The first Michigan On-the-Ground project improved rabbit habitat – called “rabbitat” – by building brush piles at the Gratiot-Saginaw State Game Area on March 11, 2013. 32 volunteers from as far away as Livonia and Grand Rapids showed up to build 43 large brush piles, providing cover for rabbits and other small game.

The next project will be July 27 at the Allegan State Game Area. Volunteers will access wetlands using canoes, flat-bottomed boats and waders to clean and repair wood duck boxes. The Allegan State Game Area contains one of Michigan’s premier managed waterfowl units, including three wildlife refuges. This project will also be part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, an initiative to improve awareness and habitat for Michigan’s waterfowl and waterfowl hunting heritage.

“Hunters, anglers and trappers have long supported conservation efforts through license sales and surtaxes on equipment, but they also contribute their time and effort to physically improving habitat,” said Drew YoungeDyke, grassroots manager for Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “They say that the predator husbands its prey, and the Michigan On-the-Ground initiative is all about putting that maxim into effect and giving outdoorsmen and women opportunities to do some good work.”

The remainder of the 2013 schedule includes:

• August 10: Building rabbitat at Crane Pond State Game Area, with a follow-up youth rabbit hunt planned for winter;
• August 17: Improving Hunter Access and Clearing Invasives at Harsen’s Island State Game Area (with Harsen’s Island Waterfowl Hunters);
• September 14: Installing large woody debris to create fish habitat in the Rifle River (with Huron Pines);
• Fall 2013: Planting crabapple trees in the northern Lower Peninsula (donated by National Wild Turkey Foundation); and
• Winter 2013-2014: Building muskie structures on western Upper Peninsula inland lakes.

Additional projects may be added throughout the year. Those interested in volunteering are encouraged to contact YoungeDyke at (517) 346-6486, or by email atdyoungedyke@mucc.org.

Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs is the largest state-specific conservation organization in the nation. Its mission is to unite citizens to conserve, enhance and protect Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

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Current Status: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment, and Great Lakes approved SB 163 (S-2) on  Tuesday, May 21. It now moves to the Senate floor.

Analysis: This bill provides many changes to activities that are exempted from applying for a wetland permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), including county and agricultural drain maintenance, certain agricultural and livestock activities, and road and utility maintenance. The bill improves flexibility in mitigation requirements and enhancing the use of wetland mitigation banking.

Rather than using the 500′ or 1,000′ buffer from a water body to determine what should constitute a contiguous regulated wetland, they have clarified that a wetland is not contiguous if there is not a direct physical contact and no surface water or interflowing groundwater connection, and requires the DEQ to make a determination at the applicant’s request. This could increase the workload of the DEQ without any increase in funding to accomplish the work.

MUCC Action: While MUCC has reviewed the substitute language for SB 163 (S-2), we understand that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not currently reviewed the language to ensure that Michigan’s wetlands program would be compliant with the EPA audit and regulations.  Our primary concern is that Michigan maintains the assumption of the federal wetland program. At this point, MUCC will reserve taking a position on this legislation until the EPA has reviewed the legislation for compliance with federal regulations.

Sponsor: Sen. Mike Green (R—Mayville)

MUCC Policy Resolution: AC140609: MICHIGAN WETLAND PROTECTION—MUCC oppose any initiatives to retain the federal government to provide sole oversight and regulation over wetlands in the state.

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The direct payment model for conservation compliance wasn’t working because high corn prices were more than farmers would receive for keeping land out of production to provide wildlife habitat. Conservation compliance instead conditions federal subsidies for crop insurance, which farmers use to hedge against a sharp drop-off in crop prices between planting and harvesting, to conservation responsibilities like maintaining wetland habitat for wildlife.

Tying conservation requirements to crop insurance premium subsidies accomplishes multiple benefits. For one, the federal government (and taxpayers) save on the cost of paying farmers direct subsidies, which both the Senate and House eliminated from their versions of this year’s bills last week.

Next, for the crop insurance premium subsidies that farmers do receive from the government (the public) conservation compliance ensures that the public gets something specific in return – habitat for the public’s wildlife, in addition to making sure we all have food to eat.  This makes conservation compliance fiscally responsible in both reducing government expenditures and providing greater public benefit in return for the public’s investment in insurance premium subsidies.

The Senate Agriculture Committee, chaired by Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow (D), included conservation compliance in its version of the 2013 Farm Bill. However, the House’s version did not. The full Senate is expected to consider its version of the Farm Bill this week, with the House expected to take up their version in June.

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Since 1946, MUCC’s youth camp programs have helped introduce Michigan’s outdoor heritage to generations of kids. More than ever before, the decline in fishermen and hunters threaten the prosperity and conservation of Michigan’s wildlife. We need to encourage our children to participate in the bounty of Michigan’s resources to ensure the growth of our economy and the quality of life in Michigan.

This is why we ask you to join for a day of fun in our Michigan outdoors!

When: Friday, June 7, 2013

Where: Grand Blanc Huntsman’s Club

9046 Irish Road, Grand Blanc, MI 48439

What: Charity Sporting Clays Shoot

To Register: Call: 517/346-6454 or Email: nnielsen@mucc.org

Visit our event page for more information and to download registration forms and event flyers.

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To recap, the House and Senate have approved the budget with money from a license fee increase incorporated into the plan. These appropriations bills (SB 188 and HB 4328) still must be approved by the opposite chamber and likely go to conference committee to work out the differences. The Governor put the deadline for this as June 1.

Next comes the details, which we have been waiting to see in print for 3 months now. HB 4668 incorporates a revised fee schedule, with some changes incorporated into it from what the Governor proposed back in February. This new proposal would raise approximately $19.7 million once fully implemented and includes a 5-year sunset, which allows us to evaluate the intended and unintended consequences and outcomes of this additional funding.

Among the major changes and additions are:

• 24-hour Fishing license now $10, and 72-Hour for $30 (resident or non-resident)
• Limited Small Game Non-resident (7-day)-$80 (Non-resident Base license ($150) not required for this unless other species will be hunted as well)
• Waterfowl hunting license reinstated for $12 (includes entry to Managed Waterfowl Areas)
• Reinstated the bear participation license (no kill tag) for $15
• Free Survey Tags (for certain furbearing species)
• Change in the Mentored Youth license from issuing a combination deer license to a single deer license as part of the license package.
• Creation of a Combination Hunt and Fish License package, which would include a base license, combination deer license, and all-species fishing license, $75 for a resident, $265 for non-resident.
• Creation of a $1 surcharge on base, fishing, and Combination Hunt and Fish licenses that would be reserved specifically for marketing, education, and outreach activities. This was modeled off of a Colorado program that has shown significant improvement in non-hunter’s acceptance and support of hunting.

Our concerns include some items that were not retained in the new legislation, including:

• Elimination of the voluntary $2 youth angler license for youth 10-16, which can be used to “count” youth as anglers for purposes of federal Dingell-Johnson funding—we have recently learned that only about 120 of these licenses were regularly sold annually and agree the elimination of this license makes sense;
• Across the board discounts for youth ages 10-16  (Junior) hunting licenses. Junior hunters currently pay only $15 for a junior combination deer license, $7.50 for a junior fur harvesters, and $1 for junior small game. Under the new proposal, they have a discounted $5 base license, but then would pay full price for the additional tags. For small game, fur harvesters, and a combo deer licenses (those currently discounted) this amounts to a 255% increase (from $23.50 to $60).

We recommended adding a Combination Hunt and Fish Junior License for $30 (a 60% discount from an adult Combination Hunt and Fish license) and asked the DNR to consider the feasibility to allow juniors to purchase additional licenses at the senior price. This would strike a middle ground between the current and proposed license price for juniors and encourage families to continue their outdoor traditions promoted by the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

However, the DNR states that making the junior discount match the senior discounted items would lose $1.2 million of the proposed funding increase and adds complication to the system. In doing some background research, we have learned that nearly every other state surrounding Michigan has junior discounted licenses. While the results of Responsive Management’s (Mark Damian Duda) evaluation of hunter recruitment and retention programs indicates that cost does not rank as a leading factor in barriers to hunter recruitment (lack of time, mentors, and access rank much higher), it is mentioned.

What do you think?

Should we acknowledge that getting kids outdoors is at least as important as giving seniors their discount too? Does Michigan want to be a leader in making kids (or more accurately their parents) pay the full price of admission? Maybe everyone should pay even more than proposed because funding for natural resources is that critical.  If you are a parent, does this license fee increase impact your plans for hunting with your family?  Share your stories and thoughts below.

The post Hunting and Fishing License Bill Up in Committee appeared first on Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

The 2013 Moose Survey (January -February) was conducted this winter, which surveyed all 29 high density plots and 14 of 28 low density plots and counted 187 moose in the Western U.P. Based on the model, this indicates that there are an estimated 451 moose (+/- 24% CI) in Western UP, up from 433 in 2010. The Eastern range is not surveyed, but it is believed that there are less than 100 moose in that area.

From 1996 to 2006, the growth rate of moose was 8-10%, however it appears that more recently this population growth has slowed to 2% growth from 2010-2013.

More significant moose declines are being seen in Minnesota likely due to the moose’s poor adaptation to warmer temperatures. Minnesota  has now closed its hunting season in both of its management areas.

After the moose was named a game species in Michigan in 2010 by the Michigan Legislature, the Moose Hunting Advisory Council (created by the legislation) recommended a hunt only when annual growth was greater than or equal to 3% and that hunt be limited to the core range.  Due to the slow population growth of 2%, a season is not recommended by the DNR at this time and the NRC is not implementing one.

This is Proposal G in action, folks.

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Analysis: Michigan is already a participant in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, but under existing state law it cannot fully recognize other state’s enforcement actions. SB 16 will allow Michigan to be a full participant in the compact, helping to deter game law violations both in Michigan and other member states. For example, if a Michigan resident poaches an animal in another state, the DNR would suspend the resident’s Michigan license if the violation would have led to a suspension in the other state. Likewise, participating states will suspend the license of their residents who violate Michigan game laws.

Current Status: Passed by the House and Senate
Sponsor: Sen. Howard Walker (R – Traverse City)

MUCC Policy Resolution: AC280603: Work with the Natural Resources Commission, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the Michigan Legislature to join the Wildlife Violator Compact.

The post Senate Bill 16: Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact appeared first on Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

The Qualified Forest Property program gives private forest landowners a break on their non-homestead property taxes if they have a forest managements plan and agree to follow it. These bills introduce many improvements into the program, but move the administration of it from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Conservation Districts.

Analysis:

SB 51 (HB 4320) will make improvements to the Qualified Forest Property program, including allow structure on these properties (though these structures will not be eligible for the tax exemption), and will transfer authority for the Qualified Forestry Program to MDARD from the DNR. This bill also increases the statewide cap of the program to 2.4 million acres, and reduces the size and amount of forest cover for a qualified parcel.

HB 4243 (SB 52) would amend the General Property Tax Act to revise the requirements for a transferee to file an affidavit upon the transfer of qualified forest property, in order to avoid an adjustment in the property’s taxable value, also known as the “pop up tax”.

HB 4244 (SB 53) modifies the calculation for recapture tax on lands experiencing a change in use. Lands with a change in use will have their recapture tax calculated by multiplying the current taxable value by the number of mills levied in that area and then multiplied by the number of years preceding the change in use (not to exceed 7). If no harvests have occurred since the change in use, multiply the product by 2 to determine the recapture tax. An amendment is planned to ensure that a landowner does not also have to pay as penalty the 2 mills that was provided as a fee to the Private Forestland Enhancement Fund.

SB 54 (HB 4321) modifies the allocation of the recapture tax funds. The treasurer shall credit the proceeds to the state’s general fund if collected before January 1, 2014. After December 31, 2013 the proceeds will be transferred to the established Private Forestland Enhancement Fund to further fund the Qualified Forestry Program.

SB 55 (HB 4322) amends the qualification for designation as qualified agricultural use lands. This bill adds a qualification that lands can be designated agricultural use lands if more than 50% of the parcel’s acreage is devoted to a combination of agricultural use and is exempt as qualified forestry property.

SB 56 (HB 4323) provides expanded authorities for MDARD and local conservation districts. MDARD is now authorized to include CDs in landowner assistance and can review district financial information. Additionally, guidelines for eligibility to receive a $50,000 grant from MDARD require CDs to execute consistent financial reporting to MDARD and outlines actions beyond the authority of an employed forester with the CD. Guidelines for CDs in partnership with MDARD and landowners allows them assistance capabilities but prohibits them from developing forest management plans.

SB 57 (HB 4324) adds authority to on-site evaluations as such that landowners are provided the ability to voluntarily assess the value of managing areas of the land not utilized for traditional or production agriculture practices for environmental, ecological and economic benefits. Secondarily, the bill includes members of the forest community to be appointed by the director to the environmental assurance advisory council. A private consulting forester, a member of the forest products industry and a member of the logging profession shall be able to serve 3-year terms as the discretion of the director.

SB 58 (HB 4325) provides that MDARD and MDNR shall work jointly to encourage the expansion of the forest products industry, retention of current industry companies, and the use of Michigan’s value-added forest products.

HB 4069 (SB 59) modifies eligibility requirements for commercial forest lands and exemptions for withdrawal. Current penalties for withdrawal shall be granted upon payment of a penalty (between $200 and $1,000). The department may withdraw lands if acquired by a federally recognized Indian tribe and such withdrawn lands are exempt from penalty. Landowners preventing open public access shall have lands withdrawn at the discretion of the Department unless the landowner corrects such action. The development of wind energy and meteorological buildings is allowed at the approval of the Department.

Current Status: Only House Bills 4069, 4243, and 4244 have passed both chambers and are making there way to the Governor’s desk. The Senate bills remain on the House floor.

Sponsor: The lead sponsor of the Senate package is Sen. Darwin Booher (R -Evart), along with Sen. Thomas Casperson (R – Escanaba), Sen. Michael Green (R-Mayville), Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-Olive Twp), and Sen. John Moolenaar (R-Midland). On the House Bills, the sponsors include Representatives Frank Foster (H.B. 4069), Ed McBroom (H.B. 4243), and Bruce Rendon (H.B. 4244).

MUCC Action: MUCC indicated support for SB 52-55, 57-59 and the corresponding House Bills and remains neutral on SB 51 and 56. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources accepted certain amendments to SB 51 that would shorten the time frame that forest plans covered, so that landowners would remain active and engaged in managing their forests. We remain concerned about splitting this particular program away from those in DNR responsible for management of state forests and wildlife, and oversight of commercial forests.

MUCC Policy Resolution: AC250605  MUCC should work with the Legislature to create a  tax structure for privately managed forest land similar to that of agricultural land.

The post Senate and House Bills: Tax Break Reforms for Forest Management appeared first on Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

May 9, 2013

Contact: Amy Trotter, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, (517) 331-1909 atrotter@mucc.org

ROSCOMMON, MI – In a landmark decision this evening, the Natural Resources Commission approved a limited wolf hunting and trapping season for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Commissioner Annoesjka Steinman was the lone dissenting member.

MUCC members have long supported a sustainable hunting and trapping season for wolves.

 ”Wolves are a conservation success story, with populations having been recovered for a decade. Having hunters and trappers assist the Department with their management continues the scientific-based framework that has been so successful in sustaining other recovered populations like elk and turkey in Michigan”, said MUCC Executive Director Erin McDonough.

Armed with quality information from a variety of in and out of state wildlife experts, the NRC made some amendments to the season initially proposed by the DNR wildlife staff.

There will be a target of 43 wolves among three management units; the level of proposed harvest and size and location of the units are commensurate with the level of recent nuisance complaints and depredation events.

Commissioner John Madigan, chair of the NRC Wildlife and Fisheries Committee, stated “As with other states that have authorized the public hunting of wolves, we believe that any target harvest level for a first hunt should be conservative….We believe that our recommendation will lead to a pragmatic and flexible program for managing wolves that recognizes the wide range of values people have for wolves.”

In 2013, the season will open on November 15 and go through December 31, or whenever the desired unit harvest is met (which ever comes first). To manage this highly controlled season, a hunter will be required to report successful harvest by the end of the day via a designated phone line and also check in within 3 days to a DNR check station to allow them to collect biological information. Once the harvest is met (or expected to be met imminently) for an area, the entire unit will be closed for the season. Licensed hunters will be required to check daily online or by calling in to see if any units have been closed.

The NRC has proposed to offer 1,200 licenses over the counter, and available for sale on August 3, 2013 until October 31, or when ever they are sold out. Proof of a hunter safety certificate or previous hunting license must be shown at the time of purchase. Any legal hunting device, including firearms, archery, and crossbows, will be allowed for hunting as well as the use of foothold traps, on both public and private land.

As Michigan does with each and every game species and hunting/trapping regulation, the DNR intends to use adaptive management practices, which will evaluate the success of management, population levels, and the amount of effort spent to reach the desired harvest. This information will help to aide them in determining the parameters for future seasons.

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Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is the largest state-specific conservation organization in the country. Its mission is to conserve, defend and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

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“We thank Governor Snyder for continuing Michigan’s tradition of separating conservation from politics today,” said Erin McDonough, executive director of Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “These bills protect the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers, and ensure that wildlife management decisions are based on the recommendations of biologists, not out-of-state anti-hunters.”

SB 288 extends the Natural Resources Commission (NRC)’s authority and sound science mandate to naming animals to the game species list, while retaining the Legislature’s authority to do the same and its exclusive authority to remove game species. SB 288 also grants the NRC the exclusive authority to issued fisheries orders, which currently rests with the director of the Department of Natural Resources, and also provides free licenses to active-duty members of the military. SB 289 establishes the rights to hunt and fish in state law, and makes protection of those rights a purpose of the Michigan’s Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

Conservation groups herald the bills as an extension of voter-approved Proposal G of 1996, which granted the Natural Resources Commission exclusive authority over game management and required it to use sound science in its wildlife management decisions.

“This is an enhancement of Proposal G,” said Merle Shepard, Michigan state director for Safari Club International. “It puts Michigan on track to manage its wildlife species using sound science.”

Opponents of the bill included the Washington, D.C.-based anti-hunting organization Humane Society of the United States. Natural Resources Commission orders are administrative decisions not subject to ballot referendum, which the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is trying to use to prevent the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from using public hunting as a tool to prevent wolf depredations in the Upper Peninsula, as outlined in Michigan’s Wolf Management Plan.

“Our members have lost dogs and pets to wolves,” said Joe Hudson, president of the Upper Peninsula Bear Houndsmen Association. “We’re happy to see that the DNR will finally have the management tools it needs to help limit wolf conflicts up here and that decisions about how it manages wildlife will be made based on sound science, not television commercials.”

Founded in 1937, Michigan United Conservation Club (MUCC) is the largest state-specific conservation organization in the country. Its mission is to conserve, defend and enhance Michigan’s natural resources and outdoor heritage.

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