WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have proposed removal of Clean Water Act protections for ephemeral streams and intermittent streams and their wetlands.

Such waterways flow in response to rain and wet seasons, and, according to the EPA, comprise 59 percent of all streams in the Lower 48 states; including 81 percent of waterways in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.

The proposed change would remove environmental protections for many wetlands associated with these waterways, reserving protections only for ephemeral and intermittent wetlands connected to other waters covered by the Clean Water Act.

Passed in 1972, the Clean Water Act is intended to maintain “chemical, physical, and biological integrity of our nation’s waters.”

Disregarding research

“This disregards the EPA’s own research that shows wetlands and ephemeral and intermittent streams—even those that lack surface connection—provide important biological and chemical functions that affect downstream waters,” maintains the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP).

Tuesday, active EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler denied that research. Read more

This from MUCC…

Good morning, MUCC friends, followers and family.

Just before 2 a.m. this morning, the Michigan House of Representatives concurred on minor amendments to House Bill 5321, which would prohibit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources from issuing any sterilization permits to municipalities for game species, which now heads to Gov. Snyder’s desk.

For more than a year, Michigan United Conservation Clubs has worked on this legislation with bill sponsor Rep. Triston Cole, R-Mancelona. This bill puts in a place a four-year moratorium on sterilization permits being issued to Michigan municipalities in response to the current white-tailed deer sterilization efforts in Ann Arbor.

Per a Detroit Free Press article this morning by Kathleen Gray:

“Why do we need deer sterilization in the first place when we have sportsmen who are fully capable of managing our deer species,” Cole said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for urban residents to learn about quality deer management and the benefits of hunting to the entire state.”

This bill would allow the “research permit” granted to the city of Ann Arbor to run its course; however, no sterilization permits to Ann Arbor or any other city will be issued until at least April 1, 2022, giving the Natural Resources Commission, Legislature, and DNR time to study the effectiveness of the current project and determine if there are more suitable ways to manage urban deer herds.

Michigan United Conservation Clubs Deputy Director Amy Trotter said this is a victory for sportsmen and women across the state.

“MUCC firmly believes that the proper management of game species in Michigan belongs to its citizens who pay, through licensing dollars and other methods, to manage these species,” Trotter said. “We have worked this bill hard since its inception, and the passage of this bill to the governor’s desk is a testament to the grassroots process and engagement that MUCC brings to the table.”

MUCC would like to thank all of you who called your representatives, sat in on hearings and helped to spread the word about this bill. It is because of you that our game species in Michigan have the chance to remain protected from sterilization and under the management of Michigan hunters.

Yours in conservation,

Nick Green, Public Information Officer

For questions or comments, please email MUCC Deputy Director Amy Trotter at atrotter@mucc.org or Public Information Officer Nick Green at ngreen@mucc.org.

MISSOULA, MT – The group behind the creation of North America’s system of conservation – the Boone and Crockett Club – applauds the passage of the new Farm Bill, which includes several critical conservation and forest management provisions.

“The Club has been closely involved with the Farm Bill since the early 1990s,” said James L. Cummins, co-chairman of the Boone and Crockett Club’s Conservation Policy Committee. “We are especially pleased that this new bill includes key conservation measures for forest, grassland, wetland and other wildlife habitats.” Read more

Last week, representatives of the DNR, Pheasants Forever and several other groups gathered at Maple River State Game Area (which stretches through Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties) to launch the Adopt-A-Game-Area program and dedicate a kiosk recognizing sponsors of the game area.

This new program encourages individuals and organizations to sponsor grassland habitat projects on the state-managed lands they use and value. Maple River is the first to be sponsored.

“Grasslands give important benefits to both wildlife and people. In addition to providing habitat and food resources for many wildlife species, grasslands also improve water and air quality,” said Al Stewart, DNR upland game bird specialist. “Plus, grassland areas are simply stunning to view in mid- to late summer when the prairie wildflowers are in full bloom.”

Stewart said that grassland pollinators, like bees and monarch butterflies, help to pollinate crops that keep the country fed. “Without grasslands, we’d be in real trouble,” he said. Throughout Michigan, grasslands are being converted to agriculture and development and now are one of the rarest habitat types in the world.

The new Adopt-a-Game-Area program is a partnership between the DNR, Pheasants Forever and the Hal and Jean Glassen Foundation. Expanded support of this program, through sponsorships, will provide valuable nesting, brood-rearing, foraging and winter habitat for a wide range of wildlife including deer, turkeys, pheasants, ducks, cottontail rabbits, songbirds and pollinators. Read more

MISSOULA, Mont. – The Boone and Crockett Club today announced that it has released a new position statement on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The position affirms the best way to prevent CWD introduction and establishment is to prohibit all human-assisted live cervid movements.

“The Club has been closely involved with ongoing research about CWD,” said Dr. Josh Millspaugh, Boone and Crockett Professor of Wildlife Conservation at the University of Montana. “With what we know today about how this deadly disease is transmitted and the potential for introduction to new areas, we urge states to adopt the conclusions, recommendations and Best Management Practices of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA).”

Most deer and elk are transported for the purpose of establishing or re-stocking commercial shooting preserves and game farms. State wildlife officials also transport live animals to replenish areas with reduced populations or establish new populations. Sometimes these transports are done in cooperation with local and national conservation organizations. All transportation of live cervid movements are covered by AFWA’s recommendations.

CWD is now found in 25 states, three Canadian provinces, Norway, and South Korea. CWD is not caused by a virus or bacteria that can be treated and cured. It is a protein that is picked up through contact with infected animals or their surroundings. CWD is always fatal. It attacks an animal’s nervous system, taking as long as two years before the animal begins to show outward signs of the disease. Currently there is no vaccine or practical way to test live animals for the disease. Read more

Eighty-one individual land parcels in Michigan – ranging in size from less than an acre to 160 acres – will be available for sale by sealed-bid auction starting Tuesday, Dec. 11. The auction is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ overall strategy to efficiently manage public lands while maximizing outdoor recreation opportunities. Bids will be accepted through Jan. 9, 2019.

These surplus public land parcels are located in counties mainly in central/northern Lower Michigan and in the Upper Peninsula. Counties include Alpena, Antrim, Clare, Crawford, Emmet, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Lake, Livingston, Marquette, Menominee, Midland, Newaygo, Oakland, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Roscommon and Schoolcraft.

The lands identified for sale are isolated from other DNR-managed land, are difficult to manage and provide limited public recreation benefit. Several of the parcels are forested and have riverside or lake frontage and are better suited for private ownership. In addition, several large-acreage parcels are being offered in Alpena, Antrim, Clare, Houghton, Marquette, Menominee, Midland and Ogemaw counties. Read more

Eleven urban forestry projects in seven Michigan counties will share $89,590 in community forestry funding administered by the DNR.

The grants range from $250 for an Arbor Day celebration in Wayne County’s Sumpter Township to $20,000 each for tree inventories in Coldwater and Rochester Hills.

The competitive grant program – a cooperative effort between the DNR and the U.S. Forest Service – funds projects that help create and sustain local urban forestry programs. This year’s grants will help facilitate better community forestry management through tree inventories and management planning activities. Other projects focus on Arbor Day celebrations and education and training projects. Read more

Well-known outdoor communicator and master wild game chef, Brad Fenson, has some great tips on preparing waterfowl for storage in your freezer in a new how-to video sponsored by Kent Cartridge.

In the video, Brad demonstrates how to prepare the meat, wrap it and freeze it until you are ready to prepare the meat for eating.

Check out the video at this link. https://www.facebook.com/KentCartridge/videos/249471462399000/ Read more