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CROCABROWN! (You know he's pissed about the water withdrawal issue.) Proposed Theme Park Near Grayling Is Anything But Amusing It has to be a fantasy, a 1700 acre Disney style theme park off 4 mile road. Here's a couple of articles about it: www.record-eagle.com/opinion/local_story_174095539.html www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_340093223.html www.record-eagle.com/local/local_story_266093035.html We don't need this type of "entertainment" here. A Ferris wheel, aircraft carrier (on dry land!), roller coaster and water park in this sylvan area are just plain foolish. Such an idea is another reason why America is in decline. This is the quiet side of the state. It's for folks who love the outdoors, not all the noise and commotion of "attractions." You can get those in Charlevoix and Petoskey. This is a huge threat to the environment: habitat destruction, water usage, light pollution, noise pollution, non-point pollution are just a few problems. The taxes for the proposed upgrade in infrastructure is another concern, 25 million in a state that is broke. INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Furthermore, the lead person, Patrick Crosson, just came out of bankruptcy for a similar effort in Indiana in the 1900s. He claims he has the funding but won't release the details. Hmmmmm -- This smells like a classic boondoggle. The Music Man Lives! Want to stop it, here's how: Write a letter to: DNR - Executive Office Mason Building PO Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909 Attend the NRC meeting in Munising on July 10th at the Munising American Legion, 610 W. Munising Ave. We'll have more details very soon. Dam Failure on Pigeon River Kills Hundreds of Trout - A Grim Reminder of What Could Happen Below Mio
A discharge from a
private dam on the Pigeon River near Vanderbilt was
responsible for a potentially significant fish kill
downstream, Department of Natural Resources
fisheries officials said today. The discharge,
which began Sunday night, flushed sediment from
above the dam that is located on the property of
Song of the Morning Ranch near Sturgeon Valley Road
in Otsego County. The fish were killed either by the
sediment or thermal shock, said DNR fisheries
biologist Dave Borgeson. (Press Release from Michigan's Department of Natural Resources.) More on the Pigeon River Dam Pigeon_River_Fish_Kill Or go to: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/SPORTS10/806260394/1058
Agreement scores new, concrete protections for Michigan water resources Bipartisan pact not perfect, but a key win for Michigan’s citizens; earns endorsement from Great Lakes, Great Michigan coalition Lansing, MI -- A bipartisan agreement announced today establishes important and concrete protections for Michigan’s streams and makes water conservation an integral part of the state’s water stewardship efforts. The deal, reached after years of negotiation and research, was endorsed today by Great Lakes, Great Michigan – a coalition of more than 70 civic, environmental, business and sporting organizations. “This package is a signal of the legislature’s commitment to protecting our world-class water resources,” said James Clift of the Michigan Environmental Council. “With other states and nations increasingly eyeing Great Lakes water for diversion or profit, it is critical we double our effort to protect and preserve our water for future generations.” The bipartisan compromise left some shortcomings, but keeps intact core principles:
“Yesterday, not a drop of Michigan’s precious water was adequately protected from withdrawal or diversion,” said Dr. Grenetta Thomassey of Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. “With these laws, 75 percent of streamflows are safe from being siphoned away; and the remainder are subject to rules ensuring availability to business, industry, farmers, and citizens for reasonable use.” Michigan is the only state entirely within the Great Lakes watershed, which contains almost 20 percent of the planet’s fresh surface water. Increasing demand for fresh water is expected to ratchet up pressure to divert water from the watershed, where it would be lost forever to the Great Lakes system. Recent months have seen notables including a Democratic presidential candidate and Ohio’s lieutenant governor suggest that water might be siphoned from the lakes. “We have no intention of letting our water be taken to subsidize sprawl in Atlanta or irrigate golf courses in Arizona,” said Gayle Miller of the Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter. “This is a firm step toward saying, ‘no’.” The legislation uses a combination of a new scientific geographic information system-based water withdrawal assessment tool along with other criteria to determine whether large-scale water withdrawals within the state are harmful. “To our knowledge, no other state in the country is using science to protect water resources in this way; and no state has protected as much of their water resources as we are doing with these laws,” said Clift. “This is a pioneering effort.” Great Lakes, Great Michigan coalition members said they would regroup in coming months to fight for additional protections not included in the package. “We are extremely disappointed that the legislature failed to strengthen our important public trust protections, which affirms that water is a public resource that belongs to Michiganders and not to corporations or profit-takers,” said Cyndi Roper of Clean Water Action. “We intend to revisit this issue.” Other tweaks, such as adjusting allowable streamflow reductions in certain types of rivers, may also be necessary in the future. Contact: James Clift, Michigan Environmental Council: 517-256-0553 Cyndi Roper, Clean Water Action: 517-490-1394 Dr. Grenetta Thomassey, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council: 231-838-5193 Abby Rubley, Michigan League of Conservation Voters: 517-420-6777 Gayle Miller, Sierra Club: 517-484-2372 Read more about the bill here: WATER_BILL_TCEAGLE We are a proud member of the Au Sable River Watershed Restoration Committee (ARWRC). Visit them at www.ausablerestoration.org Our Service Area
Our area of focus is from Mio Dam to Alcona Pond. It is possible that at some point in the future we will extend our mission downstream. Membership ASBWPA does not have formal membership dues at present. Anyone can be a member if they are willing to pledge 20 volunteer hours on the river each year. (It's an honor system, but we believe conservation-minded people are essentially honorable.) These activities can range from cleaning the river, working on streamside projects or writing letters to officials about certain policies concerning it. To sign up click here MEMBERSHIP and put "Member" in the message box. You can leave a snail mail address and phone at your option. Members will receive some swag including ball point pins and boat stickers. We will not abuse this listing, only contacting you with periodic updates and schedules of events. Check out the website to stay current. Thanks! Thanks to seed money from several generous individuals, ASBWPA will be fiscally sound for the next few years. We may, at some point, have fund raisers for specific projects such as establishing fishing line recycling stations at several popular access sites.
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Take The 70 Degree Pledge When the morning temperature at Mio Dam is 70 degrees or more then I will not fish for trout on that stretch of the Au Sable River, Mio to Alcona Pond. If I choose to fish that day, it will be on other streams with cooler water, further downstream for warm water fish such as smallmouth bass, or on the many lakes in the area. If I catch a trout I will let it go immediately. When the temperatures fall below 70 degrees at Mio Dam I may consider fishing the stretch again, but will do it early in the morning, at twilight, and at night. I will use a thermometer to fish runs with cooler water so the trout have a better chance at surviving catch and release. I recognize that this is a necessary practice during the hottest part of the summer, late June through mid August, and I am helping the fishery when I do it.
Just a click away...
There are plenty of conservations problems to solve on the Au Sable and through the state. Learn about them on our Issues page. Check out the latest from Huron Pines, The Sierra Club, and learn more about logging on the Mason Tract on our News page. Set up your schedule by looking at our Calendar of events You never know what will be the hot spot or hot fly on our Fishing Report Learn more about the next cleanup at our Clean Update See pictures of our latest work projects on the Git Er Dun Page HERO OF THE WEEK! The following people and groups have helped repair the badly damaged Claybanks: Huron Pines led by Patrick Ertel, Project Manager; Americorp led by Nathan Skibbe, Volunteer Coordinator; Challenge Chapter of Trout Unlimited; Mershon Chapter of Trout Unlimited; and the following individuals: John Elkins, Gene Stagner, Paul Morand, Robb Smith, Todd Zwetzig and Jeff Boks. You can see their efforts on the Git Er Dun Page PLEASE SEND A LETTER OR E-MAIL TO DNR SUPPORTING NO KILL FOR BROWN TROUT! WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR VOICE IS HEARD! DO IT TODAY OR AS SOON AS YOU CAN!
The DNR’s Fisheries
Division is in the process of developing a
management plan for this section of the Au Sable
River. The Au Sable
River - Mio to
Alcona, Status of the Fishery” report is available
online on the DNR’s Web site at
Written
comments can be
directed to the DNR via email at
DNR-LakeHuron@michigan.gov or via U.S.
Mail to Steve Sendek, DNR, 1955 Hartwick Pines Rd.,
Grayling, MI 49738. Our Position on New Regulations for the Big Water: We support a Type 7 classification from the powerlines to McKinley Bridge. We strongly believe that this stretch should be managed as a Trophy Brown Trout Fishery! Anglers of the Au Sable has also taken that position. The North Branch Club has designed a petition to support this the Type 7 position - PETITION. Since the Mio Meeting with DNR on March 5th both Anglers and the ASBWPA have been considering a compromise position offered by Dr. Brian Burroughs of MCTU. This position would support No Kill for brown trout from Mio Dam to 4001 Bridge as well as an Extended Season. In addition, anglers could keep two 10" rainbows per day during the Regular Season. Both flies and artificial lures could be used. Originally, DNR had seemed to say that the water below Mio must be categorized in one of the existing classifications. That's why we chose Type 7. If Special Regs or a new classification could be enacted that would fall under the MCTU compromise we would be comfortable with it. Research clearly indicates that at least 95% of the rainbows are going to die in their first year in the stream. It's a good idea to let fishers keep some as long as the browns are protected. You can view a presentation by the Mershon Chapter on this position MERSHON
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