Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Grants to Protect Coastal Wetlands - Texas Is Recipient
December 26, 2008
H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced today that twenty-five conservation projects benefiting fish and wildlife on more than 13,543 acres of coastal habitat in twelve States will be funded with $20.1 million from 2009 National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program.
Texas will receive a federal grant of $740,425 to be matched with partner funds to complete a $1 million project.Â
Texas Parks and Wildlife, with assistance from The Nature Conservancy, will acquire a conservation easement on approximately 3,500 acres of coastal habitats in the Guadalupe River Delta in Refugio County. Blue crabs, a main food source for the endangered whooping crane that winters on the Texas mid-coast, inhabit the wetlands on the property. In addition to the cranes, many other species of fish and migratory birds use the forested and emergent wetlands. The project site, Swan Lake Ranch, is part of the San Antonio Estuary ecosystem and will make a significant contribution to a corridor of protected lands. There are 148,000 acres of land nearby held in conservation by TPW, the Service, Guadalupe Blanco River Trust and private landowners.
Nationally, the grants will acquire, restore or enhance coastal wetlands and adjacent uplands to provide long-term conservation benefits to fish, wildlife and their habitat. Other states receiving funds include Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. These federal grants will be matched by nearly $27 million in partner contributions from state and local governments, private landowners and conservation groups.
“Coastal wetlands provide valuable habitat for many fish and wildlife species, help keep our oceans cleaner, and serve as buffers to protect coastal communities from storms and flooding” Hall said. “The Service’s National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is a great example of a voluntary approach to habitat conservation. By providing technical and financial assistance to our partners, we are able to enlist their help in conserving coastal areas threatened by development and predicted sea-level rise resulting from climate change.”Â
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and funded under provisions of the 1990 Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, drawing from Sport Fish Restoration Act revenue - money generated from an excise tax on fishing equipment and motorboat and small engine fuels.Â
Including the 2009 grants, the Service has awarded more than $220 million to coastal states and territories since the program began in 1992. When the 2009 projects are complete, nearly 258,000 acres of habitat will have been protected, restored or enhanced.Â
For a list of all projects funded by the 2009 grant program, go to:Â www.fws.gov
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For more information, contact the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VAÂ 22203, or Division of Federal Assistance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VAÂ 22203, or visit the program’s home page.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
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BLM Waives Recreation-related Fees for Veterans on Veterans Day
November 10, 2008
The Bureau of Land Management will waive recreation-related fees for veterans and military personnel, along with their families, on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11.
BLM Director Jim Caswell, a Vietnam veteran, encouraged veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces to recreate on BLM-managed or other Federal lands on November 11, saying, “We want to thank the men and women who have served or are serving our country through military service. This is a small, but special way in which we can express our gratitude and our appreciation to them.”
The waiver of entrance and/or standard amenity fees on Veterans Day applies annually, starting in 2006, to public recreation lands under the management of the BLM, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation (all agencies of the Department of the Interior), along with the U.S. Forest Service (part of the Department of Agriculture).
The Veterans Day fee waiver takes place on November 11, even if the Federal observance of the holiday should occur on a different day. This year, the Federal observance of Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, November 11.
Recreation fee-setting and waiver authority for the BLM and other Federal agencies is based on the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, passed by Congress as part of a Fiscal Year 2005 appropriations bill that was signed into law by President Bush on December 8, 2004.
The BLM manages more land – 258 million surface acres – than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The Bureau, with a budget of about $1 billion, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.
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Alaska Joins Cooperative Effort to Protect Nation’s Wildlife
September 19, 2008
On September 8, Alaska became the 30th state to join the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (IWVC) in a cooperative effort to protect the nation’s wildlife resources.
Founded in 1989 by charter states Colorado, Oregon and Nevada, the IWVC is a multi-state program that provides law enforcement agencies greater authority and improved resources to enforce wildlife regulations across state boundaries.Â
In part, the Compact creates an agreement that allows member states to reciprocate regarding the suspension or revocation of licenses resulting from violations of hunting, fishing and trapping laws. Any person whose license or permit privileges are suspended or revoked in one member state are subject to suspension or revocation in all member states.
“Alaska is a prime destination for fishing and big game hunting, and their membership in the IWVC provides a tremendous deterrent to potential offenders,” said Bob Thompson, Colorado Division of Wildlife acting chief of law enforcement. “If a poacher or other violator has their hunting or fishing privileges revoked here in Colorado, they also will lose their privilege to hunt or fish in Alaska, as well as all other Compact member states. This helps to ensure that nonresident violators can’t ignore a citation or summons simply by fleeing to their home state.”
The Compact also improves interstate communication among law enforcement agencies by providing access to suspension information stored in the IWVC database.
“The IWVC brings together a cooperative effort that enhances the State of Colorado’s ability to protect and manage our wildlife resources for the benefit of all residents and visitors,” said Thompson. “We are excited this program continues to grow, and Alaska is a great addition and asset towards this effort.”
Member states include:Â Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.
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Kenai River Sockeye Salmon Limit Reduced
August 5, 2008
The sockeye salmon bag and possession limit will be reduced to one fish upstream of the Kenai River sonar counter located at river mile 19, effective 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, August 6. The Kenai River sonar counter is located approximately two river miles below the Sterling Highway Bridge crossing of the Kenai River in Soldotna. Sport fishing for sockeye salmon below the river mile 19 sonar counter remains closed.
The bag and possession limit of sockeye salmon in the Russian River and Kenai River “fly-fishing-only waters” at the confluence of the Russian River, including that portion of the Kenai River from ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman’s Landing downstream to the power line are not affected by this action and remain at three fish. See page 51 of the Southcentral Alaska regulation booklet for a map of this area.
The department is taking measures to reduce the harvest of Kenai River sockeye salmon. This restriction is part of an effort by the department which also includes a reduction in commercial fishing to achieve an optimal escapement goal of 500,000 – 1,000,000 spawning sockeye salmon. The department is closely monitoring the run and will take further management actions as necessary to meet the optimum escapement goal. These management actions may include further restrictions with short notice, or, if the run strength significantly increases, management actions could include rescinding the restrictions placed on the fisheries.
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Amendment to the 2008 Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery Schedule
May 30, 2008
The Chitina Subdistrict will remain closed until Thursday June 5 at 7:59 p.m. Fish passage past the Miles Lake sonar is sufficient to allow a personal use fishery opening during the week of June 2 – 8. The duration of this opening will be 72-hours from 8:00 p.m., June 5 through 8:00 p.m., June 8. As a reminder, the Copper River Personal Use Dip Net Salmon Fishery Management Plan and the Statewide Personal Use Fishing Regulations state that:
- The seasonal bag limit is a total of 15 salmon, one of which may be a king salmon for a household of one, and 30 salmon, one of which may be a king salmon for a household of two or more.
- Personal use fishers must possess both their Chitina Personal Use fishery permit and a valid resident sport fishing license when fishing.
- Of the total bag limit only one king salmon can be kept.
- Steelhead cannot be kept, and must be returned to the water unharmed.
- When a harvestable surplus of 50,000 salmon or greater will be present in the Chitina Subdistrict, by emergency order, a supplemental permit for 10 additional sockeye salmon will be issued to Chitina Subdistrict personal use permit holders.
- Harvest must be recorded on the permit immediately.
- The tips of the tail of personal use caught fish must be clipped immediately upon landing a fish.
- Immediately is defined as before concealing the salmon from plain view or transporting the salmon from the fishing site. Fishing site means the location where the fish was removed from the water and became part of the permit holder’s bag limit.
During May 19 - 25, there were 34,942 salmon counted past the Miles Lake sonar. The preseason projection for this period was 54,350 salmon, which results in a deficit of 19,408 salmon. Copper River sockeye salmon migratory timing and the previous five-year average harvest and participation rates indicate sufficient numbers of salmon available to allow 72 hours of fishing time during the week of June 2 – 8. Depending on actual numbers of salmon passing the Miles Lake sonar, future openings may be increased or decreased, accordingly.
All residents of Alaska qualify to participate in this personal use fishery. A Chitina Subdistrict Personal Use Fishing permit and a resident sport fishing license are required to participate in this personal use fishery. There is no fee for the Chitina Subdistrict personal use fishing permit. Public access, without a fee, to the Copper River is available in those areas where the eastern boundary of the 300’ wide O’Brien Creek Road easement reaches the ordinary high water mark of the west bank of the Copper River. Boat launch and fish wheel access to the Copper River is available via the 17b easement located upstream of the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge on the east bank of the Copper River. Public access and boat launching is also available downstream of the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge on the east bank of the Copper River within the DOT ROW where it reaches ordinary high water.
Uplands on both banks of the Copper River within the Chitina Subdistrict boundaries are private. Vehicle and foot access to the Copper River remains restricted along these private lands and at O’Brien Creek. Boat launching is currently not available at O’Brien Creek. Landowners in the area have incorporated a fee-based permit system which allows public access over their private lands along the Copper River. Not all private land is posted. A brochure, which offers guidance into private land locations within the fishery area, is distributed with the permit. The Department urges dipnetters to respect the rights of private landowners. DOT has replaced the O’Brien Creek Bridge, which was washed away by flooding in October 2006, with an ATV bridge. Highway vehicles may cross O’Brien Creek at the designated crossing. The road approximately one mile beyond O’Brien Creek sustained extensive landslide and wash-out damage in the 2006 flooding and remains closed from that point and beyond.
If you are launching a boat from the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge please do so safely and with respect to operating fishwheels. When cleaning fish, the carcasses should be disposed of in fast moving water that washes the carcasses downstream such as O’Brien Creek or the Copper River. Leaving carcasses along the road, stream bank or in lakes is considered littering and subject to a $1,000 fine. Camping space is reduced and limited. Public camping is available at the DOT wayside on the east bank of the Copper River by the Chitina-McCarthy Bridge, waysides along the O’Brien Creek Road ROW, and a private campground at the Chitina Airport. The Liberty Falls Recreation Site is currently closed due to flood damage. Wood cutting within the DOT ROW is prohibited.
Information regarding the fishery can be found at the ADF&G web site: www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/region3/areas/ucus/chitina/chitina.cfm. This site provides information regarding the Upper Copper River fisheries including: fishery descriptions and summaries, maps of the subdistricts, a listing of vendors that carry the permits, and links to the sonar numbers and Emergency Orders. If you have any questions regarding the Chitina Subdistrict personal use fishery, please contact the ADF&G office in Glennallen at (907) 822-3309. Changes in the fishery openings will be announced at least 48 hours in advance. Fishery information is available 24 hours each day at (907) 822-5224 in Glennallen, (907) 459-7382 in Fairbanks and (907) 267-2511 in Anchorage. Please contact the information phone line prior to planning your trip to Chitina to insure that the fishery will be open when you arrive.
For additional information contact Mark Somerville, UCUS Area Management Biologist, 907-822-3309.
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Port Graham/English Bay Area Closed to Retention of Sockeye Salmon June 1 – July 31
May 30, 2008
All waters of the English Bay River drainage and Port Graham Subdistrict close to the retention of sockeye salmon at 11:59 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008, and will remain closed through 11:59 p.m., Thursday, July 31, 2008.
The 2008 preseason forecast for sockeye salmon returning to the English Bay lakes is less than the low end of the sustainable escapement goal of 6,000 – 13,500. As a result, all returning fish will likely be required for spawning escapement, and no harvestable surplus is expected.
Sockeye salmon may not be possessed or retained during this closed period.
Escapement at the English Bay River weir will be monitored to assess run strength, but reopening the fishery is unlikely unless the actual sockeye salmon return is stronger than projected, and escapement and brood stock requirements are met.
The Port Graham Subdistrict includes all waters east of the longitude of Point Bede at 151º 59.40’ and south of the latitude of Point Pogibshi at 59º 25.47.
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Bait Allowed For Kenai River Early Run King Salmon Fishing Beginning June 1
May 30, 2008
Due to sufficient numbers of early run king salmon entering the Kenai River, anglers may fish with bait from a point approximately 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Moose and Kenai rivers beginning 12:01 a.m., Sunday, June 1, 2008.
All other Kenai River special provisions, methods and means, and bag and possession limits remain in effect. Anglers may only use one single-pointed hook. Anglers may keep only those king salmon that are less than 46 inches in length or 55 inches or greater in length. All other king salmon must be released immediately.
The “Kenai River and Kasilof River Early-Run King Salmon Management Plan” directs the Department to achieve a spawning escapement goal of 5,300-9,000 king salmon. The Department is currently projecting a total in-river run of early-run king salmon of approximately 11,000 to 19,000 fish and a spawning escapement within the escapement goal.
Under these circumstances, the management plan directs the Department to liberalize the fishery to increase the harvest of king salmon by allowing the use of bait in the mainstem of the Kenai River. This Emergency Order will take effect on June 1, and will allow the use of bait in the Kenai River from a point 100 yards downstream of the confluence of the Kenai and Moose rivers, to the mouth of the Kenai River. END
For additional information contact Robert Begich, Area Management Biologist, (907)262-9368.
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