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Day: July 19, 2011

Take me fishing!!

Posted on by david

WATERWAY & HABITAT PRESERVATION

Fish depend on clean water. There are examples throughout the country of fisheries that have been lost because of changes in water quality, and several more that have been restored as a result of focused effort, strong laws, and community concern. From stream, beach, and lake clean-up campaigns, to the long list of angler-supported organizations engaged in waterway and habitat preservation, America’s anglers have been indispensable in recovering and preserving watersheds, bays, oceans, and other water resources.

Tremendous demands have been put on our nation’s water resources. In some areas of the country, there is not enough water to go around as communities balance the stark reality of water use versus conservation. Population, pollution, development, and natural disasters all play a role in the quality of America’s water resources. As such, the impact and inter-relationship between communities and water quality is undeniable.

Nationwide, efforts are underway to improve fish habitat using a variety of approaches. From managing storm water run-off and riparian restoration to stopping the spread of aquatic invasive species and pollution, strong state and federal laws and community involvement have proved effective in improving water quality.

A work-in-process that has no end, without the interest and involvement of anglers and the public, the challenges associated with water would be much greater. Still, these challenges persist and demand attention.

There are thousands of worthy local and national organizations dedicated to the preservation of America’s water resources. Check with your State Fish and Wildlife Agency for suitable local options. Here are a few national organizations you may want to consider supporting.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Multi-state, Multi-species Draft Environmental Impact Statement

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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement evaluating a proposed multi-species, multi-state draft Habitat Conservation Plan and application for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. The HCP was developed by NiSource Inc., primarily a natural gas transmission, distribution and storage company, as it seeks an incidental take permit for operating and maintaining its network of pipelines in 14 northeastern, Midwest and southeastern states.

The Endangered Species Act requires an approved Habitat Conservation Plan before an incidental take permit is granted. HCPs are agreements between a landowner and the Service, allowing landowners to undertake otherwise lawful activities on their property that may result in the incidental death, injury or harassment of a listed species; the landowner agrees to conservation measures designed to minimize and mitigate the impact of those actions.

In its draft EIS, the Service evaluated the possible environmental impacts of implementing NiSource’s Habitat Conservation Plan and the potential effects of granting an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. Among the alternatives evaluated by the Service are issuing a permit for 50 years, as requested by NiSource; a “no-action” alternative, under which NiSource would continue to work with the Service on a case-by-case basis for all its activities; and issuing a permit for 10 years.

NiSource’s draft HCP covers the company’s activities that may result in take of endangered or threatened species along its pipeline network. The plan addresses conservation needs for 10 federally endangered, threatened or proposed species for which take might occur, along with measures to avoid take of an additional 33 federally endangered, threatened or candidate species. NiSource’s draft HCP includes measures to avoid or reduce impacts on those species resulting from business activities, as well as mitigation practices such as protecting existing habitat, creating new habitat for protected species, and identifying research to better understand endangered species.

The Service is accepting comments on the draft EIS through October 11, 2011. Send written comments via U.S. mail to the Regional Director, Midwest Region, Attn: Lisa Mandell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458, or by electronic mail to permitsR3ES@fws.gov 

Public meetings will be held in Columbus, Ohio, Lexington, Kentucky, and Charleston, West Virginia during the summer 2011:

August 16, 2011, 7:00 p.m., University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, 3110 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH 43202.

August 17, 2011, 7:00 p.m., Ramada Conference Center, 2143 N. Broadway, Lexington, KY 40505

August 18, 2011, 7:00 pm, Charleston Ramada Plaza, 400 2nd Ave., S. Charleston, WV 25303.

More information about the EIS and HCP, along with locations, dates, and times of specific public meetings can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered/permits/hcp/nisource/

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/usfws follow our tweets at http://www.twitter.com/usfwshq  watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page athttp://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwshq

AFFTA Joins TU in Opposing Bill Removing Wilderness Protections

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The American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) today joined Trout Unlimited and a host of other sporting and conservation organizations in opposing the so-called Wilderness and Roadless Area Release Act, which would remove all protections from the last, best fishing and hunting destinations in the United States.

“This bill takes direct aim at America’s sporting heritage,” said Jim Klug, co-owner of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures and the chairman of the AFFTA board of directors. “Under the guise of improving access to the backcountry for all Americans—something that we all support—Congress is instead allowing the best remaining wild and native fish habitat to be developed by industry and penetrated by new roads and motorized trails. We already have enough roads and trails, and the government can’t afford to maintain even a small percentage of them today. We don’t need more roads. We need to protect what’s left of our backcountry, protect habitat, and protect our existing access.”

The bill, dubbed the Attack on our Sporting Heritage Act (ASH) by Trout Unlimited, would impact about 43 million acres of roadless backcountry from coast to coast, all on public lands within the U.S Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management systems. Inventoried roadless lands provide the best remaining fish and game habitat in the United States, and they’re vital for the persistence of wild and native trout. In the Rocky Mountain West, roadless lands shelter the bulk of the country’s remaining cutthroat trout and bull trout populations. Additionally, the best remaining spawning and rearing habitat for ocean-going steelhead and salmon is in streams flowing through or from the roadless backcountry.

“We’re grateful that AFFTA understands the intrinsic connection between habitat and opportunity,” said Steve Moyer, TU’s vice president for government affairs. “The fly fishing industry understands the opportunity public lands provide to all anglers, and keeping the backcountry just like it is today ensures the recreational fishing industry a promising future. We hope Congress will get the message and do away with this terrible idea that would tarnish the public lands that belong to every single American by birthright.”

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Roadless areas throughout the United States are accessible to all Americans—many are bounded by paved highways, and others, despite the misleading status, are accessible by dirt roads and trails. Hunting and fishing are allowed on roadless lands—in fact, the country’s best hunting harvest rates for trophy deer and elk occur in hunting units that are predominantly roadless.

“Congress needs to understand that the roadless backcountry that exists today is very limited,” Moyer said. “Keeping it like it is gives sportsmen and women the opportunity to share with their children the places that look today much like they did generations ago.

“Rather than try to pass a ‘one-size-fits-all’ bill to determine the future of our roadless backcountry, Congress should instead do what we do all the time, and work with people on the ground who have a vested interest in the future of public lands near the places they call home. Doing otherwise puts our sporting culture at risk, because once the backcountry is gone, it’s gone.”

Fish habitat projects planned at High Point, Lake Somerset

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Ken CoughenourKen Coughenour of Somerset casts a white twister in hopes of hooking “a big bass” at Lake Somerset on Monday. (Staff photo by Roger Vogel)

12:36 a.m. EDT, July 19, 2011

The Somerset County Sportsmen’s League in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Lake Habitat Management section will be conducting fish habitat projects at High Point Lake and Lake Somerset in August. Work will be conducted at High Point Lake on Aug. 6 and at Lake Somerset on Aug. 20.High Point Lake project volunteers are asked to meet at the north access area and boat launch at 9 a.m. on Aug. 6. This year the plan is to construct 10 porcupine cribs for deep water structure. Porcupine cribs are popular devices that are beneficial in providing cover for both game and baitfish in a lake. The PFBC and the Somerset County Sportsmen’s League will be providing all the necessary materials and tools for the project. Volunteers are needed to help with the construction of the cribs. After they are constructed on shore they will be loaded on a special boat by PFBC personnel and placed at various locations in the lake. This will be the second year for habitat work at High Point which is a popular lake in southern Somerset County. It is a 347-acre impoundment managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating. Popular species in the lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, pickerel, walleye, yellow perch, crappies and bluegills.See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the industry leader and only science based, man made and artificial fish habitat, proven to provide all fish with cover they prefer to prosper.

Last year’s work at High Point Lake proved popular with area fishermen and sportsmen. There were requests for an additional project at Lake Somerset. This spring the Somerset County Sportsmen’s League also entered into an agreement with the PFBC to begin a similar project at Lake Somerset. Representatives from the PFBC Lake Habitat Section and sportsmen’s league created a plan for Lake Somerset this past April.

On Aug. 20 volunteers are asked to meet at 9 a.m. at the rear of the PFBC Southwest Regional Office at Lake Somerset. The plan that day is to construct 20 porcupine crib juniors for fish habitat. They will also be built on shore and then placed at suitable locations in the lake by special boat.

Lake Somerset is a 248-acre impoundment managed by the PFBC. It is also a highly popular fishing spot. Among the most popular species in the lake are largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, channel catfish, crappies and bluegills.

Volunteers who wish to help with either project may notify Don Anderson, contact person for the sportsmen’s league, at 814-634-0998.

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