Tom Quail, the MCTU Conservation Chair, sent out a message last week and we think it’s worth passing along because it is so timely and so close to home. The MDNRE is taking your public comments until February 16 on CAFO discharge permits. Your messages will help safeguard coldwater fisheries from large-scale animal waste producing operations. Additionally, our chapter has been following this issue closely and put together info on why CAFOs are so important here in West Michigan. Here’s Tom’s email …
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Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are large-scale industrial feeding operations that house large numbers of animals in confined enclosures. These facilities create significant quantities of waste material that are usually land applied. In recent years, Schrems West Michigan TU and Michigan TU has become increasingly concerned about the damage that can occur as a result of the misapplication of manure within watersheds supporting coldwater fisheries. Within our Chapter, this concern became tragically evident in late July, 2006 when a large amount of fecal material contaminated Tyler Creek near Freeport, Michigan (just south of Grand Rapids), resulting in a total loss...
Geographic coverage of SWMTU
Here’s a map showing the geographic boundaries of the Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited chapter. This was updated February 2011 to reflect added geography from the Muskegon River chapter.
Asian carp townhall meeting Feb 22
More details to come … Townhall Meeting with Rep. Vern Ehlers Feb 22nd, 10:00-11:00 – Gerald Ford Museum Auditorium, Grand Rapids
Fed plan for Asian carp doesn’t shut locks
By JOHN FLESHER, AP Environmental Writer The strategy released by the Obama administration this week agrees only to conduct a long-range study of that idea, which could take years. The government also refuses to shut down two navigational locks on Chicago waterways that could provide an easy pathway for the carp into the lakes, although it promises to consider opening them less often. More on woodtv.com >>
Gov. says federal plan falls short
From the press office of Governor Granholm … Governor grateful for Obama administration efforts, but restates call for closing locks LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that a proposal unveiled by the White House falls short of protecting the Great Lakes from the threat posed by Asian carp and continued her call for the locks in Illinois to be closed to protect the ecosystem and the $9 billion boating and $7 billion sport and commercial fishing industries that support the regional economy.
U.S. to spend $78 million to halt Asian Carp
From the Chicago Breaking News Center WASHINGTON — After a White House meeting christened the “carp summit,” federal and state officials today announced a multi-pronged attack with a $78.5 million price tag to prevent Asian carp, an invasive species, from establishing populations in Lake Michigan. Nancy Sutley, the president’s top environmental adviser, led the meeting at the request of the governors of Michigan and Wisconsin, who were on hand. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois was scheduled to attend, but cancelled his travel plans because of the winter weather and planned to take part by teleconference, said Marlena Jentz, a spokeswoman....
Michigan TU taking action on Asian Carp
Late last week, Dr. Bryan Burroughs sent out an email to the Michigan TU Council detailing what steps TU was taking to address Asian Carp issue. Here’s his letter …
SWMTU Donations Acknowledged
Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited (SWMTU) has donated $3,500 toward preliminary engineering feasibility work to identify and define acceptable options for removing the Marion Dam that also enhance recreation opportunities. The SWMTU has also pledged a grant to the MRWA for $300 to support Tri-County Schools’ (Montcalm County) Fish Days. This project involves 4th and 5th grade classrooms spending a day at Winfield Lake fishing and learning about fish and water-related issues through hands-on activities. (from January issue of ‘River Talk’, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly newsletter)
Electric barrier on the PM to stay off
Attempting to stop sea lamprey with an electric barrier has become a thing of the past on the Pere Marquette River, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials. The federal agency recently announced it no longer will operate its electric weir there and will resume treating the river only with chemical lampricides. More on MLive.com …
Govt taking some action on carp issue
Various movements in government are in motion regarding the Asian carp … Asian carp summit could be held in February Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Rep. Dave Camp introduced legislation to close routes into Lake Michigan
Asian carp DNA found in Lake Michigan
This just in from the Chicago Tribune … “The DNA of Asian carp has been found in Lake Michigan for the first time, researchers said Tuesday, igniting a new round of calls for urgent action and renewed criticism of Illinois and the federal government for allowing the voracious carp to migrate up the state’s waterways.” Army Corp report Asian Carp Rapid Response site
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