Michigan Boating Industries (MBIA) Shocked by Coast Guard damaging Ad

May 11, 2011, Livonia, MI - The MBIA is contacting members of Congress to share the boating industries outrage at the intent of the U.S. Coast Guard to launch a misguided and damaging advertising campaign that implies boating is dangerous when in fact boating has a strong safety record that continues to improve.

�Every year, millions more people participate in boating, yet fatality rates are holding steady across the nation,� said MBIA President John Ropp. �This also holds true for Michigan.� Michigan DNR reports show that through the years, boating accidents and fatalities in Michigan have declined steadily as boat registrations in this state have increased dramatically. There were 36 boating related fatalities in 2009 and, according to the April, 2009, Secretary of State report, 921,773 registered boats on file (1 out of every 25,604 boaters) compared to 88 boating related fatalities in Michigan in 1967 with 385,124 registered boats on file (when 1 out of every 4,376 boaters had a fatal accident). �Our industry has made substantial progress in improving and maintaining safety,� said Ropp. �We are proud of these gains � they are remarkable and the Coast Guard message should be to keep up the good work.�

Boating�s safety record is better than both snowmobiling and motorcycle safety records in Michigan. Snowmobiling had 13 deaths and 346,315 registered snowmobiles in 2009 (1 in 26,639 deaths according to the International Snowmobile Manufacturer�s Association) and motorcycling had 121 deaths and 269,669 registered motorcycles in Michigan in 2008 (1 in 2,228 deaths according to the National Highway Traffic Association).

Asian carp town halls held across Michigan

Forums to be held in Linwood, Alpena, Traverse City and Muskegon

Michigan residents can learn about the invasive species threatening the Great Lakes and share their opinions with state lawmakers at aquatic invasive species town hall meetings with members of the House Natural Resources, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Committee.

Committee Chair Rep. Frank Foster of Pellston, lawmakers and invasive species experts will be at the town halls hosted by Reps. Holly Hughes in Muskegon; Joel Johnson in Linwood; Peter Pettalia in Alpena; and Wayne Schmidt in Traverse City.

�Many people in Michigan have a lot at risk if Asian carp take hold in the Great Lakes, from residents enjoying a day at the beach or holding a fishing pole to business and industries that rely on the diversity of the resource for their livelihood,� Foster said. �It�s important that we listen to all those concerns and ideas to develop the most effective approach to protecting the lakes.�

The programs will also include presentations from the

Michigan State U, Michigan Sea Grant and Department of Natural Resources for an overview of the Asian carp species and to present prevention, detection, assessment and management tools currently under consideration, and there will be opportunities for committee members and other legislators to listen to public comment.

The first round of meetings will be on Friday, May 13:

� St. Anne�s Church, 317 W Center St, Linwood, from 9-11 AM

� NOAA�s Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Ctr, 500 W. Fletcher St, Alpena, 6:30-8:30 PM

The second date is Friday, May 20:

� GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute, 740 W. Shoreline Dr, Muskegon, 9-11 AM

� Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, 202 East Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, 6:30-8:30 PM

Residents unable to attend can contact Foster�s Lansing office at 517-373-2629; by email at [email protected]; through his online office website, www.RepFoster.com; or by writing to the lawmaker at State Capitol, Lansing, MI 48909.

Urban kayaking on the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail on the rise

EAST LANSING, Mich. � Think about kayaking in Michigan and one undoubtedly thinks about the pristine rivers, lakes and forests as a setting. Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU), however, say think again.

Though the Detroit River has a far-reaching history of industrial usage, a recent survey conducted by the MSU Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS) and Michigan Sea Grant Extension finds that the river offers much more.

Kayaking enthusiasts now enjoy an urban paddling experience among freighter traffic, skyscrapers and industries as the Detroit River emerges as an important natural resource and provider of ecological services and benefits to the state.

�The leadership and collaboration toward water trails and paddling sports in the downriver area is terrific and forward-thinking,� said Christine Vogt, professor in the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies. �This recreation and tourism activity can put Michigan on the map with all our Great Lakes and rivers in urban, suburban and rural areas.�

The two-year water trail survey, done in conjunction with the Downriver Linked Greenways Initiative, Riverside Kayak Connection of Wyandotte and the National Park Service, was conducted from July 2009 through December 2010 to learn more about people who participate in paddling programs on the Detroit River.

Respondents to the survey gave their opinion on whether they viewed the Detroit River as a desirable paddling destination. They also were asked about their spending habits when paddling on the river as a potential economic indicator influencing the Detroit Heritage River Water Trail region. The survey found that respondents recognized the connection between urbanized Detroit and the more natural downriver areas of the Detroit River International Wildlife

Refuge, Huron-Clinton Metroparks and Pointe Mouillee State Game Area, and concludes that the Detroit River is a draw for paddling enthusiasts.

�This survey has implications for coastal tourism efforts throughout the region,� says Mary Bohling, MSU Extension educator, Urban Southeast District. �As more coastal communities explore implementation of water trails, it becomes important to understand potential trail users and how to effectively attract them to a variety of recreational options.�

Broader marketing through social media and email discussion group lists has led to an increase in visitors from outside of Wayne County. In 2009, nearly one-third of the paddlers participating in kayaking programs on the Detroit River were from outside Wayne County. By 2010, two-thirds of participants came from areas including Ohio, Illinois and Canada.

With an increase in the number of paddlers on the river came positive economic impacts. Spending for kayak equipment was the most common expenditure that included small dollar purchases to larger purchases of more than $1,000.

�Our business has been thriving and growing as users realize the wonderful natural resources available in southeast Michigan,� says Anita Twardesky, public relations and marketing director of Riverside Kayak Connection LLC.

Restaurants and lodging were also popular sources of spending, showing that new paddlers are attracted to new boats and accessories as well as water trails where a day or overnight trip can be staged and enjoyed.

�Other areas of Michigan should be following the program innovations of Anita and Mary, and creating even more paddling opportunities,� Vogt said. �The research shows how natural resources and people are connecting and finding urban areas attractive.�

DNR seeks public input on plan to increase hunting access, opportunity

The Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture & Rural Development announced the kick-off of a 30-day comment period related to the Hunting Access Program (HAP), a tool the state will use to increase access to high quality hunting land in Michigan.

�Providing increased access to high quality hunting land in southern Michigan is a top priority for the DNR,� said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. �Increasing HAP enrollment addresses one of my top goals of getting more people hunting, fishing and enjoying Michigan�s natural resources. Providing access to quality hunting lands close to urban centers is a key component to attracting new and retaining current hunters.�

Last fall, the two departments received a federal Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) grant to expand the DNR�s Hunting Access Program. As part of the grant, the departments were required to complete a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), which determines the impacts a program may have on the environment. The Michigan Department of Transportation was hired to complete the PEA.

The VPA-HIP is a new grant program authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, which provides grants to states and tribal governments to encourage land owners to voluntarily open their land for outdoor recreation activities such as hunting, fishing, wildlife watching and other activities.

Alternatives outlined in the PEA include the Proposed Action Alternative and the No Action Alternative. The Proposed Action Alternative would expand the existing Hunting Access Program in southern Michigan, increase hunting opportunities for all hunters as well as youth and apprentice hunters, encourage landowner participation by

offering increased financial incentives and greater flexibility, encourage high quality wildlife habitat, and increase hunter

and landowner awareness of these new opportunities through targeted outreach and program marketing. Grant funding will also be used to hire a coordinator to oversee program expansion and increase DNR presence on HAP lands. The Proposed Action would not result in any land use changes, or disturbances to the ground or vegetation. The No Action Alternative assesses the potential effects of not implementing the proposed action.

The HAP was created in 1977 to increase public hunting opportunities in southern Michigan where 97 percent of the land base is in private ownership, and is now one of the oldest dedicated private lands public access programs in the nation. HAP provides financial incentives to landowners in southern Michigan who allow hunters access to their lands. Eligible properties must be at least 40 acres in size and payments are based on habitat quality. With the help of the new VPA-HIP grant, the DNR hopes to significantly increase HAP from 53 farms totaling 8,000 acres, to 100 farms and 15,000 acres.

�The DNR is excited to overhaul the HAP program completely,� said DNR wildlife biologist and HAP Coordinator Mike Parker. �As places to hunt become harder and harder to find, HAP becomes more important than ever before to provide quality hunting opportunities on privately owned lands. Funding from this grant will help the DNR reach the goal of doubling existing HAP acreage.�

The PEA is available on the DNR Website at www.michigan.gov/hunting. Comments may be sent to Mike Parker at [email protected] or at the DNR Rose Lake Field Office, 8562 East Stoll Rd., East Lansing MI 48823. Comments will be accepted until June 8, 2011. For individuals who may be interested in submitting property into HAP, contact Mike Parker via email or at 517-641-4903, extension 228.

Michigan Boating Industries (MBIA) Shocked by Coast Guard damaging Ad

Across the country, boating industry groups are shocked. �In these uncertain economic times it is incomprehensible that the USCG is using taxpayer dollars to push a new ad campaign whose only message is that boating is a dangerous activity,� commented the National Marine Manufacturer�s Association in a statement about the issue. It is confusing to the industry why the prominent message of this campaign highlights the danger of boating and the smallest message is to �boat responsibly.�

�We will tell Congress that they must require the Coast Guard to work with the industry, boaters, and a competent advertising agency to design an effective boating safety campaign that highlights the importance of safety and responsible behavior rather than scare boaters away from a safe and treasured recreational activity,� said Ropp. �These are taxpayer dollars at work and more care should be taken on how they are spent. Not only is this campaign misguided, it is also damaging to an important industry and a beloved American pastime.�

The MBIA is a state-wide trade association representing the recreational boating industry in Michigan. The MBIA membership is comprised of businesses which manufacture, distribute, service and sell recreational marine products. This includes facilities such as boat dealerships, various types of marine retail stores, marinas, boat yards, boat and accessory manufacturers, distributors and service companies. The MBIA also produces the Detroit Boat Show at Cobo Center in Detroit, the Spring Boating Expo at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, and the Boating & Outdoor Festival in Mt. Clemens, Mich. The Boater�s Association of Michigan (BAM) is a division of MBIA and serves as a voice for boaters in Michigan. For more info: www.mbia.org.

DNR Director tables campground closure order until June

Department of Natural Resources Director Rodney Stokes on Thursday tabled a director�s order to close 23 state forest campgrounds until the June 9 Natural Resources Commission (NRC) meeting. The order was eligible for Stokes� signature at Thursday�s NRC meeting in Flint.

Stokes said he was tabling the order to give DNR staff more time to work on two plans to keep more of the campgrounds open. First, he wants to give DNR staff more time to discuss leasing agreements with local units of government that have expressed an interest in some of the campgrounds targeted for closure.

Stokes also wants to give the DNR�s Forest Management Division staff time to work with the DNR�s Parks and Recreation Division staff on a joint management agreement for some of the campgrounds. He also announced that the Lime Island State Forest Campground in the St. Marys River near Sault Ste. Marie, on the list for closure, would be transferred to the DNR Parks and Recreation Division to

manage.

�It is always unfortunate when we have to close campgrounds due to budget cuts and low revenues,� Stokes said. �However, by tabling this order until the June NRC meeting, we buy some time to keep discussing options with local units of government and within the Department to keep some of these campgrounds operating this year.�

In May, the DNR announced it would be closing 23 of the 133 state forest campgrounds in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. State forest campgrounds are rustic camping sites located within state forest land � they are not state parks. Reasons cited for the closures are a 63 % reduction in General Fund support for the State Forest Recreation Program over the last three years and declining use and revenues.

For more information on the NRC, including agendas, past meeting minutes and informational memos, go to www.michigan.gov/nrc.

Wire clippers required for anglers trolling with downriggers on Great Lakes

MADISON - Starting May 15, anglers trolling with downriggers on Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters must have wire clippers on board that can cut their downrigger cables should they get tangled in commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions below the water's surface.

The requirement is part of an emergency rule adopted late last month by the state Natural Resources Board and aimed at better protecting sport anglers on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior from hazards under the water, including commercial fishing nets.

"This rule requires the boat operator to have wire clippers on board and easily accessible, which many anglers already do," says Conservation Warden Supervisor Chris Groth, who leads the Marine Enforcement Unit for the Department of Natural Resources.

"The most important thing anglers can do is steer clear of the nets and other obstructions," he says. "Having wire cutters on board is a small but important step anglers can take to protect themselves should they get into a bad situation on Lake Michigan or Lake Superior.".

Cutting any cable or line that gets tangled in an underwater obstruction is the only safe way for a boater to get free. Backing, circling or other attempts to retrieve the snagged

Walleye bag limits raised on two popular Oneida County Lakes

MADISON � The Wisconsin DNR announced it raised the daily walleye bag limit for sport anglers on the Willow Flowage and Lake Tomahawk in Oneida County. Officials of the Lac du Flambeau Tribe and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) notified DNR that the Lac du Flambeau had lowered their walleye harvest

Michigan Boating Industries (MBIA) Shocked by Coast Guard damaging Ad

Michigan Boating Industries (MBIA) Shocked by Coast Guard damaging Ad

Wire clippers required for anglers trolling with downriggers on Great Lakes

Walleye bag limits raised on two popular Oneida County Lakes

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