• Higher Cancer Incidences Found in Regions Near Refineries and Plants that Release Benzene

• Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for July 26

• Fall Hunting Classic to begin Aug. 2 at Bass Pro Shops Stores

• Mepps Sponsoring Squirrel Cook Off

• Cabela�s announces Plans for four new stores

• Apply by Aug. 16 for fall special youth deer hunts

• Hunters sue to remove Sunday hunting ban

• Other Breaking News

Higher Cancer Incidences Found in Regions Near Refineries and Plants that Release Benzene

The incidence of a particular type of blood cancer is significantly higher in regions near facilities that release the chemical benzene into the environment. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. This and other studies like it will be critical to identifying and enacting public health policies to decrease or prevent cancer.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma has been on the rise over the past few decades as industrial production in the United States has expanded. Benzene is one chemical carcinogen linked to blood cancers. Working with Dr. Christopher Flowers and colleagues in the Lymphoma Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Catherine Bulka, MPH, used publicly available data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the US Census Bureau to analyse the geographic patterns of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases in the state of Georgia between 1999 and 2008. This group examined the associations between new cases of lymphoma and the locations of facilities�such as petroleum refineries and manufacturing plants�that

released benzene into the surrounding air or water.

The investigators found that the metro-Atlanta region, Augusta, and Savannah had the highest incidences of non-Hodgkin lymphoma even when controlling for population size as well as for age, sex, and race demographics of the local region. Also, the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma was significantly greater than expected surrounding benzene release sites located in the metro-Atlanta area and surrounding one benzene release site in Savannah. For every mile the average distance to benzene release sites increased, there was a 0.31 percent decrease in the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

�Our study is the first to examine the relationship between passive benzene exposure and the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the state population level,� said Bulka. �Our findings are limited without similar studies to corroborate our results, but we hope that our research will inform readers of the potential risks of living near facilities that release carcinogens into the air, groundwater, or soil,� she added.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for July 26

WEATHER CONDITIONS

The Great Lakes basin received heavy precipitation over the last seven days with 1.06 inches recorded as the average across the region.  Precipitation for the month is above average for the Superior, Erie and Ontario basins.  Temperatures throughout most of the region have been below seasonal averages over the past few days.  Significant precipitation is expected for the Superior, Michigan-Huron, and St. Clair basins for the next two days, with up to 2 inches of rain possible in northern areas by Saturday.  Thunder storms are forecasted for the region until Saturday and possible scattered showers throughout next week.  Temperatures are expected to be near their seasonal averages as the week progresses. 

LAKE LEVEL CONDITIONS

The water levels of Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron are 6 and 3 inches respectively, above their levels from this time last year.  Lakes St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario are 10, 13, and 15 inches, respectively, above their levels of a year ago.  Over the next month, Lake Superior is forecasted to rise 1 inch and Michigan-Huron is forecasted to remain near its current level.  Lake St. Clair is expected to fall 4 inches over the next month while lakes Erie and Ontario are predicted to fall 4 and 5 inches respectively. 

FORECASTED MONTHLY OUTFLOWS/CHANNEL CONDITIONS

Lake Superior�s outflow through the St. Marys River is projected to be below average for the month of July.  Lake Huron�s outflow into the St. Clair River and the outflow from Lake St. Clair into the Detroit River are

also expected to be below average throughout the month of July.  Lake Erie�s outflow through the Niagara River is predicted to be near average and the outflow of Lake Ontario into the St. Lawrence River is expected to be below average in July.

ALERTS

Official records are based on monthly average water levels and not daily water levels.  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. 

Fall Hunting Classic to begin Aug. 2 at Bass Pro Shops Stores

free event throughout U.S. and Canada helps hunters prepare for upcoming seasons.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. �The Fall Hunting Classic, held at 54 Bass Pro Shops stores throughout the U.S. and Canada, is set for Aug. 2 to Aug. 18, 2013. This annual event provides hunters with opportunities to attend free seminars led by nationally recognized professional hunters, take advantage of special offers, and enter a sweepstakes to win the �Once in a Lifetime Hunting Trip.�

�The Fall Hunting Classics are a popular tradition at Bass Pro Shops,� said Tammy Sapp, Bass Pro Shops� communications director. �For more than 20 years now, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts have attended this free event to learn how they can be more successful in the field while staying safe and comfortable with appropriate clothing and gear. Hunters also love to get a firsthand look at all the latest products.�

Many sportsmen and sportswomen look forward to the event all year long. This 17-day event is expected to attract more than 100,000 people to each store. Stores not participating in this event include locations in Miami, Fla., Islamorada, Fla., Branson, Mo., and the outlet store in Springfield, Mo.

During the Fall Hunting Classic, nationally recognized professional hunters, local pros and outdoorsmen and women will be at stores to give seminars and talk about their experiences.  Some of the seminar topics will include using game scents and calls effectively; tactics for hunting deer, waterfowl or predators; choosing the appropriate optics; tips for game camera placement; and transporting and processing game.  (Check local store listings for pros, topics, dates and times).

Other special events are listed below:
� Aug. 2-4--Bass Pro Shops Hunting University. Attend free classes taught by top pros.
� Aug. 2-7--Bow/Crossbow Trade-In.  Trade in an old bow/crossbow and save.
� Aug. 8-13--Scope Trade-In.  Need a new scope?  Trade in the old one and save on a new one.
� Aug. 14-18--Binocular and Rangefinder Trade-In.  Trade in an old pair of binoculars and/or rangefinders and save on any new binocular and/or rangefinder purchase. See a store associate for details on all trade-in offers.
� Aug. 17-18� Next Generation Weekend�Noon-5 p.m.  On Target Challenge!  In cooperation with Daisy�, youth can learn 10 safety tips

and the basics for safe, fun and accurate BB shooting at the Bass Pro
Shops/Daisy BB shooting range. Seminars are Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Other activities include an archery range and coloring a wooden cutout turkey or deer craft (while supplies last).   Plus, the first 100 kids to complete the activities each day receive a free collapsible water bottle (while supplies).

� Aug. 17-18 �Free Photo Download�Noon-5 p.m.  Kids can get a free photo download and an On Target certificate for completing the BB shooting range and archery activities.

In addition, customers will be able to register Aug. 2 through Aug.18 for a sweepstakes to win the �Once in a Lifetime Hunting Trip� for themselves and seven guests to Broadfield � a Sea Island Sporting Club and Lodge in Georgia.  The prize package has an approximate $19,000.00 retail value.  Visit http://www.basspro.com/classic for details** 

�Hunting is an activity that brings families together and allows them to spend quality time in the outdoors. We love knowing that Bass Pro Shops plays a role in passing this family tradition down from one generation to the next,� said Sapp. �It is vitally important that today�s youth get involved in the outdoors so they can gain the knowledge needed to become the future stewards of our natural resources and support conservation.�

Hunters have always been and continue to be the largest contributors to wildlife conservation through the hunting licenses, tags and stamps they buy.

Another important  source of funding for state wildlife conservation efforts are the excise taxes sportsmen and women pay on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. Through that program, sportsmen and women have contributed more than $7 billion to conservation. Those dollars combined with hunting license fees provide more than 75 percent of the funding for most state fish and wildlife agencies. Sportsmen and women contribute nearly $8 million to conservation every day through license fees, stamps, permits, excise taxes, and contributions to conservation groups.

The Fall Hunting Classic is just one of many free family events that Bass Pro Shops stores offer throughout the year.  The Spring Fishing Classic, �Go Outdoors,� Halloween and Easter events along with special nostalgic events such as �Santa�s Wonderland� and �Family Summer Camp� offer families a way to reconnect with life�s simpler times and create new traditions and memories to treasure for a lifetime.

For more information on the free Bass Pro Shops Fall Hunting Classic go to http://www.basspro.com/classic

Mepps sponsoring Squirrel cook off

Whoever is crowned Squirrels Unlimited Squirrel Cook Off World Champion September 7 in Bentonville, Arkansas is going to be $500 richer thanks to Mepps the world�s largest recycler of squirrel tails.

"We are pleased to sponsor the Cook Off," Jim Martinsen, Mepps spokesperson said." In fact, it was a no-brainer for us. We were 'in' as soon as we were contacted by Joe Wilson, president of Squirrels Unlimited."

While this isn't the first year for Squirrels Unlimited to host a Squirrel Cook Off, it is the first year it will be crowning a World Champion. "The Cook Off is going extremely well with teams from coast-to-coast, signed-up to compete," Wilson has commented. "This year�s event will be aired on television as well." For details visit: http://www.squirrelcookoff.com/

All of the hunters participating in the Cook Off will be donating their

squirrel tails to Mepps, and the hunter who donates the most tails will

receive a special Mepps squirrel tail dressed six-lure variety kit. Mepps has been buying fox, black, and grey squirrel tails for more than three decades, and will pay from 16-cents to 25-cents each for tails, depending on quality and quantity. The cash value is doubled if the tails are traded for Mepps lures.

"Hundreds of other materials, both natural and synthetic, have been tested," Martinsen notes, "but few materials work as well. Mepps is only interested in recycling tails taken from squirrels that have been harvested for the table," he stresses. "We do not advocate taking squirrels strictly for their tails."

Details on the Mepps squirrel tail recycling program can be found at: www.mepps.com/squirrels. Interested hunters can also call:  800-679-3474. Mepps, 626 Center St., Antigo, WI 54409-2496.

Cabela�s announces Plans for four new stores

Two Stores to Open in Georgia; Others to open in Montana and Canada

SIDNEY, Neb. (July 25, 2013) � Cabela�s plans to expand to four new

markets in 2014 � Acworth, Ga.; Augusta, Ga.; Missoula, Mont.; and Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Store openings will be next year.

Hunters sue to remove Sunday hunting ban

Hunters United for Sunday Hunting (HUSH) has filed suit in federal court against the Pennsylvania Game Commission to remove that state's Sunday hunting ban on the grounds that the ban violates constitutional rights.

In the suit filed in U.S. Middle District Court, the Lancaster County-based

sportsmen's group contends that the ban, which dates back to colonial days, violates federal and state protections of the right to bear arms and freedom of religion. HUSH is seeking an order permanently barring the state from enforcing the Sunday hunting prohibition.

(Click on title or URL to read full article)

Man sues IGFA over $1M prize

Rodney Ply, 41, of Diamond City, Ark., who entered the "Hook-a-Million" contest and caught a record 68 lb striped bass sued the International Game Fish Association for denying him a $1 million prize in their contest. The IGFA had offered a $1 million prize for any angler who caught a fish that broke a world record using a Mustad-brand hook. Mustad promoted the contest but is not named as a defendant.

Keeping Asian carp out of Great Lakes will require more than new plan offers
Though it is being rolled out as "an unprecedented and comprehensive set of actions" to keep the Great Lakes from being colonized by Asian carp, the updated national strategy is more a continuation of measures that could be described fairly as partial, stopgap and long overdue.

$51.2 million federal plan offered to protect Great Lakes from Asian Carp
Obama's administration unveiled the federal government's latest efforts on Wednesday to protect the Great Lakes from the Asian carp, including an upgrade of an electronic barrier in Illinois and an Indiana project that would serve as a buffer between the Mississippi River basin and the lakes.

Great Lakes bill introduced
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter and a bipartisan group of lawmakers have introduced a bill to clean up the Great Lakes, addressing invasive species problems, coordinating protection and restoration efforts and gathering groups with an interest in the Great Lakes

Feds update plan to protect Great Lakes from carp
A federal plan for keeping hungry Asian carp from reaching the valuable fish populations of the Great Lakes calls for reinforcing electrical and other barriers and for field-testing other methods, including the use of water guns and hormonal fish love potions.

Big Sis� Shockingly Dirty Secrets go Public

Rutherford Institute President John Whitehead, a constitutional attorney and author of �A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State� said the Napolitano legacy of reducing freedom in America started in early 2009 when her department issued a report listing returning soldiers as one of the greatest threats to American security.  

How to launch a boat: Many don't follow the etiquette rules, and it's causing 'ramp rage'
"Ramp rage" is sweeping the shoreline of Lake Erie and many of the popular Northeast Ohio reservoirs, a state of frustration brought on by unnecessarily long waits at local launch ramps.

Gov. Quinn signs bill cracking down on drunken boating

The bill ensures anyone operating a motorboat involved in an accident involving serious injury or death must consent to the chemical testing of their blood, breath or urine to determine blood-alcohol or drug content. Those who refuse testing, test positive for drugs or exceed the legal blood-alcohol content limit, face