The Missouri Department of Conservation began a project last week to increase fishing opportunities on Lake Taneycomo.

The EPA also awarded $994,350 to the U.S. Geological Survey to expand fish and bird monitoring along the Great Lakes’ beaches to fight botulism and other contaminants damaging wildlife. About 20 percent of that money, and 20 jobs, will come to Gary next year.

Just a few yards away from the Lake Michigan’s southern shore, in a serene part of the massive park, dignitaries gathered beneath shade trees to hear of the awards and what they will mean for the area.

Meanwhile, workers with heavy machinery continued the $28 million, RDA-funded facelift of the park nearby, including the popular Marquette Park Pavilion.

The grant to the RDA will go toward dredging the lagoon and using the soil to firm up the lagoon’s shoreline, said Cameron Davis, EPA senior adviser on the Great Lakes. Erosion and other natural forces have pounded the lagoon.

“It’s an area of concern that needs most of our help,” Davis said, adding the project will improve fish and wildlife habitats around the lagoon.

To get the money the RDA and its contractor, Ohio-based Los Alamos Technical Associates, had to agree to hire up to 20 unemployed residents to do the work. The work will include dredging soil from the bottom of the lagoon to expand the fish habitat and relocating that soil to the shoreline and other areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey also had to agree to hire 20 local employees to land its share of the federal money. The work will include collecting different animal species, including carcasses, to determine if botulism was the cause of the deaths.

“This $1 million is our tax dollars being put to good use,” said U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville. “This is an example of how our tax money can be wisely spent and put to use to put citizens to work.”

Christopher Meyers, Gary’s planning director, said the city would work closely with Los Alamos to ensure the company hires locally.

“There is the great environmental benefit, but, ultimately, it’s about creating jobs and helping the local economy,” Meyers said.Michael Gonzalez

See what work is being done on a large scale in Arizona in the name of fish habitat.

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.

This weekend a hundred kids got to tell dogs to go jump in the lake as part of some environmental lessons.

An additional $9.8 million in partner contributions, over $13.2 million in total, will go toward restoring and enhancing stream, lake and coastal habitat, as well as improving recreational fishing and helping endangered species.  Continue reading “Fish Habitats Improved With $3 Million in Funding”

WATER: Inland Empire agencies sue federal government over fish habitat expansion

Tightened federal and state budgets are affecting everyone in Vermont, including the conservation community. It’s getting harder to find funds to improve water quality, protect native plant and animal communities, or share nature with young people.

When we talk about fishing and being in the outdoors, waste removal, disposal and recycling won’t come up much in the conversation. We enjoy the clean air and water which holds our quarry, not considering the orchestrated work taking place for fish habitat and the environment by waste recovery companies like K.Hoving companies in West Chicago, Illinois.

We toss our trash in the can or roll-off at work, or maybe that roof we recently had to replace got tossed in a dumpster. Off to a landfill right?  What about that old siding, doors, concrete, and windows we threw out? Or the old office building that got torn down, doesn’t that go to the dump anymore? Continue reading “K.Hoving Companies Going Green for Fish Habitat”