Spiel

Awesome shots. It's been far to long since I was in the Elliot Lake area.

Scientists say they've found bacteria that will fight invasive mussels But germ can't be used on wide scale, so its utility is limited, they warn November 29, 2008 James Janega / chicagotribune.com Researchers seeking to slow the spread of invasive zebra and quagga mussels in American lakes and rivers have found a bacterium that appears to be fatal to the problematic species without affecting native mussels or freshwater fish. The bacterium, Pseudomonas fluorescens, offers some hope for controlling the troublesome bivalves that are wreaking ecological and economic havoc in North American waters from the Colorado River to Vermont, and especially in the Great Lakes. But more testing remains to be done, and the bacteria could be used effectively only on a limited scale, said Daniel Molloy, the New York State Museum researcher who discovered the possible new use for P. fluorescens. It would be impossible to use the bacteria to wipe out all the invasive mussels in a Great Lake because they would be quickly replenished, he said. "It's too big," Molloy said of the mussel invasion. More realistic is the hope of using the bacteria to free water intakes and power plant pipes of clogs caused by mussel infestations. Currently heavy doses of chlorine and other toxins are used to control the mussels—not ideal because of the potential impact on human health. Researchers have tested hundreds of strains of commonly found bacteria in hopes of finding something that can kill zebra and quagga mussels safely. P. fluorescens, a species crucial in preventing rot in the roots of certain plants, proved deadly to the mussels in laboratory tanks. The bacteria act on the cells of the mussels' digestive gland, the equivalent of the human small intestine, where food is absorbed. Killing those cells causes massive hemorrhaging and system collapse. Within days, entire mussel colonies die. So far, biologists have tested the bacteria on native mussels, brown trout, fathead minnows and sunfish and found no adverse effects. Other tests are planned. P. fluorescens apparently is deadly to the invasive mussels even when cultures of the bacteria are dead, said Fred Nibling Jr., a research biologist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, who, in August, observed a test of the bacteria with samples of water and zebra mussels taken from Lake Mojave near Laughlin, Nev. Researchers and a commercial company are seeking permits from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to test the method in Western streams. "That was a bench-top test," Nibling said of the Lake Mojave experiment. "We want to see it on a larger scale."

ATLANTIC SALMON RETURN TO SPAWN IN THE CREDIT RIVER McGuinty Government Works With Partners To Restore Salmon December 04, 2008 After a 150-year absence, Atlantic salmon are once again spawning in the Credit River. Since mid-summer, adult Atlantic salmon introduced into Lake Ontario’s tributaries as part of the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration Program have been returning to the Credit River. The ministry has worked with the Credit River Anglers Association to ensure the adult salmon are transported to high-quality spawning habitat. Spawning activity was confirmed in early November. Atlantic salmon have also been returning to Cobourg Creek and Duffins Creek, the two other streams targeted for restoration. Full Story & Video

Indeed. My 17' Lund with a 75 tiller will do between 35 and 40 depending on the load.

....I have the second one pictured (Lund) and love it.

....I do. But I don't currently have any blanks for ice rods and I'm up to my eyeballs in musky rods right now. I'd be willing to bet your not wanting them for next winter!

....Received this (petition) from a fellow OFC member this morning.

Lake Simcoe legislation passes Georgina December 02, 2008 / yorkregion.com Protection for Lake Simcoe took a major step forward with the passage of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act by the province. Under the new law, the province will be required to develop a plan to protect and restore the lake as well as address the issue of phosphorus levels in the water. The plan the government is developing would: • Take an innovative, science-based, watershed approach to ensure that development and activities around the lake are environmentally sustainable; • Help address emerging problems that affect the lake, such as climate change and invasive species and; • Be supported by a $20-million investment, targeting protection measures, scientific research and on-farm stewardship activities. The legislation builds on the work of the Lake Simcoe Science Advisory Committee and reflects public comment on a discussion paper released this spring. “This is an historic day. Lake Simcoe has faced ongoing and growing ecological threats. Now, we are well on our way to developing a gold standard of sustainability that will restore and protect Lake Simcoe not only for our benefit and enjoyment but for future generations,” said Environment Minister John Gerretsen. • More than 350,000 people live in the Lake Simcoe watershed. • Lake Simcoe provides drinking water for eight communities. • Agricultural production in the Lake Simcoe watershed generated close to $300 million in 2006 and recreational activities generate more than $200 million a year for the local economy.

....I've used that technique succesfully on several occasions, including a dog's paw once. A word of caution though, it can tear out blood vessels and or nerves if the hook is in a bad location!

....Should of lopped it's damn head off! It's clearly been dining on steelhead.

....You stink!

Build Yourself a Ice Lifesaver By Curt Johnson / Minnesota Tourism The winter's first ice is already skimming Minnesota lakes and ponds and, unfortunately, with it comes the ice tragedy season. Every year we hear of people drowning because they broke through ice they thought was safe. We think to ourselves, "If I fell through, I'd just climb back onto the solid ice and be just fine." Unfortunately, this is much easier said than done. First, when you fall through the ice, you're taken by surprise (if you knew you were going to break through, you wouldn't have walked there in the first place, right?) The sudden shock to your body plunging into freezing water adds to the confusion and panic. Cold water saps body heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature. Just try holding your hand in a sink full of ice water for more than a few seconds and you'll see what I mean. And, should you accidentally fall through thin ice, then comes the difficult task of pulling oneself out of the cold water onto the surface of the wet and slippery ice. Unless you have a plan of action for just such emergencies, your chances of getting out safely can be pretty slim. Should the need arise, here is a plan that can help increase your chances for surviving a sudden icy dip, you can purchase a set of commercially made ice rescue picks or "claws" or, if you have a few simple tools and a little skill in the workshop, you can make a set for a couple of dollars for materials. 1) Get two 4" pieces of wooden doweling the size of a broom handle or a little larger. Whatever material you select, it should float in case you drop the claws while struggling. 2) Drive a stout nail into one end of each dowel. 3) Use a file or grinder to sharpen the nail heads to a point. 4) Drill a hole into the dowels (in the end opposite the nail) and tie a length of strong cord through the hole so a pick is on each end..."jump-rope" fashion. Keep the picks in your pocket for quick emergency access if you or a companion do break through. If you do break through, try to remain calm. Turn in the water towards the direction you came from - that is probably the strongest ice. Dig the points of the picks into the ice and while vigorously kicking your feet, pull yourself onto the surface by sliding forward on the ice. Roll away from the area of weak ice. Rolling on the ice will distribute your weight to help avoid breaking through again. Get to shelter, heat, warm dry clothing and warm, non-alcoholic, and non-caffeinated drinks. Call 911 and seek medical attention if you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering, or have any other ill effects that may be symptoms of hypothermia (the life-threatening drop in the body's core temperature). What If your buddy breaks through? First tell them to "Stay calm" and that "We'll get you out of there." Then throw them the picks and explain how to use them. Remember that by kicking their feet, the thrust of the kicks can help push them back onto the solid ice. I hope you never have to use “ice claws” on your ice fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing or hiking adventures on frozen waters this winter. But, just having a pair of these items with you may offer you a welcome “comfort factor”

Tiny waterfleas may have big consequences December 1, 2008 / www.great-lakes.org Standing aboard the research vessel Neeskay in Lake Michigan, UW–Milwaukee Associate Professor Craig Sandgren oversees an oceanographic-sized net being pulled up from 100 meters. Considering the enormous size of the net and the large volume of water that is being collected, it’s surprising that what he and fellow biology professor John Berges are anxiously looking for are tiny water fleas barely visible to the naked eye. What’s more, these tiny species have the capability of significantly changing the existing food web. The critters are the carnivorous zooplankton Bythotrephes cederstroemi (spiny water flea) and Cercopagis pengoi (fishhook water flea). Like the zebra and quagga mussels, both are invaders from Eastern Europe that have hitched their way into the Great Lakes through ballast water on ships. Every other week this summer, the two researchers collected samples off the coast of Milwaukee and several miles out in the open water. “In their native environment, there are all kinds of checks and balances so the zooplankton are not a problem,” said Sandgren during a research cruise in August. “But when they come to a new place, they may become superabundant because they have left behind their natural enemies.” What concerns these scientists is the fact that the two invasive species occupy the same critical spot in the middle of the food web. While two similar species might compete against each other, these tiny fleas may in fact divide and conquer, each devouring separate types of zooplankton. That would leave less food for fish to eat during their critical initial growth periods. Additionally, if they eat zooplankton that normally consume algae, prolific algae blooms may increase in frequency. “Adding invasives changes the dynamics of the food web in very unpredictable ways,” John Berges said. “The more invasive species there are, the greater the problems become.” The scientists are able to make comparisons with the data Sandgren collected in the 1990s when only the spiny water flea was on the scene, but before the fishhook water flea and zebra and quagga mussels were introduced to Lake Michigan, further complicating the system. Sandgren and Berges are also conducting hundreds of experiments in their labs under controlled conditions. The two can manipulate light, temperature, and nutrients to see how the primary producers, zooplankton grazers, and invasive species respond. The researchers are developing a basic understanding of what the two water fleas eat to better predict their impacts on the food web. Unlike fish, which can be cut open to examine the contents of their stomachs, these carnivorous water fleas feed like spiders, sucking out the contents of their prey and leaving the hard parts behind. “If you imagine the tiny animal they eat is a can of soup, they squeeze out the soup and leave the can behind,” explained Sandgren. “We’re trying to read the label without having the can.” Berges reports that thus far they have developed specific antibodies for six prey ­species that will allow them to identify those species in the “soupy” gut contents of the invasive water fleas. Next summer, the two biologists will examine the spatial distribution of the ­zooplankton to see if the nearshore and offshore environments that they have already sampled are representative of all of Lake Michigan. As Sandgren examined the water sample raised from the depths of Lake Michigan, he observed the tiny creatures swimming around. “This isn’t the mixture of species I had expected to see at all,” he said, shaking his head and chuckling. “It’s really exciting. We keep realizing that whenever we think we know what’s going on, we find something different. It’s just such a complicated system.”

Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Unveils New Web Site December 1, 2008 / www.great-lakes.org The Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame (The Hall) in Hayward, Wisconsin recently unveiled their new web site. The Hall is the international headquarters for education, recognition and promotion of fresh water sportfishing. While The Hall maintains a museum for the preservation and display of historical artifacts of fresh water sportfishing, they also have a program for the recognition of persons, organizations and institutions who have made significant and lasting contributions to the sport and heritage of fresh water fishing. Many know The Hall for their program for qualifying, compiling and publishing all fresh water sportfishing records but they also maintain a library that disseminates information and acts as the clearing house for historical and contemporary publications for the fresh water sportfishing industry. When you visit The Hall’s new web site you will find the history of the institution and how it evolved into the renowned facility it is today. There are links to articles by anglers that have been inducted into The Hall of Fame as well as the ability to download current editions of The Splash for members. The Splash is the quarterly newsletter of The Hall. Those wishing to become members of The Hall to take advantage of the benefits offered need only click the Become a Member link on the left of the home page to discover the rewards a membership offers. The new web site can be found at www.freshwater-fishing.org. It’s worth a visit.

....That is really one spectacular photo Dan! Thanks for sharing it. And this man eating catfish sure looks like a harmless whale shark to me Mike, praps you're just baiting us?

....Hey Cuz be sure to give me a ring when your back. Long time no talk. Safe journey!

News Release FARMERS TO HELP PROTECT LAKE SIMCOE McGuinty Government Encouraging Environmental Protection NEWS Ontario is helping farmers with operations in the Lake Simcoe watershed better protect and restore the health of the lake. Through the Lake Simcoe Farm Stewardship Initiative, a total of $500,000 is available this year for projects that improve water quality by contributing to lower phosphorus levels in the lake. Projects include: - Restricting livestock access to watercourses - Establishing plant buffers along lake and tributary shorelines - Improving on-farm storage and handling of petroleum products, pesticides and fertilizers - Modifying tillage practices to reduce soil erosion and runoff. This initiative is part of the province’s commitment of $20 million in funding over four years to protect Lake Simcoe, announced in June 2008. QUOTES “This funding will help farmers enhance their efforts in a very productive agricultural area of the province,” said Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky. “Farmers are already doing good work to reduce the amount of phosphorus going into Lake Simcoe and its tributaries,” said Environment Minister John Gerretsen. “This funding will help them do even more.” QUICK FACTS - Agricultural production in the Lake Simcoe watershed generated close to $300 million in gross farm receipts in 2006. - More than 350,000 people live in the Lake Simcoe watershed. LEARN MORE For more information about the initiative, contact the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association or call 1 800 265 9751. Application forms are available from local Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association program representatives. Learn more about protecting Lake Simcoe.

Not serious about our water November 28th, 2008 Madelaine Drohan / Globe and Mail Canadians like to think we are world leaders when it comes to protecting our water resources, but in reality we are dilettantes who talk a good game but rarely follow through. Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s promise in the Throne Speech to ban bulk water exports fits this picture. To find a group of politicians who are actually doing something you have to look south to the United States and the Council of Great Lakes Governors. The promise in the Throne Speech bears all the hallmarks of political posturing. Here in its entirety is what was said: “To ensure protection of our vital resources, our government will bring in legislation to ban all bulk water transfers or exports from Canadian freshwater basins.” No further details were given. And there were none to be found. Jim Prentice, who as Environment Minister is responsible for water policy, refused to say anything more this week. Officials at his department were similarly mum. After a day of saying nothing, they decided that the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade was calling the shots. Officials there didn’t seem to know anything more than their colleagues at Environment Canada. Confusion reigns in Canada The confusion over who is in charge is a clear indication that this is not exactly a high-priority item for the government, even though the bare-bones promise is being endlessly repeated by a succession of ministers as they take their turn in the debate on the Speech from the Throne. Repeat something often enough and chances are someone will believe you. Has the policy even been thought through? The previous minister of the environment, John Baird, insisted last year that there were already adequate measures in place to protect Canadian water from export. Groups like the Council of Canadians, whose chairwoman, Maude Barlow, has recently been appointed a special adviser on water to the UN, disagree, saying tougher legislation is needed. The Conservative party platform from the last election straddles these two positions. It said that a Conservative government would “reaffirm” the ban on bulk water transfers, which seems to back Mr. Baird’s position. But the document then goes on to say that a Conservative government would work with the provinces and territories “to strengthen the current ban and ensure a clear legislative prohibition on bulk water removals or export from Canadian drainage basins.” So, perhaps not the ironclad protection that Mr. Baird implied. Provinces do their own thing Whenever the federal government talks about working with the provinces, you can be sure that any result is years away. Jurisdiction over water in Canada is shared among the provinces and the federal government. For the last 20 years, Ottawa has been largely content to sit back and let the provinces take the lead. Water was not considered important enough to fight a messy jurisdictional battle. The result, as you can imagine, is a hodgepodge of provincial laws and a national water policy that is now more than 20 years old and sadly in need of updating. The Mulroney government introduced the last national water policy and made a weak attempt to legislate a ban on water exports. A bill was introduced, but died on the order paper when an election was called. Then came the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, followed by the North American free-trade agreement. Water was not explicitly excluded from NAFTA. Instead, a side statement by the leaders of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico said that water in its natural state was not considered a tradable good. However, after NAFTA was signed, the federal government received legal advice that it could no longer ban water exports without breaking the treaty. Canadians behind export attempts Over the years, there have been numerous attempts by Canadian companies to make money by exporting water in bulk. Some have been crackpot schemes, such as running a trench through the Rocky Mountains or damming James Bay and piping freshwater south. A 1998 plan by an Ontario company to fill tankers on Lake Superior and send them to Asia forced governments on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border to sit up and take notice. What happened next is indicative of the difference between the Canadian and U.S. approach. In Canada, we had our usual fractured reaction. The federal government amended national legislation that implemented the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty with the U.S. so that it prohibited bulk transfers out of selected basins. This treaty only covers waters through which the border runs (essentially the Great Lakes, except for Lake Michigan), but not waters that run across the border or water anywhere else in Canada. The amendments were couched in environmental terms, making them more difficult to challenge as trade measures. The provinces did their own thing. All but New Brunswick have legislation explicitly banning water exports. However, because some provincial laws use trade terms instead of environmental language, they may not stand up to a trade challenge. The U.S. shows the way In the U.S., governors of the eight states that border the Great Lakes were sufficiently alarmed by the attempt by the Ontario company to export water that they launched negotiations among themselves and with the premiers of Ontario and Quebec to produce much stronger protection. Although Canadians like to think all Americans have designs on our water, the governors of the water-rich northern states are just as reluctant as the average Canadian to see their water piped to the parched U.S. southwest. The result was the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Water Resources Compact, a legally binding agreement to prohibit new bulk water diversions or exports. It has been ratified by all eight state legislatures, debated in Congress and signed into law by the U.S. president. It takes effect Dec. 8. Meanwhile in Canada, Ontario and Quebec signed voluntary non-binding agreements with the eight U.S. governors to honour the terms of the compact. Ontario has passed legislation to that effect. Quebec’s bill died when the provincial election was called. At the national level we have a promise, lacking any apparent political backing, to pass legislation at some point. Will Mr. Harper stand up to the provinces and insist that a national approach is urgently needed? Will he even have time to do anything before his minority government falls? The answer to both is: Not likely. This is political posturing, dressed up to look like environmental stewardship.

Public input sought on watershed plan November 28th, 2008 / Burlington Post Conservation Halton (CH) wants to hear from residents about what they think is important to preserve and protect in the local watershed. The environmental organization recently released a draft of its 2009-13 strategic plan, Towards a Healthy Watershed. The plan will set the organization’s priorities for the next five years to protect, restore and manage the natural resources in its watershed. The public is invited to attend a public open house to comment on and learn more about the draft strategic plan on Tuesday (Dec. 2). It will take place at the CH administration office, 2596 Britannia Rd. W., just west of Guelph Line, from 6:30-9 p. m., with a presentation at 7 p. m. A copy of the draft plan is available online atwww.conservationhalton.on.ca/stratplan . By participating in the development of the strategic plan, residents will be helping make decisions to protect the water, trees, green space and wildlife in their community. From ensuring the protection of life and property from natural hazards to studying the resilience of the local environment and the potential impacts of climate change, the plan covers a lot of ground. It has a number of objectives, grouped into five themes: environment, parks, education, community and governance. Hassaan Basit, director of communications at CH, said conservation authorities work together with residents, municipalities, businesses, politicians and the agriculture communities to manage the natural resources in their watersheds. “Our new strategic plan reflects the importance of these relationships,” he said. “It identifies priorities for vital programs such as drinking water protection, flood protection, invasive species and forestry. There is also a dedication to provide a growing population with access to green space for healthy lifestyles and recreation, preserve natural heritage and deliver outdoor education programs to inspire the next generation.” Those who can’t attend the open house can still comment on the draft strategic plan by completing a survey on the web-site or by sending comments, in writing, by Monday, Dec. 22 to: Strategic Plan, Conservation Halton, 2596 Britannia Rd. W., RR 2, Milton, L9T 2X6. Those planning to attend the open house are asked to call 905-336-1158, ext. 0, in advance or e-mail [email protected] .

Canadian lakes suffering from aquatic version of osteoporosis November 28th, 2008 Martin Mittelstaedt / Globe and Mail Scientists say they have found lakes in Canada that are losing some of the calcium dissolved in their waters, a condition they’re likening to an aquatic version of osteoporosis. The drop in calcium levels is being attributed to the effects of acid rain and logging, which together have depleted the element in the soil around lakes, reducing the amount that is in runoff and available for aquatic life. The finding of a new threat to the lakes has potentially far-reaching consequences. Many species depend on abundant levels of calcium, a key nutrient used in nature to build the structure of living things, everything from the shells of birds’ eggs to the skeletons of animals. A paper outlining the discovery, made by a team of scientists from Queen’s and York universities and the federal and Ontario governments, appeared in Science yesterday. The research was based on sampling conducted at 770 lakes, of which 60 per cent had calcium amounts near or below levels that harm aquatic life. The lakes studied were primarily in Ontario’s Canadian Shield region, suggesting that tens of thousands of other water bodies across the country may be similarly affected, along with many in the northeastern United States and Scandinavia, areas also sensitive to the affects of acid rain. “We call it aquatic osteoporosis,” said John Smol, one of the researchers on the project and a biology professor at Queen’s University in Kingston. Dr. Smol said he is worried about the health of ecosystems around lakes because “everything requires calcium.” The Ontario lakes were in five areas: the Muskoka region, around Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Algonquin Park and Kenora. The scientists also looked at one lake in Nova Scotia and another in New York State. Returning calcium concentrations in lakes to healthy levels will likely require further reductions in emissions that cause acid rain - primarily sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from coal-fired power plants, metal smelters and cars - along with changes in logging practices, he said. Under previously implemented pollution-control plans, emissions of sulphur dioxide in Eastern Canada fell by 63 per cent from 1980 to 2001, according to Environment Canada figures. As a consequence, acidity in many lakes has dropped to more normal readings, but the new findings suggests that even this massive emissions cut hasn’t been enough to fully mitigate the damage from acid rain. The researchers believe the sharp drop in calcium has been under way for decades, and began in some areas as early as the 1970s. When acid rain falls on soil, it quickly leaches out the calcium, and eventually exhausts the dirt’s stores of the element, leaving little available to be washed into lakes. In the initial period of acid rain deposition, this effect temporarily increases the amount of calcium entering the lakes, but once the stores of the element are depleted, levels plunge. Logging is also a problem because trees contain calcium they draw from the soil. When trees are cut and removed, their calcium is taken from the ecosystem. The calcium in uncut forests is returned to the soil when trees fall and decay. The scientists were able to determine that calcium levels have fallen sharply by studying populations of a water flea called daphnia. These water fleas are highly sensitive to calcium, and can’t reproduce if amounts fall too low. The key level is a water concentration at or below 1.5 parts per million, which causes populations to crash. Loss of the water fleas is a huge blow to life in the lakes because the creatures are a crucial component of the aquatic food web. They eat algae, and then become food for fish. “Once calcium declines below a certain threshold, some keystone species can no longer reproduce,” said Adam Jeziorski, lead author of the study and a Queen’s PhD candidate. “These species and other organisms that feed on them are endangered.” Fish, crayfish and mollusks also have relatively high calcium needs. The scientists were able to surmise the levels of calcium in the lakes over the past 200 years by looking at the remains of the fossils of water fleas in the mud at the bottom of lakes. ***** A mineral vital to marine life Calcium levels in forests and lakes in the Canadian Shield were believed to be relatively stable since the last ice age ended 12,000 years ago. But acid rain and logging has caused amounts to plunge. HEALTHY ECOSYSTEM Calcium levels are fairly constant 1. Calcium gets into the soil through the weathering of rocks. 2. Some of it is taken up by trees. When trees rot, the calcium is returned to the soil. 3. Some is washed from the land into a lake, where it is taken up by water fleas (not really fleas), which in turn are eaten by water mites and phantom midge larvae. 4. Water in the lake flows to the sea, but its calcium is constantly being replenished from soil runoff. WHEN ACID RAIN OCCURS Two things happen in sequence 1. Acid rain leaches calcium out of the soil. It is washed into the lake where it temporarily increases such levels. As more acid rain falls, calcium levels decline there as well. 2. Logging removes calcium absorbed in trees from the ecosystem. As calcium in the lake is reduced, the population of algae-eating water fleas plunges.

Four Klamath River Dams may be removed to benefit Salmon November 24, 2008 / www.great-lakes.org[/color] NEVADA CITY, CA (ENS) - Four dams on the Klamath River that have blocked salmon runs upstream to their spawning areas may be removed in the year 2020 under an historic agreement among federal, state and corporate parties. Dam removal will re-open over 300 miles of habitat for the Klamath's salmon and steelhead populations and eliminate water quality problems such as toxic algae blooms caused by the reservoirs. The federal government, California, Oregon and the PacifiCorp electric utility on November 18 announced an Agreement in principle to remove the four dams as part of a broader effort to restore the river and revive its ailing salmon and steelhead runs and aid fishing, tribal and farming communities. The agreement is intended to guide the development of a final settlement agreement scheduled to be signed in June 2009. "This is a historic announcement and the culmination of years of hard work from the numerous negotiators from the federal government and the states of California and Oregon, and PacifiCorp representatives who have worked toward a common goal of how best to protect the uniqueness of this region," said Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne. "We have agreed to a path forward that will protect fish, PacifiCorp customers and the local cultures and communities in the two-state Klamath River basin," Kempthorne said. The U.S. will make a final determination by March 31, 2012, whether the benefits of dam removal will justify the costs, informed by scientific and engineering studies conducted in the interim, and in consultation with state, local, and tribal governments and other stakeholders. At that point, the U.S. will designate a non-federal dam removal entity to remove the dams or decline to remove the dams. The Klamath River was once the third most productive salmon river system in the United States. Today, due to the dams, poor water quality and too little water left in the river, the Klamath salmon runs have are less than 10 percent of their historic size. Some species, such as Coho salmon, are now in such low numbers in the Klamath River that they are listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Assuming a final agreement is reached next year and pending congressional approval, PacifiCorp will set aside millions of dollars for immediate environmental improvements. The funds would be used to implement numerous measures that will enhance habitat, improve water quality, increase fish populations, and benefit fisheries management in the basin. "This careful effort to balance the complex needs of numerous interests within the community is exactly the type of approach PacifiCorp takes every time we sit down to the settlement table," said Greg Abel, PacifiCorp chairman and chief executive. A study by the California Energy Commission and the Department of the Interior found that removing the dams and replacing their power would save PacifiCorp customers up to $285 million over 30 years. PacifiCorp agrees to contribute as much as $200 million to cover the cost of removing its four dams and restoring the river. Dam removal funds would be obtained from ratepayers in Oregon and California before removal begins. The impact to customer bills will be less than one percent. If the costs of dam removal exceed PacifiCorp's contribution, California and Oregon together would contribute up to $250 million. Current estimates of dam removal costs range between $75 million and $200 million.

Watershed separation urged to control flow of invaders November 19, 2008 Jim Moodie / manitoulin.ca CHICAGO-The so-called Windy City is often blamed for being too thirsty-and given its daily draft of two billion gallons of Great Lakes water, via a controversial diversion, you can understand why-but Huron dwellers should be equally concerned about stuff that Chicago is poised to spew up this way. In particular, we might worry about a certain filter feeder of foreign extraction, hearty appetite, and striking heft. The Asian carp, introduced to the Mississippi River in the late 1990s, gets so big (100 pounds is not unusual) that people have actually been injured by this acrobatic invader, which has a habit of flinging itself at high speeds into boats, or across the seats of personal watercraft. If you don't believe us, check out Asian Carp Invasion Pt. 1 on YouTube. The risk to human safety pales, though, next to the threat posed to the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem. Known to consume 20 percent of their body weight in plankton per day, these bottom eaters would deplete food sources for other species and potentially decimate commercial and sport fisheries across the basin. For the moment, this remains a hypothetical disaster, but it's not that farfetched. As we speak, the fish is almost literally knocking on Lake Michigan's door. "It's coming up the Illinois River, and it's just 15 miles below the site of the current electric barrier," says Joel Brammeier, vice-president for policy with the Alliance for the Great Lakes, an environmental advocacy group. Carp plucky enough to test the fence will receive a non-lethal jolt, and drift back down the Illinois (which flows toward the Mississippi), where environmentalists and fisheries officials want to keep them. But the barricade may not work indefinitely. "It's been a good deterrent, but it's not a 100 percent solution," warns Mr. Brammeier. "If you rely on a power supply and there's a chance of human error or a natural disaster, something can always go wrong." The present barrier, moreover, is only intended to be temporary, yet a permanent version, while essentially built, "is not yet functional because of safety issues with barge traffic," says Mr. Brammeier. "This has been dragging on at least three years." In the meantime, Mr. Brammeier's environmental organization, with financial help from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, has devoted a lot of time and study to the problem, and has come up with what it feels is a more foolproof, if seemingly extreme, answer. In a nutshell: re-engineer the Chicago Waterway System so that nothing equipped with fins, shells or feelers has any way of moving between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi. The term the alliance uses is "ecological separation," which it defines, in a 100-page report issued last week, as "no inter-basin transfer of aquatic organisms via the Chicago Waterway System at any time," with a commitment to "100 percent effectiveness." As sweeping as it sounds, the strategy wouldn't put a plug in the transfer of H20 from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi, nor would it necessitate a complete overhaul of waterworks in the area, stresses Mr. Brammeier. "It would not change the way the water flows, or mean we have to re-plumb northeastern Illinois," he says. Some relatively major changes to infrastructure would need to take place, however, and there would be an impact on commercial and recreational boat traffic, Mr. Brammeier admits. "Our proposal is to create a physical separation close to downtown Chicago," he says. "All the water would still be flowing through, but boats wouldn't have the same access to Lake Michigan; they'd have to go through a boat lift and be sterilized." Six areas are identified in the study for possible structural changes, such as new locks and concrete walls. While this might sound like a major reshaping of the Chicago waterscape, it bears remembering that the whole system is unnatural to begin with: over 100 years ago, the watershed here was totally reconfigured to reverse the flow of the Chicago River and link Lake Michigan with the Mississippi via a complex network of canals and rerouted streams. This occurred, in part, to provide water to places south of the Great Lakes, but also to protect Chicago's water supply, which is derived from Lake Michigan. "The system is designed to send storm and sanitary water to the same place, pushing it to the Mississippi River," says Mr. Brammeier. The Great Lakes alliance scheme wouldn't undo that network entirely, but simply stopper up the places where invasive species could sneak through from one watershed to the other. "It wouldn't mean re-engineering the entire city," says Mr. Brammeier. "There are ways of creating a separation that don't require that drastic a solution. All to most of the water flowing to the Mississippi still would." If a bit ended up flowing back into Lake Michigan, that would just be an ecological bonus, in his view. "Any water Illinois can put back into the Great Lakes is a good thing," says the alliance rep. The study released last week is the outcome of a process that began in 2003, says Mr. Brammeier, when the Chicago Aquatic Invasive Species Summit was convened by the city's mayor and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to explore answers to the problem of scary stowaways and fish-farm escapees encroaching upon the Great Lakes, of which the Asian carp is only the latest example. Already, Mr. Brammeier notes, the shipping route at Chicago has contributed to the ingress of such exotic pests as zebra mussels and round gobies. Indeed, more than 150 invasive species have now been identified in the Great Lakes, and many have made their way into the lakes from the south. As costly to governments, and inconvenient to marine traffic, as an "ecological separation" might be to realize, the Alliance for the Great Lakes is confident that most stakeholders, including the shipping industry, are hospitable to the idea. To Mr. Brammeier, it's essential that a solid, long-term strategy is put in place to staunch the flow of invasive species, in particular the Asian carp, before more damage is wrought. "Once this gets in, the effects are potentially catastrophic," he says. "With invasive species, you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube." His organization is now calling upon the US Army Corps of Engineers to grab the tiller for their own "full-scale feasibility study on the same issue," says Mr. Brammeier. "Our study is a first draft at this type of work, and we'll be encouraging the corps to get started on their own plan. We recognize it won't happen overnight; it will take a couple of years and a few to $10 million to do an appropriate study, but we have to get serious about a real solution." The entire report on invasive species prevention, as drafted by the Alliance for the Great Lakes, is viewable online by visiting www.greatlakes.org.

Ship sinking plan not off shoals yet November 18, 2008 Michael Jiggins / Brockville Recorder A provincial Ministry of Natural Resources official says it’s premature to suggest there’s clear sailing for plans to sink a 2,800-tonne warship in the St. Lawrence River. Jim Fraser, MNR area supervisor in Kemptville, said Monday that concern over the artificial reef project’s impact on the river’s fish habitat is just one of several regulatory hurdles still in the way. “We’re trying to work proactively with the proponent, but there’s a number of hoops still to go through,” said Fraser. His comments follow remarks at a city council meeting last week by a Brockville and District Tourism Advisory Committee member indicating approvals were close at hand. “Everything looks good, we’re looking at … perhaps the sinking going forward perhaps after Labour Day. It’s amazing news,” committee member Laura Good told councillors. She was referring to plans by the Eastern Ontario Artificial Reef Association (EOARA) to purchase the decommissioned HMCS Terra Nova, a 372-foot anti-submarine destroyer escort built in 1956. The EOARA is seeking approval to sink the warship in 130 feet of water in the St. Lawrence about four kilometres east of Brown’s Bay. The $2-million project has the support of municipal, provincial and federal politicians who are eager to reap its economic benefits. Proponents have said it could attract up to 6,000 divers annually, generating $8 million a year for the region’s tourism economy – good news for a region battered by economic bad times. While Fraser said there are still several approvals required, the major unresolved question is clearly what impact scuttling the massive warship will have on the sturgeon population. He said the location selected by EOARA is considered a sturgeon nursery by fish biologists, an area where the young fish “spend their formative years.” Stressing he’s not a biologist, Fraser stopped short of describing the sturgeon population in the Brockville area of the St. Lawrence as endangered. However, he added, “There has been a noticeable decline in the sturgeon fishery since the ’60s. It’s always a concern when that takes place.” Sturgeon, which can grow to three metres in length, are identified as a threatened species by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Fraser said the MNR asked EOARA representatives in an earlier meeting to explore alternative locations. “But they’ve narrowed it down to one site,” he said. Despite the lingering debate over fish habitat, Fraser stressed there’s nothing to suggest the ship sinking is sunk. “Nothing is ruled out as of yet,” he said. Dan Humble, EOARA member and a dive shop owner near Mallorytown, was reluctant to say much about the status of the project. “We’re moving ahead,” said Humble, noting the group faces a key meeting with government officials in Toronto on Dec. 9. “We want to see what happens then,” he said. When he was re-elected last month, Leeds-Grenville MP Gord Brown said securing approval for the ship-sinking project was a priority for him. He said the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans is awaiting MNR’s approvals to be in place before proceeding with its review of the proposal. Negotiations with the Department of National Defence to purchase the ship are also on hold, said Brown. “That meeting in Toronto is very key and I’m very encouraged that we’re going to get an important outcome because this is such an important project,” said Brown. He said he believes divers and sturgeon can co-exist and, further, that alternative fish habitat could be created away from the warship site if necessary. “We do care about the environment, but there has got to be a way to make this work,” said Brown. Meanwhile, if the sturgeon issue is resolved, two less-difficult issues remain to be settled with the ministry, said Fraser. Those are determining who owns the section of riverbed – almost certainly the Crown, said Fraser – and whether there are existing tenures or leases in place for submarine telephone or hydro cables. When those title searches are complete, he said a tenure agreement would have to be drafted with EOARA. And Fraser noted those are just the hurdles the project faces with MNR. Other ministries will require proof the ship has been stripped of any potential contaminants, while an environmental assessment, possibly including public consultation, is also required.

MNR, Geological Survey ship count Lake Superior fish November 18, 2008 / tbsource.com Officials with the MNR and the U.S. Geological Survey have been trawling the North Shore of Lake Superior in the middle of the night, trying to find out just how many lake herring, or ciscoes, there are in this area. The MNR and U.S. Geological Survey have been busy this week as they try to measure the herring stocks on this side of Lake Superior. It's a species that is not only difficult to count, but difficult to catch as well, as they manage to avoid being caught in nets during the daytime. U.S. geologist Dan Yule said his crew does their best work at night, using a combination of sonar equipment and trawling nets. The ciscoes feed on plankton, and help the food chain by becoming food themselves for larger fish in Lake Superior.

Coho home in Lake Ontario once again November 19, 2008 By Katie Strachan / The Oshawa Express Three years ago, Lake Ontario anglers learned fast and furious how important re-stocking fish is for the love of their sport. Because natural reproduction among fish is so low in Lake Ontario, the coho salmon all but disappeared when the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) stopped restocking the game fish in 2005.“The fishery is primarily dependent on stocked fish as very little natural reproduction occurs,” explains Jeremy Holden, Fisheries Biologist with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH). Fortunately, local Oshawa Creek, Wilmot Creek and Lake Ontario anglers will soon welcome the popular game fish back to their waters.“We are pleased to be able to revive the coho stocking program through our involvement with Ringwood,” says Mike Reader, Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. Ringwood is the fish culture station where the fish are hatched.“The partnership has been so successful that it has allowed us to over deliver on the expectations set out for us when we took on the hatchery,” adds Reader. Coho salmon are known for making fast and furious sport fishing. The MNR have been collecting eggs since Nov. of last year in order to re-stock the lake. According to Holden, the fish were raised in the Ringwood hatchery until just weeks ago when they were released back into the Credit River, where they will live over the winter months. Come spring they’ll move to the lake and continue to grow and develop for about two years before returning to Credit River where they’ll spawn and die. Anglers are particularly excited about the re-stocking as coho salmon are schooling fish, which make them easier to catch.“Boat anglers appreciate the schooling nature making for fast and furious action when a school is located,” says Holden. They also spend much more time in the river and are more active than the Chinook salmon, which they are often compared to. People often mistake them for rainbow trout as well.“Overall coho are great salmon for the pier and stream fisherman . They stay silver and active much longer in the same stream than Chinooks, and they are more eager to take baits while in the river,” says Glenn Anderson, President of the MEA. Coho salmon usually live for three or four years. They are typically 18 to 24 inches in length and can weigh in excess of 20 pounds. A local from Pickering set the Ontario record for the largest coho salmon caught in Pickering back in 1999. The salmon weighed 28.64 pounds. “The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the Metro East Anglers (MEA) were able, thanks to the support of the MNR and private industries … to revive the stocking program,” says Holden. Ringwood has already begun collection of coho salmon eggs for next year’s stocking.