The Conservation Insider-January 15, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Granholm taps Becky Humphries to lead DNRE
This week MUCC congratulated Becky Humphries on being named Director of Michigan's Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE). Humphries will take the helm of the new Department on January 17, the date when it officially takes effect under Governor Granholm's Executive Orders 45 of 2009, which recombines the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality.
The all-new MichiganOutofDoors.com crew was on hand to capture an exclusive interview with Director Humphries following the announcement. To watch this interview, CLICK HERE
While MUCC maintains strong opposition to the gubernatorial appointment of the DNRE director, the organization thanks Governor Granholm for choosing a leader with a proven track record of supporting the hunting, fishing and trapping community. Before Granholm selected Humphries, MUCC joined various members of the Conservation Coalition to provide recommended guidelines for a new Director. The criteria included "A Director who is
A strong leader with the ability to inspire staff to play their role in the creation and implementation of the best natural resources management agency in the nation;
Knowledgeable and respectful of the user-pay system of funding natural resources and outdoor recreation management in Michigan who is able to assemble and lead diverse stakeholders to develop sustainable, long-term funding models;
Committed to active management of the 4.5 million acres of Michigan's public lands, including consideration of the diverse recreational users and industries that rely on those lands;
Able to work within state government agencies, with both parties in the state legislature, and with outside, non-governmental partners to conserve, restore, and enhance our natural resources;
Able to understand, adhere to and explain the complexity of sound-scientific natural resources management decisions;
Someone who has a personal understanding and passion for outdoor recreation in Michigan, including hunting, fishing, or trapping, and who has a vision for making Michigan's natural resources and outdoor heritage a cornerstone of Michigan's future;
Open to citizen input and dialogue, committed to a service-based philosophy, and willing to work towards consensus solutions with stakeholders and the public;
Able to withstand political pressure to make decisions that violate sound-scientific management principles;
A good communicator that is approachable, visible, and in touch with the general public; and
Understanding of the difference and the important balance between conservation (wise use) and protection of our natural resources."
As a hunter and angler with an impressive background in natural resources management, Humphries a leader who understands the conservation, hunting, fishing, and trapping community and has shown her dedication to satisfy the above guidelines in leading the new DNRE. MUCC looks forward to working with Director Humphries to ensure the new Department is effective, transparent, user friendly, and especially dedicated to science-based natural resources management.
Upon the announcement of naming Humphries the Director of the DNRE, Governor Granholm and Transition Manager Bruce Rasher also released the Departments Transition Report. To read the report, CLICK HERE
Obama Administration opposes Michigan's Supreme Court petition to stop Asian Carp
While two species of invasive Asian Carp (Bighead and Silver Carp) have been knocking on Lake Michigan's door for quite sometime now, last month the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that DNA from "Asian Carp" was discovered beyond the $9 million electronic fish barrier in the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal that is supposed to keep the fish out of the Great Lakes. Worse yet, just this week Carp DNA was found even closer to Lake Michigan in the Chicago River.
These two species of fish eat nearly half of their body weight daily, grow up to 4 feet in length, weigh up to 100 pounds and jump into the air when startled by boat motors, causing injury to boaters and anglers.
Now with speculation on the effectiveness of the fish barrier, these fish are one step away from crippling a $7 billion world-class Great Lakes sportfishery.
This latest discovery means that the only action authorities may take to ensure these fish do not devastate the Great Lakes ecosystem is closing the Chicago navigational locks. After MUCC joined the National Wildlife Federation and other Great Lakes advocacy groups in asking Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox to seek legal sanctions to do just that, Cox announced late last month that he was filing a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking an injunction against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and State of Illinois to close the locks, create new barriers to stop the carp from getting into Lake Michigan during floods, create a comprehensive study on the Chicago water system and the carp, and permanently separate those waterways from Lake Michigan. Since then, the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ohio, Indiana, New York and the Canadian Province of Ontario have joined Michigan's fight by filing additional support in the Supreme Court. Now we wait.
While Attorney General Cox, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and state lawmakers continue to hammer on the importance of keeping these fish out of the Great Lakes, Michigan hit a serious wall last week when President Obama's administration sided with Illinois in filing paperwork to oppose Michigan's efforts to close the navigational locks in the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal.
As observers of the Carp saga wait anxiously every Friday to hear whether/how the Supreme Court will rule on Michigan's petition, the carp issue has become a hot topic in the news and among sportsmen and other Great Lakes advocates. Please stay tuned and continue to check www.MichiganOutofDoors.com for updates.
More information on Asian Carp:
Visit www.StopAsianCarp.com to sign the official petition urging Federal and State officials to protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp
Attorney General Cox stopped by MUCC recently to discuss how Michigan is taking a leadership role to protect the Great Lakes from Asian Carp. Check out the MichiganOutofDoors OD Channel to watch this interview
Check out GreatLakesLaw blog by Michigan water guru/law professor Noah Hall to catch up on the various legal issues surrounding this issue as well as "All things Wet and Legal in the Great Lakes Region"
Sign the official petition to Stop Asian Carp
This week Attorney General Mike Cox created an official petition at www.StopAsianCarp.com, which also contains background information and educational materials on the Asian Carp issue. Please consider signing the petition and passing it along to your friends and family!
DNR/NRC: Use of restricted deer license dollars was stretched
On the verge of merging with the Department of Environmental Quality on January 17, DNR officials dropped news at the January 7th monthly meeting of the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) that Deer Range Improvement Fund dollars have not been spent entirely within their intended purpose.
According to an investigation led by DNR Director Rebecca Humphries and NRC Commissioners Keith Charters and John Madigan, portions of restricted deer hunting license dollars which are earmarked for deer habitat improvements have been instead used by Wildlife Division employees on non-deer focused habitat projects in order to increase match dollars for federal monies, the State Wildlife Grants.
Under Public Act 106 of 1971, DRIP was created to improve and maintain deer habitat and acquire lands for an effective deer habitat management program. Exactly $1.50 from each deer firearm and bow hunting license goes to DRIP for deer habitat improvement projects administered by the DNR. Just last year, the DNR expanded the DRIP program so local sportsmen's groups may receive individual grants to improve deer habitat in cooperation with the Department.
At the NRC's meeting, Humphries and Madigan reported that Wildlife Division has not been honoring the intent of the legislation that created the DRIP program, which is to spend more deer license dollars on deer habitat improvement. Humphries said she and the Commission conducted an investigation on the matter in order to ensure DRIP funds were being spent appropriately. What they uncovered was that Wildlife Division staff was using the deer funds to benefit increased jack-pine management in the Northern Lower Peninsula that primarily benefits other non-game wildlife species such as the Kirtland's Warbler, to meet the match requirement for State Wildlife Grants from the federal government.
Director Humphries vowed to ensure that deer habitat funds are put towards a better use and noted that the Department will try to be more creative in working with the feds to maximize the match for federal funds it receives for non-game habitat as well as game and fish habitat projects. Madigan emphasized the importance that money mandated for specific uses gets to those specific uses. The Wildlife Division took a positive spin on the discovery as an incentive to ensure restricted funds are spent where they are supposed to be. Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason reacted by outlining the Division's plan to use DRIP funds primarily on land acquisition and investment in winter deer complexes in the Upper and Northern Lower Peninsulas.
MUCC commended Humphries and Madigan for conducting the investigation, but said deer habitat funds should not be spent to exclusively benefit non-game species projects. MUCC believes this type of creative accounting with funding generated from hunting license fees is exactly what concerns the sportsmen and women of Michigan as the DNR merges with the DEQ. MUCC applauds Director Humphries and Commissioner Madigan for uncovering this problem and making it public. As the new DNRE begins to take shape under Director Humphries continued leadership, we fully expect Department staff in charge of allocating restricted funds to not let the greed of a grant skew the true intention of these dollars.
These types of problems will only get worse as General Fund budget slashes continue and department divisions face increased pressure to expand the intended uses of restricted funding.
In the first-ever live streaming of an NRC meeting, MUCC's new MichiganOutofDoors.com was on hand to capture the announcement for members and interested viewers. For a complete follow-up on this story visit www.MichiganOutofDoors.com.
Michigan Legislative Update
Lawmakers remain optimistic for "Parks Passport" legislation in 2010
Like many grand legislative proposals before it, the "Parks Passport" legislation became victim to year-end political games late last year, forcing the package's primary champions, Sen. Patty Birkholz (R-Saugatuck), Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor, Rep. Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), and Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), to extend the current funding program for Michigan State Parks through April 1 of this year.
The "Passport" legislation, originally recommended as a sustainable funding proposal by Michigan's Citizens Committee for State Parks early last year, would allow Michigan citizens to pay a voluntary $10 fee on annual vehicle registrations to receive a one-year "Passport" to all Michigan State Parks and associated boating access sites. The current price for an annual state parks pass is $24. Camping fees would still remain under the proposed package.
While House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) refused to allow a vote for final passage on a House-Senate bi-partisan compromise on the bills, Sen. Birkholz and Rep. Warren hope to get to work on the proposal early this year. In fact, Sen. Birkholz has already introduced a replacement bill (Senate Bill 1057) to take the place of Senate Bill 388, which ended up being stripped to accompany language that would extend the current funding structure for parks.
The transportation infrastructure and county road lobbyists opposed the package under the notion that it may create problems for its plan to raise revenue for roads, but Speaker Dillon's refusal to bring up the bills in December does not mean the House is done with them. There seems to be strong bi-partisan support for the measure and the Speaker is rumored to have given his word that the issue will be brought up by spring.
In the meantime, MUCC has been told that both the House Great Lakes & Environment and Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committees, chaired by Warren and Birkholz respectively, plan to get back to work a final bill package as soon as possible.
Moose season bill introduced
Last December, State Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) introduced legislation that would require the Natural Resources Commission to issue an order establishing a one-year moose hunting season. Senate Bill 1013 would also create a seven-member "Moose Hunting Advisory Council" within the Department of Natural Resources and Environment that would be required to prepare recommendations as to whether the moose hunting season should expanded beyond one year, taking into account the season's effect on the moose population and potential economic benefits to the state. The bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation.
Elk and Bear tags to the highest bidder?
State Rep. Jim Stamas this week introduced legislation that would authorize the DNRE to hold annual auctions for up to five bear and five elk hunting licenses. House Bill 5374 would allow the Department to hold two separate auctions for up to five bear or five elk licenses, which would authorize the "highest bidder(s)" to take one of the game animals during its respective hunting season. Any money received from the auctions would be deposited into the Game and Fish Fund, which is constitutionally restricted for wildlife and fish conservation programs in the state. The bill is currently in the House Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources.
Great Lakes Czar discusses GLRI funding with joint legislative panel
A joint meeting between the House Great Lakes & Environment and Senate Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committees today received a presentation by Great Lakes Czar Cameron Davis on how Michigan will likely stand to benefit from a portion of $475 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding. Proposed by President Barack Obama and passed by Congress last year, the GLRI is an unprecedented initiative which most of us hope will become an initial down payment on Great Lakes restoration projects that will restore and improve wildlife and fisheries habitat, coastal health, and quality of life for all of us who live and recreate in the Great Lakes.
While the burning Great Lakes issue on most lawmakers' minds was Asian Carp, most committee members refrained from taking out their frustrations on Mr. Davis as a representative of the Obama Administration - an administration that is working against Michigan's legal actions in the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent Asian Carp from invading Lake Michigan. Instead, committee members stuck to peppering Mr. Davis on funding for Michigan through the GLRI, for the most part. Several committee members half-seriously lobbied that Michigan should receive a much larger "proportional share" of the funding, given its geographical dominance of the Great Lakes over other states.
Mr. Davis informed lawmakers that proposals will be awarded competitively to address the most significant issues facing the Great Lakes and most funding would be used to "help bring habitat back into the field." Out of the total $475 million, $250 million will be awarded to "on the ground" projects and $225 million will be spent on agency contributions to the Initiative. Proposals are due January 29, 2010.
Save the Date: MUCC to hold Regional Meetings to set policy for 2010-2011
MUCC's Annual Regional Meetings are coming up in February and this is your chance to help set MUCC's policies and priorities for the upcoming year. Get your resolutions ready! MUCC's membership establishes the organization's policies and priorities each year at MUCC's Annual Convention in June through resolutions that come from MUCC members, clubs, districts, regions or board of directors. The regional meetings are one place that MUCC's member clubs and districts can bring forth resolutions that may go on to MUCC's Annual Convention. MUCC and its membership strive to unite citizens to form ONE VOICE for Michigan's great outdoors, and as stewards of Michigan's natural resources, it's OUR responsibility to act in the best interest of those resources and of those who depend on them.
The schedule for MUCC's Regional Meetings is as follows:
Region I:
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at the Munising American Legion, 610 West Munising Ave., Munising, MI 49862 - 9:00 a.m.
Region II:
Sunday, February 7, 2010 at Northland Sportsmen's Club, 1542 Old Alba Rd., Gaylord, MI 49734
Region III:
Saturday, February 20, 2010 at South Kent Sportsmen's Club, 14th Ave., Dorr, MI 49323 - 8:00 a.m. Registration; 9:00 a.m. Call to Order
Region IV:
Sunday, February 21, 2010 at Perch Pointe Conservation club, 7930 Meisner Rd., Casco, MI 48064 - 9:00 a.m. Registration; 10:00 a.m. Call to Order
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