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Week of March 15, 2010 |
| Memorable quote |
| Beyond the Great Lakes |
| Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues |
| National |
| Regional |
| Indiana |
| Michigan |
| Minnesota |
| New York |
| Ohio |
| Wisconsin |
| Other Breaking News Items |
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Memorable quote
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Democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those |
who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson |
Beyond the Great Lakes
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Zebra mussels continue spread to South & western area lakes
TULSA � In June
of last year zebra mussels were found in
The invasive species have become established in several Oklahoma lakes and are now threatening the state�s |
two largest lakes, said Everett Laney, biologist for the Corps of Engineers. The mussels were first found in Oklahoma in 1993 in the McClellan-Kerr Navigation System. In 2003 they became established in Oologah Lake in Oklahoma and El Dorado Lake in Kansas. Since then they have been found in Kaw, Keystone, and Skiatook Lakes. The thumbnail-size mussels have spread throughout large portions of the American waterway system since they were brought to the Great Lakes by trans-Atlantic ships in 1986. The mussels have caused great economic impact to federal, state, municipal, industrial and recreational water users. |
Hunting & Shooting Products/Issues
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Bond Arms Teams With Buck Knives to Create a New Self Defense Knife GRANBURY, Texas - Bond Arms, best known for manufacturing the finest double barrel handguns in the world, has teamed up with Buck Knives to produce a Signature heavy duty, high quality knife perfect for self defense needs.
This assisted
knife, which is made in the USA, features a
At only $60, this durable, perfectly weighted knife is a great addition to your collection. To purchase this knife, visit www.bondarms.com/retail/index.php?action=item&substart=0&id=138
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Bond Arms has been manufacturing 100% Made in the U.S.A., derringer style firearms, since 1995 and is recognized for its dependable, well-built double-barrel handguns, which feature historically inspired designs. They are trusted firearms for personal protection as well as cowboy action shooting. Bond Arm derringers have been the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) World Champions for 10 years in a row.
Their most popular models, including the Snake Slayer, Snake Slayer IV, Texas Defender, Cowboy Defender and Ranger, are compact pistols that pack a big wallop. But what might be even cooler is the fact they have multiple personalities. Bond offers 15 interchangeable barrels for their guns, which gives shooters 23 different caliber combinations including popular choices such as .410 shot shells or .45 Colt cartridges, and changing the barrels is a snap. A standard allen wrench allows you to remove the hinge screw so you can change out the barrel in about a minute.
For more information about Bond Arms: www.bondarms.com/ or call 817-573-4445.
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Winchester Ammo Expands Dual Bond Line Considered one of the most innovative products in Winchester Ammunition history, the Supreme Elite Dual Bond bullet line is expanding in 2010, adding .44 Rem-Mag and .45-70 Gov�t to the big-bore hunting lineup.
The .44 Rem-Mag features a 240-grain bullet and the .45-70 Gov�t features a 375-grain bullet. The �bullet within a bullet� design delivers dramatic stopping power and massive tissue damage and is suitable for whitetail deer to large dangerous game, such as bear.
�The Dual Bond bullet is technologically unsurpassed by any |
bullet commercially available today,� said Brett Flaugher, vice president of domestic and international marketing and sales for Winchester Ammunition. �Anyone who shoots this bullet will experience the best Winchester has to offer in our slug and big-bore hunting lineup.�
The outer jacket
is designed for maximum upset and to open
The heavy outer jacket is mechanically bonded to the inner bullet. The inner bullet utilizes a proprietary bonding process, which welds the lead core to a second jacket that results in a design that provides for a combination of knockdown power, deep penetration and significant tissue damage while retaining nearly 100% of the original weight. The Supreme Elite Dual Bond has a large hollow point cavity, which provides positive expansion at a variety of ranges and impact velocities. Combined, this patent pending technology results in lethal energy transfer on impact.
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National
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EPA wants Public Comments on Vessel Water Discharges Report WASHINGTON � The USEPA is seeking public comments on a draft report that, when made final, will provide Congress with information it may use for the regulation of incidental discharges from certain vessels. The types of vessels in the study included fishing vessels, tugboats, water taxis, tour boats, towing and salvage vessels, small research vessels, a fire boat and a supply boat. Incidental vessel discharges including deck run-off, gray water and other types of discharges may have a potential negative impact on water quality.
The draft report summarizes the primary pollutant concentrations in the discharges sampled and evaluates the potential environmental impact of these discharges on large water bodies. For the draft report, EPA sampled wastewater discharges and gathered shipboard process information from 61 vessels. Vessels were sampled in 15 separate cities and towns in nine states across multiple geographic regions.
Public comments on the draft report, �Study of Discharges Incidental to Normal Operation of Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other Non-Recreational Vessels Less than 79 Feet,� will be accepted for 30 days following publication in the Federal Register. EPA will then consider the comments and finalize the report for submission to Congress.
Congress requested EPA to do the report in 2008.
More information on the draft report to Congress on vessel discharges: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/vessels/reportcongress.cfm
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-4828.htm ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0828; FRL-9123-6] Draft Report to Congress: Study of Discharges Incidental to Normal Operation of Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other Non- Recreational Vessels Less Than 79 Feet
SUMMARY: This notice provides the public with notification that EPA has prepared a draft Report to Congress: Study of Discharges Incidental to Normal Operation of Commercial Fishing Vessels and Other Non-Recreational Vessels Less than 79 feet. EPA conducted the study required by Public Law 110-299 and is publishing this draft report to seek public comment prior to finalizing the report. This draft report presents the information required by Public Law 110-299 on the types of wastewater discharged from commercial fishing vessels and non-recreational vessels less than 79 feet in length. The draft report can be accessed in its entirety at www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels. This notice is being issued to obtain public comment on the draft report.
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DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 2010. www.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/vessels_rtc_exec_summary.pdf
Sampled Discharges EPA sampled a total of nine discharge types from the various vessel classes listed above. These included: Bilgewater Stern tube packing gland effluent Deck runoff and/or washdown Page 1-22, 3-37 to 3-121 Fish hold effluent (both refrigerated seawater effluent and ice slurry) Effluent from the cleaning of fish holds Graywater Page 1-28, 3-165 to 3-191 Propulsion and generator engine effluent Page 1-23, 3-192 to 3-368 Engine dewinterizing effluent Firemain
Some vessel discharges from commercial fishing vessels and commercial vessels less than 79 feet in length may have the potential to impact the aquatic environment and/or human health. As noted above, using the results obtained in this study, EPA modeled a large, hypothetical harbor to evaluate how the nine vessel discharge types EPA sampled may impact water quality. Based on this evaluation, EPA determined that the incidental discharges from study vessels to a relatively large water body are not likely to solely cause an exceedance of any NRWQC. This finding suggests that these discharges are unlikely to pose acute or chronic exceedances of the NRWQC across an entire large water body.
However, since many of the pollutants present in the vessel discharges were at end-of-pipe concentrations that exceeded an NRWQC, there is the potential for these discharges to contribute a water quality impact on a more localized scale. The study results indicate that total arsenic and dissolved copper are the most significant water quality concerns for the study vessels as a whole, and that they are more likely than other pollutants to contribute to exceedances of water quality criteria.
This is especially true if there are other sources of pollutants or the receiving water already has high background concentrations. Like an individual house in an urban watershed, most individual vessels have only a minimal environmental impact. As in urban waters, however, the impacts caused by these vessels are potentially significant where there is high vessel concentration, low water circulation, or there are environmentally stressed water bodies. Targeted reduction of certain discharges or pollutants in discharges from these vessels in waters sensitive to the introduction of pollutants from vessels may result in important significant environmental benefits to those waters. |
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National Policy for the Ocean, Coasts and Great Lakes update We�re told the White House is no longer receiving any public comments. However, there is this additional information, including some testimony before a Congressional committee last week:
"The head of NOAA announced last week there are no plans to end fishing and the National Marine Fisheries Service chief stressed that the administration �is committed to adopting policies that will ensure that current and future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the great tradition of recreational fishing.�
"Both commercial and recreational fishing are vitally important to this nation," National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration chief Jane Lubchenco told a House panel Wednesday (March 10). �We are not proposing any blanket ban on recreational fishing. I would strongly oppose that, and it is not in the works.� |
The administration is drafting plans for a new ocean policy and marine planning system. The inter-agency ocean task force has released draft plans that would set ocean conservation as a top national priority and lay the groundwork for marine planning. The group is working on final recommendations. The plan could eventually lead to efforts to map the sea for different uses, but draft reports from the group made no suggestions to ban fishing.
"These draft reports are not map-drawing exercises, they do not contain a zoning plan, and they do not establish any restrictions on recreational fishing or on public access, nor make any judgments about whether one ocean activity or use is better than another," said CEQ spokeswoman Christine Glunz."
The final report of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force is due out at the end of the month. We�ll soon see if the administration plans to do just what is outlined above or commit political suicide� |
Regional
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Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for March 12, 2010 Weather Conditions A calm weather pattern has produced little to no precipitation throughout most of the Great Lakes basin this past week. Temperatures have been unseasonably warm, melting a majority of the snow pack throughout the region. Expect warmer temperatures to persist throughout the weekend, along with a stormfront bringing showers to the greater part of the Great lakes basin. Looking ahead toward the work week, dryer air will return forcing showers to retreat and temperatures to hold steady in the lower 50's. The ice jam on the St. Clair River has broken up, freeing the river's flow and restoring pre-jam water levels. The St. Clair River will continue to be monitored throughout the upcoming weeks.
Lake Level Conditions Currently, Lake Superior and Michigan-Huron are 1 inch below their previous year's level. Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are 16, 17, and 18 inches, respectively, below their levels of a year ago. Over the next month, the water levels of Lake Superior and Michigan-Huron are expected to increase by 1 and 3 inches respectively. In addition, Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are expected to rise approximately 3-5 inches over the next month. Over the next few months, all of the Great Lakes are expected to be below their levels of a year ago. See our Daily Levels web page for more water level information.
Forecasted March Outflows/Channel Conditions The outflow from Lake Superior into the St. Mary's River is forecasted to be below average. The outflow from Lake Huron |
into the St. Clair River is forecasted to be near average. Near average flows are expected for the Detroit River and Niagara River. The St. Lawrence River is expected to have above average flows in March. Ice build-up in the connecting channels can greatly affect flows and may cause significant fluctuations in water levels.
Alerts 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. Ice charts can be accessed via the National Ice Center's website. Due to changing ice conditions lake levels may fluctuate rapidly.
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Lake Ontario
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New LOC Boat Derby, $1200 a day!
New for 2010 is
the LOC $1200 a day boat derby. This event will run concurrently with the
Summer Derby June 19th July 18th 2010 and coincides with the last two pro-ams
and will utilize the LOC weigh in stations, hours and rules. (Other than the
minimums described below.) If you are submitting fish for consideration in
the loc summer derby, all rules, such as all members must be entered would
have to be followed. So yes you could win in both. |
and $600 a day
for the largest trout, one winning fish per dayper boat. Salmon minimum
weight would be 20 lbs, Lake trout 15 lbs, Rainbow steelhead 13 lbs and
brown trout 10 lbs. This way all trout will be competitive. For example: If
a 12 lb brown trout were entered, it would take a 17.01 lake trout to beat
it. The price for entry is $600 for active USCG registered captains and $300 for non-captains and this covers everyone on the boat. For more info: www.loc.org/newsevents/viewderbynews.asp?ID=149&dbtl=1 |
Indiana
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Only one state-record sized fish was caught in Indiana in 2009. Paul Huber of Seymour caught a 32.25-inch bowfin that weighed 16.52 lbs. in Mutton Creek in Jackson County. The previous state record bowfin was caught in 1988 and weighed 16.0 lbs.
There were 54 entries for 2009 Fish-of-the-Year, of which 27 were accepted. The smallest was a 12-inch bluegill caught by Abby Byrer of Warsaw in Crystal Lake, and the largest was a 50-inch muskie caught by Edwin Van Cleave of Chicago in Big Barbee Lake. |
Bill Hudock of Michigan City and Joe Tackett of Claypool tied for the walleye Fish-of-the-Year, each catching walleyes measuring 31 inches. Also, Chris Terry of Noblesville caught a 22.75-inch smallmouth bass while fishing a retention pond in Hamilton County. River fishing accounted for eight of the 27 entries; six came from Lake Michigan, eight from other lakes, and five from private ponds.
To find out more information about the state record fish or Fish-of-the-Year programs, go to www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3577.htm. |
Michigan
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DNRE to Take Walleye Eggs at Muskegon River Site in Newaygo County The Michigan DNRE will be on the Muskegon River below Croton Dam in Newaygo County for a week to 10 days beginning around the last week of March to take eggs from walleye for its hatchery program.
Actual dates will be determined by water conditions as well as walleye concentrations, explained DNRE fisheries biologist Rich O�Neal. The process will be completed by the second week of April. Crews from the DNRE Fisheries Division will be working off the Pine Street launch ramp, about a mile downstream from the dam, and confine their electro-fishing upstream from the Thornapple launch site, O�Neal said.
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�We have to work that area in order to get the fish we need,� O�Neal said. �It usually takes about a week.� The public is invited to watch at the Pine Street launch. The fish will be netted, stripped of their eggs and milt, and sent to a DNRE laboratory where they will be examined for health and body condition.
Anglers who wish to avoid interference by the egg-take operation should fish downstream from the Thornapple site. For more information about the DNRE Fisheries Division, go online to www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing.
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DNRE Examining Legal Options in Little Bay de Noc Gill Net Case
Five of the six poachers
allegedly are members of a Michigan tribe. |
of fishing in 1836 Treaty waters.
U.S. Attorney Donald A. Davis
announced that, because the U.S. District Court lacks jurisdiction, the
U.S. Attorney�s Office will not prosecute several members of the Sault
Tribe of Chippewa Indians who are suspected of illegally catching and
commercially selling walleye from Little Bay de Noc. Their office
claims under the terms of the consent decree, the Tribes have exclusive
jurisdiction to enforce fishing rules against Tribal members who fish in
1836 Treaty waters. |
Minnesota
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MN DNR seeks comments on Vermillion River project The Minnesota DNR is accepting public comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared for a project to rehabilitate a portion of the Vermillion River.
The worksheet evaluates the environmental effects from a DNR proposal to replace 3,454 feet of previously straightened channel with 4,555� of meandering stream, and to restore floodplain connectivity along 2,200 feet of stream to improve stream habitat for trout and associated cold-water organisms in the Vermillion River.
The EAW was published in the March 8 EQB Monitor. Public comments on the EAW will be accepted during the 30-day public review period, which runs through 4:30 p.m. on April 7. |
Written comments on the EAW must be submitted to the attention of: Jamie Schrenzel, EAW Project Manager, Environmental Policy and Review Unit, Division of Ecological Resources, Department of Natural Resources, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, Minn., 55155-4025.
Electronic or e-mail comments may be sent to [email protected] with "Vermillion River EAW" in the subject line. People submitting comments electronically should include name and mailing address. Written comments may also be sent by fax to 651-297-1500.
A copy of the EAW is available online. Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-5115. |
New York
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NY takes Action to Protect Aquatic Life The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released a new proposed policy that will add significant protections for New York's vital fisheries by slashing water intake at certain power plants and other industrial facilities.
DEC released its plan to implement "best technology available" (BTA) requirements under the federal Clean Water Act. The proposal calls for power plants and other facilities that use water for cooling purposes to recycle and reuse that water through a process known as "closed cycle cooling" technology. This will greatly reduce the amount of water withdrawn from New York rivers or other water bodies and correspondingly, minimize the amount of fish, fish eggs and larvae destroyed in the process.
The proposed policy is being published in today's Environmental Notice Bulletin and may be accessed through the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/animals/32847.html. DEC is accepting public comments through May 9. (Details on how to comment are listed below.)
"This new policy will produce significant environmental benefits," Commissioner Grannis said. "By requiring modern recycling technology, New York's marine resources will be afforded greater protection, including many marine fish species that are vital to the state's commercial and recreational fishing industries but are being harmed by water intakes."
A number of industrial facilities in New York use a cooling-water-intake system to withdraw large volumes of water crucial to their operations. Many power plants use a "once-through" cooling process that involves withdrawing water to condense steam that is used to spin turbines, and then |
returning the heated water back to the waterway. In contrast, closed cycle cooling technology re-circulates the water instead of discharging it after one use, reducing the impacts on aquatic life by more than 90 percent.
The federal Clean Water Act and state regulations require that decisions on what type of cooling-water-intake system to employ at a specific facility be based on the best technology available for minimizing environmental impacts.
Previously, DEC has not prescribed a specific technology to achieve BTA requirements. The proposed policy changes that approach by requiring the use of closed cycle cooling to meet BTA obligations.
The proposed policy would apply to nearly all facilities designed to withdraw 20 million or more gallons of water per day and that require a State Pollution Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit -- unless an operator can demonstrate that closed cycle cooling technology cannot physically be implemented at a particular location. In that scenario, DEC will require other technologies to achieve essentially the same level of protection for aquatic life as closed cycle cooling. Such determinations typically are made when an operator applies for, or renews a SPDES permit.
"With this policy, New York is saying that closed cycle cooling is the best technology available and must be implemented to protect the environment," Commissioner Grannis said. "This is a positive step forward that will result in long-term benefits for our natural resources."
The public is invited to comment on this draft policy through May 9, 2010, by sending comments to: NYSDEC Bureau of Habitat, BTA Policy Comments, 625 Broadway 5th Floor, Albany, NY 12233-4756. |
Ohio
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Coastal Acquisition Projects Receive Funding in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Public access to Ohio's 312-mile Lake Erie coast will be enhanced by $1.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. Acquisition projects on Kelleys Island (Erie County) and north of the village of Perry (Lake County) were recently awarded GLRI funds dedicated to the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program.
The Department of Natural Resources' Office of Coastal Management leads Ohio's Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP), which is nationally administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The program provides federal funding for purchasing lands or conservation easements from willing sellers on lands which are considered ecologically, recreationally, historically or aesthetically important. Once acquired, the lands are protected in perpetuity for low-impact public enjoyment.
"These acquisitions will provide new opportunities for local residents and visitors to Ohio's Lake Erie region by providing economic and social benefits that are balanced with the |
preservation of coastal treasures," said ODNR Director Sean D. Logan. "I applaud our local coastal partners for having the vision to set aside these areas for the public into the future."
Erie MetroParks is partnering with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy (WRLC) on the Kelleys Island Preserve acquisition, which was awarded $476,000. This money will be matched with cash and in-kind services from WRLC to acquire 18.5 acres of red cedar forest on the east side of the island. The property is northeast of the intersection of Woodford and Monagan roads, the later of which runs parallel to the east boundary of Kelleys Island State Park.
The Lake Erie Bluff Preservation Project, awarded $732,600, will be acquired and managed by Lake Metroparks. The federal dollars will be matched locally with Clean Ohio and Lake Metroparks funds to acquire 114 acres of coastal bluffs, beach and upland property along the southeast corner of the intersection of Blackmore (County Highway119) and Clark roads, and extending north of Clark Road to the shore. Lake Metroparks is working on the acquisition with the Trust for Public Land, which will first acquire the property from Shore Haven Land Company. |
Wisconsin
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Turkey Youth Hunt to take place April 10 & 11, 2010 MADISON � The fourth annual spring Wisconsin Youth Turkey Hunt is set for April 10-11. The hunt is intended to give youth hunters (both residents and non-residents) an opportunity to hunt turkeys and gain valuable hunting experience. The youth hunt occurs each year, and is held the weekend prior to the opening Wednesday of the spring turkey season.
As in previous years, youth ages 12-15 who have successfully completed a hunter education program and have purchased a 2010 spring turkey license, 2010 turkey stamp, and have a valid carcass tag for spring 2010 may participate in the 2-day youth hunt.
New this year, youth ages 10 and 11 or youth of 12 through 15 years of age who do not possess a hunter education certificate but who still have a current valid 2010 turkey license, stamp, and permit may participate if �mentored� by a
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qualified adult under the new mentored hunting program. Participants may only hunt in the turkey management zone for which their permit was issued, and may only harvest one bearded or male turkey total during the youth hunt. Youth who do not fill their tags, or who have purchased extra tags over-the-counter, may still use any remaining unused tags not filled during the special youth hunt during the original time period and zone for which the tags were issued.
A full set of regulations for the youth hunt is available in the 2010 Spring Turkey Hunting Regulations, which is now included in the 2009 Small Game & 2009 Fall Turkey Hunting Regulations. More information, including the criteria for a qualified adult mentor, can be found on the youth turkey hunting page of the DNR Web site.
For more info: Scott Hull: (608) 267-7861, Sharon Fandel: (608) 261-8458, or Krista McGinley: (608) 264-8963 |
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Hunters register 329,103 deer in 2009 Archery buck harvest up 19 % MADISON � Hunters registered 329,103 deer for the 2009 deer hunting seasons. This includes a total antlerless harvest of 191,715 and antlered (buck) harvest of 134,156. The grand total includes 3,232 deer recorded as unknown. The total buck harvest for all archery and gun seasons was down 3 percent compared to 2008. |
The 2009 archery buck harvest was up 19 % over 2008 at 41,402 making it the fourth best archery buck harvest in history. Archers accounted for 31 % of the total buck harvest in 2009. This was up from the 2008 archery buck harvest which accounted for 25 percent of the total buck kill. Gun buck harvest declined by 11 % last year from 103,845 in 2008 to 92,754, the 29th highest gun buck total on record. |
Other Breaking News Items
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(Click on title or URL to read full article)
Lake Huron
sinkholes harbor unexpected life forms
Specialist: Asian carp potential problem
County
rejects offshore turbines
Walleye
fever hits Maumee River
Carp
solution could provide financial benefits
Stabenow
spearheading Asian Carp control bill
DNR,
anglers discuss possibility of keeping Lake Superior steelhead |
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Lake Texoma, and have since spread
throughout much of the lake. Last month the mussels were found at four
locations in Eufaula Lake.
