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Symposium - The Invasive Asian Carps in North America, August 22-23

A Forum to Understand the Biology and Manage the Problem

Bighead, black, silver and grass carps are large fishes native to Asia.  They are considered invasive in the United States, and undesirable effects on native species are expected.  Bighead and silver carps, especially, have become extremely abundant in the large rivers of the central United States (See Photo Gallery), especially in the vicinity of Peoria, IL, where this symposium is located.  To see the magnitude of this problem, please go to our Jumping Carp Photo Gallery. 

Black and grass carp also have a high potential for becoming nuisance species because of their efficient and specialized feeding strategies.  This conference, to be held August 22-23 in Peoria, IL  is designed to provide continuing and public education on the biology of Asian carps, and to provide a forum for advancement of the most recent information on Asian carp management and control.

The symposium is sponsored by The Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA), Illinois DNR, USGS, Illinois AFS and others.

Early registration fee is $60.00 ($40 students) per person

before August 1.  After August 1 registration fee is $90 ($60 students).  Persons wishing to attend this important symposium are encouraged to register early as participation on the conference trip on the Illinois River aboard the Spirit of Peoria riverboat will be limited to the first 300 registrants.  Extra boat ride tickets for guests (including meal on the riverboat) can be purchased for $35

Headquarters for the Symposium is the Holiday Inn City Centre, 500 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria, IL  61606, (309) 495-6317, FAX (309) 674-8705.  Room  rates for the conference are $69 single, $79 double, plus tax (booked by August 1), ask for the Asian Carp Symposium room rate.  After August 1, room rates will as quoted by the hotel.

Asian Carp Management, Invasive Species Coordination Website  www.asiancarp.org/

wwwaux.cerc.cr.usgs.gov/MICRA/Asian%20Carp%20Symposium.htm   

"Invasive Species" & EPA Based on False Premise, A Private Property Rights Perspective

www.michnews.com/artman/publish/article_12033.shtml

Sanderson Narrowly Wins Rapid Fire Pistol Event

FORT BENNING, Ga -- Staff Sgt. Keith Sanderson, of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, squeaked by with the win today in men's rapid fire pistol at USA Shooting's Spring Selection Match on Fort Benning's Phillips Range.

Sanderson (Phenix City, Ala.) finished just one-tenth of a point above John Bickar (Canton, Ohio) in the first pistol event of USA Shooting's Spring Selection Match. The two have a

substantial lead on the next competitors going into the final stage of the World Championship Team selection, which takes place in June at the USA Shooting National Championships.

Sanderson shot a two-day total score of 1,529.7, whereas Bickar placed second with a 1,529.6. In third place, Staff Sgt. John Ennis (Columbus, Ga.) finished with a score of 1,479.4, after two rough days plagued by several gun malfunctions.

Next Stage of Fox River, Green Bay PCB cleanup funded

MILWAUKEE, (ENS) - Two corporations have agreed to spend $30 million on the expedited dredging and disposal of the most toxic sediments in Wisconsin's Fox River as part of a

legal settlement announced today by the U.S. Justice Department and USEPA. Office supplies company NCR, and paper manufacturer Sonoco-U.S. Mills Inc. will design and implement the cleanup project.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for April 21, 2006

Lake Level Conditions:   

All of the Great Lakes are 3 to 9 inches below the levels of a year ago.  Lake Superior is below chart datum and is expected to rise 3 inches in the next month.  Lake Michigan-Huron is at chart datum and is expected to rise four inches over the next month.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are expected to rise 2 to 4 inches over the next month.  All of the Great Lakes have begun their seasonal rises, but levels over the next few months on all the Great Lakes are expected to remain lower than 2005. 

 
Current Outflows/Channel Conditions:

The Lake Superior outflow through the St. Marys River into Lake Huron is projected to be near average during the month of April.  Flows in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are both anticipated to be below during April.  The Niagara River and St. Lawrence River flows are expected to be above average in April.

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.

Shakespeare acquires XTOOLS

Columbia, SC -Shakespeare Fishing Tackle, a leading manufacturer of fishing rods, reels, kits and monofilament announced that it has acquired substantially all of the assets of XTOOLS, LLC.  XTOOLS is a leading supplier of innovative fishing tools that float.

Scott Hogsett, the President of Shakespeare, said "The acquisition of XTOOLS gives us a foothold in the fishing accessories market.  One of the best things about this acquisition is that we can sell XTOOLS products to our traditional sporting goods retailers plus the broad base of marine dealers that carry our Shakespeare antennas."  Shakespeare will begin shipping XTOOLS immediately from their existing distribution center in Columbia, South Carolina.

XTOOLS' unique products and packaging are designed in 

cooperation with ROBRADY DESIGN of Sarasota, Florida. "We are pleased to be partnering with an industry leader like Shakespeare and we look forward to designing more innovative products for America's fishing enthusiasts," commented Rob Brady, Design Director at ROBRADY.

XTOOLS complements Shakespeare's assortment of quality branded fishing products and will provide a base from which the fishing tackle accessory business can grow.  Shakespeare also owns the Pflueger brand, known for high quality fishing reels, and the All Star brand, recognized for premium graphite fishing rods.

Shakespeare Fishing Tackle is a division of K2 Inc., a premier, branded consumer products company for Marine and Outdoor, Fishing, Team Sports and Action Sports enthusiasts.

Restrictive Gun Laws Pushing People Out Of Big Cities, Three States, Says SAF

BELLEVUE, Wash--The Census Bureau has reported what amounts to a "domestic migration" from three large cities in three key states, and the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) blames much of this population flight on repressive gun laws.

The Associated Press reported April 20 that, according to the Census Bureau, states losing the most people are New York, California and Illinois.  "This is no mystery," said SAF founder Alan Gottlieb. "Those states are infamous for their anti-gun attitudes. Countless times have we heard from people who have moved from those states because they wanted to escape the Draconian gun laws.

"The Census Bureau reports that New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles lost the most residents between 2000 and 2004," Gottlieb continued. "Anti-gun politicians and their restrictive gun laws have made it virtually impossible for average law-abiding citizens to get a concealed pistol license in Los Angeles or New York City. In Chicago, you can't own an unregistered handgun, and they no longer register handguns.

"Americans prefer to live where they can enjoy freedom and

liberty, rather than depend upon an oppressive, disinterested municipal bureaucracy for their safety," he said

"It's not enough just to have a job anymore," Gottlieb noted. "Americans are choosing to live where their families are secure and where sensible gun laws allow them to protect themselves and what's theirs. They're tired of being treated like criminals for exercising their civil right to own a gun. They're tired of taking the rap for crimes they didn't commit because gun-hating politicians are powerless against predatory thugs, or have sold out to political correctness, and refuse to crack down.

The Second Amendment Foundation ( http://www.saf.org ) is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 600,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

Contact: Alan Gottlieb of Second Amendment Foundation, 425-454-7012; Web: http://www.saf.org

Scholarships for Service members and Their Families

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Waterfowl Meetings May 22, 23 & 24

The Illinois IDNR will host three regional public open house meetings for those interested in Illinois waterfowl hunting seasons, limits and hunting zones.  At each of the meetings, IDNR staff will provide information on aerial waterfowl surveys, weather data, meetings with waterfowl hunting groups, and the results of the 2005 Illinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey sent to a random sample of 5,000 hunters. 

Those attending will have an opportunity to provide comments on their preferences for upcoming waterfowl seasons.  Public input will help guide IDNR in formulating recommendations to the Natural Resources Advisory Board.  The NRAB will meet June 29 to consider recommendations for waterfowl zone 

boundary changes, duck season dates, and season datesand bag limits for Canada goose hunting.  For more info, call 217/782-6384.

The public open house meetings will each be conducted from 3:30 -9 PM:

 ►  Mon, May 22 - Northfield Inn & Conference Ctr, 3280 Northfield Dr., Springfield (near I-55 and Sangamon Ave.)

 ►  Tues, May 23 � Rend Lake Resort, 11712 E. Windy Ln, Whittington (near I-57 and Ill. Rt. 154 at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park)

 ►  Wed, May 24 � Illinois Valley Community College, 815 N. Orlando Smith Ave., Main Building Rm C316, Oglesby (off Exit 54 on I-39)