Steve Pardo / The Detroit News

Federal officials say DNA evidence shows the aggressive Asian carp may have breached the electronic barrier designed to prevent it from invading the Great Lakes.

Officials with the Army Corps of Engineers said today that DNA of the giant carp has been found north of the barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The Cal-Sag channel leads to Lake Michigan. Environmentalists fear the carp could wreak havoc on the region's $4.5 billion fishing industry.
"This means we have to take aggressive action now because an invasion is imminent," said Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and Invasive Species at Great Lakes United. "This is not the time for deliberation. This is the time for action."

Asian carp escaped from Southern fish farms in the 1990s and have been migrating up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers. They grow to more than 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds. The powerful carp are known to knock boaters from their boats.

Click here for the entire article:
http://www.detnews.com/article/20091120/METRO/911200420/1409/METRO

Michigan's First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kent County Deer Breeding Facility

Contact: Bridget Patrick (MDA) or Mary Dettloff (DNR) 517-241-2669 or 517-335-3014
Agency: Natural Resources
August 25, 2008
LANSING - The Michigan departments of Agriculture (MDA) and Natural Resources (DNR) today confirmed the state's first case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a three-year old white-tailed deer from a privately owned cervid (POC) facility in Kent County.

The state has quarantined all POC facilities, prohibiting the movement of all - dead or alive - privately-owned deer, elk or moose. Officials do not yet know how the deer may have contracted the disease. To date, there is no evidence that CWD presents a risk to humans.

DNR and MDA staff are currently reviewing records from the Kent County facility and five others to trace deer that have been purchased, sold or moved by the owners in the last five years for deer and the last seven years for elk. Any deer that may have come in contact with the CWD-positive herd have been traced to their current location and those facilities have been quarantined.

"Michigan's veterinarians and wildlife experts have been working throughout the weekend to complete their investigation," said Don Koivisto, MDA director. "We take this disease very seriously, and are using every resource available to us to implement response measures and stop the spread of this disease."

CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk and moose. Most cases of the disease have been in western states, but in the past several years, it has spread to some midwestern and eastern states. Infected animals display abnormal behaviors, progressive weight loss and physical debilitation.

Current evidence suggests that the disease is transmitted through infectious, self-multiplying proteins (prions) contained in saliva and other fluids of infected animals. Susceptible animals can acquire CWD by direct exposure to these fluids or also from contaminated environments. Once contaminated, research suggests that soil can remain a source of infection for long periods of time, making CWD a particularly difficult disease to eradicate.

Michigan's First Case of Chronic Wasting Disease Detected at Kent County Deer Breeding Facility: "Currently, one of our top concerns is to confirm that the disease is not in free-ranging deer," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. "We are asking hunters this fall to assist us by visiting check stations to allow us to take biological samples from the deer they harvest, so we can perform adequate surveillance of the free-ranging white-tailed deer herd in the area."

Deer hunters this fall who take deer from Tyrone, Solon, Nelson, Sparta, Algoma, Courtland, Alpine, Plainfield, and Cannon townships will be required to bring their deer to a DNR check station. Deer taken in these townships are subject to mandatory deer check.

The DNR is also asking hunters who are participating in the private land five-day antlerless hunt in September in other parts of Kent County to visit DNR check stations in Kent County so further biological samples can be taken from free-ranging deer for testing. The DNR is in the process of finding additional locations for check stations in Kent County to make it more convenient for hunters.

The deer that tested positive at the Kent County facility was a doe that had been recently culled by the owner of the facility. Michigan law requires sick deer or culled deer on a POC facility be tested for disease. The samples from the Kent County deer tested "suspect positive" last week at Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health, and were sent to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa last Thursday for confirmatory testing. The positive results of those tests were communicated to the state of Michigan today.

Audits of the facility by the DNR in 2004 and 2007 showed no escapes of animals from the Kent County facility were reported by the owner. Also, there were no violations of regulations recorded during the audits.

Since 2002, the DNR has tested 248 wild deer in Kent County for CWD. In summer 2005, a number of those deer had displayed neurological symptoms similar to CWD; however, after testing it was determined the deer had contracted Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

More information on CWD is available on Michigan's Emerging Diseases Web site at
www.michigan.gov/chronicwastingdisease.

At discussion about this matter can be found at

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248252.

DNR has investigated release of sediment from ranch near Vanderbilt into the Pigeon River.
Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Department of Natural Resources officials will meet this week with the Attorney General's Office over a fish kill on the Pigeon River caused by a massive release of sediment from an impoundment on a private ranch near Vanderbilt.

The release occurred the night of June 22, when a gate was opened on a dam at Song of the Morning Ranch, a private yoga center, DNR officials said.

Within three days, an array of stream fish that included chubs, white suckers, shiners, 62 brown trout, 25 brook trout and three rainbow trout had been killed by black sediments that flowed down the river. Forty of the brown trout were more than a foot long, said DNR spokeswoman Mary Dettloff.

"The sediment gets into their gills and basically suffocates them," Dettloff said.

DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelly Smith said that since then, DNR investigators have performed a "full river assessment" to gather data about the amount of sediment released and the number of fish that were killed.

He said the agency is putting together the numbers now to determine how the incident compares to a 1984 fish kill when the same dam was opened at the same ranch.

In that incident, tons of silt swept down the river when the dam's gates were opened for cleaning.

Click here for entire article:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080728/METRO/807280370/1409/METRO

by Tony Dearing | The Flint Journal
If a package of corn bread mix costs $6.50, and you find someone who sells the same thing for $6, you can put a value on that.

You just saved yourself 50 cents.

But what if that particular product, at a cost of $6.50, is made here in Michigan, and sold by a company headquartered in Michigan?

What value do you put on supporting a business that's based right here in our own state?
It's not as easy to put a dollar value on that.

But people must see some merit in it, based on the growing number of Web sites that promote Michigan companies and products, and the number of businesses that are eager to be featured on them.

I spent some time on these "Buy Michigan" sites after our article on the front page of the Business section last Sunday highlighted local firms that promote their products this way.

Click here for entire article:
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/business/index.ssf/2008/05/genesee_county_retailers_sell.html

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall will be on display July 24th - July 28th at the Riverfront Park in Algonac, MI. Mr. Meldrum will sing the National Anthem at the 4:00pm opening ceremony July 24th

"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to
go to Washington.

7/24/2008 - 7/28/2008
Algonac, MI at Riverfront Park
810-794-3000 or 810-650-7600

Date: 7/24/2008 - 8/4/2008
Hours: Open 24 Hours
Website: www.themovingwall.org
Cost: Free

GO-Get Outdoors celebrates outdoor recreation and the role it plays with improving the quality of life in Michigan. Whether biking, hiking, trail running, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting or simply exploring nature, park and recreation facilities provide opportunities for every one of all ages and all backgrounds to enjoy the state's diverse natural resources. Participants can improve their health while supporting recreation opportunities.

GO Events Listing: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_36576---,00.html

Around Town news to Diana Wing at rotown@ameritech.net.

I don't often read forwarded bulk e-mails, but I received one from my sister-in-law the other day with the subject line "Helping Michigan" and I was curious. The e-mail contained a list of more than 60 Michigan companies that produce food products, including Ferndale-based Garden Fresh Gourmet (tortilla chips, salsa, hummus). It also included the following statement from the Michigan Department of Agriculture Web site (www.michigan.gov/mda): "If every household started spending just $10 per week of their current grocery budget on locally grown foods, we'd keep more than $37 million each week circulating within Michigan's economy."

If you go to the MDA Web site and click on "Select Michigan," you'll find a partial listing of Michigan specialty foods and products, and information about Michigan wineries, farm markets and u-pick produce farms. One way to join this grass-roots movement to help the state's economy is to buy from local food growers and producers, some of whom sell their goods at the Royal Oak Farmers Market. Another way is to seek out Michigan-made products from the grocery store.

Click here for entire article:
http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080713/LIFE/807130324/1025/NEWS08

ERIC SHARP
JULY 6, 2008


On an average weekend last summer, Mitzie's Dockside Service in Ecorse sold 12,000 gallons of gasoline to boaters and on Monday had to call the fuel supplier to refill the tanks.

This boating season, Mitzie Hodgson said she barely sells 4,000 gallons in a full week, and she has put up the For Sale sign at her once-thriving business on the Detroit River.

From the icy waters of Lake Superior to the relatively balmy shores of Lake Erie, the marine industry and anglers alike are feeling the painful effects fuel prices over $4 per gallon and watercraft that burn anywhere from 10 to 100 gallons of fuel an hour.

And it's clear that anglers in small boats, those under 25 feet, are feeling the pinch more than the owners of bigger craft.

"We're probably down 5,000 launches from last year at this time," said George Campbell, who runs the Wyandotte Boat Ramp and Tackle Shop on the river 400 yards downstream from Mitzie's.

"On a weekday, we're launching 15, 20 boats where last year it would be 70, 80," he said. "And on weekends we're doing 30, 40 launches where we used to do 120."

Click here for the entire article:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080706/SPORTS10/807060611/1058

This coming Saturday May 24th is the opening day of bass season on the Great Lakes and all the inland waters except Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and the Detroit River which do not open until the 3rd Saturday in June. The early catch and release season has been very good so the opener this weekend should also be good especially if the weather warms up and stays that way.


Lake Erie - Fishing has been hit-or-miss. Walleye were caught in 10 to 15 feet of water in Brest Bay. Drifting produced the best catches but those trolling crank baits or plugs also caught fish. Most boats were taking an average of two fish per trip. White bass were still hitting this week and large numbers were caught in Brest Bay. Water temperatures were 55 degrees at the surface and the clarity was improving.

Huron River - A couple steelhead were caught on minnows near the rocks just down from the dam at Flat Rock. White bass have been caught on minnows or crayfish.

Detroit River - Walleye angling has slowed but most boats are still catching a few. The white bass fishing is on fire! Most of the fish are 11 to 13 inches long and are great fighters. Many are being taken by shore anglers, but boat anglers are also doing well when fishing about any place where the water is less than 32 feet deep. Jigs and plastic worms, real worms or minnows are all working well.

Lake St. Clair - Walleye fishing is still on the slow side off Metro Beach, but a few more fish were caught in the south end of the lake.

Click here for the entire DNR fishing report:
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10364-34956--,00.html

This year consider planting plants native to your area when landscaping or gardening. Native plants are defined as plants that existed in an area prior to European settlement. The use of native plants has numerous benefits due to having evolved over thousands of years and, as such, are adapted to local conditions. The benefits include:

• They flourish without fertilizers or synthetic pesticides and rarely need watering.
• They provide food and habitat for wildlife which continues to disappear due to development
• They contribute to biodiversity
• They keep our regions unique and help us to maintain plant species
• Their root systems rebuild the soil and work as filtering systems.
• Last but not least they are beautiful!

Click here for the entire article:
http://www.absolutemichigan.com/dig/shopping/consider-planting-michigan-native-plants/

Thursday, May 15, 2008
Gary Heinlein / Detroit News Lansing Bureau

LANSING -- Without a single dissenting vote, the state Senate and House voted Wednesday to include Michigan in a historic international compact designed to reserve all of the water in the Great Lakes for the eight states and two Canadian provinces surrounding them.

That doesn't quite cement Michigan's participation in the Great Lakes agreement, however, because the compact is linked to a series of additional House and Senate bills to regulate water usage within the state. There's still disagreement over House and Senate versions of those proposed rules.

"We're taking the first important step forward and we'll continue to negotiate the items of disagreement," said Rep. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, the House point-person on the proposed water rules. "Being able to move the process forward proves that we're serious about this and able to get it done. If nothing else, it signals to the folks who are heavily invested in this that the time to come together and get an agreement is now."

Click here for the entire article:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/METRO/805150385

EVENTS

Boating course: A 10-week boating safety course, sponsored by the Wyandotte Power Squadron, will start Feb. 18 at the Copeland Center, 2306 4th St. The sessions will run from 7-9 p.m. each night. For information, call 734-699-4275 or 313-382-4709.

Winter triathlon: The Muskegon Sports Council presents its Winter Triathlon on Feb. 3 at the Winter Sports Complex in Muskegon State Park. The event, consisting of cross-country skiing, luge and speedskating, is geared toward novices. Instruction and practice run from 10 a.m. to noon. The luge clinic is mandatory; others are optional. The competitions run from noon to 3:30. The fee is $20 for entrants 13 and older, $15 for 12 and under, or $40 for a family. Age divisions start at 9-under and go to 60-older. Entry forms can be obtained by e-mailing MadMarkJ@aol.com. For information, call 231-828-4627.

DNR FISHING REPORT
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources advises that ice is building in the southern sections of the Lower Peninsula but most of the lakes are still not safe. Ice fishing continues around the rest of the state. Those traveling on the ice should fish with a partner, take an ice spud to test the ice, wear a personal flotation device, take a cell phone and be sure to tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.

Source: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080124/SPORTS10/801240396/1058