B.A.S.S. News Announcement: Conservation Summit Deemed ‘Huge Success’

Awesome. Tremendous. Terrific.  That’s the way that state conservation directors (CD) for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation summed up their experience at the recent Conservation Summit in Shreveport, La.

Staged during Bassmaster Classic Week, the event featured 2 ½ days of presentations and discussions on issues of concern to bass anglers nationwide. Fisheries experts from universities also attended, as did fish chiefs and biologists from state and federal agencies.

“The Conservation Summit was terrific,” said Scott Sowell, veteran CD from Maryland. “Noreen (National Conservation Director Noreen Clough) did a fantastic job putting it together, and I left fired up to spread the word on keeping bass alive!

“It was great interacting with CDs and fisheries biologists from all over the country. I learned quite a bit about conservation issues and practices in other states and steps they take to protect the fishery.”

Clough called the Summit “a huge success,” but wanted no credit for it being so. “I was impressed with the number of states who recognized the value of this and attended,” she said.

“And it was capped off by a variety of academics like Dave Philipp from the University of Illinois, Mike Allen from the University of Florida and Jeff Koppelman from the Missouri Department of Conservation. They stimulated thought and conversations.”

Those three joined Gene Gilliland from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and others as presenters on Day 2 of the event, billed as a Fisheries Management Workshop.

“We talked about the state of the science on black bass issues,” Gilliland said. “We made presentations on some of the more controversial issues, such as fishing for spawning bass, to give the CDs a feel for what is going on, and then we had question-and-answer time.”

Based on the presentations and follow-up breakout sessions, attendees then identified major management issues for black bass fisheries. They include the following:

• Fish care during tournaments, with pro anglers serving as role models.
• Introduction of native and non-native species, including anglers who illegally move fish.
• Large-scale habitat projects, with federal involvement.
• Current and future water wars, and the need for anglers to partner with U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the states to ensure allocations for fisheries.
• Fostering better relationships with fisheries agencies.

The Summit also included national and state legislative updates from Gordon Robertson of the American Sportfishing Association and Chris Horton, Mid-States Coordinator for the National Assembly of Sportsmen Caucuses. The two also led a discussion on working with legislators.

“You have to engage politically because management of our natural resources often is political instead of biological,” Horton said.

On the Summit’s final day, Gilliland explained the process behind fisheries management, and fish chiefs provided the “state perspective” on building partnerships.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Additionally, representatives from the FWS talked about that agency’s programs and the 75^th anniversary of the Sportfish Restoration Program (also known as Wallop-Breaux), which provides millions of dollars annually for state fisheries management through excise taxes on fishing gear.

2012 Bassmaster Classic Official Sponsors: Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Berkley, Evan Williams Bourbon, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2012 Bassmaster Classic Supporting Sponsor: Carhartt

About B.A.S.S.

For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications — Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times — comprehensive website Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation events and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.By Staff Writer

A young angler won the first-place prize of $1,000 after catching a 30-inch pike. (Photo By: John Thiel, Dairyland Power Cooperative)

The Ladysmith Lions Club organized the city’s first annual Ice Fishing Tournament, which followed a major fish habitat enhancement project on Lake Flambeau.

“Since we utilize natural resources for our business, we are strongly committed to giving back to the environment through high-impact stewardship activities, such as the fish habitat project,” said Katie Thomson, senior communications specialist for Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The Feb. 26 tournament raised $25,000. Profits from the event will be distributed to local food pantries, lake-habitat projects and Lions Club programs.

Enhancing the reservoir’s fish habitat was no easy task. Led by the Rusk County Wildlife Restoration Association and supported by the La Crosse-based G&T, the multiphase project began in 2007.

The phases included rehabbing the deep-water area, improving shoreline, and closing the lake for six months. A 30-foot drawdown was set up to drain the lake, which took seven weeks to refill once the repairs were complete.

During construction workers placed more than 150 deepwater fish structures, made of rock, logs and brush, on the lakebed. Seventy-five more fish structures were built and placed along the shoreline.

Numerous pine trees were cut and anchored to the lakebed and placed on the shoreline. This winter, whole pine trees were weighted at the base and sunk vertically in deep water areas.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in proven science based, fish protection.

Fishermen stocked the fish board with pike, walleye, crappie, perch and bluegill after a day of fishing. (Photo By: John Thiel, Dairyland Power Cooperative)

“Restoration really benefitted the lake’s health, which will in turn benefit sports enthusiasts,” said John Thiel, senior environmental biologist for Dairyland.

“The panfish species are becoming more abundant and thriving and the lake’s ready to be fished,” he said. “We provided some real quality recreational activities with the hydro reservoir.”

In addition to the major fish habitat project, Dairyland has established and owns five parks around the 2,000-acre Lake Flambeau. Three of the parks have boat landings and one is equipped with a handicap-accessible fishing pier. The parks are maintained by Rusk County.By Marcia Gaysue | ECT Staff Writer

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Have you started making summer plans yet? Well, if you have a youngster who is into fishing and all things outdoors, there is a great opportunity available.

The New Jersey School of Conservation in Sussex County will be the host site for a Coldwater Conservation School offered by the state Division of Fish and Wildlife and the N.J. State Council of Trout Unlimited. The School will be held June 28 to July 1 and is open to kids ages 11 through 14 at the time of the program.

This is an interesting experience that combines fun and learning. The goal of the school is to foster knowledge and appreciation of trout and the cold-water habitats on which they depend, basically helping kids understand what role they can play in conserving the habitat.

Division of Fish and Wildlife biologists and instructors from Trout Unlimited will teach sessions about stream ecology, fish habitat, fish biology and identification, aquatic insect identification, fly-tying, fly-casting and stream restoration. There will be evening programs where students will learn about reptiles and New Jersey’s black bears.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection.

The cost of the Coldwater Conservation School is $200, which includes food, lodging and equipment for four days and three nights.

Applications are due no later than April 1. Students accepted into the school will be notified by the end of April. The school was very successful last year with more than 30 applicants, so the folks running the show urge you to get the application in as soon as possible.

If interested, you can find more information and an application at state.nj.us/dep/fgw/pdf/2012/conservation_school_application.pdf, or call Jessica Griglak at 908-637-4125 or email at Jessica.grigla@dep.state.nj.us.

TALKING TURKEY: The Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center will host a turkey hunting seminar at 1 p.m. March 10. Learn about the state restoration program and how to hunt this prized game bird.

The New Jersey Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host a turkey call clinic immediately following the seminar. Registration is not required for the seminar or clinic.

FOR THE BIRDS: Here’s something different, courtesy of the Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center. Friday is the 15th annual Great Backyard Bird Count, taking place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bird watchers of all ages are asked to come and count birds to create a real-time snapshot of the bird population. Participants can pick up a tally sheet of bird species potentially seen there at this time of year.

Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes, but you can go longer if you wish. Count the greatest number of each species that you see together at one time. Count in as many places at Pequest as you choose, and keep a separate checklist for each location.

When finished, submit your results to the staff member at the front desk.

Your data will be entered.For more information, log on to birdsource.org/gbbc/whycount.html.

By MARK J. CZERWINSKI

Construction of South Waterfront greenway to begin despite budget shortfall

Portland Parks and Recreation is moving forward with plans to build the South Waterfront Greenway, which would stretch for over a mile along the Willamette River in Southwest Portland. Construction is expected to begin this summer on the nearly $10 million project. (Photo by Sam Tenney/DJC)

Portland Parks and Recreation is preparing for a lean budgetary year that could bring layoffs, park restroom closures and significant maintenance cutbacks. But construction of a long-awaited, nearly $10 million project is nevertheless expected to begin this summer, kicking off a plan to build paths and parks along the west bank of the Willamette River.

See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection.

For more than a decade, the city of Portland has planned to construct a greenway that stretches 1.2 miles from the Marquam Bridge to the River Forum Building. If federal and city permits come through, construction of the first section will begin in July.

“I know that when you look at the kinds of cuts we’re going to need to make, it may seem interesting that we’re doing some new projects,” Parks and Recreation directorMike Abbaté said. “But the plan (for the greenway) precedes the economic downturn; it’s been in pipeline for many years and its funding sources are not flexible.”

The $9.5 million “central district” project includes construction of a five-block-long mix of lawn, park and plaza areas between Southwest Gibbs Street and Lane Street. Existing pathways leading out from two condo high-rises – Atwater Place and the Meriwether – will be extended to the new green space, which will have separate paths for bikes and pedestrians and a gravel beach to improve fish habitat.

“We anticipate people walking dogs or having picnics in the lawn and enjoying the upper terrace areas and experiencing the overlook at the water’s edge,” said Chelsea McCann, principal at landscape architecture firm Walker Macy.

A broad funding package is paying for the project. The Portland Development Commission contributed $4 million in 2010, and TriMet is providing $1 million for habitatimprovements as environmental mitigation credits it needs to proceed with the Portland-to-Milwaukie light-rail project.

Plans for the South Waterfront Greenway call for it to stretch for more than a mile along the Willamette River in Southwest Portland. The greenway will have separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as a gravel beach to improve fish habitat. (Rendering courtesy of Walker Macy)

Portland Parks and Recreation is contributing $2.3 million from its system development charge fund, which has approximately $7.6 million, according to program manager Riley Whitcomb. Park SDCs are assessed on new developments to help pay for development of new parks, trails and natural areas.

Along with smaller contributions from private developers and the Bureau of Environmental Services, the project has secured nearly $7.8 million. Portland Parks and Recreation is seeking ways to close the funding gap.

The river’s industrial past could add to project costs. The bank is littered with concrete debris, demolition rubble, steel pipes, ship parts and even steel ship hulls.

Construction manager/general contractorJames W. Fowler Co. has investigated soil conditions and other constructability issues since it was hired last May. Design reviews and site investigations performed over the last year led to the estimated construction budget jumping from $4.8 million to $6.78 million.

Beneath the soil, hidden industrial waste could significantly impact construction, according to Scott Thibert, project manager for James W. Fowler, which is why the budget includes $926,000 for unexpected issues.

General contractor James W. Fowler Co. is expected to begin work on the South Waterfront Greenway project this summer, as long as federal and city permits are secured. (Rendering courtesy of Walker Macy)

The first phase of the project will involve erosion control, site utilities and traffic control, Thibert said. Then, when in-water work can begin on July 1, crews will remove debris and begin work on the beach and upland areas.

Construction is expected to wrap up by summer 2013, but several rounds of approvals are required before construction can begin.

The Portland Design Commission reviewed the plans for the central district last week, but requested more information and pushed its decision back to March 1.

The commission asked the project team to study potential locations for the osprey nesting platform based on concerns expressed by neighbors, according to McCann. The team also is preparing more details about the feasibility of building a floating gangway and dock – a popular feature that appeared in early designs, but had to be removed because of concerns from federal agencies.

In addition, the team will require federal permits for removal of rubble from the bank, and final project approval from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Both are expected to be granted this spring.

“(The greenway) is a really important recreational facility,” Abbaté said. “Now is the time for it.”

Nightmare mosaic photo from a raid in the King Range National Conservation Area. Photo courtesy Brad Job

I’ve been fascinated by water and the organisms that live in it since I was a child. When three years of sea duty made me fall in love with the ocean, I decided to pursue a degree from HSU in Environmental Resources Engineering, which I completed in 1993.

Since then, my career has focused on water quality and water resources. For the past 10 years I have had the honor and privilege of being part of a team of professionals that steward some of our nations’ most spectacular public land. In this occupation I have also been witness to many environmental sins that have occurred as a result of marijuana cultivation.

As a pragmatic environmentalist, it is not my job to deride marijuana or its use. But, similar to the environmental effects of logging, the problem is not necessarily that one grows pot, it’s about how one grows pot.

Regardless of how one feels about marijuana and its legal status, anybody that understands just a little about aquatic ecosystems has to admit that widespread cultivation has bad consequences for fish. It degrades the quality of our rivers and streams, which to me, are the core of what makes northwest California special. See the dozens of unique artificial fish habitat models, fish attractors and fish cover used at fishiding.com, the leader in  science based, proven, fish protection.

In reference to one of last week’s cover stories about illegal excavation and un-engineered fill(‘Shocking’ environmental damage from outdoor grows, Eye, Jan. 18) I can attest that the additional input of sediment eroded from grow-related excavations permanently damages habitat for imperiled salmon and trout populations and undoes the benefits of millions of dollars’ worth of watershed restoration work.

However, increased sedimentation is not the only or necessarily the worst environmental consequence of rapacious pot growing out in the hills.

The giant hunk of failing fill is located right above Bear Creek where it exits the King Range NCA could not be in a worse spot as far as fish habitat goes (notice the clear creek in the upper right corner).

Recent research has shown that 80 to 90 percent of the nitrogen in coastal watersheds historically came from the ocean, much of it in the form of return runs of salmon and steelhead. However, dwindling fish populations and environmentally oblivious pot growers have turned that dynamic on its head.

Now, growers dump hundreds of tons of excess fertilizer into these watersheds annually. The most obvious consequence of fertilizer overuse is increased algal growth, which is most likely why toxic concentrations of blue-green algae have been observed in the Eel River in recent summers. Excessive algal growth kills fish and the organisms that they feed upon.

In addition, outdoor grows frequently discharge rodenticides, insecticides and fungicides into the environment; divert springs and creeks for long distances; and leave vast quantities of trash and black poly-pipe behind.

And then there are the diesel dope grows. These operations often improperly and illegally store large quantities of diesel in plastic tanks that are prone to failure. And those that do use metal tanks almost never have secondary containment and often have leaks and spills.

A pile of dumped cannabis root balls, surely laden with fertilizers and other soil amendments, cascades down the banks of Liscom Slough into sensitive marine habitat last week. Photo courtesy Ted Halstead

It is worth noting that fuel distributors that dispense fuel into such tanks are also committing a felony. If anyone wants to observe the environmental consequences of petroleum spills in aquatic ecosystems, they need only to travel to an urban stream to witness the reduced abundance and diversity of invertebrate species, which are the base of most aquatic food webs.

Then consider the water diversions, air and noise pollution from inefficient generators, and the random dumping of fertilizer-laden potting soil. And I can hardly bear to ponder the sad irony of burning fossil fuel to make light to grow plants in a manner that is literally 99 percent inefficient, all while it is warm and sunny outside.

As long as the marijuana status quo and large profit margins remain, it appears inevitable that some of the worst crimes at marijuana gardens will be environmental ones.

The citizen’s suit provision in the Clean Water Act might be a big enough hammer to change some landowners’ behavior if a motivated team of attorneys and environmental scientists were to respond to a specific incident.

However, the sad fact remains that the underground economy is creating really bad consequences for the increasingly fragile ecology of our rivers and streams. But, if this letter makes only one grower reduce their fertilizer and agricultural chemical use or cause less erosion, the time it took to write it will have been well spent.

Sincerely,

Brad Job, P.E.

Environmental Engineer

Arcata