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John Benedict
New Member
64 Posts |
 Posted - 06/27/2008 : 12:14:16
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MUCC, Lt. Governor and Office of the Great Lakes Announce Michigan's Strategy to Restore and Protect the Great Lakes - Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) on June 4, 2008 joined Lt. Governor John
Cherry and the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes (OGL) to announce The Michigan Great Lakes Strategy Initiative (Michigan Strategy), a framework to restore and protect the Great Lakes. MUCC also released Michigan's Role in Great Lakes Protection and Restoration: Analysis and Recommendations , the organization's gap analysis report, which was instrumental in developing the Strategy. MUCC's gap analysis report is an in-depth look at the recommendations of the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration compared with how Michigan is working to meet those recommendations. It also identifies where gaps exist between the Collaboration's recommendations and ongoing restoration, remediation or protection work in Michigan and outlines sixteen priority actions that will make the largest impact on further protecting and restoring our Great Lakes. The Michigan Strategy will serve as a framework to ensure Michigan carries its water when it comes to restoring and protecting the Great Lakes, and is designed to strengthen Michigan's case for governmental policy and funding support. Watershed alliances, tribal entities and other non-governmental stakeholders will be invited to participate in the planning process and will assist in identifying specific efforts to be included in the final Michigan Plan. MUCC's role will be to provide information on Michigan's action to restore and protect the Great Lakes according to the gap analysis. MUCC will host statewide meetings at the regional watershed level to ensure that the Michigan Strategy focuses on both the Great Lakes and the systems that keep them healthy. MUCC's report, Michigan's Role in Great Lakes Protection and Restoration: Analysis and Recommendations may be accessed at << http://www.mucc.org/policy/gapreport.pdf
>> (PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader ). The Office of the Great Lakes' 2007 State of the Great Lakes Report may be accessed at <<http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ogl-stateGLRpt2007_219068_7.pdf >>
Michigan Keeper of the Great Lakes Award - A component of the Michigan Strategy will recognize Michigan's Great Lakes restoration heroes with an annual Michigan Keeper of the Great Lakes Award. The first award was presented to Dr. Charles M. Nelson for his leadership in collaborating with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the Michigan DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-governmental organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Partners for Fish and Wildlife, and the Shiawassee Flats Citizens and Hunters Association. Together, the group procured over $13.8 million in North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant and matching monies, leading to the conservation of 18,073 acres of wetlands and associated uplands in Great Lakes coastal zones in Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair and western Lake Erie. "The effort between Dr. Nelson and Ducks Unlimited is an excellent example of how one dedicated person and a well-organized conservation organization can make a difference in protecting the habitats critical to the health of the Great Lakes and its wildlife," said Stine. "There are many stories like Dr. Nelson's, and the Michigan Keeper of the Great Lakes Award will serve to recognize and inspire future stewards of the Great Lakes." Dr. Nelson was also recognized by the Michigan Legislature for his ongoing dedication to restore and protect the Great Lakes.
"Hunter's Choice" U.P Proposal Passes NRC - The NRC voted on June 5th to enact an amendment to the deer hunting regulations that gives hunters in the Upper Peninsula (Zone 1) a choice of deer hunting license options: two bucks, both with antler point restrictions (3 and 4 points on a side), or one buck with no point restrictions (minimum of 3 inch spike). The new regulations pertain to hunters who purchase a deer license on or after June 12, 2008. Hunters who purchased their license prior to June 12 will hunt under the same regulations as hunters in the Lower Peninsula. Under the new regulations, which apply to the U.P. only, the regular buck tag of a combination deer license purchased beginning June 12 must be used to tag a buck with at least three antler points (a minimum of one inch long) on one side. The restricted tag must be used for a buck with a minimum of four points on one side. Hunters who choose not to purchase the combination tag are restricted to one buck only in the U.P., all seasons combined, even if they purchase both archery and firearms licenses. Hunters in the Lower Peninsula may continue to harvest any legal buck with the combination deer license regular buck tag. Sportsmen and sportswomen who hunt in both peninsulas are governed by the rules of the peninsula in which they harvest their bucks. A hunter can take a buck in the U.P., for instance, and still take a buck in the Lower Peninsula.
DNR Brings in New Law Enforcement Chief; Reorganizes Offices - The DNR announced that Gary Hagler of Flint has been named the chief of the department's Law Enforcement Division. Hagler most recently served as the Chief of Police of the Flint Police Department, where he was a 22-year veteran of the force. To address one of the agency's top priorities of recruitment and retention, the expansion of shooting sports recreation, and education and outreach, the DNR has established in the Office of Communications a Recruitment and Retention Section, which will be headed by Dennis Fox (formerly DNR Chief of Staff). Shooting ranges, recreational safety education programs, and the Archery in the Schools program will be transferred from Law Enforcement Division to the new Recruitment and Retention Section in the Office of Communications. Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW), already in the Office of Communications, will move to the Recruitment and Retention Section.
Rodney Stokes will become Chief of Staff (formerly Acting Chief of the Law - Enforcement Division) and will oversee management of the legislative liaison and services of internal audit, financial services, administrative operations, and the Grants Management Section. Stokes will also serve as the coordinator for the Natural Resources Trust Fund Board. The DNR will eliminate the chief deputy position. Dennis Fedewa will take over a new position that has been created as the Administrative Operations Chief, which will assist in the consolidation plan for the Department. In other changes:
a.. The Office of Budget and Support Services will report directly to the DNR Director.
b.. Emergency management will move from Law Enforcement Division to Human Resources in the Executive Division.
c.. Dan Eichinger will take over as Legislative Liaison from his acting status.
Non-Industrial Private Forest Lands Coalition Discusses Qualified Forest Program - Under a grant from the U.S. Forest Service, MUCC has been working to build a coalition designed to increase and improve the management of non-industrial private forestlands (NIPF). The Coalition met for the second time to discuss their objectives and form subcommittees to develop an action plan to implement each of
their three goals: 1) increase the management of NIPF; 2) increase awareness of the value of forest management to Michigan's economy and ecosystems; and 3) create an efficient and effective statewide network for the delivery of services and education to NIPF landowners. Members of the Coalition also discussed some concerns private land owners are having with the current structure of the Qualified Forest Program (QFP), which forestland owners can enroll in to receive tax incentives for managing their forests properly. The tax recapture provisions in the program, intended to penalize land owners for leaving the QFP, may be too stringent and are deterring residents from enrolling at all. A senior policy advisor from Senator Van Woerkom's office was in attendance to listen to the concerns and will be bringing them back to the legislators to see how
the program could be amended.
United State Senate Begins Debate on Climate Change Legislation - Last week, the Senate began debate on a sweeping global warming bill that would impact the nation's economy and change the way Americans buy and use energy. The bill would cap emissions of greenhouse gases and redistribute trillions of dollars collected from polluters back to industries, states and electricity consumers over the next four decades. Viewed as a laying the groundwork for action next year, the bill received very little debate because Senator Republicans started a filibuster on the bill and there were insufficient votes to close off the filibuster. President Bush has consistently opposed mandatory limits on emissions. But with the three remaining major-party presidential candidates all endorsing some form of a cap-and-trade system. The current legislation is sponsored by Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. The bill would cap covered emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases at 19 percent below current levels by 2020 and 71 percent lower by 2050. Sponsors estimate that the bill would reduce total domestic emissions by as much as 66 percent. Utilites and other CO2 emiters could reduce their own emissions or buy allowances on a market.
MUCC and Racing For Wildlife And Partners Launch Restoration Efforts At Mill Lake Youth Camp - Today, representatives from the Racing for Wildlife program, The Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation, Michigan International Speedway, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources came together at Victory Lane at MIS to officially kick off the restoration efforts of Mill Lake Youth Camp. Located about 30 miles northeast of MIS in the 20,000-acre Waterloo State Recreation Area, the historic Mill Lake Youth Camp has a legacy of creating memorable outdoor experiences for Michigan's children. Built in the early 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, the camp represented a national social movement to provide urban and underprivileged children opportunities to enjoy the natural world. The Mill Lake Youth Camp is situated on a scenic 142-acre lake with excellent recreation and fishing opportunities and is convenient to a large number of Michigan residents - it is only 16 miles west of Ann Arbor and within an hour of the Detroit metropolitan area. Today the once bustling camp lies vacant. Many of the original structures remain on the property but have degraded over time. Nevertheless, the camp's fundamental infrastructure is strong and its location ideal. Proposed restoration of this historic camp will reestablish its reputation as a premiere outdoor education facility in southern Michigan. With a special focus on family engagement and urban youth, the revitalized camp will reopen to families, kids and individuals for year-round outdoor adventures. Racing for Wildlife, launched by the Conservation Fund and the Ryan Newman Foundation, has partnered with two local organizations, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, to bring back Mill Lake Youth Camp. The organizations are raising funds to rebuild Mill Lake and to coordinate its use with another nearby camp, Cedar Lake, so that children and even entire families can enjoy outdoor education programs during the day and in overnight camps all year long.
MUCC's Annual Convention is just around the corner-be prepared - Each year MUCC holds its Annual Convention to set its policy and priorities for the upcoming year, as well as network with other member clubs and board members to exchange ideas and help each other with "potential solutions" to problems . This year, MUCC will hold its 71 st Annual Convention on June 21-22, 2008 at the Quality Inn and Suites in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
Note to Delegates: Registration will begin on Friday, June 20, 2008 from 4 -7p.m. and will continue on Saturday from 8-9 a.m. If you have not pre-registered, please make sure you have your Voting Authorization Application form (completed and signed) and also your Registration Application completed. Also, please look over and read all Convention Resolutions in your Convention Booklet to make sure you are prepared to debate these resolutions on the floor. And remember to utilize the Resolution Amendment Form when offering up amendments to any of the resolutions. This will save the staff from any confusion on your amendment and will also help convention flow in a timely manner. If you have any questions about convention, please contact Brenda Reich at the MUCC office ( breich@mucc.org << mailto:breich@mucc.org >> or 517-346-6496).
Healing our Waters - Great Lakes Coalition launches 13-City Boat Tour - Last week, MUCC's coalition partner in protecting the Great Lakes, the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition launched a 13-city boat tour, starting in Buffalo, N.Y., to highlight the need to restore the Great Lakes and to urge the U.S. Congress and presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama to act to restore the lakes. The Earth Voyager-one of the fastest sailboats on the Great Lakes-will stop in cities along the lakes. The 60-feet-long and nearly 100-foot-tall boat will dock in ports, anchoring a series of community events. Coalition members will be joined at each city by local elected officials, business leaders, conservation groups like MUCC and citizens to urge federal leaders to stop sewage contamination, halt invasive species and confront other serious threats. The tour will also feature restoration success stories and highlight the economic benefit of restoring the lakes. The tour includes 7 stops in Michigan as follows:
June 23 - 28 Detroit, Mich.
June 30 - July 11 Port Huron, Mich.
July 12 - 14 Bayview Port Huron to Mackinac Race
July 19 - 21 100th Chicago to Mackinac Race
July 24 - 27 Traverse City, Mich.
August 6 - 9 Grand Haven, Mich.
August 20 - 23 Bay City, Mich.
For information, visit: << http://www.healthylakes.org/ >>
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Updating our list for 2008: If you would like to receive the policy report directly to your email address (or if you wish to be removed from this email list), please contact Amy Spray at aspray@mucc.org. Please include your first and last name in the email.
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MUCC Policy Action Report 6/13/08
