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Week of March 12, 2007 |
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| National |
| Regional |
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| Minnesota |
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World
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Words to ponder The truth, says documentary filmmaker Martin Durkin, is that global warming "is a multibillion-dollar worldwide industry, created by fanatically anti-industrial environmentalists, supported by scientists peddling scare stories to chase funding, and propped up by compliant politicians and the media."
Durkin's film "The Great Global Warming Swindle" collides sharply with the premise outlined in former Vice President Al Gore's Oscar-winning documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," which presents a bleak picture of how a buildup in greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide affects the global climate, with potentially disastrous consequences. |
"Al Gore might have won an Oscar," says Mr. Durkin, in a preview of the documentary, "but the film is very misleading, and he has got the relationship between [carbon dioxide] and climate change the wrong way around." "The fact is that [carbon dioxide] has no proven link to global temperatures," says Mr. Durkin. "Solar activity is far more likely to be the culprit."
"At the moment, there is almost a McCarthyism movement in science where the greenhouse effect is like a puritanical religion, and this is dangerous," he says. http://insider.washingtontimes.com/articles/normal.php?StoryID=20070306-122226-6282r
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National
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Appeals Court Overturns D.C. Gun Ban WASHINGTON -- A federal appeals court overturned the District of Columbia's long-standing (since 1976) handgun ban Friday, March 9, rejecting the city's argument that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applied only to militias. In a 2-1 decision, the judges held that the activities protected by the Second Amendment "are not limited to militia service, nor is an individual's enjoyment of the right contingent upon his or her continued intermittent enrollment in the militia."
The court also ruled the D.C. requirement that registered firearms be kept unloaded, disassembled and under trigger lock was unconstitutional.
In 2004, a lower-court judge had told six city residents that they did not have a constitutional right to own handguns. The plaintiffs include residents of high-crime neighborhoods who wanted the guns for protection.
"The district's definition of the militia is just too narrow," Judge Laurence Silberman wrote for the majority Friday. "There are too many instances of 'bear arms' indicating private use to conclude that the drafters intended only a military sense." Judge Karen Henderson dissented, writing that the Second Amendment does not apply to the District of Columbia because it is not a state.
That last argument -- if that's really what Henderson said -- is preposterous, since that would open the floodgates to deny incorporation within D.C. of a host of other rights guaranteed by the first ten amendments to the Constitution... including |
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures, and so forth.
If the dispute makes it to the high court, it would be the first case in nearly 70 years to address the Second Amendment's scope. Even as the appeals court overturned the D.C. ban on most handgun ownership, Silberman wrote that the Second Amendment is still "subject to the same sort of reasonable restrictions that have been recognized as limiting, for instance, the First Amendment."
The Court held that the Second Amendment should not be construed as meaning that one must be a member of a militia to own defensive weapons. There are obscure federal laws that actually defined able-bodied males 17-45 as members of the militia, although they have not been significant in modern times. 2nd Amendment issues have long become among the most important to libertarians.
The Court held that the Second Amendment should not be construed as meaning that one must be a member of a militia to own defensive weapons. There are obscure federal laws that actually defined able-bodied males 17-45 as members of the militia, although they have not been significant in modern times. 2nd Amendment issues have long become among the most important to libertarians.
The ban will stay in effect while the city appeals.
(The right to keep and bear arms is a hallmark of a free people� Are Americans still free? Ed) |
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Boaters Call on Congress to Correct Ballast Water Ruling Outdoor industry representatives and sportsmen, including the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, have written to the Congressional Boating Caucus requesting a legislative solution to a 2006 ruling by a federal judge against recreational boating exemptions to the Clean Water Act which was designed for cargo container ships, cruise ships and supertankers. |
For 34 years, the Environmental Protection Agency exempted recreational boaters and anglers from the rules and regulations protecting aquatic resources from invasive plants and animals transported in ballast water of commercial vessels. If not corrected by legislation, the ruling would require an unprecedented permitting requirement system for normal discharges such as bilge water, deck runoff and engine cooling water for which there is no current enforcement mechanism in place. |
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Sportsmen�s Taxes Estimated deliver $416.9 Million for State Fish & Wildlife Agencies Excise taxes paid by the nation�s hunters, shooters, archers, anglers and boaters will provide $416.9 million for state fish and wildlife agencies this year, according to preliminary reports from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The funds, collected on hunting and fishing equipment purchased by sportsmen, are distributed to the states for conservation and |
education programs, including species protection, habitat improvement, hunter/angler access, and hunter safety. Also referred to as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux Sportfish Restoration programs, these sportsmen-supported funding mechanisms have been the foundation for conservation efforts in the country for more than a half century. |
Regional
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IJC '07 Great Lakes Biennial Meeting, June 6-8 - U of Ill, Chicago Campus The IJC Great Lakes Biennial Meeting and Conference will be held at the U of Illinois Chicago (web site - campus map), in Chicago, June 6 � 8, 2007. The event begins Wednesday, June 6, 5:30 pm with a welcoming reception hosted by UIC and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley. Following the reception there will be a keynote address (speaker to be announced). All are welcome.
The two-day conference and public meeting will be held on Thursday and Friday, June 7 and 8, 2007. The meeting on Thursday is free of charge and open to all.
What may be a real turn-off for many conservationists and other non-profit volunteer organizations is the $100 (USD) registration fee to attend the conference and luncheon on Friday. All workshops will be held at the Office of Admissions Student Services Building. For complete details about speakers and events, please see the meeting and conference agendas.
The IJC will present the 2007 Biennial Award for Great Lakes Science on Thursday, June 7 during lunch. |
Article X of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement directs the governments of the US and Canada to review of the operation and effectiveness of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement following every third IJC biennial report. The release of the 13th Biennial Report in February supports this review.
This two-day meeting will focus on the current science and issues regarding the health of the Great Lakes and include breakout sessions and specific in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics fundamental to the review of the Agreement and its future. Click here for resource documents and information regarding the review of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The current Agreement was signed in 1978 and was amended in 1987. It has not been updated or changed in more than 19 years. During this time, technology and our scientific knowledge and understanding has grown immensely. New threats to the well being of the Great Lakes ecosystem are becoming better defined. We need to keep pace with what we know and review the Agreement with an eye toward stimulating profound improvements for the Great Lakes. |
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Annual Lake Committee meetings March 19-23 The annual Great Lakes lake committee meetings are coming up March 19-23.
Hosted by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and under the guidance and direction of our state natural resource agencies, the meetings will be held at the Ypsilanti Marriott & Eagle Crest Conference Center. That's just east of Ann Arbor, off I-94.
The five day conference will kick off Monday afterno on at 1 PM with the Lake Huron Committee, and an evening reception will |
follow. Address and contact info are: Hotel: 1275 S Huron St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, 734-487-2000. Great Lakes Fishery Commission: 734-662-3209 - [email protected]
General Agenda: March 19-20 - Lake Huron Committee Meeting March 20 - Lake Michigan Committee Meeting March 20-21 - Lake Superior Committee Meeting March 21-22 - Joint Common Session March 22 - Lake Ontario Committee Meeting March 22-23 - Lake Erie Committee Meeting |
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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for March 9, 2007 Weather Conditions: Chilly weather returned to the Great Lakes basin this week. Sub-zero temperatures were common at many locations across the northern third of the region. An Alberta Clipper dropped a quick one to three inches of snow on Tuesday and Wednesday and was followed by more chilly air. A warming trend is expected for the upcoming weekend. Temperatures are expected to climb into the 40s across much of the basin. Lake Level Conditions: Currently, Lake Superior is 13 inches below its level of one year ago. Lake Michigan-Huron is at a similar level, while the Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are 1-5 inches above last years water levels. Over the next month, the water level on Lake Superior is predicted to remain steady. The remaining Great Lakes are at the end of their annual decline, and are forecasted to increase 2 to 4 inches. During the next few months, Lake Superior is expected to remain below last year�s water level conditions. Water levels on Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are expected to be similar to last year. See our Daily Levels web page | for more water level information. Current Outflows/Channel Conditions: Flow in the St. Marys and St. Clair rivers is predicted to be below average for March. Outflow from the Detroit River is also predicted to be lower than average this month. Flow in the Niagara River, as well as the St. Lawrence River, is expected to be above average. Water levels and flows in the connecting channels may be greatly impacted by ice dams. Ice information can be found at the National Ice Center web page. |
Alerts: Due to abnormally dry conditions on the Lake Superior basin over the last six months, Lake Superior�s water level is currently below chart datum and is expected to remain below datum through August. Users of the Great Lakes, connecting channels and St. Lawrence River should keep informed of current conditions before undertaking any activities that could be affected by changing water levels. Mariners should utilize navigation charts and refer to current water level readings.
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General
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A record 8,300-plus students from 41 states were on the 2006 roster for NSSF's Scholastic Clay Target Program. Driven by a network of volunteer coaches, the program this year enjoyed strong turnout for its national trap, skeet and sporting clays championships, its junior Olympic development camp and its |
first-ever international-style competition.
A bonus is the unexpected attraction for girls -- female participation in SCTP is up 178% over the past two years. For more info: www.nssf.org/SCTP/index.cfm |
Illinois
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Bass Pro to open in Bolingbrook April 26 Bolingbrook, Illinois�Bass Pro Shops will be opening it's latest store is located at The Promenade at Bolingbrook, a new 1.1-million-square-foot retail center. The 140,000 sq ft sportsman�s center will also include an 8,631 sq-ft Islamorada Fish Company Restaurant and is scheduled to open April 26th.
The Bolingbrook store, as at all Bass Pro Shops locations, we will be offering free Outdoor Skills Workshops. These will be |
for novice adults, kids, and especially families. From hunter education and safety classes, to beginning fishing, setting up a campsite, Dutch oven cooking, nature photography and more, Bass Pro Shops not only sells the outdoors product, but also teaches how to use it.
Bass Pro Shops, headquartered in Springfield, MO, currently has 40 locations across the United States and Canada. For more info go to www.basspro.com . |
Indiana
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Summary of Indiana 2007 fishing regs changes Public meetings, advice from biologists and angler surveys were used to develop several new fishing regulations intended to enhance fishing opportunities and protect fish populations. Some of the new regulations cover:
Black Bass Removes Delaney Park Lake in Washington County from the list of 12- to15 -inch slot limit lakes. This change means that black bass taken from Delaney Park Lake must have a minimum size of 14 inches. The slot limit did its job thinning overabundant small bass and the return to a 14-inch limit is now needed to prevent bass overharvest.
Cancels the "no harvest" restriction on bass at Dove Hollow Lake at Glendale FWA. This change means black bass taken from Dove Hollow Lake must have a minimum size of 14 inches. The 5 bass daily bag limit also applies. The "no harvest" regulation was part of a temporary research project that did not pan out.
- Places an 18-inch size limit and two fish bag limit on bass at J.C. Murphey Lake at Willow Slough FWA. This rule is already in place as a property regulation but now is a promulgated administrative rule. This popular fishing lake was restocked in 2004 following draining for repairs to the dam and spillway. The special bass regulations are intended to help develop and maintain quality bass fishing well into the future.
Establishes a protected 12- to 15- inch slot limit on bass at the Blue River in Crawford, Harrison and Washington counties. Bass smaller than 12 inches and larger than 15 inches may be taken. It also stipulates that no more than two of the daily bag limit of five bass may be fish longer than 15 inches. The purpose of the rule change is to thin out overabundant, slow-growing small bass to improve the remaining bass's growth while protecting spawning-size fish.
- Establishes a 20-inch minimum bass size limit and a one fish daily bag limit on Sugar Creek throughout the rivers entire length in Parke, Montgomery, Boone, Clinton and Tipton counties. Sugar Creek has an excellent smallmouth bass population that exhibits good growth rates and has the potential to be an outstanding producer of larger bass with additional protection.
Bluegill/Redear/Crappie Establishes an aggregate daily bag limit of 25 fish for bluegill, redear and crappie at J.C. Murphey Lake at Willow Slough FWA in Newton County. This rule is already in place as a property regulation but now it is a promulgated administrative rule. This popular fishing lake was restocked in 2004 after |
draining for repairs to the dam and spillway. The special regulations are intended to help develop and maintain quality panfishing.
Bowfishing/Pitchforks Allows bowfishing (day or night) for specified nongame fish at the eight large stream reaches where spearing and gigging is already allowed. The difference is that bowfishing can now occur on these large streams at night. The reference to pitchforks has also been removed, eliminating it as a legal means of taking fish. There was no known justification for using pitchforks and their lack of barbed points allows escape of injured fish.
Shovelnose Sturgeon Defines "fork length". Fork length (tip of snout to fork of tail) is used to measure these fish because the long upper tail filament is sometimes broken off. Establishes a 25-inch minimum fork length size limit on shovelnose sturgeon for both sport and commercial fishing. Defines an open season for commercial harvest of shovelnose sturgeon (October 1 through May 31). Increased commercial pressure for caviar prompted these changes.
Inland Trout Establishes a "catch and release only" season for inland trout from January 1 through April 14. This used to be the old closed season. A few areas support "carry-over" trout including brown trout stocked by clubs. This change is intended to encourage people to go fishing while protecting carry-over trout, particularly brown trout.
Redefines the inland trout closed season as April 15 to the last Saturday in April. Also defines the stream segments that would be closed to all fishing during the closed season (by visible landmarks). This two-week period closes the streams while they are stocked with rainbow trout from state hatcheries
Establishes a brown trout bag limit of one fish (out of the daily bag limit of five trout) statewide with the exception of named stream segments in Elkhart County where a year-round "catch-and-release only" designation applies for trout. Other species that are legally caught may be taken from these "catch-and-release" segments. These segments are on the Little Elkhart River, Solomon Creek and Cobus Creek and total 2.8 miles in Elkhart County. They are also designated artificial lures or flies only. Fishing with live or natural baits, food products or chemical attractants is prohibited in these designated segments. These segments are stocked with brown trout by private fishing clubs. The new regulation's goal is to provide opportunities for everyone to catch larger and more trout. |
Michigan
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State Senators open door to invasive species Two Michigan State Senators Michael Prusi (D) and Randy Richardville (R) last week said its ok for the shipping industry to keep bringing new invasive species into the Great Lakes. By introducing a bill that would roll back the new ballast water permits put in place on January 1, 2007, the Senators have made it clear that the economic benefits of a $4.5 billion sport fishing industry, the $30 million tax payer dollars spent annually controlling invasive species and the future health of the Great Lakes is not important.
Ten ships have already applied for and received ballast water permits from the DEQ, proving that this process can work if the shipping industry would step to the plate and take responsibility for their discharges. Currently Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and Indiana are also looking at implementing a ballast water permit similar to Michigan's. If Michigan backs down now, will other states lose the incentive to implement ballast water controls? Can we afford to let more invasive species and diseases loose in our waters?
Take Action: Call your Senator today and tell them you don't appreciate them gambling with the fate of the Great Lakes. Tell them NO to rolling back Michigan's ballast water regulations!
Background: In less than one generation, aquatic invasive species have radically changed our Great Lakes' ecosystem. Every eight months a new invasive enters our lakes primarily through the discharge of ballast water. Frustrated with the lack of action on the federal level, the 2005 Michigan legislature took the reigns and created the first ballast water permit requirement in the nation. PA 32 and 33 of 2005 prohibit ocean-going vessels from discharging ballast water into Michigan's waters (including the Great Lakes) after January 1, 2007, unless they have a permit issued by the DEQ. This requirement was set after years of study and deliberation. The general permit gives ocean-going vessels the option of installing four commercially available technologies, or choosing to install alternative technologies that have equivalent effectiveness.
Michigan Senators: Jason Allen, District 37, 866-525-5637, [email protected] Glenn Anderson, District 6, 517-373-1707, [email protected] Jim Barcia, District 31, 866-305-2131, [email protected] Raymond Basham, District 8, 517-373-7800, [email protected] Patricia Birkholz, District 24, 888-287-2889, [email protected] Michael Bishop, District 12, 877-924-7467, [email protected] Liz Brater, District 18, 866-305-0318, [email protected] Cameron Brown, District 16, 866-305-0316, [email protected] |
Nancy Cassis, District 15, 888-38-NANCY, [email protected] Deborah Cherry, District 26, 866-305-2126, [email protected] Irma Clark-Coleman, District 3, 866-747-7803, [email protected] Hansen Clarke, District 1, 877-252-7537, [email protected] Alan Cropsey, District 33, 866-305-2133, [email protected] Valde Garcia, District 22, 800-516-0026, [email protected] Tom George, District 20, 866-305-2120, [email protected] Jud Gilbert, District 25, 877-445-2378, [email protected] John Gleason, District 27, 517-373-0142, [email protected] Bill Hardiman, District 29, 866-305-2129 Tupac Hunter, District 5, 517-373-0994, [email protected] Gilda Jacobs, District 14, 888-937-4453, [email protected] Mark Jansen, District 28, 517-373-0797, [email protected] Ron Jelinek, District 21, 866-305-2121, [email protected] Roger Kahn, District 32, 517-373-1760, [email protected] Wayne Kuipers, District 30, 877-KUIPERS, [email protected] Michelle McManus, District 35, 866-305-2135, Dennis Olshove, District 9, 517-373-8360, [email protected] John Pappageorge, District 13, 517-373-2523, [email protected] Bruce Patterson, District 7, 866-262-7307, [email protected] Michael Prusi, District 38, 866-305-2038, [email protected] Randy Richardville, District 17, 517-373-3543, [email protected] Alan Sanborn, District 11, 888-353-ALAN, [email protected] Mark Schauer, District 19, 888-962-6275, [email protected] Martha Scott, District 2, 800-SCOTT-78, [email protected] Tony Stamas, District 36, 866-305-2136, [email protected] Michael Switalski, 866-303-0110, [email protected] Buzz Thomas, District 4, 866-348-6304, [email protected] Gerald VanWoerkom, District 34, 866-305-2134, [email protected] Gretchen Whitmer, District 23, 517-373-1734, [email protected]
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MI to hold workshops on New Strategic Plan For State Parks, Recreation and Boating Programs Michigan state park and recreation officials invite the public to participate in a series of workshops to be held around the state to discuss the development of a new strategic plan for the future of state parks, recreation and boating programs.
The DNR Parks and Recreation Division is actively working on the development of a new strategic plan to establish long-range management goals and guidance for its parks, recreation and boating programs.
�These programs provide the public with access to 97 state parks and recreation areas, 80 state-funded harbors, and more than 1,300 state-funded boating access sites throughout the state,� said DNR Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson. �A key component in the development of a new plan is to interact with the public and the stakeholders whom we serve.�
Public input workshops will help the DNR gather the perspective and insight of program users and stakeholders, and public participation is encouraged. The workshops will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:
* March 20 Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center 104 Conservation Drive, (off N Higgins Lake Rd), Roscommon |
* March 21 Hager Park - Ottawa County Parks VanderLaan Room, 8134 28th Avenue, Jenison
* March 22 Cabela�s 110 Cabela Boulevard East, Dundee
* April 9 Little Bear East Arena and Event Center 275 Marquette Street, St. Ignace
* April 10 Holiday Inn 1951 US-41 West, Marquette
At each meeting, DNR Parks and Recreation staff will present information and gather input from the public regarding their efforts to develop a new strategic plan.
Following these public sessions, DNR staff will work toward developing a new strategic plan for the parks, recreation and boating programs. This new plan will again be shared with the public and stakeholders prior to adopting a new strategic plan by the end of 2007.
For more info, contact Paul Curtis: (517) 335-4832 or visit www.michigan.gov/dnr , look under Recreation and Camping, Parks and Recreation Strategic Planning. If you are unable to attend a public session but would like to comment on the strategic planning process, send your comments to [email protected] . |
Minnesota
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MN assumes responsibility for gray wolf mgmt Starting March 12, wolves will be managed by the DNR. Federal rules removing the Great Lakes population of gray wolves from the endangered species list took effect in |
Wisconsin and Michigan as well. Wolves will be managed in Minnesota by state statute, rule and under a wolf management plan.
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Wisconsin
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19th Baileys Harbor Brown trout Tournament April 20 - 22, 2007 The Baileys Harbor Community Association will once again host the Brown Trout Tournament this spring for the 19th consecutive year. This event has developed into one of the premier fishing contests on Lake Michigan and many of the Great Lakes anglers view it as the �kick off� to their season of fishing.
This year cash prizes will be paid to the top 60 fish weighed. A grand prize valued at more than $1500.00 will be awarded for the heaviest fish. The grand prize includes a $600.00 cash prize, a two night stay for four at the beautiful Baileys Harbor Yacht Club Resort, a free mount of the winning fish from Twin Rivers Taxidermy, 18 holes of golf for four at Maxwelton Braes Golf Resort and gift certificates from some of Baileys Harbor's finest dining establishments.
Baileys Harbor Marina is a full service marina located in the heart of Baileys Harbor. This facility features four launch ramps with boat trailer parking only one block away. The marina has slips for 45 boats up to 40 feet in length and offers gasoline and diesel fuels waste pump out, a dock house with boaters lounge, heads, laundry, and a state of art fish cleaning station.
Tournament rules require that all fish be taken from the waters surrounding Door County. The tournament gets underway at sunrise on Friday April 20th and ends at 12:00 noon on |
Sunday, April 22nd with the awards ceremony starting at 12:30. To be eligible for the many prizes the fish must be weighed in and registered at the Baileys Harbor Fire Station, the official weigh in station.
Tickets must be purchased in advance of registering the fish at a cost of $25.00 per fisherman. Tickets may be purchased at the following outlets: Weisgerbers Cornerstone Pub Baileys Harbor 57 Depot Baileys Harbor The Sportsman Appleton Billy Goat�s Bait and Tackle Algoma Main Street Market Egg Harbor Mobil 310 Market Manitowoc Jungwirth Ace Hardware Sister Bay Hol N One Mobil Station Sturgeon Bay Howie's Tackle Company Sturgeon Bay Greystone Castle Sturgeon Bay
Mail: BHCA BROWN TROUT ATTN: Josh PO Box 488 Ephriam, WI 54211
Join us �on the quiet side� of Door County for fun and fishing.
Elwyn Kropuenske, Chairman 920-839-2559 - [email protected] , www.baileysharbor.com |
The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the GLSFC, its officers or staff.
Reproduction of any material by paid-up members of the GLSFC is encouraged but appropriate credit must be given.
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