Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana is Closed Until Further Notice Due To Impact of Hurricane Ike
September 20, 2008
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has closed Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge until further notice due to the impact of Hurricane Ike.
The coastal refuge, just south of LA 82, includes acres in Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Ike’s winds and storm surge damaged the refuge offices, lab areas, dormitories and equipment storage buildings, which had been repaired following Hurricane Rita in 2005.
The public access areas that include a public boat launch and bank fishing areas have also been closed due to storm damage that must be repaired for public safety concerns.
LDWF’s Coastal and Nongame Resource Division will re-open the public access areas as soon as basic damage repair has been completed. Anyone needing to reach Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge personnel during the office closure can call 225-765-2811.
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Pleasant Harbor Public Boat Launch to Close Sept. 8-12
August 27, 2008
OLYMPIA – The public boat launch at Pleasant Harbor near Brinnon on Hood Canal will be closed Sept. 8-12 while the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) wraps up an improvement project at the site.
The launch was previously scheduled to close earlier in September but recent heavy rains made the ground too wet to work, said Penny Warren, WDFW regional lands supervisor. The launch will now be closed from 12:01 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8 to 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.
The Pleasant Harbor launch is closing while WDFW completes a two-year improvement project at the site, Warren, WDFW regional lands supervisor.
“We’re sorry to close the site down for these days, but it’s exciting to put the final touches on this important project,” Warren said.
Funded through a grant from the Washington State Recreation Conservation Office, the new amenities at the popular launch include a double boat ramp, a float, restroom, an asphalt road and paved parking. WDFW also widened the road to the site and installed new water retention ponds and lighting. Work crews will finish the road and parking lot during the closures in September.
Warren said two alternative launch sites are available nearby while Pleasant Harbor is under construction. The sites are located at Triton Cove State Park, which is approximately five miles south of Pleasant Harbor and the Quilcene launch site, which is approximately 15 miles north at the end of Linger Longer Road.
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Connecticut DEP Temporarily Closes the Thames River State Boat Launch in New London for Renovations
June 30, 2008
Alternative Public Boat Launches Available
The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will be temporarily closing the Thames River State Boat Launch in New London for renovations. The closure will be effective July 14, 2008 through August 28, 2008 while the State boat launch is being renovated.
Renovations to the Thames River State Boat Launch will include:
Boat Ramp – installing a new ramp of pre-cast concrete, with a grooved surface;
Ramp Sides and Bottom – installing an interconnecting concrete block apron on the sides and bottom of the ramp to prevent erosion.
“The ramp replacement, which will be completed this summer, will improve boating operations and facilitate the safe and efficient launching and retrieval of boats,” said Eleanor Mariani, of DEP’s Boating Division.
While the renovations are taking place, the public can utilize the following boat launches in the area: Dock Road in Waterford, and the K.E. Streeter and Bayberry Lane boat launches, both in Groton. For additional state owned boat launches see the CT Boater’s Guide or visit the Boating section of the DEP website at: www.ct.gov/dep
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Smallwood State Park Hosts 3rd Annual Triathlon
June 23, 2008
MARBURY — Smallwood State Park and Set Up Events, Inc. expects to host more than 300 athletes for the 3rd Annual General Smallwood Triathlon on Sunday, June 29 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To accommodate the triathlon, Smallwood State Park’s boat launch ramps will close from 5 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 29.
“This is our 3rd year hosting the triathlon,” said Park Ranger Nakia Johnson. “Smallwood State Park hopes both athletic competitors and watchers enjoy the day outdoors and consider utilizing state parks regularly to exercise both the body and mind.”
The triathlon offers two different individual races, an international and a sprint triathlon. Interested participants can register online up until the morning of the race. For more information, visit www.setupevents.com
Established in 1958 as a historic park, Smallwood State Park is named in honor of General Smallwood, a Charles County native. For more information about Smallwood State Park visit
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/southern/smallwood.html.
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DEC Purchases Former Bachy’s Marina on Lake Ontario
June 13, 2008
Site Will Enhance Boating and Fishing Access
The former Bachy’s Marina in the Jefferson County Hamlet of Three Mile Bay will be purchased by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Commissioner Pete Grannis announced today. The site contains approximately 1.1 acres of land and 300 feet of shoreline along Lake Ontario in the Town of Lyme and will provide important lake access and fishing opportunities for the public.
“This is a great project that will provide neighboring communities with necessary access to Lake Ontario,” Commissioner Grannis said. “DEC is looking forward to working with our partners in improving the site to offer even more opportunities for residents and visitors to go boating or kayaking, take part in terrific fishing opportunities, or just connect with nature along the lakeshore.”
DEC purchased the property for $183,300 using Environmental Protection Funds from Michael and Jeanette Countryman. The property already has a boat launch and DEC intends to further improve it by demolishing the marina building to provide additional parking. DEC will also be improving the boat launch to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. The specifics of the improvements are currently under design by DEC staff. In addition, the State Department of Transportation (DOT) is designing an approximately $2.5 million highway reconstruction project along six-tenths of a mile of Route 12E in Three Mile Bay, which provides access to the marina. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2009.
“This is a shining example of how agencies can work together for the collective betterment of a community,” Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said. “In cooperation with the State Department of Environmental Conservation, our highway project will further enhance recreational opportunities for all who visit the Three Mile Bay area.”
Lake Ontario and its embayments and tributaries comprise over 2.7 million acres. The region supports populations of a variety of fish, ranging from trout and salmon, bass and walleye to yellow perch and panfish, making Lake Ontario an increasingly attractive destination for boaters and anglers.
There is strong local support for this project because it will provide year-round access for the public to Lake Ontario and Chaumont Bay. The boat launch would be the first public boating access site to Three Mile Bay and will also provide needed access in the winter for ice fisherman. In a unanimous resolution on July 25, 2007, the Town Board of Lyme expressed support for DEC ownership of this property. In addition, a letter of support was also received from Jack Miller, President of the Town of Lyme Community Foundation and Judy Tyndall, President of the Lyme Garden Club. Both groups applaud the DEC for its efforts and feel strongly that this project will enhance recreational opportunities in their community. The Lyme Garden Club is interested in helping out with landscaping plans for the area.
Improvements to this site are among the Lake Ontario projects that will be paid for through natural resource damage (NRD) funding made available from a 2006 settlement with Occidental Chemical Corporation. The $12 million settlement is one of the largest NRD settlements in the country for lost recreational fishing use. The settlement will be used to restore, replace or acquire resources comparable to the injured natural resources.
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Lac Vieux Desert Reservoir Boating Access Site Closes Temporarily for Construction
June 10, 2008
The Department of Natural Resources announced today that the Lac Vieux Desert Reservoir Boating Access Site in the Upper Peninsula’s Gogebic County will be closed for construction beginning June 16.
The construction upgrade will include dredging the boat launch area and installing a new 36-foot wide by 70-foot long concrete ramp, and a new five-foot by 30-foot courtesy pier. The current ramp is in poor condition and deteriorating.
Funds for this project were awarded through a grant from the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company and the Michigan State Waterways Fund.
Construction is scheduled to be complete on June 27.
Until repairs are complete, boaters and anglers can access the lake from a fee site in Indian Village on the northeast side of the lake. There are also two launches in Wisconsin. One launch is in the National Forest Campground, and the other is the Thunder Bay launch on the far southeast side of the lake.
For more information, contact the Baraga Field Office and Baraga State Park Supervisor Dan Dowdy at 906-353-6558.
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Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground Reopens
May 28, 2008
The Department of Natural Resources announced today that the necessary well work has been completed at Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground and all campground loops are now open. A portion of this campground had been closed last summer due to well problems.
The campground is located in the Pigeon River Country State Forest (PRCSF) in Otsego County, via Sturgeon Valley Road northeast of Vanderbilt. The adjacent Pickerel Lake Pathway and boat launch are also open.
For questions concerning this campground or other campgrounds in the PRCSF, please contact Robin Pearson, DNR recreation specialist, at 989-732-3541, extension 5045. Information about other camping opportunities in nearby counties may be found on the DNR’s Web site at www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails, or by contacting the DNR Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989 732-3541, extension “0″ for the operator.
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South Higgins Lake State Park Hosting Classic Cars, Boat and RV Shows in June
May 28, 2008
South Higgins Lake State Park has scheduled two back-to-back weekends of “GO-Get Outdoors” events coming up in the first half of June.
On Saturday, June 7, which also happens to be Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, the park is inviting those who want to display their classic cars and the folks who enjoy viewing those cars to visit the park. The event begins at 8 a.m. One “Best in Show” and 15 “Peoples Choice” awards will be presented at 2 p.m. The Classic Car Parade through the campground will begin at 3 p.m.
On Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15, the park is hosting the South Higgins Lake Boat and RV show. Dealer boats and RVs will be on display in the boat launch area from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. This will be a great opportunity to view the products up close and speak to dealers about new features.
Reservations for camping at South Higgins can be made by calling 800-447-2757 or online at www.midnrreservations.com. If you are camping at South Higgins Lake State Park, the Classic Car registration fee of $15 is waived. A registration form is available for the Classic Car show on the South Higgins Lake Web page at www.michigan.gov/south-higgins and on the “GO-Get Outdoors” calendar listing for this event. For more information on this event, call 989-821-6374. South Higgins Lake State Park is located at 106 State Park Dr. outside of Roscommon.
All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the entrance. Cost is $24 for resident annual and $6 for resident daily. A non-resident annual is $29 and a non-resident daily is $8.
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Governor Rell Announces Free State Park Access For Active Duty Service Personnel During Memorial Day Weekend
May 22, 2008
Free Memorial Day Weekend Access to More Than 130 State Parks With Military ID
Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that all active duty service men and women will be able to visit any of Connecticut’s 138 state parks and forests during Memorial Day weekend without charge. The entry fee will be waived for individuals currently on active duty who present their military identification.
The Governor said the State of Connecticut will waive the fee as both a tribute and a thank-you to Connecticut’s active duty men and women in uniform.
“This is a gesture to recognize our service men and women – and their families –who give so much to our country and who make so many sacrifices,” Governor Rell said. “Many have been away in foreign lands or here in the country serving in supporting roles. This will provide them with a chance to get out to the parks, catch up with their families and have some fun during the official start of summer.”
“It is fitting during Memorial Day weekend that we are able to honor our citizens who are currently serving in the military,” the Governor said. “Connecticut’s state parks offer a great variety of experiences including camping, fishing, boating and just plain relaxing and we hope our service men and women will take advantage of these opportunities.”
DEP operates 106 state parks and oversees 32 state forests. The state park system dates back to the early years of the 20th century.
The lands include:
21 swimming areas and beaches
Eleven historic sites of significance
More than 800 miles of hiking trails
230 lakes and ponds
2,000 miles of rivers and streams
1,300 campsites at 14 state parks for both tent and RV camping
More than 100 public boat launch areas.
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Construction Resumes on the Harbor and Marina at Middle Bass Island State Park
May 21, 2008
Steps taken to protect Lake Erie water snakes living in the area
COLUMBUS, OH - Springtime brought the return of construction workers to the harbor basin at Middle Bass Island State Park in Lake Erie. Closed since October 1, the harbor is slated to undergo $4 million in renovations before reopening to boaters in the 2009 recreational season.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “But we are doing our best to minimize the time the marina basin is closed to the public.”
Currently, workers are clearing brush and constructing a fence around the site to keep local populations of the federally protected Lake Erie water snake out of harm’s way. Snakes trapped within the construction area will be relocated before any earthwork begins.
A master plan for redeveloping the area includes an expanded and reconfigured harbor with up to 340 boat slips, a boat launch ramp, a new entrance channel from the lake and other recreational amenities. Both state and federal money will fund the project.
“All projects have a budget,” West said. “And projects of this magnitude can only be completed in phases. We’re taking it a step at a time as we build this marina.”
About 250 docks are expected to be operation sometime in the 2009 season. Periodic construction “open houses” will be scheduled for island residents and others through the upcoming summer. A Web site will be available beginning June 15 at ohiostateparks.org. that will allow users to follow the progress of the Middle Bass Island project. Visitors are encouraged to check the Web site or call the park office at 419-797-4530 for information.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources purchased 124 acres at the southern tip of Middle Bass Island in 2001 for $6.75 million and announced plans to construct a state park on the site. The property included a mile of natural shoreline, a protected marina, important geological and natural features and buildings that once housed the Lonz Winery. The state purchased an additional 17.5 acres adjoining the harbor area in 2004.
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