Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
“It ruins their day, their boat and their entire boating experience”
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – When it comes to recreational boating and the Federal Renewable Fuel Standard’s requirement to put more corn ethanol into gasoline, those that see its negative consequences the most are the industry workers that build, maintain, store or sell boats.
A newly released survey by Boating Industry magazine points to ethanol as playing an even “bigger role” in service issues than it was just a year ago, with a remarkable “87% of our respondents reporting seeing boat engine damage caused by ethanol,” said Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Sweet. The magazine reported that was up from 73 percent in the same survey in April 2015. BoatUS, a member of the Smarter Fuel Future coalition, hopes to share the survey’s findings to help change the broken federal ethanol mandate.
“Dealers, manufacturers and marinas are clearly very concerned about the increased use of ethanol,” added Sweet. “According to our readers, ethanol is playing an increasing role in causing engine damage and other repair issues.” Read more
The key component of the Glowstik is a one-touch battery operated red LED that is optimized with a fiber optic cable creating a consistent glow to the rod tip. This lets anglers see the strike.
Featuring a fiberglass blank construction, the Berkley Glowstik is perfect for big cats on the Mississippi or pier and jetty saltwater angling. Read more
Members of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission will be available to meet with the public Thursday, July 14, in Lansing. The commissioners will be at the DNR Lansing Customer Service Center, 4166 Legacy Parkway, Lansing, 48911, from 8 to 8:45 a.m.
Part of the commission’s “Coffee with the Commissioners” program, it’s a great opportunity for area residents to sit down with commissioners over a cup of coffee and share their thoughts, suggestions and concerns about Michigan’s natural resources.
“It’s important that we give Michigan residents every chance to hear from them on the management and long-term future of Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said NRC chairman John Matonich. Read more
Ocean color images from June 15, 2016 from VIIRS sensor on the Suomi National Polar Orbiting Partnership satellite enhanced by ROFFS™ that shows the discolored water from Port St. Lucie, FL reaching the western side of the Gulf Stream and being carried all the way north offshore of Savannah, GA approximately 270 miles (straight line distance). This is the polluted water coming from Lake Okeechobee that has been diverted to Florida’s east and west coasts instead of being sent down its natural path through central Florida to be cleaned by the Everglades before entering into Florida Bay.
The water appears brown off Port. St. Lucie and by the time it reaches the Savannah area it appears as a blue-green water. The change in color is likely to be due to the dilution by the Gulf Stream waters (dark blue). Other recent satellite imagery does not show this water as clearly as this one due to clouds and other atmospheric effects. This provides evidence that Florida is transporting its unhealthy polluted waters to other states.
From ROFF’S.com
THE ISSUE: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s gasoline supply for 2017. If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level ethanol fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into gas pumps and at more gas stations. Most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol, and it is illegal to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in any marine engine.
ACTION NEEDED NOW: Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging all recreational boaters to send a message today urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work with recreational boat engine and fuel systems. BoatUS offers a simple way to send comments by going to: http://goo.gl/yczkuK. The deadline for public comments is July 11.
BACKGROUND: The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise. However, US gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily since 2005 and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline. Read more
Wichita, KS — Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors announced today Cabela’s Outdoor Fund has awarded the organization a grant to fund the development of a revolutionary Digital Mentoring program delivered via the Powderhook app. The app functionality will provide hunters and anglers with ready access to Digital Mentors in their area. Digital Mentors who use the app provide advice and tips, making it easier for new people to begin, and helping people of all experience levels enjoy better days outdoors.
“Thanks to the generosity of Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors and Powderhook will be able to provide a valuable resource for new hunters and anglers through an online social support system,” stated Mike Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. “We are grateful that Cabela’s Outdoor Fund shares our vision and is lending their support to our efforts. We believe we can multiply our impact by adding a technology component to our existing programs, and expanding through an app in places we don’t yet work on a daily basis.”
According to Powderhook CEO, Eric Dinger, mentoring has been a hot topic among the 50 state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as leading non-government organizations, but solutions that scale to meet the demand for mentoring have been tough to find. “A traditional mentoring relationship remains the backbone of how we’ll get more people started in the outdoors. Most people reading this can probably harken back to their mentor, whether it was their father, grandpa or neighbor. But, being a long-term mentor to a single child or new person via a traditional mentoring approach requires a lot of time. We believe many people who may not be able to commit the time to a full mentoring relationship will be willing to lend an answer here or there via an app. Read more
Michigan United Conservation Clubs had its most important event of the year this past weekend in Big Rapids: our Annual Convention, where delegates representing our 50,000-plus members and 250-plus affiliated local sportsmen’s clubs vote on what hunting, fishing, trapping and conservation policies we will pursue, honor dedicated conservationists, elect officers and even improve local wildlife habitat.
New conservation policies adopted by MUCC’s membership (and their sponsors) this weekend include:
GW: Welcome aboard, Mr. Powell!
MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Ducks Unlimited’s (DU) Director of Communications, James Powell, was elected volunteer President of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) at their annual conference in Montana last week.
“It’s truly an honor to be elected President of such a highly regarded organization,” Powell said. “I’m looking forward to working with other outdoor media leaders to help POMA grow and reach the goals set out in our mission.”
Powell has been DU’s Director of Communications for the past four years, and has served on the POMA board for two years. As President, he will preside over all meetings of the POMA Board of Directors and act as the liaison between the Executive Director and the Board. He is also responsible for member communications, the development of strategic partnerships and oversight of strategic marketing programs.
“We learned at the board meeting last week that POMA’s corporate partnerships have grown by 18 percent, which is a big increase from previous years,” he said. “While corporate partners undoubtedly allow POMA to do even more great things, we’re certainly going to be focused on membership growth as well.” Read more
