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio�s professional wildlife management process is welcome. ODNR Division of Wildlife biologists and law enforcement officers will be available to answer questions and receive comments.

People who are not able to attend an open house at one of the seven locations can provide input online. Comments are accepted through March 2 at wildohio.com. Click on Proposed Rule Changes/CSI Review to share comments.

Public input gathered at these open houses and through the online form will be considered during the formulation of regulations. For more information or directions to the open houses, visit wildohio.com or call 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).

Open house location information for March 1:

� Central Ohio: Wildlife District One office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215; 614-644-3925;

� Northwest Ohio: Wildlife District Two office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay 45840; 419-424-5000;

� Northeast Ohio: Wildlife District Three office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron 44319; 330-644-2293;

� Southeast Ohio: Wildlife District Four office, 360 E. State Street, Athens 45701; 740-589-9930;

� Southwest Ohio: Greene County Fish and Game, 1538 Union Road, Xenia 45385; 937-372-9261;

� Lake Erie (east): Fairport Fisheries office, 1190 High Street, Fairport Harbor 44077; 440-352-4199;

� Lake Erie (west): Lake Erie Shores and Islands Regional Welcome Center, 770 SE Catawba Rd, Port Clinton 43452; 419-625-8062.

Open house attendees and online visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about and comment on Ohio�s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), which is currently under revision. The purpose of Ohio�s SWAP is to provide direction for conserving wildlife diversity in Ohio. The plan specifically addresses species and habitats in greatest need of conservation and the development of conservation actions to abate problems for those species and habitats. Ohio�s SWAP is being revised for use by people with an interest in wildlife conservation. Comments will be accepted at wildohio.com from Saturday, March 1, through Wednesday, April 30.

A statewide hearing on proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 9 a.m. at the ODNR Division of Wildlife�s District One office. This hearing is open to the public, and comments on the proposed rules will be accepted.

The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that approves all of the ODNR Division of Wildlife�s proposed rules and regulations. The council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its meeting on April 9 after considering public input. Council meetings are open to the public. Individuals who want to provide comments on a topic that is currently being considered by council are asked to preregister at least two days prior to the meeting by calling 614-265-6304. All comments are required to be three minutes or less.

Ohio Licenses now on Sale

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio�s 2014-2015 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses are now available for purchase. Ohio�s 2013-2014 licenses are valid through Feb. 28, 2014. White-tailed deer and fall wild turkey hunting permits will go on sale later in 2014.

The prices for Ohio�s hunting, fishing and trapping licenses and permits are unchanged from 2013-2014.

Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at

hundreds of participating agents throughout the state. A complete list of

participating license sales agents can be found at wildohio.com. Mobile fishing licenses will also be available beginning Saturday, Feb. 22.

Ohio�s 2014-2015 licenses include a transaction receipt and effective dates that match the fishing, hunting or trapping season. Licenses and permits are printed on plain white paper that is not waterproof. Licenses and permits will be printed with additional information relevant to the license or permit purchased.

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Army Corp urged to dredfe deeper in Lake Ontario harbors

Rochester's harbor is among several ports in Lake Ontario scheduled for dredging to remove sediment deposited by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.  Because the dredging will remedy only sedimentation caused by the storm, U.S. Sen. Schumer is urging the Corps to use

Deadlines approach to remove ice fishing shelters
MADISON - The first of a number of deadlines for ice anglers to remove ice fishing shelters from boundary waters is this week, when all ice fishing shelters must be removed from Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters by Wednesday, Feb. 20. This earlier date, applying to Mississippi River south of the Minnesota-Iowa border, corresponds with Iowa regulations. 

Upper Great Lakes Mgt. Unit undertakes walleye project in North Channel
The Manitoulin Expositor (2/21)
The Upper Great Lakes Management Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources has undertaken a walleye project in Lake Huron and the North Channel.

Muskegon Lake chosen for habitat improvement plan
WWMT News (2/21)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chose the western Michigan lake and the St. Louis River estuary in Wisconsin and Minnesota to be part of government program designed to improve wildlife habitat.