Conservation Column
CONSERVATION COLUMN
By Bill Hilts, Sr.
LAKE ONTARIO: What is the Future?
Much attention is being given Lake Ontario lately, but the prime stakeholders who are the anglers and boaters have been paying little attention. We all better wake up and get involved or we will be sorry! That huge inland sea, does need attention and better now than later!
Earlier in the year I attended a two-day workshop put together by NOAA and Sea Grant, which included a good mixture of partners with interests in the lake, including academia, environmental groups, conservation organizations, state agencies, professional representatives, government leaders, etc. Sessions were held in the U.S. and Canada and their goal was to develop priorities for the lake, covering all aspects including water use, fishing, pollution, lake levels, etc.
Though no solutions were developed to correct the problems, the conference was not intended to be a decision maker. It was an experiment to identify problems, prioritize those problems and float ideas. The result was to go to the next step, which is to organize the very first Lake Ontario Congress, bringing together all interested parties with an agenda to hopefully develop plans to address the lakes problems. Watch for it, as it is vital that anglers/boaters be involved in that process.
Lake Ontario Water Levels?
Another very serious issue is Lake Ontario water levels. This has always been a bone of contention and it’s a problem that will not be easily solved, if at all.
Throughout the spring, the International Joint Commission (IJC) has been holding a most ambitious schedule of information sessions and public hearings, all along the Lake Ontario shoreline, on both sides of the border. The end result will be a decision by the IJC which will establish the rules and regulations for regulating Lake Ontario levels for the next 50 years.
The two plans most favored by conservation interests are Plan 2007, which is very close to the existing plan of the past 50 years, or Plan B+ which is considered by many conservation groups to be the most beneficial plan to improve environmental conditions around the lake.
At the initial two public information meetings held in late April and early May, there were large turnouts to participate in the sessions. However, at the Olcott, NY session there was only a single voice raised from a fisherman, about 100 attended that session. The following night the same session was held in Greece, NY with about 175 in attendance. Not a single question was posed regarding fishing or boating.
The attendees are mostly lakeshore property owners and they have serious issues with high water levels. They are seeking a plan that will keep water levels as low as possible, so the shorelines will receive less damage from wave action. If they get their way, boaters and anglers will suffer due to low water levels which will raise havoc among anglers and boaters at docks and boat launch ramps. Not to mention damage to marshes and streams for spawning fish and nesting wildlife.
It is vital for anglers and boaters to attend these sessions and be heard. It’s still not too late, because some public hearings are still scheduled. Public hearings are held from 7 to 9 PM and are scheduled as follows:
Alexandria Bay, NY at Bonnie Castle Resort, 31 Holland Street, on June 25.
Belleville, ON, Banquet Centre, l Alhambra Square, on June 23.
Kingston, ON at City Hall, 216 Ontario St., on June 24.
Massena, NY at Quality Inn, 10 West Orvis St., on June 19.
Oswego, NY, at American Foundry, 246 West Seneca St., on June 26.
For additional information, contact Dennis Money, representing the Nature Conservancy and its Partners at 585-394-1287; or e-mail: wolfoftheriver@hotmail.com.
DEC Seeks to Re-License Lapsed Anglers
Last year DEC reports that about 155,000 anglers failed to renew their fishing licenses. Some 12 percent of N.Y. anglers failed to renew since 2001. For anglers who fished New York’s Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) that figure is an amazing drop of 41 percent.
This recovery program is being coordinated by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and is being extended to 30 states. A direct mail marketing effort will be used in this effort to add much needed numbers to our shrinking angler corps. The cost of the campaign will be shared by DEC and the Foundation. RBFF will also be coordinating radio advertising promoting the sport of fishing; and encouraging people to purchase their license.
DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis is encouraging people to go fishing, consistent with one of DEC’s top priorities of getting New Yorkers reconnected with the outdoors. Over 40 percent of the funding for DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries is derived from the Conservation Fund, which is supported by fishing license sales revenue. Another 14 percent comes from the federal Sportfish Restoration Program. These funds are derived from an excise tax on boating and fishing equipment, with funds allocated back to the states based on land area and number of licensed anglers.
Licenses can purchased by phone, by calling 1-86-NY-DECALS or online through the DEC website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6101.html. For more information on the lapsed angler recruitment program call 518-402-8893 or e-mail fwfish@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
West Coast Salmon Fishing Banned
A real shocker from the West Coast … all salmon fishing, both commercial and recreational, has been banned for the first time in 160 years. There is little doubt that the decision is expected to have a devastating economic impact on fishermen, businesses, tourism and boating.
The closure of commercial and recreational fishing for Chinook salmon in the ocean off of California and most of Oregon was announced by the National Marine Fishery Service. The closure was predicted last fall, when the fabled fall run of king salmon disappeared. The commercial salmon season off of California and Oregon typically runs from May 1 to Oct. 31. The recreational season was to have begun April 5.
State Writers Group Seek Keesler Citizen Award Nominations
The New York State Outdoor Writers Assn., is seeking nominations for their M. Paul Keesler New York Outdoor Citizen Award. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization that effectively has raised the public’s awareness of outdoor recreational opportunities and conservation issues in New York State. The award recipient will be officially announced at the annual conference of the NYSOWA this fall.
“Paul Keesler may have been the single-most influential person in providing a means of promotion and conservation of New York’s outdoor resources, and this award recognizes the accomplishments of the annual recipient as well as those of its beloved namesake,” said Will Elliot of Pavilion, the president of NYSOWA.
The 2007 winner was William Lloyd of Newport, NY, a close friend of the late Keesler, who worked with him on many conservation projects in central NY State.
Anyone may submit a nomination of 350 words or less and have it endorsed by an active member of NYSOWA. To review award criteria and the nominating process, visit www.nysowa.org. To learn of a NYSOWA member in a nominator’s area who might endorse such a nomination, contact Glenn Sapir, gsapir@earthlink.net or call (845)528-0968.
HSUS Works to Merge All Anti-Hunting Groups
According to Safari Club International, “The Voice of America’s anti-hunting forces is trying to become more powerful. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is attempting to consolidate all of the animal rights movement’s political power under a single umbrella.” HSUS head Wayne Pacelle, reportedly told one publication that his organization may soon merge with at least three unnamed animal rights organizations. The HSUS previously absorbed the Fund for Animals in 2005 and the Doris Day Animal League in 2006. It has 10.5 million members, or supporters, which is 3.1 million more than it had just five years ago. The group has an annual budget of $112 million, some of which is used to back or oppose candidates for public office, based on their animal-related voting history.
Bill Hilts Sr., has been a veteran outdoor writer for nearly 50 years. His credits include writing for several regional and national publications, television, radio and editing the NY State Conservation Council Comments newspaper. He is a founder, charter member and past president of the NY State Outdoor writers Assn., past president of the Outdoor Writers Assn. of America and active in local, state, national and international conservation groups. Currently he is editor of the BEAR Journal, official publication of the North American Bear foundation.
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