Archive for the 'Conservation' Category

Sportsmen Dismayed by Overthrow of Congressman John Dingell

gengberg November 21st, 2008

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229

Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326

Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg R. Lawson (614) 888-4868 ext. 214

November 21, 2008 Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 ext. 226

Sportsmen Dismayed by Overthrow of Congressman John Dingell

Anti-Hunting Representative Assumes Pivotal Committee Chairmanship
(Columbus, Ohio) - The United States Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) expresses its dismay today over the news that U.S. Representative Henry Waxman (D- CA) toppled Representative John Dingell (D- MI) as Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Dingell has been a tireless champion of sportsmen issues for decades, while Rep. Waxman has a long history of supporting the causes of extremist animal rights and anti-firearm groups. Given the recent call by President-elect Barack Obama for a broad and bipartisan approach to governing, this action raises serious doubts in the eyes of sportsmen.

“Rep. Dingell understood and cared about sportsmen and their devotion to conservation,” said USSA Vice President of Government Affairs, Rob Sexton. “On the other hand, Rep. Waxman, an environmental activist, has consistently earned a 100 percent rating from the leading anti-hunting group in the country, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which has sought to use the Endangered Species Act to stop hunting.”

Among Rep. Waxman’s anti-hunting votes are:

* against allowing hunting, fishing, and trapping in the East Mojave Scenic Area;
* against the National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act of 1996 that enshrined hunting, fishing, and trapping as a priority use of wildlife refuges;
* for banning the importation of polar bear trophies and resulting in a loss of conservation funding;

Beyond his strong support of anti-hunting legislation, Rep. Waxman has also been a consistent opponent of Second Amendment rights. According to Sexton, “He has voted for nearly all anti-firearm bills in Congress going back to the so-called ‘Assault Weapon Ban’ and the ‘Brady Bill.’ Both of those bills were punitive and designed to prohibit law abiding citizens from engaging in their constitutional rights.” Continue Reading »

Future Fishermen Foundation Board Decides Foundation’s Future

gengberg November 21st, 2008

For Immediate Release Anne Danielski, adanielski@asafishing.orgExecutive Director, Future Fisherman Foundation, 703-519-9691, x 254

Media inquiries - contact Mary Jane Williamson, Communications director, x227.

Future Fisherman Foundation Board of Directors Decides Foundation’s Future

Unless significant funding found, foundation will suspend operations effective March 2009

Alexandria, VA - November 21, 2008 - The Future Fisherman Foundation’s board of directors is currently seeking alternative funding and donations to avoid suspending foundation operations. The foundation’s board met on November 18 to discuss funding concerns after learning a grant which provides significant funding for the foundation was no longer available for the 2009 fiscal year. If substantive and sustaining funding sources for its programs cannot be found, the foundation board will be forced to suspend the foundations operations.

“The Future Fisherman Foundation’s board of directors and staff are committed to exploring all alternate funding options,” said foundation Executive Director Anne Danielski. “Over the next three months, we are aggressively seeking support from endemic and non endemic funding sources, grants, and partnerships with new organizations within our industry that share our mission to engage youth in outdoor and angling activities.”

In a separate action, during its October meeting the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) board of directors passed a motion to suspend its core support for the foundation effective March 31, 2009. In a joint message to ASA’s members, Jeff Pontius, ASA’s board of directors’ chairman, and Mike Nussman, ASA president and CEO, said, “With the loss of one of its two grant funding sources, it was clear that ASA’s core support of the foundation was not enough to sustain its operations. With the financial challenges facing our economy, the board determined that ASA could no longer continue its financial support for the foundation.” Continue Reading »

Food Pantries Fundraisers

gengberg November 21st, 2008

Below is information about how you can help some food pantries that are in need once again.

Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry:—– Original Message —–

From: Tools of Marketing

Putting food on the shelves at the food pantry has become a mission for me and my girl scouts!

Most of you are aware that each year I bake about 20,000 Christmas Cookies with my sisters. This year, I am adding a 2nd weekend of baking and giving each of you an opportunity to purchase some of these famous cookies. Attached is an order form, I hope you will open your hearts and wallets to this worthy cause!

Thanks!

Marietta Reuter
Tools of Marketing, Inc.
E11328 Sauk Prairie Road
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
608-643-5463
608-643-5421 fax
www.toolsofmarketing.com

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Spring Green Area Food Pantry:

—–Original Message—–
From: Karin Miller [mailto:Karin@SpringGreenGeneralStore.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 7:27 PM
To: Karin D Miller
Subject: Music this Saturday

Hello Everyone,

Just a note to let you know we are having a special afternoon of free music at the General Store this Saturday from 2 to 6. Most of the musicians recorded songs on the CD that was released to benefit the food pantry. 10 % of all our food sales in the restaurant from this day will go to the food pantry also. You can bring in food donations too (see our web site for a specific list…. www.springgreengeneralstore.com

Here’s the schedule for performers:

2:00 pm Nath Dresser

2:30 pm Derek Miller

3:00 pm General Store Band

3:45 pm Jud Swenson,

4:15 pm Bruce Bradley

4:45 pm Mike & Lori Schmidt

5:15 pm Scott Stieber

5:45 pm Don Greenwood

6:05 pm Bob Dries

The music will go until around 6:30 pm.

Thanks again, for all of your support,

Karin

Conservation Groups Challenge Ballast Water Discharge Certification

gengberg November 21st, 2008

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation

Conservation Groups File Challenge To Inadequate DNR Action on Invasive SpeciesMADISON, WISC. (November, 20 2008)-The Great Lakes will not be protected from invasive species by an EPA permit certified by Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources, asserted the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation. The conservation groups yesterday submitted a legal challenge to the permit.

“Action by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources improves upon the EPA’s inadequate, status-quo permit, but it does not protect the Great Lakes from the threat of invasive species or comply with the Clean Water Act,” said George Meyer, executive director for the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. “We have no choice but to take this action to protect our lakes and our economy.”

The No. 1 way aquatic invasive species enter the Great Lakes is through ballast water discharge of ocean-going vessels. The EPA’s permit to prevent the introduction of invasive species via ballast water discharge has been opposed by conservation groups as insufficient to protect Great Lakes waters.

Each of the Great Lakes states are authorized under the Clean Water Act to issue water quality certifications that would impose higher treatment requirements for ship discharges to assure that each state’s water quality standards are met.

On October 23, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources certified the EPA permit while adding additional requirements for ballast water discharges for ships in Wisconsin waters. The requirements, although an improvement over the EPA permit, would still allow the discharge of invasive species into Wisconsin waters, violating state water quality standards and putting the Great Lakes at risk. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and the National Wildlife Federation have filed a legal challenge to the DNR certification in a contested case hearing before an administrative law judge.

“The bottom line is that under action by the EPA and Wisconsin DNR the Great Lakes remain at risk to invasive species,” said Marc Smith, state policy director for the Great Lakes office of the National Wildlife Federation. “The millions of people who depend on the Great Lakes deserve a solution to this serious problem to protect our drinking water, economy and way of life. We can do better and need to do better before the problem gets worse and more costly.”

More than 185 aquatic invasive species have entered the lakes, disrupting the food chain, fouling beaches and damaging infrastructure-costing citizens, industry and businesses at least $200 million per year. One new non-native species enters the Great Lakes, on average, every 28 weeks.

“The Great Lakes fishery is critically important to the millions of anglers that use the lakes on an annual basis,” said Meyer. “The unregulated ballast water discharge has had a devastating impact on the Great Lakes and has caused major financial losses to lake shore owners, and Wisconsin municipalities and industries.”

For Immediate Release:
November 21, 2008

Contact:
George Meyer, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, (608) 662-9374, georgemeyer@tds.net
Marc Smith, National Wildlife Federation, (734) 887-7116, msmith@nwf.org
Jordan Lubetkin, National Wildlife Federation, (734) 887-7100, lubetkin@nwf.org

UW Expert; Expect More Floods

gengberg November 19th, 2008

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
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UW expert: Expect more floods in future
Center for Climate Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison climate researcher Steve Vavrus says a changing climate probably will mean more precipitation for Wisconsin in the coming decades.Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic

Center for Climate Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison climate researcher Steve Vavrus says a changing climate probably will mean more precipitation for Wisconsin in the coming decades.

By Brian D. Bridgeford / News Republic

Emergency management officials stress readiness for severe storms

Overwhelming cloudbursts and flooding similar to those that struck Sauk County communities and southern Wisconsin in June could be more frequent as global warming trends continue, a climate researcher told county officials Monday.

Steve Vavrus of the Center for Climate Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison spoke before the Intercounty Coordinating Committee as the group met in Baraboo. The audience included emergency management leaders, government officials and interested citizens from Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake and Jefferson counties.

Vavrus said when he compares the amount of rainfall at the Madison airport from the early 1940s to now, the annual precipitation amount is up by about 10 percent. More importantly, the number of extreme rain storms, such as rainfall of 2 or 3 inches or more, have been increasing.

Extreme storms in which several inches of rain fall in a short time creates floods such as those the area experienced this summer, he said.

“For the real whoppers, 3 inches or more of rainfall in a day, we’re at the point of equaling all the previous decades combined,” Vavrus said of this decade. Continue Reading »

400 State Trail Officially Reopened After Floods

gengberg November 19th, 2008

Welcome to the 400 State Trail and thank you for your interest in the Park System operations!
400 State Trail:
• Became a state trail in 1993.
• It is 22 miles long (412 acres), located between Elroy and Reedsburg.
• This rail bed trail features wetlands and rock outcroppings along the Baraboo River. It is part of the “Bike 4 Trails” System which covers over 100 miles (bike4trails.com). The Elroy-Sparta, Hillsboro, and Omaha Trails all meet in Elroy.
• Major facilities include:
A renovated depot in Reedsburg serves as the trail headquarters. Bike
rental is available.
A separate 7 mile horse trail between Wonewoc and La Valle runs parallel
to the surfaced trail.
Wayside interpretive stops depict life along the Baraboo River.
Parking and restrooms in Elroy, Union Center, Wonewoc, and La Valle.
Number of Visitors
• Annual Visitation in 2007 was 44,775.
Economic Impact ($32.08 spending/visit day from Gateway Communities Report)
• Key local businesses supported by visitors to Elroy, Union Center, Wonewoc, La Valle, and Reedsburg include motels, B & B’s, campgrounds, gas stations, bike rentals, restaurants, gift shops and grocery stores.
• Community Events with strong links to the trail:
Hill Country Trail & River Challenge (a Triathlon) is held in September.
Property resources
• Operating budget: Supplies, utilities, services, and vehicles: $18,236
LTE staff: $9,880
• Friends Group has 12 members. / Volunteer Support: 200 hrs.

We appreciate your interest and support for the 400 State Trail.
Please contact Ron or Lenore at 608-337-4775 for additional information.

Salmon Sunday

gengberg November 19th, 2008

The annual “Salmon Sunday” event was held yesterday at Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire. It’s fascinating - the wildlife biologists explain their role and show how fish produce eggs and fertilize them. It’s something everyone should see (especially kids). So, I put together a short documentary and I thought you would be interested to see it.

Here’s a link to the “Salmon Sunday” video on YouTube (~6 minutes):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-RYSgPnqlY

Hint: click the “watch in high quality” link below the bottom right of the player for a better experience.

Please leave a comment or vote on the video to let me know how you like it. Also, please share this with your friends - the wildlife biologists in every state do great work and it would be good if more people knew about it!

Tight lines,
Joe Pych
Founder
Hooked-in Fishing Reports
http://www.hooked-in.com/

Restoring a Lake Decimated by Flooding

gengberg November 19th, 2008

Restoring a lake decimated by flooding
By Diana Newton
Rotary International News — 23 October 2008
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Hobbins (left) and Small at the launch of the Lake Delton Fisheries Restoration Project. Photo courtesy of J.B. Hobbins

Rotarian J.B. “Ben” Hobbins imagines the day when a fisherman trolling Lake Delton, in southern Wisconsin, USA, will turn to a buddy and say, “Let’s try Rotary Reef.”

The right to name a reef is one part of the fundraising efforts underway as Hobbins and Dan Small, host of Outdoor Wisconsin and a writer and radio show host, seek support for an ambitious project to restore fisheries to Lake Delton.

On 9 June, massive downpours caused the lake to burst open, its water draining into the Wisconsin River. Several homes, as well as the fish population, were wiped out.

Noting that Lake Delton is critical to Wisconsin’s multibillion-dollar tourism industry, Hobbins says, “I knew I had to do something.” Hobbins, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Madison, launched the Lake Delton Fisheries Restoration Project in late August.

“His work on the Lake Delton restoration project is an outstanding example of what one Rotarian’s service can mean for the larger community,” says Bob Dinndorf, president of the Madison club. “J.B. recognized how he could fill a gap in the project that could not be done by the Department of Natural Resources or other agencies.”

The Wisconsin DNR has said it can restock northern pike and walleye, but that it needs help to restock other species. Hobbins and Small established www.restorelakedeltonfisheries.com to rally support and raise funds.

As CEO of Lake Resources Group/IronClad Lures, a fishing tackle and outdoor products manufacturer, Hobbins has connections with outdoor enthusiasts and is optimistic that the broader Rotary community also will appreciate the project’s value.
Stewardship

“This project is an opportunity for Rotary to show leadership,” Hobbins says. “We can hold Rotary up to the world as a steward.”

Hobbins and Small hope to raise $300,000. Virginia-based FishAmerica Foundation, the conservation and research foundation of the American Sporfishing Association, has already pledged up to $10,000 a year for three years.

“If all of our [Rotary clubs] did just one small fundraiser–a fish fry, for example–that could really add up,” Hobbins says. “Everyone can be a part of the success.”

Hobbins learned about service from his grandfather, Delbert Forsberg, the 1963-64 president of the Madison club and a Paul Harris Fellow. Forsberg often brought home foreign cash and coins for Hobbins from travels he made as a Rotarian.

“I still have those coins in a cigar box,” Hobbins says. “His travels and that pocket change sparked my own interest in living abroad and in the wonder of this planet’s cultures and religions.”

Hobbins lived for 18 years in Europe, where he was active with the American Chamber of Commerce in France. He only recently moved back to the United States, immediately joining Rotary.

“Rotary goes hand in hand with everything else I do,” Hobbins says. “It’s internal to me to help, and our Rotary network is so strong.”

Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance Responds

gengberg November 16th, 2008

—– Forwarded Message —-
From: Steve Winters
To: Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2008 8:07:30 PM
Subject: Re: OUR river needs YOUR help again!!!I am Steve Winters, Vice President of the Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance. It is amazing to me that anyone would be allowed to pump contaminated water into any river in our state, let alone the flagship of them all, the Wisconsin River. Even the papermills upstream stopped polluting the river by the early ’80’s, and are, for the most part only pumping water back into the river that is as clean or cleaner than they pumped out. There should be no exceptions made for anyone to do otherwise, as the Wisconsin River is one of our most utilized and publicly visible natural resources. Sincerely, Steven Winters

Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) Our River Needs Your Help

gengberg November 16th, 2008

Dear FLOW members,Once again OUR river needs YOU to get involved in a Riverway issue. I am asking you to respond immediately to this latest threat by writing back with an email sharing your thoughts; whether you agree or disagree with me. Please contact Riverway property owners and anyone else you know who may be able to chime in on this matter. I will print out the letters and take them to the meeting described below on Monday. It will be great if you can attend the meeting in person also but if not, your words in print are very important. Please read the details from the experts, Dave and Jean, in the attached document and give me a call with questions and if you would like to car pool to the meeting.

Timm Zumm Co-chair: Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) 608-575-0325

My thoughts concerning the Crystal, Fish, Mud Lake District pumping into the beautiful Lower Wisconsin River:

This Lake District has had ample opportunity for years to try to get something to work and at this point in time should accept that some things are just not meant to be.

I have a great deal of sympathy for them and will offer the service of FLOW volunteers to help them relocate their structures or whatever else it takes to stop pumping polluted water into the river. It’s sad, but my understanding is they could have already relocated, using FEMA assistance, for less money than what they have spent on trying to pump groundwater. They may not have to relocate if they eliminate basements and put in holding tanks and grey water recycling systems.

I would not be allowed to put my boat into their lakes if I did not have the hull cleaned of contaminates first. They can NOT be allowed to continuing pumping anything but clean/clear/safe water into OUR River! The picture below shows the area near the Prairie du Sac dam where they are discharging green yuk. This is where my kids and dogs and I used to recreate. If these lake district people insist that there is nothing wrong with the water they’re discharging… then I would like to see them commit in writing that they will bring their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dogs swimming here on a weekly basis.
_____________________________________________
From: Sen.Miller [mailto:Sen.Miller@legis.wisconsin.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2008 2:15 PM
Subject: 11.17.08, Sen. Miller Public Information Meeting on Fish Lake

For Immediate Release Contact: Mark Miller
October 28, 2008 608-266-9170

Sen. Miller Announces Public Information/Listening Session on Fish, Mud & Crystal Lake

Senator Miller will host a public information meeting and listening session on Fish, Mud and Crystal Lake on November 17, 2008. The listening session will give residents the opportunity to express their concerns with the continued flooding and provide information about the action currently being taken.

Representatives from the Department of Natural Resources, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, Dane County and the Lake District will also be present to answer questions. All members of the public are welcome to attend.

November 17, 2008
5:30pm
Town of West Point
N2114 Rausch Road
Lodi, WI 53555

Senator Miller represents the 16th Senate District which includes Eastern Dane County, Southern Columbia County and a portion of Sauk County.

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