Grants announced for 23 lake, river projects

New grants for the care of Indiana's water bodies this year totaling more than $890,000 have been awarded through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program, part of the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife.

The projects involve 15 counties and were submitted by local sponsors who commit to sharing a portion of the total cost. DNR's portion comes from the Lake Enhancement fee paid annually by boat owners to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. The grants allow for the completion of projects that would have been difficult for local organizations to fund on their own.  The new LARE grants involve biological and engineering projects, including design, diagnostic and engineering feasibility studies, and construction.   

 �When completed, these projects should improve aquatic habitat and recreational opportunities, and provide a positive impact to the local economy where they are implemented.  Several watershed land-treatment projects received funding to assist landowners with water-quality concerns near locally important streams. These grants are awarded to soil and water conservation districts that work with landowners to carry out practices that help keep nutrients and sediment out of lakes and streams. 

Several sediment removal projects were also funded to assist with dredging projects at publicly accessible lakes. These projects are designed to help local sponsors remove

accumulated sediment that interferes with recreation and public access. 

A list of projects by water body, county, project type and grant award follow:

Free beginner waterfowl hunting workshops to be offered this fall

Two free waterfowl hunting workshops will be offered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources this fall.  The first will be at Grouse Ridge Public Fishing Area on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. � 2 p.m. The second will be on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Monroe Lake�s North Fork Service Area, from 9 a.m. � 1 p.m. The same material will be covered at both events � there is no need to attend both.

The workshops are intended for novice waterfowl hunters and those who want to try waterfowl hunting for the first time. All ages are welcome.
 
�We had folks at last year�s event aged from 8 to 73,� said DNR waterfowl biologist Adam Phelps. �All beginners are welcome.�
 
Parents who already hunt waterfowl are welcome to bring children, but the material is tailored for beginners; experienced waterfowl hunters are not likely to get much out of the workshops.  Organizers hope to build on the success of last year�s novice waterfowl workshop at Monroe Lake.
 
�We had over 50 people at last year�s event,� Phelps said.

�Feedback from participants was excellent and helped fine-
tune the presentations for this year.� Presentation topics will include waterfowl hunting regulations; duck and goose identification; and equipment and techniques, including a show-and-tell segment. Waterfowl hunting equipment, including blinds, waders, clothing, decoys, gadgets and boats will be displayed and discussed at length.

�Despite all the equipment you can use, we stress that you can hunt ducks and geese with a minimum outlay, so we focus on what you must have,� Phelps said. DNR Law Enforcement and Fish & Wildlife personnel will be available to answer questions. Lunch will be provided.

Both workshops are free but registration for the Monroe Lake workshop is required; no registration is required for the Grouse Ridge workshop. Participants may register for Monroe Lake by calling South Region Law Enforcement at (812) 837-9536. Questions on the Monroe Lake workshop may be addressed to Phelps at (812) 334- 1137. Questions on the Grouse Ridge workshop may be addressed to Steve Mund at (812) 346-5596.
 
For more info: Adam Phelps, DNR waterfowl biologist, (812) 334-1137, [email protected].

Koi virus detected in Kent Lake fish kill

Samples taken from a June 2011 fish kill, involving an estimated 300 to 500 common carp from Kent Lake in Oakland and Livingston counties, have detected the presence of koi herpesvirus (KHV), which may have contributed to the fish kill, the Department of Natural Resources announced today.

"This virus is capable of large-scale common carp die-offs as seen in Ontario in 2007 and 2008," said Gary Whelan, DNR Fish Production Manager. "The virus is an internationally reportable disease, and it is being officially reported at this time."  KHV had not been previously found in wild fish samples in Michigan but was detected in a private koi pond near Grand Rapids in 2003.

KHV affects common carp, goldfish and koi. There are no human health effects. The impact of KHV on native minnow species, which are members of the carp family, is not known at this time. KHV disease is found worldwide and

likely was introduced to Michigan waters from the release or escape of infected ornamental fish.

"The disease is easy to confuse with other diseases such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia, so laboratory analysis is needed to confirm this disease," Whelan said. "While there are no treatments for this disease, the DNR is evaluating potential steps to manage it."

The public is reminded to contact the DNR when they see unusual fish kills at www.michigan.gov/fishing.

�This disease outbreak is another example of why the DNR reminds anglers and boaters that they need to drain bilges and live wells upon leaving a boat launch,� said Jim Dexter, Acting Chief of the DNR�s Fisheries Division. �Anglers should clean their boats, disinfect their gear, and not move live fish, to reduce the possibility of any fish diseases being transferred to new locations.�

Managed Waterfowl area hunt applications on sale to Aug. 28

The Michigan DNR is reminding hunters that applications for reserved hunts on managed waterfowl areas will be accepted from Aug. 1-28.

Reserved hunts are held both mornings and afternoons of the opening weekend of the waterfowl hunting season at Fish Point, Harsens Island, Nayanquing Point and Shiawassee River State Game Areas.  These reserved hunts offer a great opportunity for waterfowl hunters to have a guaranteed hunting spot on one of the first two days of the duck hunting season, at some of the best duck hunting areas in the state. 

The maximum party size is four hunters. For morning hunts and the second-day afternoon hunts, successful applicants must have appropriate licenses and stamps and be accompanied by one to three other appropriately licensed hunters. Youth have a special opportunity because the opening-day afternoon hunts are for those 16 and under.  Successful applicants for the opening-day afternoon hunts can have up to two adults who are 18

years of age or older with appropriate licenses and they must have at least one youth 10 to 16 years of age with the appropriate license.

Reserved goose hunts for the mornings of waterfowl hunting opening weekend are also available at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

Waterfowl reserved hunt applications, which cost $4, are available at all license agents or online at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings. Hunters may only apply once. Drawings results will be posted at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings on Sept. 19.

Hunters have an additional opportunity to get a reserved waterfowl license by applying for the 2012 Pure Michigan Hunt drawing. Each application is $4 and you may apply as many times as you like. Three lucky winners will receive a hunt package that includes a reserved waterfowl, elk, bear, turkey, and antlerless deer license. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/puremichiganhunt. Season dates and regulations have not yet been established for the 2012 hunting seasons.

DNR Offers Deer Hunting Workshop for Women Aug. 20

The Department of Natural Resources is offering women an opportunity to learn the skills needed to take part in one of Michigan's favorite hunting traditions with a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Deer Hunting Workshop. The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Detroit Archers Club.

Both archery and firearms deer seasons will be covered, including:

• deer hunting regulations, rules and deer health;

• deer hunting equipment and scent control;

• scouting and habitat � where to find deer and places to hunt;

• safety and hunting etiquette in the field; and

• caring for and processing game after the harvest.

The workshop costs $20 per person, including lunch and all materials.

The Detroit Archers Club is located at 5795 Drake Rd. in West Bloomfield. For driving directions and more information about the club, visit www.detroitarchers.com. For registration forms and information on this and other BOW events, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, email [email protected] or call 517-241-2225.

Feds move against suspected illegal fishing ring

ST. PAUL, MN. (AP) -- Federal authorities say they've moved to stop a ring suspected of illegally netting and selling walleye on two Indian reservations in northern Minnesota.

The U.S. attorney's office says the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led the weekend crackdown on the Leech Lake and Red Lake reservations. Spokeswoman Jeanne Cooney tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://bit.ly/oPxtWf ) no one has been charged in the operation, which also involved

the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and local police.

Tribal members often are allowed fish with methods such as netting that are illegal elsewhere in Minnesota.

The Pioneer Press reports allegations of illegal walleye netting have floated for years around Leech Lake and Lake Winnibigoshish, both of which are partly within reservation boundaries. Leech Lake Band members can net walleye for personal consumption only.

DEC seeks participants for summer game bird surveys

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Joe Martens today encouraged New Yorkers to participate in surveys for two popular game birds: wild turkeys and ring-necked pheasants.

�Science efforts that the public can assist in provide our wildlife managers with invaluable data and give people the opportunity to partner with DEC to help monitor New York�s wildlife resources,� Commissioner Martens said. �I encourage residents to take the time to record your observations of turkeys or pheasants while exploring the forests and fields around your home or driving through the state�s beautiful landscapes this summer.�

Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey

Since 1996, DEC has conducted the Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey to estimate the number of wild turkey poults (young of the year) per hen statewide. Weather, predation, and habitat conditions during the breeding and brood-rearing seasons can all significantly impact nest success, hen survival, and poult survival. This index allows DEC to gauge reproductive success and predict fall harvest potential.

During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age composition of all flocks of wild turkeys observed during normal travel. Those interested in participating can download a Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey form along with instructions and the data sheet directly at http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48732.html. Survey cards can also be obtained by contacting a regional DEC office, calling (518) 402-8886, or by e-mailing [email protected]  (type �Turkey Survey� in the subject line).

Monitoring Pheasants in the Genesee Valley Focus Area

Farmers in the 13 counties that comprise the Lake Plains of New York have partnered with DEC since 1945 to help

survey wild pheasant populations. The Department is pleased to continue this effort in the newly established �Pheasant Habitat Focus Area� in the Genesee Valley (portions of Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties). The focus area was created as a part of DEC�s recently completed ten-year management plan for ring-necked pheasants. The goal of the focus area is to concentrate the efforts of public and private habitat conservation programs to benefit pheasants and other grassland birds. Surveys like these will help in monitoring pheasant populations and in evaluating the success of habitat management efforts in the focus area.

Those that farm land in Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming or Monroe counties, consider participating in the Farmer-Pheasant Inventory. No special observations are required; just those made during your normal spring and summer farming activities. If interested, contact DEC�s Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 402-8886 or by e-mail ([email protected], write �Farmer-Pheasant Inventory� in the subject line).

Those that do not farm, but would like to contribute pheasant observations from Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Monroe counties can join the Summer Pheasant Sighting Survey. During the month of August, survey participants record the sex and age of all pheasants observed during normal travel. For a survey form, go to: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72543.html  or call (518) 402-8886. 

Additional information available on the DEC website:

Summer Wild Turkey Sighting Survey: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/48732.html 

Pheasant Habitat Focus Area & Pheasants Surveys: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/72543.html  

Citizen Science Initiatives: www.dec.ny.gov/animals/1155.html 

DEC Regional Office Contact Information: www.dec.ny.gov/about/50230.html 

Gerstman joins DEC as Executive Deputy Commissioner

Mctiernan To Serve As Deputy Counsel

Marc S. Gerstman has joined the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as the agency�s Executive Deputy Commissioner and Edward F. McTiernan will serve as the agency�s Deputy Counsel, Commissioner Joe Martens announced today.

Gerstman formerly worked at DEC for 13 years, leading its legal team as Deputy Commissioner & General Counsel for the last six years. Marc also served as the agency�s Deputy General Counsel & Director of Legal Affairs. For the past 16 years, Gerstman has managed his own law 

practice specializing in environmental, natural resource, land use, zoning, administrative and municipal law.  He started at DEC on August 4.

For the past 17 years, McTiernan served as a litigator with Gibbon, P.C., a New Jersey-based law firm, where he acted as a director and led the firm�s environmental practice group. In this role, McTiernan represented clients before federal and state administrative agencies and litigated complex environmental actions. McTiernan also previously held positions as an environmental scientist focused on site remediation. He starts at the agency Aug. 29.