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Invasive Species Legislation Introduced

The National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005 renews NISA

Washington, D.C. (April 13, 2005) – Our nation's waters face increasing threats from aquatic invasive species, and today, Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) introduced legislation to reduce the risk of harm to U.S. aquatic ecosystems and natural resources from these invaders.

The National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005 would reauthorize and strengthen the National Invasive Species Act of 1996 in order to protect U.S. waters by preventing new introductions of aquatic invaders.  The bill provides for rapid response when new invaders are discovered, for controlling those species that are established in our waters, and for researching pathways of introduction as well as prevention and control technologies. 

Aquatic invasive species threaten biodiversity nationwide.  Moreover, estimates of their annual economic damage in the U.S. range as high as tens of billions of dollars. Once an exotic species establishes itself, it is almost impossible to eradicate and sometimes difficult to prevent from moving throughout the nation.  

 “The stakes are high when invasive species are unintentionally introduced into our nation’s waters.  They endanger ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and threaten native species.  Past invasions forewarn of the long-term consequences to our environment and communities unless we take steps to prevent new invasions,” Senator Collins said. “The National Aquatic Invasive Species Act of 2005 offers a strong framework for states throughout the nation to detect, prevent, and respond to aquatic invasive species.”

“The serious problem of aquatic invasive species costs the American public billions of dollars a year,” said Senator Levin.  “In particular, invasive species threaten the health of the Great Lakes, one our most magnificent and important natural resources.  This bill provides crucial protection for the Great Lakes and our nation’s waterways from these harmful organisms.” 

Senator Levin is co-chair of the Senate Great Lakes Task Force, and Senator Collins is co-chair of the Northeast-Midwest Senate Coalition. Representative Gilchrest is co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, and Representative Ehlers is co-chair of the House Great Lakes Task Force.  The Senate bill is numbered S. 770; the House bill is not yet numbered.

Wal-Mart to Fund Wildlife Habitat

WASHINGTON - Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, pledged Tuesday to spend $35 million compensating for wildlife habitat lost nationwide beneath its corporate "footprint."

Acre for acre, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it would buy an amount of land equal to all the land its stores, parking lots and distribution centers use over the next 10 years. That would conserve at least 138,000 acres in the United States as "priority" wildlife habitat.

The money will go to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a private nonprofit group created by Congress in 1984 to leverage federal dollars for conservation projects, including 312,000 acres in Maine alone.  "We introduced the concept of the offset program to Wal-Mart last year," said Max Chapman Jr., the foundation's chairman. "They were quick to say 'yes,' and Wal-Mart's leadership is raising the bar in conservation."

It's the first time any U.S. corporation has pledged such an arrangement, according to Interior Department officials, who will help decide which places to conserve. Interior Secretary Gale Norton said she hopes the deal becomes a model for other companies.  The action also helps Wal-Mart burnish its green credentials, just ahead of Earth Day on April 22. The company bought full-page ads in Tuesday's editions of at least 20 newspapers touting its new habitat program.

Wal-Mart has come under scrutiny over its labor practices and how its stores affect communities and competing retailers. Last month it paid a record $11 million to settle federal charges of employing hundreds of illegal immigrants. Wal-Mart also settled a Clean Water Act violation last year by paying a $3.1 million fine for excessive storm water runoff at

construction sites. It agreed to improve runoff controls at more than 200 sites each year where the company builds stores. In 2001, Wal-Mart and some contractors reached a similar settlement and paid a $1 million penalty.

"Wal-Mart thinks it can paint over its record with a nice shade of green, but that won't hide its true colors," said Eric Olson, an anti-sprawl campaigner for the Sierra Club. With a quarter-trillion dollars in annual sales, Wal-Mart employs 1.6 million people at 3,600 U.S. stores and 1,570 stores internationally.

The foundation plans to raise $35 million to match the Wal-Mart money, but said it would start off by putting $8.8 million from Wal-Mart toward a $20.5 million project to conserve land in five locations:

► Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana: Buying privately owned land to expand the refuges by 40 percent to 6,098 acres.

► Sherfield Cave/Buffalo National River in Arkansas: Adding 1,226 acres of bat habitat.

► North Rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona: Buying two private ranches with 1,259 acres.

► Squaw Creek in Oregon: Buying a conservation easement on a private ranch to protect 1,120 acres along a tributary of the Deschutes River to aid salmon and steelhead fish populations.  

► Downeast Lakes region of Maine: Protecting 312,000 acres around Washington County, including 54 lakes and 1,500 miles of river and stream shoreline.

Trouble at border: Customs agents warn Senate security gaps are 'critical'

Canada's border shortcomings include 225 unguarded cross- border roads

Gaps in Canada's border security are so severe that an airport accepts international passengers without on-site immigration checks, a marine border unit has no boat, a computer glitch systematically hides information about terrorists and officers at 62 border crossings are unable to link to a computer to screen incoming travelers.

These are among dozens of security problems documented by front-line border agents and presented behind closed doors to the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

Canada's border shortcomings include 225 unguarded cross- border roads; long distances between unarmed border agents and police detachments; the freeing of drunk drivers stopped at major border sites because they are not tested by police quickly enough; and large drug, weapons and cash seizures stored without any armed guards, the officers say.

A copy of the brief, several incident reports and other documents assembled by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers' union to push their security and safety concerns were obtained by the National Post.

"A mountain of evidence has emerged that clearly points to critical problems in border security," says a briefing paper presented on Thursday to Senator Colin Kenny, chairman of the committee, by the Customs Excise Union.   The revelations come as Anne McLellan, the Minister of Public Safety, is scheduled to appear before the committee to address border security.

"Canada has always been seen as a benign environment.... We don't have that benign environment up there any more. These issues should be addressed," said Dan Mulvenna, a retired RCMP Security Service officer who is now a professor at the Center for Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism in Washington, D.C.

Among the problems cited by the officers is the fact that Deer Lake airport, on the Trans-Canada Highway in western Newfoundland, is receiving international commercial charter flights from London, despite the airport not being designated  

as a Customs Service Site and not meeting international airport standards.

Other problems cited by the officers include Water but no boat

The Customs Marine Verification Team in Gananoque, Ont. -- in the 1,000 Islands in the St. Lawrence River -- has five officers dedicated to searching boats crossing the Canada-U.S. border and yet has no boat of its own, officers say.  The team enforces border regulations at more than 60 marine sites spanning 150 kilometres, officers say. Pilots of pleasure boats arriving in Canada self-report their presence and the marine team may then wish to inspect a boat or passengers.

There are 62 land border crossing sites staffed by agents who do not have access to CBSA computer databases, according to the dossier.  That leaves them unable to run live, computerized checks on the license plates and names for incoming travelers.    Concerned agents are forced to find an alternate solution: telephoning their counterparts at the U.S. border post and asking them to run the names of particularly suspicious travelers.

CBSA agents do not carry guns and rely on police officers to offer the only armed response to border incidents. The dossier says this offers inadequate protection to citizens and border agents.

Not all border crossings are close to police stations.

Windygates is one of 139 border sites in Canada staffed by only one officer.  The closest police station to the Wolfe Island port, which checks ferry traffic on the St. Lawrence, is an Ontario Provincial Police station in Gananoque; it is more than 35 kilometres away -- and then requires a 30 minute ferry ride to reach the CBSA, according to the dossier.

An independent job hazard analysis, done in 2002 for CBSA management, called for an armed police presence at six of the busiest land border crossings and in some airport search areas, the dossier says.

The six land sites named in that report are Ontario's Windsor Tunnel, Windsor Bridge, Peace Bridge and Bluewater Bridge; Pacific Highway in B.C.; and at Lacolle, Que. The union says the recommendation was removed from the report before its release.

View a carp video

The attached video is a shortened version of a video provided by Minnesota DNR. It will help you to understand the potential

problem with Bighead and Silver Carp. Click on image of Carp to view video.

Weekly Great Lakes Water Levels for April 15, 2005

Current Lake Levels:

All of the Great Lakes are 6 to 11 inches above last year’s levels.   Lake Superior is at its long-term average, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 11 inches below its long-term average. Lake St. Clair is 1 inch above its long-term average.  Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are both 7 inches above their long-term averages.

Current Outflows/Channel Conditions:

The Lake Superior outflow through the St. Marys River into Lake Huron is projected to be near average during the month of April.  Flows in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers are anticipated to be below average during April, while flows in the Niagara and St. Lawrence Rivers are both expected to be above average in April.

Temperature/Precipitation Outlook:

High pressure will continue to dominate the weather in the Great Lakes basin this weekend and into next week.  Warmer temperatures are expected and no precipitation is forecasted.

Forecasted Water Levels:

Lake Superior is beginning its seasonal rise and should increase 5 inches during the next month.  Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie, and Ontario will continue their seasonal rises and should increase 1-4 inches during the next month.

Alerts:

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.

Abu Garcia Sets New .U. S. Casting Record

SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa ­ Using an Abu Garcia 5500C3CT Mag Elite, Tommy Farmer of Team North Carolina set a new United States casting record of 839.25 ft at the SportCast USA Southeast Regional in Wilmington, N.C., on April 4.  Farmer’s record cast (equivalent to the length of 2.79 football fields) shattered the previously long-standing US record of 821 ft.

Farmer’s record-breaking cast came with the Abu Garcia reel casting .28mm diameter monofilament line and 125g sinker

(that's almost 4.3 lbs).

Abu Garcia reels notes for their performance and durability have long been the favorite of competitive distance casters throughout the world, with both national and international competitors favoring 5500 and 6500 Mag Elites or ever popular Abu Garcia reels like Ultra Mag.  For more about Abu Garcia products call Abu Garcia Angler Services at  800-228-4272, or visit: www.abugarcia.com  .

Things To Know Before You Need A Tow

Prudent skippers can prepare for breakdowns, groundings or accidentally running out of fuel long before the need for on-water-towing assistance arises.  BoatU.S. Towing Services, the nation's largest fleet of towing assistance vessels including the TowBoatU.S. fleet - located in ports in the Atlantic, Gulf, Inland Waterways and Great Lakes - and Vessel Assist on the Pacific Coast, offer these tips:

► Carry the correct size and type of anchor with enough line to keep you safely in one spot while you try to correct the problem or wait until help arrives.  The last thing you need is to drift into shallower water or hazardous areas such as shipping lanes.

► A VHF marine radio is the best way to call for help.  While a cellular phone is a good back-up - especially if your towing assistance program has a 24-hour dispatch service - other

vessels won't hear your call for help and you may be out of range.  Hail your towing service over VHF channel 16 or ask the U.S. Coast Guard to help you contact them.

► Give the tower your position by chart or GPS coordinates, nearby navigation aids or local landmarks.  Describe your situation clearly, giving the nature of the problem, your boat name, size, distinguishing features, number of people on board and other useful information.  If it is an emergency, always contact the Coast Guard immediately

► When the towing vessel gets underway, the captain will contact you.  Once you request assistance, you're committed to a verbal contract.  If you get going again on your own, advise the tow captain immediately or you may have to pay for the cancelled tow.

Lake Michigan Conference Update

Reports show No Adjustments to 2005 Stocking Needed

The April 9 conference on the status of Chinook salmon in Lake Michigan that brought together natural resources agencies and anglers from four states showed that no adjustments to the 2005 stocking plan for the lake are needed. However, Michigan DNR Resources officials said the situation in the lake will be closely monitored to see if stocking reductions need to occur in future years.

The conference attendees heard reports from different natural resources agencies and its partners that showed that alewife, the main forage for Chinook salmon, are on the decline in Lake Michigan, while natural reproduction of salmon appears to be increasing. Last year, 4.4 million Chinook salmon were stocked in Lake Michigan, and it is estimated that perhaps as many as 5 million more are naturally produced.

"The information presented at this conference showed that while the forage for Chinook salmon is on the decline, it is not uncharacteristic when comparing it to several years of data," said Jim Dexter, DNR Lake Michigan basin coordinator and current chair of the Lake Michigan Committee. "Prior to the conference, many anglers were asking us to consider stocking cuts of salmon this year. However, we believe they were reacting to the situation in Lake Huron, where these problems are more pronounced, and have been receiving heavy press."

Dexter said that since Chinook salmon stockings were reduced in 1999, anglers have not been experiencing reduced fishing success for Chinook.

"We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation in Lake Michigan," Dexter said. "The Lake Michigan Committee will take a hard look at this data and all future data to make the best decisions regarding objectives for the fishery and entire biological community. It is our long term goal to provide reasonable expectations for Great Lakes anglers while promoting native species recovery and insuring biological integrity in the face of nuisance aquatic species."

Dexter also noted that the public that attended the conference were supportive of the information and of the immediate plan for stocking and continued review of the management of Lake Michigan.

Many speakers mentioned the need for all stocked fish to be marked so fisheries managers can have a better feel for a more accurate number of fish stocks.

Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council President, Dan Thomas in his comments said: “We need to know what we have swimming out there. Nobody really knows how many wild salmon we have, but if a proposal put forth by the Great Lakes

Fishery Commission and Northwest Marine Technology prevails with a mass marking program - of all stocked fish - by all agencies regionwide, it will give us the picture we need to know what Mother Nature is doing.”

Thomas went on “We need to support the Commission sponsored proposal, a proposal the Council of Lake Committees has on their agenda when they meet in the next two weeks, get the funds to implement the mass marking program, and then crunch those numbers to get us the info we need to make sound decisions.”

“One of many advantages to using an automated clipping and tagging system offered by these Technology scientists is the ability to fin clip and/or CWT more fish, with fewer miss-clips and with higher, more consistent tag retention than feasible through manual clipping and tagging – and at a 40% cheaper rate.  The ability to clip or tag a higher proportion or all hatchery-reared fish stocked in the Great Lakes provides an opportunity – by using this technology to answer a variety of research and assessment questions. The Pacific NW States have been using this system for almost 2 decades with a great degree of success and virtually no mortality.”

“Potential near-term needs for use of this technology include:

   ► Estimating Chinook natural reproduction in our lakes to better estimate forage base consumption;

   ► Determining survival and growth of steelhead; and

   ► Determining survival, reproduction, and rate of return to stocking sites of lake trout.”

“This mass marking or AutoFish System includes the following benefits:

   ► It will gather Data that includes: number, size, clip quality and tag retention.

   ► It sorts fish into user-defined size classes,

   ► Each fish is measured to the nearest 1 mm total length,

   ► It provides count and measurement of every fish, and

It can Clip an adipose fin and/or insert a coded-wire tag in the snout of each fish at the rate of 4,000-6,000 fish per hour.”

Thomas concluded: “And it can do all this without any human handling of any fish, thus greatly reducing stress and mortality. It is in the best interest of State and Federal agencies to support the mass marking program as a unique and necessary management tool. It is in our best interests as well.”

The DNR and Michigan Sea Grant will hold a similar series of workshops focusing on Lake Huron and its fishery beginning Saturday, April 16, in Bad Axe. For info, contact Michigan Sea Grant: 989-984-1060, or go to www.miseagrant.umich.edu/workshops/huron-fisheries_wrksp.html .

Lake Huron Workshops, Meetings Scheduled April 16 & April 30

Shorter evening sessions April 13, 20 & 21

To Discuss Status of Lake Huron Fishery

The status and future of Lake Huron's fishery are the topics of a series of workshops being conducted in April by Michigan Sea Grant, in cooperation with the Michigan State University Extension Service and the Department of Natural Resources.

Registration form is included here.

Two, day-long workshops will provide in-depth analysis of some of the major fisheries and food web concerns in Lake Huron, while a series of evening meetings will serve as a shorter version of the daytime workshops.

 "The Lake Huron fishery has undergone marked changes in recent years," said Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron unit supervisor for the DNR's Fisheries Division. "The invasion of exotic aquatic species and the near absence of the Chinook salmon's preferred prey, the alewife, have greatly altered the lake's food web. These workshops and meetings give all stakeholders a chance to sit down and discuss these changes and the future of the lake's fishery."

The day-long workshops will feature the latest research and information related to the changing Lake Huron fishery. These meetings will be:

*       8:30 - 3:30 p.m. Sat, April 16, Franklin Inn Motor Lodge, 1060 E. Huron Ave in Bad Axe.

*       8:30 - 3:30 p.m. Sat, April 30, Oscoda Yacht Club, 430 S. State St in Oscoda.

Registration for the day-long workshops is $12 in advance or $15 at the door, and includes lunch. The workshops are open to the public, and Borgeson especially encourages charter captains, anglers and resource professionals interested in the future of the fishery on Lake Huron to attend one of the workshops.

Three evening meetings, which will be shorter versions of the workshops, also will be held. These meetings are free and open to the public as well. They include:

*       7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Wed, April 13, McMorran Place, 701 McMorran Blvd in Port Huron. Hosted by Blue Water Sportfishing Assn

*       7 - 9 p.m. Wed, April 20, Alpena Community College in Alpena;

*       7 - 9 p.m. Thurs, April 21, Cheboygan Sportsmen's Club, 13516 Seffern Rd in Cheboygan.

One of the major issues to be addressed at these sessions will be the future of the Chinook salmon fishery on Lake Huron. Borgeson said Chinook salmon have been naturally reproducing in increasing numbers in Lake Huron, with fish of wild origin now greatly outnumbering the Chinook of hatchery origin.

For more info, MI Sea Grant: 989-984-1060:  www.miseagrant.umich.edu/workshops/huron-fisheries_wrksp.html .

To download Registration Form click here.

Lake Erie Walleye and Perch Quotas set for 2005

COLUMBUS, OH -The Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission recently announced the 2005 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for walleye and yellow perch fisheries in Lake Erie, according to the Ohio DNR Division of Wildlife. The committee, composed of representatives from Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ontario, meets each March to set sustainable levels of catch for both fish species.

The 2005 TAC for walleye is 5.8 million fish, with Ohio’s share or “quota” at about 3 million fish, a sizeable increase from last year's quota of 1.2 million fish.

“We are now realizing the benefits of very conservative harvests on lake-wide walleye fisheries over the past four years,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. “The interagency effort to address population declines

in this popular game fish has paid off and now we are seeing the greatest numbers of Lake Erie walleye since 1990.”

Ohio's yellow perch quota is 5.4 million pounds of the lake-wide TAC of 11.8 million pounds. That amount is similar to last year's quota of 5.1 million pounds. “The yellow perch population is healthy and we are expecting another year of fantastic perch fishing on Lake Erie,” said Gray.

The daily bag limit for walleye between March 1 and April 30 is three fish, increasing to six fish from May 1 through February 28, 2006. A minimum length of 15 inches per walleye also remains in effect year round.

The daily bag limit for yellow perch is 30 fish year round with no size limit. Anglers can obtain more information on species harvest limits from the 2005-2006 Ohio Fishing Regulations available at any license outlet, or online at www.ohiodnr.com

Charter Industry concerned Walleye catch to liberal

Matta Presentation to the Lake Erie Committee

In establishing the TAC (total allowable catch) for walleye in Lake Erie. It is time that the committee uses emotion and common sense vs. science alone.  The sportsman on Lake Erie have traditional supported all efforts to enhance our walleye stock.  Most notably, reduced spring bag limits.

Our concerns in establishing the TAC for 2005 are 2 fold:

2005 recruitment;  We already know that 2002 hatch was poor, 2004 hatch was terrible, what we do not know, and may I say no one in this room knows what the hatch in 2005 will be.  I would like to play a what if scenario.  What if 2005 is another bust year?  What if Ontario exceeds their quota by 35% AGAIN this year?  What if Ohio takes their quota this year?  There is too much at risk.  The Walleye task force projections for the # of walleye in Lake Erie in 2005 is 42 Million (2 years and older)

Your own projection show that number will drop to 30 million in 2006.  Now lets look at a couple of the what ifs.  We could drop below 25 Million fish very easily.  That would take us on the Task Force scale for the top tier to the third tier. (Low quality fishery).  It seems to the sport Fishery that the risk is too great.  Wait 1 year, see the recruitment numbers for 2005, and then adjust.  We may need that 2003 hatch (record) to sustain us over the next 8 years.  We can not afford to have

that hatch exploited.  Last years numbers show that the Ontario Commercial Industry have already taken over 300K of the 2003 hatch.  The projections are that that same hatch will be the primary target in 2005.

That brings me to our second concern.  Last year, based on the numbers provided today, the Ontario Commercial Fishery exceeded their quota by 35%. With the current “Call in” procedures we question how is it that their quota was exceeded by such a high percentage.  If you are going to set a target quota, should you stick to it?  Is it possible to build a buffer?  I think our goal should be to stay under the TAC, not exceed it (or even reach it).  Again why exploit the current population by 26%??

The sports fishery has paid our dues.  Communities have had revenues drop dramatically as our limits have dropped.  The sport fishery again wants to error on the side of caution, and common sense, and hope that the GLFC will do the same.

See related article posted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

Capt Mike Matta of Matta Charters is the U.S. Advisor for Ohio sportfishing to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and is a member of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Assn and Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council.

IDNR Announces Plans to Update Floodplain Maps

Internet Availability Planned

Champaign—An elaborate project is underway in Illinois:  updating maps that illustrate where flood plains exist.   Such maps are used for regulatory and flood insurance purposes, leading to responsible flood plain management.  New maps are needed to reflect urban development, which impacts floodwater patterns.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources, and the Illinois State Water Survey are involved in the mapping project.  Congress has allocated significant funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize floodplain maps nationwide over a five-year period.     Many of Illinois’ floodplain maps are outdated—some by as much as 20 years and with an average age of 9 years—and often are based on poor base maps that do not reflect urban development.

The new maps will be available in digital as well as paper

format. Currently, most floodplain maps in Illinois are available only in paper format. The updated digital maps will use the latest geographic information system (GIS) technology. Already the Illinois State Water Survey is preparing digital maps for Clinton, Sangamon, Kane, Rock Island, and Champaign Counties in Illinois. Over the next 5 years, McConkey and the rest of the team will prepare floodplain maps for most counties in Illinois.

Ultimately, the maps will be available on a FEMA-hosted digital map portal. Until the transition to an all-digital platform, FEMA will continue to print and distribute paper maps.

“These maps mean we can plan better to avoid repercussions from natural disasters,” said DNR Director Joel Brunsvold. “These help identify areas that potentially may flood, so communities can plan building and development appropriately.  When we plan with flood plains in mind, we minimize potential damage from natural disasters, and we also limit situations that end up requiring legal action.”

Governor Announces Funding for Boat Docks and Ramps

Improved Access Expected to Spur angling, boating & Tourism

SPRINGFIELD-- Governor Rod Blagojevich last week announced $725,000 in grants to assist eight local communities in improving recreational waterway access.  The grants will pay for boat and canoe docks, ramps and other facilities used by Illinois boating enthusiasts.

“Boat access improvements are good news because they encourage tourism. Boaters are more likely to travel to lakes and rivers where there is an easy approach into the water,” Governor Blagojevich said.  “These grants are for projects that will help thousands of Illinois residents and visitors have fun on Illinois waterways, and communities reap the financial benefits of tourist dollars.”

Funding for the state boat access grant program is provided through revenue generated by boat and canoe registration fees and marine motor fuel taxes paid by boaters. 

The grant program, administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, can provide up to 100 percent funding for construction and improvements to public boat access facilities and up to 90 percent funding for land acquisition associated with boat access facilities.  The maximum grant per project is $200,000. Since the boat access grant program started in 1968, more than 400 local boat and canoe access projects have been funded, totaling $33.7 million.

The application period for boat and canoe access project grants is July 1-September 1 each year.  For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Grant Administration, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, or telephone 217/782-7481.

The eight boat and canoe access grants are listed below:

City of Brookport (Massac County), $92,200 to construct a new boat launch ramp into the Ohio River to replace the severely deteriorated existing ramp, to asphalt the access road to the site and to improve the aggregate parking area.  The boat access area is located off of Third

Street in Joppa. (Local contact: John Klaffer, 618/564-2351).    

City of Byron (Ogle County), $64,800 to improve an existing two-lane boat ramp into the Rock River with the installation of additional dock sections that will accommodate launching and

retrieval during low water elevations and to add a bituminous overlay to the existing parking area.  The city’s boat access area is adjacent to Mineral Street and Illinois Route 2 in Byron. (Local contact: Kathryn Hamas, 815/234-2762).

Village of Minooka (Will County), $58,600 to acquire 7.8 acres of land along the DuPage River adjacent to McEvilly Road on the eastern edge of the Village of Minooka.  The property will be developed in the future with a gravel access road, an aggregate parking area and a canoe launch.  (Local contact: Jim Grabowski, 815/467-2151).  

City of New Boston (Mercer County), $123,700 to renovate an existing boat launch area on the Mississippi River.  The project will extend the underwater sections of the ramp, allowing larger boats to use the launch.  It will also include the installation of new docks that will greatly enhance the ease of loading, launching and retrieving boats at the site.  (Local contact: Dennis Dixon, 309/587-8181).  

City of Newton (Jasper County), $50,000 to develop a canoe access area on the Embarras River in Peterson Park in Newton.  The project includes the construction of a launch ramp, a parking area and shoreline rip-rap.  (Local contact: Ross McCLane, 618/783-8451).

City of Pekin (Peoria County), $125,700 to improve an existing boat access area on the west bank of the Illinois River, directly across from the City of Pekin.  The project includes the renovation of the parking lot, concrete curbing along the edge of the new parking area, and the installation of courtesy docks to improve the launch and retrieval of boats at the site.  (Local contact: Lyn Howard, 309/477-2300). 

Pulaski County, $100,000 to improve an existing boat launch area on the Ohio River near the Village of Grand Chain.  The site is known as the Ohio River Recreation Area and it includes a recently constructed lodge and a campground.  This project involves the installation of a floating courtesy dock and a sidewalk to improve boaters’ ingress and egress from the river.  (Local contact: Jerry Thurston, 618/748-9360). 

Waukegan Port District (Lake County), $110,000 to improve the boat launch in Waukegan Harbor by installing four new floating docks.  The new docks will replace four existing stationary docks that were installed 19 years ago.  Since the time of their installation, the water level of Lake Michigan has dropped four feet making them virtually unusable. (Local contact: Duncan Henderson, 847/244-3133).

Canton Student wins Illinois Junior Duck Stamp Contest 2^nd year in a row

SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- Helen Schenck, a junior at Canton High School, won "Best of Show" honors for the second year in a row during Illinois' segment of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest, Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold announced today.

The 16-year-old won the top prize with her colored pencil and acrylic airbrush drawing entitled "Blue Water Blue Bills," depicting greater scaup swimming amid cattails. Her winning entry now advances to the national competition to be held on April 23^rd in Ocean City, Maryland. Her teachers are Marnie Eskridge and Jason Parsons.

"This competition continues to be a popular forum for both students and teachers,” Brunsvold said. “It is an honor to judge this contest. I enjoy watching the progression of many of the young artists, from when their artistic efforts are just beginning to the point it is obvious that they have a flair for capturing waterfowl in some type of art medium," Brunsvold said. 

The goal of the Federal Junior. Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Contest is to teach environmental science through the arts. Curriculum guides are available to teachers at no cost by calling (703) 358-2000 or by downloading them from the website at www.duckstamps.fws.gov.  Schenck’s "Best of Show" design was chosen from a group of 12 first-place winners in four categories: grades 10-12; grades 7-9; grades

4-6; and grades K-3. Three first-, second- and third-place winners were selected in each age group, along with 16 honorable mentions. For the 2005 contest, more than 550 entries were received from students enrolled in 80-plus schools. 

Schenck's work was judged a first-place winner in the competition among 10th-12th grade students. The two other 2005 first-place winners in this category are Kyle Freeman of Bureau Valley High School (Manlius) and Nathon Scheirer of Metamora Township High School (Metamora). There were more than 160 entries from 36 schools in this age group. Illinois' "Best of Show" and 11 first place winning entries can be viewed at ww.dnr.state.il.us/lands/Education/classrm/ribbon/main.htm

Judging the contest were Joel Brunsvold, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Paul Sutfin, Illinois Waterfowlers Alliance; Dave Ellis, Great River National Wildlife Refuge; Tim Julison, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge; and Bob Burton, Ducks Unlimited.

For her effort, Schenck will receive a variety of gifts and recognitions from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Waterfowlers Alliance and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. All students who place first, second, third or honorable mention receive ribbons. All participating students receive certificates. The annual contest is part of the Federal Junior Duck Stamp and Conservation Program, administered by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

City plans to build tunnel to send rainwater to lake

CHICAGO -- Last week Chicago announced a plan to build a storm-water tunnel connected to McCormick Place that would flush rainwater into Lake Michigan and lessen the burden on the city's sewer lines.

The tunnel would cost about $16 million and be built over 15 months by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, according to a city Water Department news release. From its starting point at McCormick Place West, the tunnel will discharge the water near Northerly Island, the release said. No date was given for the start of construction.

The plan is being reviewed by several agencies, including the 

U.S. and Illinois Environmental Protection Agencies and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, according to the release.

Conservationist's concerns are the tunnel probably will drain oils and other chemicals from the parking lots, as well as the fertilizers and other contaminants from grass and gardening areas into the lake.  This tunnel will dump unused fertilizers, contaminants and sewer runoff into the lake at Northerly Island.

We have never stopped Milwaukee from dumping their overloads in the Lake, and now Chicago wants to pollute the lake front as well.  This must not be allowed.