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FWS extends comment period on proposed changes to baiting regs Congress takes initiative away with threat of legislative change In response to requests from many organizations and individuals, and the very real threat from Congress to legislate the changes needed to protect the hunting community from federal harassment in the field, the USFWS has extended the public comment period on the proposed changes to waterfowl baiting regulations that appeared in the Mar. 25 Federal Register. The comment period will now end Oct. 1, 1998, instead of May 26. Earlier, FWS had rejected the many comments from hunters for a fair shake when accidentally hunting over bait and to eliminate the "strict liability" doctrine that prevents a hunter from defending himself in court if he is accused of hunting over bait. The new FWS proposal includes new regulatory language for accidental scattering of seed or grain from natural vegetation or agricultural crops incidental to hunting, however, no change was proposed regarding application of the strict liability standard.
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The "strict liability" doctrine means if a person is hunting in an area that a game warden says is baited, the hunter is found guilty on the spot of hunting over bait. FWS characteristically has refused to modify their position, and instead has opted to allow Congress to do the job for them. Comments should be sent to: Director,
USFWS
Comments must be received by Oct. 1, 1998.
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| Lake
Erie walleye, smelt quotas increased for 1998
LONDON, ONT - Ontario has increased the Lake Erie 1998 commercial walleye quotas by 6% and smelt quotas by 15%. Yellow perch quotas have been reduced by nearly 13%. MNR has set the 1998 walleye quota at 11.4 million pounds, up from 10.7 million pounds in 1997. Ontario's Lake Erie commercials caught 99% of their 1997 walleye quota. The walleye harvest was worth $18.5 million. Walleye
stocks are in a healthy condition in most of Lake Erie. Fisheries staff
are predicting about 30 million two-year-old walleye will reach the size
to be caught by commercials and anglers in '98. There are an estimated
69 million walleye in Lake Erie in 1998.
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Smelt quota has been increased by 15% to 15.1 million pounds. The recommendation for the increase came from the Smelt Advisory Committee, representatives from the commercial industry and angling groups. Although smelt stocks have been declining in abundance in recent years, commercials were able to catch 99% of their '97 quota of 13.1 million lbs.. The yellow perch quota was set at 4.1 million lbs.., a drop of 12.9% from the 4.7 million lb. quota in '97. Biological surveys in '97 show a slowing down of the growth rate of young perch, especially the large number of perch born in 1996. Also, perch born in 1997 are weak and will not add significantly to the perch fishery in 1999. Consequently, the situation will be closely monitored for possible adjustment in 1999. Whitefish quota remains at the 1997 quota level of 1.2 million pounds |
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| Implications
for recreational shallow draft harbors
Corp of Engineers budget cutting violates commitment The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) is planning a cutback in its program of harbor maintenance by reducing its budget 15%. Representing
a departure from the Corps' historic commitment to maintain harbors and
channels, the Detroit District, representing the Great Lakes, has already
realized a $5 million savings out of a budget of $54 million. According
to Col. Randolph Buck, the District Commander, further reductions may be
needed.
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The Great Lakes Commission estimates 750,000 U.S. recreational boats ply the waters of the Great Lakes each year, adding billions of dollars to the region's economy. The Commission adds "the harbors are essential to boating, fishing, tourism, and the local and regional economies of the region. The continued cost savings initiative begun by the COE will have an adverse effect on shallow draft harbors and smaller commercial ports, and the undermining of federal maintenance obligations are opposed by the boating and angling community and the commissioners of the Great Lakes Commission." | ||||
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