“The Newspaper for People Who Love the North”

“The news paper for people who love the north”

Late June 2014 Vol. 61, No. 14 $2.50 Digital Delivery

Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel Since 1953

Historic fish transport railroad car on display at the Oden State Fish Hatchery. —North Woods Call photo

Camp Grayling Remembering Casting for Expansion? Dr. John Richter Conservatives Page 1 Page 2 Page 5

Racketeering and Pete Petoskey Talks Graymont Fraud Charges Natural Resources Mine Proposal Page 1 Page 3 Page 8

www.mynorthwoodscall.com Summer break: A time for intense reflection Early July is traditionally summer break time for will lead—or what we will encounter along the way. The North Woods Call , so your next edition will not Those of you who have been through this sort of arrive until mid July. thing know how overwhelming it can be. Besides This year we’ll be occupied with more than the learning about numerous complicated and confusing usual chores and catch-up activities around home. medical choices, we are simply trying to absorb the And we won’t be hitting the road for any eagerly an - shocking news and transition to a new reality. ticipated vacations. We’re hoping for the best, of course, but are fac - Instead, we have a lot to think about and some ing this challenge on a day-by-day basis. tough decisions to make. Frankly, we still don’t know what this will mean The editor’s wife has been diagnosed with a se - for The North Woods Call . The time and resources rious case of cancer and has already begun that go into producing the newspaper have to be fac - chemotherapy treatments in an effort to get ahead of tored in to any considerations going forward. the disease. But we don’t know where this dark road So this will be a time of intense reflection.

Late June 2014 Vol. 61, No. 14 $2.50 Digital Delivery

Navigating the Tahquamenon —North Woods Call photo Summer is a good time to dust off the kayaks and launch them on a Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel Since 1953 northern Michigan river. Here, two boats head toward Lake Superior on the Tahquamenon River in the Upper Peninsula. The Rivermouth Campground, five miles south of Paradise, is a great place to embark Camp Grayling expansion targets public lands on relatively easy, two-way river trips. There is plenty of good fishing The Michigan National Guard A memo authored by Susan aim, according to the Free Press , and wildlife viewing along the way. And don’t be surprised if you find and Michigan Department of Nat - Thiel, manager of the DNR’s is to increase man-hours at Camp yourself accompanied by a family of curious river otters swimming ural Resources (DNR) are report - Grayling Forest Management Grayling from 200,000 to 1 mil - along the waterway. edly trying to ink a “backroom Unit, and obtained by the Free lion, and “swell the size” of the fa - deal” that would transfer some Press revealed that the military has cility by 36 percent and camp use 54,000 acres of public land to been in discussions with the DNR by 500 percent. Camp Grayling. and expects an agreement this A map that has reportedly been They apparently want to “ex - summer. part of the discussion points to a North Woods Notes pand the reach” of the 147,000- The memo was sent to around large section of the Manistee River acre military training facility and 40 DNR employees, Lohrer re - on both sides from military use, as compromise prime fishing and ported, who were directed to have well as areas on the North Branch hunting areas, according to a re - potential areas identified by May, of the Au Sable River near Con - ENDLESS WINTER: The Marquette Mining Journal earlier this cent article by Lydia Lohrer in the with a potential “verbal agree - nor’s Marsh. Included is wildlife month reported that some forecasters were predicting that ice on Lake Detroit Free Press . ment” in place by mid-July. The (Continued on Page 2) Superior ice could last until July. The prognostication, which was re - peated in USA Today , said the ice was a “continuing reminder of the wintry grip of Mother Nature, which still has yet to completely loosen.” Officials have also said that surface water temperatures in the deepest parts of the lake will be at least 6 degrees Fahrenheit colder than normal by August, delaying the onset of the evaporation season. SHEPPARD’S CALL: The North Woods Call —particularly those years that the newspaper was published by the late Glen Sheppard—is the focus of a feature story in the June 2014 issue of the Mackinac Jour - nal . The article was written by longtime Call reader Richard A. Wiles, who is a retired history and reading development instructor at Petoskey High School and a retired graduate research instructor at Spring Arbor University. ASIAN CARP FAILURE: After spending $110 million on electric barriers in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal that were supposed to keep Asian carp from swimming upstream to the Great Lakes, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it still hasn’t solved the problem. Ac - cording to an article by Eric Sharp in Bridge Magazine , following the Corps initial investment and subsequent “upgrades and augmentation,” the invaders are just 50 miles downstream from Lake Michigan, with some evidence that at least a few may have crossed into the big lake. ENDANGERED SPECIES: This year marks the 40th anniversary of Michigan’s Endangered Species Act (ESA)—legislation that has been Au Sable Threat? —North Woods Call photo critical to the recovery of the state’s rarest flora and fauna. The ESA was The Au Sable River—seen here calmly flowing through a public park in downtown Grayling—is among signed into law by then-Gov. William G. Milliken on July 11, 1974. those natural resources that conservationists fear could be negatively impacted by a proposed expansion Since then, the Department of Natural Resources has partnered with of the Camp Grayling military reservation (see story above). Areas of the North Branch have reportedly many conservation organizations and federal agencies to help threat - been mentioned in discussions between the National Guard and Department of Natural Resources. ened and endangered species, including the gray wolf, bald eagle, pere - Michigan vs. Chesapeake Energy grine falcon and osprey. BOARDMAN RIVER: The Boardman River was recently named Charges of racketeering and fraud are filed in the national Top 10 “Waters to Watch” for conservation efforts by the National Fish Habitat Partnership. The “Waters to Watch” list is as - The Michigan attorney general’s office has filed tained uncompensated land options from these sembled by the nation’s leading authorities on aquatic conservation. The felony racketeering and fraud charges against Okla - landowners by false pretenses, and prevented com - projects listed represent examples of local efforts that protect, restore homa-based Chesapeake Energy Corporation. petitors from leasing the land. and enhance fish and aquatic communities. “These projects are a model The company is now accused of victimizing pri - The new charges, filed June 5, include one count for how fish habitat conservation should be approached.” said Kelly vate land owners across northern Michigan. of conducting criminal enterprises, a felony punish - Hepler, chair of the National Fish Habitat Board. “Scamming hardworking Michigan citizens is not able by a fine up to $100,000. In addition, there are how we do business in this state,” said Attorney Gen - eight counts of “false pretenses” involving $1,000 to eral Bill Schuette, calling Chesapeake’s activities $20,000—a felony punishable by a fine of $10,000 Backwards-sdrawkcaB printing “fraudulent business practices.” per count, or three times the value of the money or Oops. tion. The complaint alleges that Chesapeake directed property involved, whichever is greater. We must have been suffering We discovered this when we their agents to recruit multiple landowners across Representatives from Chesapeake were scheduled from a touch of dyslexia this showed up to retrieve The Call Northern Michigan to lease their land to Chesapeake to be arraigned on June 25, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. be - month when the early June North from the printer and decided to the summer of 2010. Landowners often notified the fore Cheboygan County’s 89th District Court. Woods Call went to press. go with it as it was, rather than agents of existing mortgages on the land to be leased, Chesapeake already faced criminal charges filed As subscribers to the print edi - asking for a complete reprint. the attorney general said, and the agents allegedly in - by Schuette in March 2014 for alleged anti-trust vio - tion no doubt discovered when That would only have delayed dicated the mortgages would not be an obstacle. lations with regard to private land leasing in the sum - they attempted to open the news - delivery and caused us to make When competition from competitors stopped, mer of 2010, and the state land auction held by the paper, the cover and back page an extra trip to Allegan to get the Chesapeake—through its leasing agents—allegedly Department of Natural Resources in October 2010. were inappropriately juxtaposed. corrected edition. cancelled nearly all the leases, using mortgages as the During the DNR’s May 2010 auction, both Chesa - As a result, the paper opened Our apologies for any incon - purported basis for the cancellation. peake and Encana Oil and Gas purchased natural from the left-hand side, rather venience this unexpected error Schuette alleges, therefore, that Chesapeake ob - (Continued on Page 3) than the normal right-hand posi - may have caused. Page 2 Late June 2014 The NorTh Woods CaLL Our 61st Year: Looking Back to June 22, 1955 — Excerpts from The North Woods Call— Across the border lesson EDITOR’S NOTE: With current battles over the use of Michigan nat - ural resources held in the public trust, it’s instructive to remember that similar issues were prominent nearly 60 years ago.

By Marguerite Gahagan It could happen here—the big land giveaway. The last stands of virgin pine, the crystal-clear trout streams, the home of the whitetails and ruffed grouse, could be given away in Michigan. The first iridious nibbling away of federal lands—dedi - cated to public uses by fishermen, hunters and recreation seekers— has started and, like a dike with a small opening, the small opening The Joseph S. Fay —North Woods Call photo leads to a forest of giveaway lands that eventually can’t be prevented. Remnants of the wooden steamer Joseph S. Fay lie along the Lake Huron shoreline near the 40-Mile Point In Ontario, our neighbors are more foresighted and less commer - lighthouse, northwest of Rogers City. Among the first of the Great Lakes freighters built for the iron ore cially greedy. While the U.S. sets the stage for the giveaway, Ontario trade, the ship barely made it to a sand bar near shore after almost sinking during a fierce storm on Oc - turns the clock back and, on its great acres of public-dedicated lands, tober 19, 1905. It eventually broke up on the sand bar and sank in about 12 feet of water. starts progress to turn the forests back to their primeval loveliness from the threat of too much civilization. Trespass signs and isolated, but potentially troublesome, private Camp Grayling expansion targets public lands property are being considered and every effort is made to keep the (Continued from Page 1) Their concern is that the proper “The anglers are on this, we are great forests free of man’s civilizing influences. The slow inroads restoration territory, such as en - procedures for such a massive monitoring it, and we will do made by big highways are part of the “too civilized” worry of the On - dangered Kirtland’s warbler habi - land transfer have been ignored. everything in our power to make tario officials and the big roads are being sidetracked. tat—lands purchased with “What really scared me is that sure it’s done by the book. I’m Commercial interests, restaurants, motels and “Coney Islands,” Pitman-Robertson funds—and they said they need an agreement sure the residents of Lovells will are not a part of the peace and quiet that tourists seek when they travel state game areas, the article says. by July,” said Bruce Pregler, at - tell you their windows rattle the thousands of miles into Ontario’s beautiful wilderness. And an Anglers of the Au Sable mem - torney and president of the An - sometimes. What will so much alert Ontario Department of Lands and Forests has taken steps to oust bers reportedly learned about the glers of the Au Sable. “It’s like a additional traffic do? They de - civilization and save the wilderness. proposal from a copy of Thiel’s handshake agreement is being or - serve input.” Ontario, with its comparatively small population, attracts a grow - memo and called a meeting May chestrated, and no one told the DNR Forestry Division Chief ing number of U.S. tourists—hunters, fishermen, beauty lovers. On - 22 with various organizations. public about it. Bill O’Neill said the agency will tario can expect hundreds of thousands more who will take their do a thorough environmental as - vacation money to the land where unspoiled beauty may be found if sessment and be “very deliberate” the United States persists in its giveaway of precious national forests when considering any land trans - and monuments where the last scant remains of native wildlife have fer application. “In this case, managed to survive. where we’re at now is working Michigan residents, far removed in miles from the great national North Woods Notes with the military to try to under - forests of the west—now the object of greedy private individuals and stand what they need.” short-sighted politicians—are too close for comfort in actuality to The public will have a chance to what may happen here. Their voices should be added to the swelling give input into the matter, O’Neill volume of outraged citizens fighting to safeguard a national heritage. (Continued from Page 1) said. JULY NRC MEETING: The next meeting of the Michigan Natu - ral Resources Commission (NRC) will be held July 10 at the Outdoor Adventure and Discovery Center, 1801 Atwater Street in Detroit. The Friends of the Jordan president loses cancer battle August 14 meeting will be in the Upper Peninsula community of Mu - Dr. John William Richter, pres - Northern Michigan Environmen - nising at the American Legion, 610 W. Munising Avenue. The NRC ident of Friends of the Jordan tal Action Council, and receiving will return to Michigan State University’s Diagnostic Center, 4125 River Watershed and a longtime its Clarence Kroupa Lifetime Beaumont Road, in Lansing for its Sept. 11 and Nov. 6 meetings, while subscriber to The North Woods Achievement Award in 2013, as the Oct. 9 gathering will be at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Cen - Call , died May 28 at his home in well as the Friends of the Jordan ter, 104 Conservation Drive, on Higgins Lake near Roscommon. The East Jordan. “Honor Award” in 2009. Dec. 11 meeting will be back in Lansing at the Lansing Center, 333 E. He was 62. Richter is survived by his chil - Michigan Avenue. Richter, an articulate and ded - dren, Lisa Christine (Kevin) AU SABLE MERGER: The Au Sable Big Water Preservation As - icated defender of northern Dunson-Richter of East Jordan

o

t

Michigan’s great outdoors, had o and Nathan Jarad Richter of sociation will merge with Anglers of the Au Sable later this year. Both h

p been suffering from cancer. Clare; grandchildren Alicia boards are said to be in agreement with the idea in principle, and final n

i

“We have lost a great friend w (Mike) Whiteford, John details of the merger are being worked out. As it now stands, according d

o to a piece in the Anglers’ Riverwatch newsletter, the Mio-based organ - and passionate fighter for the en - o Richards, Karlee Dunson, Karah

G vironment,” said Anne Zukowski Dunson and Katlynn Dunson; ization will be officially absorbed at midnight September 8th. This will m

i bring an end to the group’s productive seven-year run as river keeper on of Charlevoix, a fellow activist T great grandchildren Alexis and Dr. John Richter what is known as the “Trophy Water.” The work that was initiated dur - and member of the Jordan River Parker Whiteford; brothers ing their time will continue under the Anglers’ direction. group. “Words cannot express ers. Charles Richter of Traverse City, JIM ENGER: As some of you already know, Richard James the depth of our loss. His spirit In his first years of business, and Thomas Richter of Onaway; Enger—an outdoorsman, fly fisherman, writer, marketing director, fa - will reside forever in every drop Richter served on the East Jordan nieces and nephews; and signifi - ther and first editor of the Anglers of the Au Sable newsletter, River - of water, blade of grass and Family Health Center Board, be - cant other, Brenda Kirkpatrick of watch —passed away last December. Among many other whisper of the wind in the Jordan came a member of the East Jordan East Jordan. accomplishments, he was as outstanding conservation program speaker River Valley that he loved so Chamber of Commerce, and Richter is also survived by his and author of “The Incompleat Angler,” a book published during the much. He will be greatly served on the committee of the former wives, MaryJo (Peacock) 1980s. While on staff at Kirtland Community College, he was instru - missed.” East Jordan Freedom Festival. Richter of East Jordan and Kerry mental in organizing the Kirtland’s Warbler Festival. Richter was born December In 1990, he helped to found and Ovaitt of Clare. His parents pre - TROUT ECONOMY: The Anglers of the Au Sable group is cur - 2, 1951, in Clare to Charles and become a devoted member of The ceded him in death. rently working with researchers at Michigan State University and Trout Addie (Popp) Richter, and grad - Friends of the Jordan River Wa - Richter also leaves behind Unlimited on a study of Michigan trout fishers and the economic impact uated from Midland High School tershed. Serving as its president, many close friends, including the of their activities. Results of the study, which is expected to help build in 1970. He then graduated from he was instrumental in preventing staff and clients of the Jordan an economic case for river conservation, are expected to be released Michigan State University in drilling for oil and gas in the Jor - Valley Animal Clinic, and board soon. 1979 as a doctor of veterinary dan Valley, and fighting success - members past and present of his EPA CARBON RULES: Michigan environmental groups have medicine. fully the Alba Well injection of beloved Friends of the Jordan. been cheering the Obama Administration’s proposed rules to curb car - He partnered with his brother, leachate from Bay Harbor into His family thanks Hospice of bon pollution from power plants, but the state’s top environmental reg - Dr. Tom Richter, at Freeland Vet - Antrim County. Northwest Michigan, and its ulator says flexibility is needed to avoid skyrocketing electric prices (see erinary Clinic in Freeland from Richter was passionate about team of nurses, Cindy and Julie, related editorial on Page 4). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1979 to 1984. In 1984, John the preservation of the Jordan Val - as well as social worker, Bob. has announced a plan to decrease the nation’s dependence on coal-fired Richter moved to East Jordan ley, educating the community A celebration of Richter's life power plants, while demand for electrical energy continues to rise. The with the dream of living “Up about biomass fuels and fracking, was held June 14 at the Friends plan requires cutting carbon emissions by 30 percent by the year 2030— North,” and to pursue his love and teaching young people about of the Jordan Watershed Center, compared to 2005 levels—but some observers are warning that con - and respect for the Jordan Valley. the environment. 101 Union Street in East Jordan. sumer electric rates could go up as much as 80 percent. Be sure to let At that time, he started the Jor - In 2008, he was chosen as East Memorial contributions may your voice be heard during the 120-day public comment period. dan Valley Animal Clinic, where Jordan's Citizen of the Year. He be sent to Friends of the Jordan SLEEPING BEAR WILDERNESS: Some 32,500 acres of the he provided thirty years of com - was proudest of his accomplish - River Watershed, P.O. Box 412, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore—nearly half—was formally passionate care to thousands of ments in earning the Environmen - East Jordan, Michigan 49727. dedicated as a protected wilderness area in late May. animals and their beloved own - talist of the Year in 2008 from the The NorTh Woods CaLL Late June 2014 Page 3 Pete Petoskey talks natural resource management Help shape EDITOR’S NOTE: We recently had the op - influence over conservation in Michigan, he geon River Country State Forest—that are par - new Kirtland’s portunity to view a video presentation orches - said. “The more money the feds put in our ticularly sensive and need special protection, trated by Michigan conservationists and North state, the more influence they have and you Petoskey said. Warbler plan Woods Call contributors Doug Mummert and shouldn’t count the dollars you’re getting to “The Pigeon River area has a problem with John Gunnell. The video features a conversa - manage resources. horseback riding,” he said. “Horseback riding Public input is being sought tion with Merrill “Pete” Petoskey, retired chief “You answer questions to protect and man - is fine as long as they stay on designated trails. to help shape a new Kirtland’s of the Michigan Department of Natural Re - age the resource, not to make some guy feel Some of them don’t do that and they have built warbler conservation plan. sources’ (DNR) Wildlife Division, who will good. I always felt that you should be firm in many camps up there that kind of over-empha - In 1966, the bird was listed as soon be celebrating his 91st birthday. Here are your decisions and be right in your decisions. I sized horseback riding. The Porcupine Moun - threatened, but today history is some excerpts from the conversation: wasn’t always right, but I was right enough tains is a pretty rough country and I don’t think being made, as this unique times...” they can hardly ever over-use that. But in the songbird may soon be off the * * * Similarly, conservation officers need to man - Pigeon River Country they have over-used it.” federal endangered species list. Merrill “Pete” Petoskey has plenty to say age resources and enforce the law “for the ben - On the subject of bear hunting, Petoskey ac - The Michigan Department of when it comes to what the DNR needs to do to efit of the people of Michigan,” Petoskey said. knowledged that baiting is legal in Michigan, Natural Resources, the U.S. preserve wild areas in Michigan. Unfortunately, “they spend an awful lot of time but said if he was been in charge of the DNR, Fish and Wildlife Service and “Get out of politics,” Petoskey said bluntly. inside their cars,” he said. it wouldn’t be. “To hunt behind a pile of sugar the U.S. Forest Service signed a “There are too many politicians trying to run In order to handle the resources well, con - beets is not my idea of hunting,” he said. memorandum of understanding things and that’s not good. They’re more in - servation officers need to be “on the ground The sad thing is that citizens these days are in June 2011 to clarify each terested in how they can get money out of someplace,” according to Petoskey “pretty apathetic about natural resources,” he agency’s commitment to the things. We need scientific management.” “When I was in [the DNR], we were all said. “They don’t know a lot about them and conservation of the Kirtland’s Petoskey said the politicians of today are deputy conservation officers. Now you can’t don’t intend to ever learn about them.” warbler. “quite different” than those he worked with do that, because of the unions or some such Petoskey said the ongoing emphasis on com - Due to the potential for when he was in the Wildlife Division. thing. On the ground is the way to manage re - puters and communication technology—par - delisting, the three agencies de - “[In my day,] they were really interested in sources, not from your car, or [behind] some ticularly among young people—is detrimental cided it was necessary to de - the conservation of natural resources,” computer...” to active participation in outdoor activities. velop a Kirtland’s Warbler Petoskey said. “I don’t believe the politicians Petoskey said he hopes that good leadership “I don’t know what they call those things Conservation Plan (KWCP) that of today feel that way. If they can make a buck is encouraged among field personnel and that kids carry around and punch the buttons,” he would provide future strategic doing something, they’ll do it—whether it’s top brass stands behind their decisions. said, “but if you took a hammer to every one of guidance to sustain a viable good for the resource, or not good for the re - “When you manage resources, you’ve got to those, it might influence a kid to think some - population of Kirtland’s war - source. I think that’s baloney.” be straightforward and do it right,” Petoskey thing about the outdoors. Nobody takes blers across their breeding Leaders of the DNR should be accountable said. If it steps on [someone’s] shoulders, or [youngsters outside]. Their parents don’t even range. to the people of Michigan, Petoskey said, not on your shoulders, tough.” know anything about natural resources, either. The current habitat and to politicians. There are some areas—such as the Porcu - Unfortunately, parental guidance isn’t what it brown-headed cowbird man - And the federal government has far too much pine Mountains Wilderness Area and the Pi - used to be.” agement programs have been successful in addressing the “The River” major threats to Kirtland’s war - The world premier of a movie all blers, and the KWCP will help about the Au Sable River, its history, transition management from the its fly fishers and its defenders was recovery phase to the new focus held this spring at the Rialto The - on long-term population sus - ater in downtown Grayling. About tainability. The plan will pro - 300 people reportedly attended the vide goals and technical screening, which helped publicize guidance to managers and oth - the film and raise money for An - ers on how to create and main - glers of the Au Sable. “The River,” tain breeding habitat, and by director Robert Thompson— control cowbirds. which actually contains three sepa - The public may comment at rate movies—can be purchased in [email protected] DVD and BlueRay formats for $33 before July 28, or by attending a and $39 respectively at the Gates Au meeting July 9 from 4 to 7 p.m. Sable Lodge online store. at the Grayling Nature Center, —Anglers of the Au Sable photo 100 South James Street. Anglers claim “blind boosterism” The Anglers of the Au Sable and Trout Unlimited have accused the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) of “blind boosterism” due to its support of expanding a private fish hatchery. The plan could harm the Au Sable River, according to the envi - ronmental groups. They point to e-mails the groups obtained under the state’s Freedom of Information Act in which MDARD officials describe their role as an “advocate for aquaculture.” According to a recent story in the Detroit Free Press , the groups Chesapeake charged with racketeering & fraud said that MDARD’s biased support in favor of a discharge permit re - Continued from Page 1) have been a key driver behind the nary examination, Schuette filed quested by Harietta Hills Trout Farm LLC and co-owner Dan Vogler gas leases in Michigan. In 2012, state-held land lease price in one additional count of anti-trust interferes with the work of other state agencies—specifically the De - the Reuters news agency uncov - Michigan going from $1,510 per violation based on evidence pre - partment of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of ered a possible conspiracy be - acre in May 2010 to less than $40 sented during the preliminary Natural Resources (DNR). The DEQ was expected to decide soon tween the two companies’ an acre at the October 2010 auc - exam. whether the 100-year-old hatchery can gradually step up commer - executives, discussing an agree - tion and for private leasing to As of this writing, Judge Maria cial production of rainbow trout to about 300,000 pounds per year ment following the May 2010 stop. Barton had not yet issued a ruling from its current rate of about 20,000 pounds. The DNR has proposed auction to split up Michigan coun - Schuette filed one count of anti- on whether the case would be water sampling and testing that MDARD has opposed. ties where each company would trust violation and one count of at - bound over to circuit court and set “It’s an unfair accusation,” MDARD spokeswoman Jennifer be an exclusive bidder for both tempted anti-trust violation for trial. Encana, meanwhile, Holton said of the boosterism charge. public and private leases. against Chesapeake Energy Cor - pleaded no contest earlier and The expanded hatchery is only expected to create about two jobs, In the five-month period fol - poration on March 5, 2014, in agreed to a $5 million civil settle - but leaders of the angler groups say discharges of algae-promoting lowing the state’s May 2010 auc - Cheboygan County. On May 9, ment. phosphorus, which comes from fish food and waste, and a disinfec - tion, this alleged conspiracy may following a week-long prelimi - tant containing formaldehyde, could do permanent damage to one of the best fly fishing and kayaking areas in the United States—an area Little Presque Isle “Songbird Trail” is improved of the Au Sable known as the “holy waters.” Thanks to Lon and Lynn Emerick of Skandia, the guide. The environmental groups say they are not trying to block the ex - Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) The trail begins near County Road 550 and ends pansion, but they want lower phosphorus limits and stricter moni - was recently able to add interpretive panels along the at the mouth of Harlow Creek on the Lake Superior toring requirements than those set out in a draft permit, plus a popular Songbird Trail at Little Presque Isle Recre - shoreline. Hikers frequently see a variety of migrat - performance bond, before a state discharge permit is finalized. ation Area in Marquette County. ing and nesting raptors, shorebirds, waterfowl, wood - Vogler, meanwhile, reportedly told the Free Press that improving With the support of a $750 donation from the Em - peckers, warblers and other songbirds while walking Michigan’s aquaculture production is important to the state and the ericks, DNR staff were able to create 18 new infor - through the pine forests, wetlands, and aquatic habi - nation since the U.S. imports about 90 percent of the seafood it con - mational signs, which guide the hiker along the trail tats surrounding the trail. sumes. “It’s a food security issue,” he said of the plans to expand while explaining the surrounding habitat and wildlife The 1.1-mile nature trail was originally created in the Grayling area facility, which was once owned and operated by that frequent the area. The panels replace numbered 1992 as a volunteer project led by the Emericks, who the DNR. guide posts, which required the use of a printed trail are award-winning authors and nature writers. Page 4 Late June 2014 The NorTh Woods CaLL Enjoy furry wild creatures; just don’t feed them Opinion I’ve always enjoyed wild ani - mals—especially those that wan - der past my windows and liven North Woods Journal Quote Box the landscape. By Mike VanBuren “The way of a canoe is the way of the wilderness and of a freedom We see many of them outside almost forgotten. It is an antidote to insecurity, the open door to our home in Michigan. White- waterways of ages past and a way of life with profound and abid - tailed deer, wild turkeys, pheas - The worst was probably the fat to move to greater open spaces. ing satisfactions.” ants, owls, hawks and songbirds raccoon that climbed the garage They’ve learned that food —Sigurd F. Olson are common. So are herons, rab - wall and holed up in the eave of abounds in the suburbs. There are bits, squirrels, chipmunks, snakes the house. Despite our efforts, he compost heaps, garbage cans and and turtles. Sometimes I even hear refused to come out until he could ornamental shrubs to feast on – A done deal before deal is done? the yip of a coyote, but seldom see break through the aluminum soffit along with pet foods and bird a recent addition to a Graymont Inc. website that is dedicated one in the flesh. over our front porch, causing con - feed. to what the company is calling the “rexton Project” (see story on Most of these animals are pleas - siderable damage. Discouraging these animals re - Page 8 of this issue) suggests that company officials may know ing to the eyes and ears, and re - It has been estimated that as quires specific precautions. First something the general public doesn’t. quire very little maintenance. Of many as three in five metropolitan and foremost, don’t feed them. That is, they seem to be expecting imminent approval of the course, we’re awakened some - U.S. households battle wildlife, They can become particularly ag - project and have already moved ahead with construction of a times at night by some rather sustaining as much as $3.8 billion gressive when they lose their fear community based project information office that was scheduled to hideous screams and struggles, in property damage in a single of man. Make sure garbage cans open this month. In addition. a local resident has reportedly been but that’s part and parcel of the year. This figure doesn’t include have tight-fitting lids. Don’t leave hired to serve as a “point of contact” for questions and concerns natural world. the deaths and injuries suffered in pet food and water outside. Pick about the project. More troubling, I think, are the collisions between cars and wan - up fallen fruit. While we appreciate Graymont’s efforts to provide information raccoons, skunks, woodchucks, dering animals. And cap your chimney. Rac - to community residents and others who are following the ongoing and possums that seem to think The simple matter is that wild coons often use open, uncapped project development, we wonder whether the cards have been they’re entitled to move into our animals are running out of space. chimneys as nests, and can steal stacked since the beginning against those who oppose the idea. house whenever they want. So Conflicts between wildlife and into your house when you’re state and local officials may be salivating at the prospect of far, they’ve only been able to get suburbia are increasing. And away. You can also clear your what they see as much-needed economic development, but giv - as far as the attached garage—al - much of it is our own fault. yard, keeping it free of brush and ing away thousands of acres of state forest land—held in the pub - though we’ve had more than one Wanting open space and fresh low branches that create good hid - lic trust for purposes other than limestone mining—is of ring-tailed marauder peer fear - air, we’re building homes farther ing spots. questionable benefit to the people of Michigan. lessly through our back door into from the nation’s urban centers. Avoiding Darwinian confronta - Frankly, we don’t like anything that smacks of back room deal - the kitchen. Yesterday’s farms and forests tions may be easier than you ing and end runs around the public interest. We sure hope that They’re attracted, I suppose, by have become today’s subdivisions think. But it requires some effort this is not what is being done in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. the food and water they find in and strip malls. Driveways and to make our homes and neighbor - Camp Grayling expansion? bird feeders and cat dishes. For roads cross game trails, tree lines, hoods less alluring to wild ani - the most part, we’ve been able to and creek beds, where animals mals. speaking of back room deals (see editorial above and story stop them from getting at these. travel and hunt. And that’s a good thing to re - on Page 1) , what’s going on at Camp Grayling? But they always seem to find What’s more, animals that find member the next time a furry, some say the Michigan National Guard and Michigan de - something new to sniff and chew themselves leap-frogged by de - would-be bandit appears at your partment of Natural resources (dNr) have been working on a on. velopment have little motivation back door. stealth agreement that would transfer some 54,000 acres of pub - lic land to the military installation. and, as is way too often the case, the public is the last to Theodore Roosevelt’s ten principles of the hunt know—this time via an inside dNr memo obtained by the Detroit EDITOR’S NOTE: Last sum - total extermination. Free Press and others. mer, Gaylord-area resident Doug 5) The true hunter loves all parts Be that as it may, the Guard reportedly doesn’t believe it is re - Mummert—a hunter, fisherman, of the wilderness. quired to submit an environmental impact statement, as required conservationist and longtime 6) A peculiar charm in the chase by federal law. They say they are exempt because they are “a friend of The North Woods Call — comes from the wild beauty of the state agency.” shared with us the following country. The Michigan sierra Club, however, begs to differ. thoughts from the 26th president 7) The rich—who are content to “The Michigan department of military affairs (a.k.a. the National of the United States. It’s about buy what they have not the skill to Guard) is a congressionally authorized and funded federal time we passed them on. get by their own exertions—these agency—even though it’s under the jurisdiction of the state,” Mar - are the real enemies of game. vin roberson, forest ecologist with the sierra Club, was quoted by 1) Preserve large tracts of 8) When hunting him (wapiti), the Free Press as saying. “Federal courts have held that the Na - wilderness and game for all lovers he must be followed on foot and tional Guard and all its units are federal entities, subject to federal of nature, and for the exercise of the man who follows him must be standards. If they expand—regardless of what type of land, they the skill of the hunter, whether he sound in limb and wind. need to produce a federal impact statement, as required by the is, or is not, a man of means. 9) Skill and patience, and the National environmental Protection act.” 2) The conservation of wildlife capacity to endure fatigue and ex - roberson and other Michigan conservationists are reportedly and all our natural resources are posure, must be shown by the suc - wondering why the National Guard would attempt to avoid pro - essentially democratic in spirit, Teddy Roosevelt on the hunt. cessful hunter. ducing an environmental impact statement. They also want to purpose and method. 4) The genuine sportsman is by 10) I wish to preach, not to the know if the dNr proposed any sensitive environmental areas as 3) Public rights come first and all odds the most important factor doctrine of ignoble ease, but the a starting point for the discussions. Why, they ask, was a leak re - private interests second. in keeping wild creatures from doctrine of the strenuous life. quired for the public to become informed? and why the pressing deadline to complete some kind of deal yet this summer? Keeping the peace on Belle Isle The North Woods Call These are good questions that need to be answered promptly Maybe it should be expected when you open a state park in Michigan’s Conservation Sentinel by state officials and the National Guard. urban detroit. Since 1953 Citizens are right to be suspicious of such “shady deals” and all the issues of inner-city america spill over into the park and public voices need to be heard before any decision is made. The keep law enforcement officers busy chasing criminals—not to dNr says that will happen, but why can’t public input be consid - mention protecting innocent individuals and families who are Published regularly by: ered at the beginning of such discussions, rather than at the end? Newshound Productions LLC there primarily for fresh air and a quality outdoor experience. 5411 east de avenue and, when these voices are finally heard, will it even matter? recent reports from Michigan conservation officers who pa - Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004. trol Belle Isle—Michigan’s newest state park—underscore these Telephone: (269) 342-8724 Expect rising electric rates concerns. Just take a look at their field logs. E-mail: [email protected] Whether or not you agree with recent action by the obama ad - Instead of the typical encounters usually reported by “game ministration to tighten restrictions on carbon emissions from coal- wardens” in various other parts of the state—hunting and fishing Website: mynorthwoodscall.com fired energy plants, you might as well get used to paying more in violations, accidents, noise complaints, vandalism, and assorted Online subscription: $35 per year your monthly utility bills. other foolishness—Belle Isle officers get much closer to what we and $60 for two years. Much more, according to some observers—maybe as much would call the underbelly of city life. Print subscription: $55 per year as an 80 percent increase. (See North Woods Notes on Page 2). You name it and they see it. drug abuse, drunkeness, violent and $95 for two years The plan—to be implemented by the environmental Protec - assaults, thievery, urinating in public, traffic violations, outstand - Editor & Publisher: Mike VanBuren tion agency without the input of Congress—is expected to be fi - ing felony arrest warrants, forgery, illegal weapons, and a host of nalized next year. It is a centerpiece of the administration’s other nefarious offenses and activities. Publishers Emeritus: “climate change” agenda. Unfortunately, we suspect this agenda Marguerite Gahagan Not that conservation officers in other areas don’t see some Glen and Mary Lou sheppard is more about advancing a misguided political ideology than it is of these things. They do. But not nearly as often, according to about improving the environment. the field logs. and they don’t seem as likely to lodge people in advertising rates upon request We all want clean air. There’s no doubt about that. But we places like the detroit detention Center after their initial law en - also need to survive financially. We wonder how many ameri - forcement encounters. A Newshound Publication cans are actually willing to ride such dubious revenue schemes Belle Isle is a great resource for detroit’s citizens and visitors all the way to the poor house. Maybe more than we think. alike. We just wish all users would treat the park—and them - If so, enjoy the trip. selves—with more appreciation and respect. The NorTh Woods CaLL Late June 2014 Page 5 Brookies, browns and bacon grease Viewpoint By John Gunnell cast off to the other shoreline before David moved Casting for conservatives Another Mother’s Day has recently passed us by some 20 yards in front of me. My Mepps retrieval EDITOR’S NOTE: We discov - licans have walked away from as I sit down to write about the opening day of trout was interrupted out some 10 feet from where it had ered the following viewpoint ar - this great heritage and from the season 2014. landed, when hit by a trout as it neared the surface. ticle in the Winter 2014 edition of conservative principles that My early recollections of mother, always at home Not wanting to repeat the snag routine again, I kept one of our favorite newsletters— should guide conservation policy. for me, lending her support for my trout fishing pen - the tip of my rod high. A healthy attempt by the fish Riverwatch —which is published Perhaps the biggest reason is chant. She would listen as I unfolded the details of to throw my Mepps lure ensured only to finally yield periodically by Anglers of the Au money. When a small handful of my adventure, no matter what time of day or night. it to my net. A handsome, male German brown with Sable. We thought it might be of wealthy business people wield Dad taught me the fine points of fishing and how a hooked jaw, measuring 17 inches was my catch. interest to our readers. the threat of a primary race to craft a fishing story. A young angler is doubly David’s bad luck continued with tangled line, reel against any incumbent who dares blessed if he has a mother who cooks his trophies for problems, etc. Locating him with daylight fast ap - By Rob Sisson oppose personal agendas, it un - him day or night—whenever he brings them home. proaching, I sat down on a dead tree limb to wait until One of our nation’s great writ - fairly skews public policy against My mother, with practical knowledge about food, he caught up. When he arrived, I cast toward him to ers lived just a short distance science, reason and common made sure I scaled every brook trout in order to cap - simply break the monotony of waiting, only to have from the banks of the Au Sable sense. ture their total palate satisfaction. a fine female brown trout devour my lure. Soon River. Complicating matters is the in - She expected the larger fish to be cut length-wise thereafter, a 17 1/2-inch brown was creeled. Some Russell Kirk made his home at creasingly huge amount of without removing the bones, so as not to risk the loss days on the river, you succeed in spite of attempts to Piety Hill in Mecosta. Kirk, best money poured into politics by of internal flavor. Her cast-iron skillet with butter and favor a fishing companion. known fro his book, “The Con - progressive pro-environment bacon grease made a floured brook trout pleased to With time fleeting, I decided to move upstream servative Mind,” was a trusted funders. Their messaging perpet - become her gourmand meal. near a bridge where we agreed to meet. David was advisor to Ronald Reagan. He uates the myth that only one party Long before we knew what the word gourmand without my presence for almost two hours, fishing his fathered the American conserva - cares about clean air, clean water meant, or we had any inkling of cholesterol, enhanc - way up to me. Feeling a little guilty for not being tive movement. and a healthy climate, and pushes ing the flavor of foods we ate using lard, bacon able to help him with his bad luck, I arrived upstream Kirk wrote one of the most im - GOP incumbents deeper into the grease, etc. was never rivaled—nor did her cooking after walking though the woods. I chose to rest quite portant and, sadly, neglected lines arms of those who oppose any ingredients become a health concern until later years. a spell, hoping David’s luck would change without in modern America: “Nothing is candid conversation about our Old men, like me, still enjoy our doughnuts made my presence. more conservative than conser - environment. with lard and our fish and venison cooked with a After some time, I observed a deep bend in front vation.” Fortunately, there is good rea - touch of bacon grease. Back then, my dad ate his of me. I wandered over and cast my lure, not paying That line is ConservAmerica’s son to be optimistic that natural pancakes smothered in bacon grease (butter was ex - much attention to its location. I began my retrieve motto. We are the national grass - resource conservation will once pensive at 30 cents a pound). only to have my lure buried by a vicious strike that roots organization of Republicans again become a nonpartisan pri - Opening the trout season at midnight started for me bent my pole double. When I exerted resistance, it for environmental protection. ority. Voters under the age of 30 about 65 years ago this past April 26. Most often I only bent my rod tip further down into the water. A Progressive environmentalists accept climate science as a mat - fish alone on opening day, because other fishermen larger, strong fish—coupled with current—will [re - and tea party patriots alike call us ter of fact, and cast their votes friends usually cherish their sleep, or are afraid to fish quire] patience if the fish is to be netted. This fish on an “oxymoron’—a most unfortu - overwhelmingly for pro-environ - in the dark. Taking another person fishing at mid - my line was no exception. nate misunderstanding. ment candidates. Faith voters, night who believes the night will “swallow them up” Slowly the trout tired, only to finally come steadily Over the past quarter century, often taken for granted by con - is a recipe for disappointment for all involved. My to my net. Still attempting to extract my lure from protection of our natural re - servative politicians, are rapidly son, David—not being subject to “night fishermen the fish’s hooked jaw, I glanced up to see my son ap - sources has become a polarizing connecting clean air and clean meltdown”—met me in Rockford just past the witch - pear a short distance away. When he arrived, he fin - issue in politics. It didn’t used to water to their pro-life values. ing hour and we headed north to the river. ished the lure extraction. The beautiful be that way. Pope Francis is reportedly Of several fishing locations I frequent, the one five-and-a-half pound male German brown trout—24 The first Republican president, prepping an encyclical on “cre - chosen allowed two persons to fish together in high inches in length—was captured. Abraham Lincoln, protected the ation care” that could be conser - water, yet in close proximity. Being the one most fa - Like baseball, some days the hits just fall, while Yosemite Valley. The second Re - vation’s Pentecostal moment. miliar, with locations on the stream that had previ - other times our best efforts go a-glimmering. My publican president, Ulysses S. Holy Waters is an apt name for ously produced fish, I purposely opted to fish lesser mother, long since gone to her heavenly home, still Grant, created the world’s first the Au Sable River—water is spots behind David as we made our way upstream. reminds me in my memory of her always being there national park at Yellowstone. mentioned 722 times in the Bible. Depth in certain locations made spin casting of the for me—especially on the opening day of trout fish - Theodore Roosevelt protected Combined, this is a huge swath of longer variety necessary, thus increasing potential for ing. ten percent of the lower 48’s the electorate to which the GOP becoming snagged. Shortly after we entered the land. Roosevelt’s right-hand man must answer. stream, David encountered a serious snag. I moved John Gunnell is a writer and outdoorsman living in and future governor of Pennsyl - Last year, a well-known Re - forward and gained its release for him. Rockford, Michigan. vania, Gifford Pichot, started the publican micro-targeting consult - Being parallel with another for a brief period, I U.S. Forestry Service. ant sampled red districts to Letter to the editor Dwight Eisenhower placed the determine grassroots Republican Conservation officers graduate Sorry to hear... Arctic National Wildlife Refuge support for conservation. The Twenty-three new recruits have successfully completed Michigan out of harm’s way. Richard firm concluded that the average Hi, Mike, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officer train - Nixon signed our most revered congressional district has about Sorry to hear that you might ing.. environmental legislative acts. 25,000 ardent Republican voters not be able to continue to publish Graduation ceremonies were held June 13 at the training academy Michigan’s own Gerald Ford who believe environmental pro - The Call . in Lansing. signed the first CAFE standards, tection should be a priority. You are doing a great job. The 23 new officers now enter 18 weeks of field training, partnered beginning the process of squeez - Senator Lindsey Graham (R- with more experienced conservation officers, in the counties in which ing more miles and less pollution North Carolina) said shortly after Tom Dale they have been assigned. out of every gallon of gasoline. climate legislation died in 2010, Gahagan Nature Preserve “These new officers will fill critical vacancies in areas of the state Iowa Republican John Lacey “Environmental groups are really Roscommon, Michigan for natural resources protection, and in some rural areas, they will authored our landmark wildlife good about getting their members contribute to general law enforcement coverage,” said DNR Director protection act—the Lacey Act. A to call, write and e-mail us. The Keith Creagh. “Providing a safe recreation experience for our resi - Interim rules for Republican from Pennsylvania’s problem is those people don’t dents and visitors, and enhanced public safety in our communities, coal country, John Saylor, was vote Republican. We need to are top priorities for the DNR.” shooting ranges the key figure in passage of The hear from Republicans.” The new officers and the counties they are assigned include Je - The Michigan Department of Wilderness Act and the Wild and That, in a nutshell, is the niche remy Beavers (Genesee County), Jason Becker (Macomb County), Natural Resources (DNR) and Scenic Rivers Act. filled by ConservAmerica. We Brad Bellville (Montmorency County), William Brickel (Gratiot local officials will hold a meeting Ronald Reagan is responsible are the meeting point for Repub - County), Kyle Bucholtz (Sanilac County), Jon Busken (Mackinac June 24, to provide updates and for the greatest reduction of licans and conservatives from all County), Richard Cardenas (Oakland County), Brett Delonge take public input on three pro - greenhouse gas emissions in his - walks of life who do care and (Menominee County). Paul Fox (Presque Isle County), Robert Free - posed shooting range locations— tory. When scientists presented who want their uniquely Repub - born (Schoolcraft County), Saykham Keophalychanh (Genesee one of which will likely replace him with compelling evidence lican voice to be heard in Wash - County), Josiah Killingbeck (Lake County), Christopher Knights the current shooting area com - about damage to the earth’s ington and in state capitols like (Monroe County), Brian Lasanen (Ontonagon County), Michael monly known as Hoosier Valley. ozone layer, Reagan went against Lansing. Contrary to public Mansell (Ontonagon County), Matthew Page (Branch County), The meeting will take place at his political advisors and pushed opinion, there are a lot of us out Christopher Reynolds (Hillsdale County), Timothy Rosochacki 6:30 p.m. at the Traverse City through the international treaty here. (Alpena County), Joshua Russell (Iosco County), David Schaum - Civic Center, 1213 W. Civic Cen - known as the Montreal Protocol People like you and me—the burger (Wayne County), Andrew Sutzko (Washtenaw County), Justin ter Drive. that phased out specific green - hook and bullet crowd—are as - Ulberg (Lenawee County) and Robert Watson (Luce County). The DNR has drafted a set of house gases. sumed conservatives because we The recruits completed 22 weeks at the academy, including 14 interim rules for the ranges that George H.W. Bush used cap own guns, or pricey 9-foot rods. weeks of required general law enforcement training and eight weeks designate shooting hours, types of and trade to curb acid rain, which We’re the ones who see first- of specialized conservation officer training. Instructors were experi - targets permissible and magazine was plaguing lakes and forests hand the impact of pollution and enced current conservation officers. limits, among other things. Some across America, including Michi - unchecked industry on our natu - For more information including how to apply for a future train - people have complained about gan’s. ral resources. We’re the ones ing academy, visit www.michigan.gov/conservationofficers. noise, safety, congestion and litter. There are many reasons why it who walk and wade in the out- —Michigan DNR report For more information, call seems conservatives and Repub - (Continued on Page 6) (231) 922-5280. Page 6 Late June 2014 The NorTh Woods CaLL Explore the human-nature connection More Opinion Huron Pines and North Central Michigan College organization, along with guest speakers from the are partnering on a five-session course for commu - Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will Letter to the editor nity members who enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, ca - teach about river ecology, wildlife management and noeing, birding and other outdoor recreation human impacts on the environment. The trouble with digital delivery activities, but lack a technical natural resource back - Cost is $80 for the entire series. The Otsego I’ve been receiving digital delivery of The North Woods Call for ground. County Community Foundation has provided addi - some time and have begun to realize that it is more difficult to read The course, which beings July 9, will consist of in - tional funding for the program. than the print edition, because it is in “letter” format, rather than in door classes on Wednesday evenings at the University For more information, contact Joy Leisen at (989) “landscape.” Center in Gaylord and Saturday morning field excur - 448-2293, Ext. 26, or [email protected]. To sign The difficulty is minor—having to scroll up and down to read ar - sions into the woodlands and rivers of Otsego County. up, visit www.huronpines.org/community. ticles covering multiple columns on the same page. Instructors from the Gaylord-based Huron Pines Space is limited to 20 participants, so don’t delay. Given the flexibility of digital formatting, I think that it would be helpful for digital delivery at least to be in the “landscape format— the most common orientation of a computer screen. Perhaps this could also be considered for the print edition, too. There is nothing that dictates a publication having to be printed in the “letter” format, except tradition. What do other readers think?

Rane L. Curl Ann Arbor, Michigan

Rane, You may be right and this is something we could consider dur - ing a re-design. The current configuration is indeed governed by tradition. Many longtime readers have made it clear that they like the old format that has been used for many years. In response to this preference, we have stayed the course, al - though we have often thought that it may be time to bring The Call into the 21st Century and accommodate the ubiquitous digital for - matting that seems to dominate modern communications. Until that happens, however, we are trying to keep the print and digital de - signs somewhat similar as a practical matter. It keeps us from the time-consuming task of having to lay out two distinctly separate ver - sions of the newspaper each time. We would like to hear from other readers about this matter, how - ever. Are you wedded to the traditional design, or would you ac - Space Cow —North Woods Call Photo cept a change to better accommodate the online world? This sculptured cow—perched atop a whitewashed silo between two red barns—attracts summertime vis - —Mike itors to the Jilbert Dairy’s farm store in Marquette, where a host of fresh dairy products, including deli - cious ice cream, can be purchased. It offers a pristine view of America’s agricultural system, which is the Viewpoint envy of the world. Yet many environmentalists insist that the country’s system for growing, packaging and preserving food can be detrimental to human health. Such claims are a fairly easy sell to those who have Casting for conservatives found it necessary to research the suspected causes of the nation’s seemingly runaway cancer epidemic. Pesticides, herbicides, hormones, preservatives and a host of other frightening additives—not to mention (Continued from Page 5) My position was precarious, be - air and water pollution—could well pose a greater threat to mankind that the current hysteria over climate doors, and know all too well what tween a confused and maybe change. Might it be more productive to focus public policy efforts on food purity? might be lost and lost forever. angry mother and her dead off - Our common voice is crucial to spring. I retrieved my line and the cause of conservation. launched myself across the chan - Michigan dam removal projects make progress A few years ago, I was ankle- nel onto the forested shore, be - Six projects that received $2.35 million in 2013 as was awarded $994,975 to fund the Lyons Dam re - deep in Wyoming’s Gros Ventre yond which my car was parked a part of the Michigan Department of Natural Re - moval project. This project has been slowed by dis - River, casting a Fat Albert into half-mile away. sources’ (DNR) Dam Management Grant Program covery below the dam site of the snuffbox mussel, a seams for cutthroat. The current As I was racing out of harm’s are steadily making progress in their efforts to remove federally endangered species. The district used a por - was fast, fed by snow melt in the way, it occurred to me that I was or repair local dams. tion of its funding to complete a mussel survey to bet - surrounding mountains and the in grizzly country and that a griz - Grant recipients are using the funds to remove ter understand locations of the endangered mussel, reflections of cottonwoods and zly may have killed the calf. dams without economic purpose, or to repair dams determine habitat needs, and ultimately improve habi - sub-alpine firs engaged in a mes - Rather than running from danger, with economic purpose that have imminent public tat for not only the snuffbox mussel but also fish merizing dance on the water. I I might be running right into its safety issues and are deemed in unsatisfactory condi - found in the Grand River. The project is now focused was lost, deep in meditative paws. tion, or under order by the Department of Environ - on completing the needed planning for removal of the thought, as is known only to Fear charged my body, as if mental Quality's Dam Safety Division. dam. cloistered religious and fly fish - my blood had reversed course “Projects are moving smoothly for the six recipi - * Friends of the Shiawassee River in Shiawassee ermen. and was scraping against the ents,” said Chris Freiburger, coordinator of the Dam County was awarded $162,700 to fund the Shi - Out of the corner of my eye, I scales of my veins. For a fleeting Management Grant Program. “The recipients all are awassee Town Dam removal project. Removal is saw an animal mid-stream com - moment, I was not separate from working hard to complete their projects and to meet slated to begin later this summer with completion by ing at me. A beaver, I thought, nature, but wholly part of it. the goals of the program.” this fall. but, no, a moose calf. It was dead Through our stories and shared The six recipients include: * The city of Vassar in Tuscola County was and floating on the whims of the experiences, and our desire to * The Conservation Resources Alliance in Grand awarded $40,300 to fund the Vassar Dam removal current, until it hung up on a pass our rod, recall and sacred Traverse County was awarded $357,725 to fund the project. This project is nearing completion as the dam small island of river rock within waters on to the next generation, Boardman Dam removal—phase II project. This structure has been removed, and the site landscaping casting distance downriver. we rise above political labels. project is actively completing all the needed planning, should be completed by this summer. While watching the poor animal Sometimes, though, different while removal is set to begin in 2015. * The city of Wakefield in Gogebic County was willing its lungs to fill with air waters demand different flies. * The DNR’s Wildlife Division in Allegan County awarded $69,300 to fund the Sunday Lake Dam spill - and to sand up to shake off death, was awarded $725,000 to fund the Kalamazoo River way gate replacement project. This project was com - I heard a mournful sound rever - A resident and former mayor of —Otsego Township Dam repair project. This DNR- pleted in March. berating from upstream. I turned Sturgis, Michigan, Rob Sisson is owned site has legacy chemical contamination issues, To learn more about the Dam Management Grant and watched as a cow moose president of ConservAmerica, which will be remedied by building another structure Program, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr-grants. splashed around a bend. She the national organization of Re - in the summer of 2015. bawled her baleful call for her publicans for environmental * The Ionia Conservation District in Ionia County —Michigan DNR report calf and continued towards me. protection. New Great Lakes conservation initiative created The Great Lakes have been des - the greatest conservation needs. Great Lakes Commission, said Lake Superior chinook salmon survey ignated as a Critical Conservation This will enable the Great Lakes that expediting implementation of Michigan Department of Natu - stocked in Lake Superior during Area, which means the region will states, regional organizations, and ensuring funding for new ral Resources (DNR) fisheries bi - 2012 and 2013, DNR officials be eligible for increased funding landowners and other partners to Farm Bill programs has been a ologists are reminding Lake said. from the Regional Conservation respond to local priorities related longstanding priority of the Great Superior anglers to keep an eye Data on clipped fish will be col - Partnership Program under the to soil erosion, habitat protection Lakes Commission. out for Chinook salmon with miss - lected this summer by Lake Supe - new U.S. Farm Bill. and water quality, while safe - “We are pleased to see that ing adipose fins. rior creel clerks from anglers at The new conservation initiative guarding the health of the Great water quality protection measures A total of almost 750,000 adi - boat landings and other fishing lo - will strengthen the region’s ability Lakes. are now being implemented,” pose fin-clipped Chinook were cations. to address priority watersheds with Ken Johnson, chairman of the Johnson said. The NorTh Woods CaLL Late June 2014 Page 7 Conservation Officer Logs (5/11/14 through 5/26/14) Monster trucks, “religious freedom,” speared girlfriend & scarey “rattlesnake” DISTRICT 1 (Marquette) boat had valid registration stick - out a slow no-wake zone. When cense, had placed an improper CO Marvin Gerlach reports ers on both sides, it came back ex - the CO confronted the boater plate on the vehicle, and had that a subject convicted of taking pired since 2011 to a different about the violation, the man failed to register the vehicle since a deer without a valid license dur - subject. The angler was illegally stated, “You got me, I knew bet - he had purchased it. The vehicle ing the 2013 deer season paid using his valid registration from ter.” Appropriate enforcement ac - was impounded and removing the $1,000 in restitution and $450 in his smaller fishing boat to cheat tion was taken. vehicle from its stuck location court costs and fines. The subject the system and save money. After Sgt. Ron Kimmerly watched was not easy. The wrecker serv - also lost hunting privileges CO Publiski issued the angler a two anglers fishing from a boat on ice had to bring a bulldozer to the through January 1, 2018. ticket for failing to register his the Shiawassee River. When Sgt. location to get to the SUV and CO Brian Bacon and Sgt. boat, the man explained the worst Kimmerly made contact with the after it was all said and done the Marc Pomroy conducted an ORV part was going to be explaining anglers he found they had wall - owner was left with a $1,000 im - patrol in Dickinson County to tar - the ticket to his wife, who told eye, catfish, white bass and sheep pound bill. Enforcement action get operation in prohibited areas. him not to put the registration head on the stringer. The angler was taken against the owner of the A large gathering of modified stickers on the larger boat. said they were having a great day. vehicle. mud trucks was found tearing up Sgt. Kimmerly then asked them part of the ORV trail system in an DISTRICT 3 (Gaylord) tacted the Manistee County Sher - for their fishing licenses. The DISTRICT 9 (Southfield) area where the COs have had A complaint of two wild turkeys iff’s Department and provided in - driver advised that he forgot to CO Jason J. Smith along with complaints before. The large taken during the closed season by formation on this individual and buy one this year. Sgt. Kimmerly an MSP Trooper were called in to group was rounded up and the vi - two road-hunters, who claimed his actions. Approximately two then advised them that there was locate a drowning victim in the olations were addressed with all they had the right to do so under hours later the Manistee County no registration sticker on the boat Rouge River. After 40 minutes, of the vehicles found operating in tribal law and the religious free - Sheriff’s Department went on a and would like to see the paper the officers located a body and the closed area. dom act of the U.S. Constitution, complaint of a disorderly subject copy. They said the boat was not turned it over to the Down River CO Ryan Aho conducted an resulted in both suspects being ar - at a grocery store. The Deputies registered. Sgt. Kimmerly then Mutual Aid team. The victim had on-the-water patrol of Deer Lake. rested on warrants by COs Duane ended up arresting the subject, asked to see two life jackets and been missing for about a week. As CO Aho was checking vessels Budreau and Matt Theunick . who turned out to be the same in - they stated they forgot to bring COs Mike Drexler and Jason near the access site, he was in - After being arraigned, they both dividual CO Soper had been them. Tickets were issued. Smith were checking anglers in formed that people loading a boat plead guilty. They face penalties threatened by. Once in custody, Belleville when CO Drexler at the ramp had emptied a cooler including $2, 000 reimbursement the individual went ballistic and DISTRICT 7 (Plainwell) checked an angler who was fish - into the lake once they saw CO for the wild turkeys taken, fines tried to kick out the windows of CO Gary Raak made contact ing with more than three lines. Aho. CO Aho made his way to and costs, forfeit of the firearm the patrol car while continuing to with a subject riding his ORV in The angler had three poles with the ramp to detain the subjects used, and loss of hunting privi - state that he “needed to kill some - the Middleville State Game Area lines in the water and two spools while a witness retrieved the float - leges for the next four years. one.” A search of his vehicle re - with a young child on his lap, of line wrapped around dock ing fish that he saw the suspects While on patrol, CO Duane vealed a loaded .22 cal. rifle. The without helmets, in a closed area posts, all five of which had live dump into the lake. The suspects Budreau observed a couple of subject was lodged in the county climbing a steep wooded hillside bait. The angler claimed he didn’t admitted to keeping the walleye subjects on the side of the road, jail, where it was ascertained that that had been severely damaged know how many lines he could and were found to be in posses - one in rubber boots. Upon con - he had recently been discharged by illegal ORV activity. Enforce - use. Enforcement action was sion of live bait as well. Citations tact, one jumped in the backseat from a mental facility. ment action was taken. taken. were issued for all of the viola - of their vehicle, leading CO Bu - CO Justin Vanderlinde was CO Michael Mshar conducted tions present. dreau to look for a third subject. the first to respond to a complaint a routine taxidermy inspection BELLE ISLE After a short walk into the woods of a rattlesnake on a playground and located five illegal fawns and Sgt. Ron Kimmerly made nu - DISTRICT 2 (Newberry) to a nearby creek, CO Budreau with children. Investigating, the four turkeys without licenses merous warrant arrests including CO Jared Ferguson was pa - found a subject attempting to snake was mistakenly identified along with numerous record keep - felony warrants for passport for - trolling the eastern half of Indian spear steelhead. When the viola - and was actually an eastern hog - ing violations. The investigation gery. Sgt. Kimmerly also arrested Lake when he checked a fishing tor saw CO Budreau, he shouted, nose snake and not dangerous. continues related to the illegal an - a suspect in a stolen vehicle and hole off the Copenhagen Bridge “DNR” and threw the spear across Earlier in the week, CO Rich imals taken and warrants will be during another stop made contact where he and Sgt. Shann had pre - the stream, actually striking his Stowe responded to a similar sought once it concludes. with a suspect carrying a pistol, viously written tickets for fishing girlfriend in the leg with the spear. complaint, except this time it was CO Brad Brewer was check - with a CPL, but who was smok - without a license. CO Ferguson Tickets were issued for attempting suspected to be a python. When ing shore fishermen when he ap - ing marijuana and refused to open made contact with one individual to take steelhead with an illegal CO Stowe arrived, he was able to proached a subject wading and the car door. Access was finally on the bank who said he was 17- device and fishing without a li - positively identify the snake fishing in the water. CO Brewer gained and the driver was ar - years-old and didn’t need a li - cense. going through the threatening observed undersize bass in the rested. cense. Further investigation by CO Mike Feagan observed a postures as a harmless eastern subject’s bucket. When the sub - While checking anglers on CO Ferguson revealed the person vehicle run through a stop sign hognose snake. ject saw CO Brewer, the subject Belle Isle, Lt. David Malloch and was really18, so he also provided right in front of him. After mak - fell down in the water, completely Sgt. Troy Bahlau contacted a false information and was advised ing a traffic stop and contacting DISTRICT 5 (Roscommon) submerging, and lost his fishing husband and wife who were fish - even at 17 he still needed a li - the driver, he was informed they CO John Huspen followed up pole in the process. CO Brewer ing. The pair had six lines in the cense. Enforcement action was were late for their “tee time” on on a lead that took him to a sub - finally convinced the subject to water and the husband was taken. the golf course. A ticket was is - ject who was out turkey hunting. come to shore and he was found adamant that his wife was not Sgt. Darryl Shann assisted Lt. sued. He admitted to have already taken to be extremely intoxicated. The fishing. The husband was cited Terry Short with a report of a net a few shots at turkeys before subject had seven undersize bass for fishing with too many lines. A in the narrows on Little Bay DISTRICT 4 (Cadillac) being contacted by the CO. Good and two warrants for his arrest. couple of hours later the COs DeNoc near Saunder’s Point. The CO Carla Soper observed news is that turkey season was The subject was cited and lodged drove past the husband and wife suspected net was reported by three ORVs illegally operating on still open; bad news is that the on the warrants. who were fishing in a different lo - several anglers who had lost gear a power-line which runs along the subject did not have a valid turkey cation. As the COs drove by, the in the area and assumed it was Lake/Manistee County line. CO kill tag while afield hunting. CO DISTRICT 8 (Rose Lake) wife looked at the them and from a lost net. Five hours of Soper activated the emergency Huspen took appropriate enforce - CO Todd Thorn was pa - dropped her fishing pole. She did grappling the area found nothing. lights on her patrol truck and only ment action. trolling state land near the Michi - not have a fishing license. En - CO Mike Hammill was check - one of the three stopped as di - With some sketchy information gan State Police Secondary forcement action was taken. ing a local lake, speaking with an - rected. CO Soper made contact to go on, CO Matt Liestenfeltz Complex and went to an area that CO Brian Fish was stopped glers and looking for fishing with the operator of the ORV that followed up on a complaint about is popular for bass fishermen. by a gentleman leaving the De - licenses. CO Hammill contacted had stopped and was able to ob - a subject who had reportedly Two men were standing near a troit Yacht Club. He told CO Fish one angler who had a nice mess of tain information concerning the killed a woodcock earlier in the pickup truck and looked worried that he is a marine contractor and fish. When asked for his fishing identity of the other two ORV op - spring. The CO was provided in - when CO Thorn arrived at their that had been doing work at the license, the angler said he had left erators that had fled. The one op - formation and photos through location. CO Thorn began to ask Yacht Club for years and had it in his truck. The angler handed erator contacted his companions which he was able to recognize a questions and learned that the stopped because of problems on CO Hammill the correct color via cell phone and convinced cabin that sits on a local lake in men were attempting to remove Belle Isle. Now, because of the fishing license—just several years them to return to the scene, which Missaukee County. CO Liesten - an SUV from a two-track on state law enforcement presence on the old. Upon further checking it was they did by car. CO Soper then feltz made contact with the owner land, where it had been stuck for island, he was back doing con - determined that the angler was followed them back to their camp, of the cabin and conducted an in - more than a day. CO Thorn then tracting at the Yacht Club and fishing without a license. Action where they had hidden their terview into the alleged violation. learned that the owner of the ve - wanted to say “thanks.” was taken. ORVs. CO Soper issued tickets The subject eventually admitted hicle had a suspended driver’s li - COs Jeff Panich and Kyle for illegal operation, while other to shooting a woodcock back in Publiski came across a subject camp members not associated April, and also admitted to shoot - Why not become a fishing. CO Panich asked the an - with the ORVs began to be ver - ing it with a rifle. Charges are gler for his fishing license, which bally abusive to the CO. One par - pending. North Woods Call partner? the angler explained was back at ticular individual informed CO his cabin. Further investigation Soper that he needed to “kill DISTRICT 6 (Bay City) Please send your news tips, story ideas and revealed that he had a fishing li - someone” and as she left, he made CO Nick Atkin was checking cense, but had a problem with his a gun with his fingers and simu - anglers when he witnessed a ves - photos to: [email protected]. boat registration. Although the lated firing at her. CO Soper con - sel causing a large wake through - “The newspaper for people who love the north.”

Published twice monthly (except one issue in January, april, July and october) by Newshound Productions LLC, 5411 east de avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004. First-class postage paid at Kalama - zoo, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. online subscriptions $35 per year and $60 per two years. Print subscriptions $55 per year and $95 for two years. PosTMasTer: send address changes to The North Woods Call, 5411 east de avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49004. M DOT Code: 8021-0068 Page 8 Late June 2014 The NorTh Woods CaLL Graymont proposal reviewed A proposal by Graymont, Inc. in the Hiawatha National Forest, Final Shot to acquire more than 10,000 acres to Graymont. The surface of these of state-managed forest land in properties is owned by the federal northern Mackinac County near government, represented by the the town of Rexton under review U.S. Forest Service. by the Michigan Department of About 260 acres of the mineral Natural Resources (DNR). rights that the state would transfer The company wants to develop to Graymont under this applica - a limestone mine at the location. tion were included in the Land The DNR is currently process - Transfer Application. The total ing Graymont’s applications and area involved in both applications reviewing them following stan - is within the estimated approxi - dard policy and procedure. The mately 13,000 acres desired for procedure entails a review of the the overall Graymont project. proposal by staff at multiple lev - A review of the project pro - els in each of the resource-man - posal will also be conducted by aging divisions within the the DNR's Minerals Management DNR—including Forest Re - Unit. As a result of this review, sources, Wildlife, Fisheries and staff will make a recommendation Parks and Recreation. to DNR Director Keith Creagh, Graymont officials said there who has the authority to make a are two applications under con - final decision on the proposal. sideration. In addition to the Land Creagh will make his decision at a Transfer Application submitted in future Natural Resources Com - 2013, a second application re - mission meeting. quests an exchange of mineral Public comment will be taken rights involving areas in the Hen - by the DNR until a final decision dricks and Trout Lake townships. is made. Totems of the far north —North Woods Call photos The proposed exchange would in - Graymont, meanwhile, appears Alaska’s oldest federally designated park was established in 1910 to commemorate the Battle of Sitka—a volve Graymont transferring its confident that the project will be conflict between Tlingit natives and Russian settlers—which took place on the point of land where the In - mineral rights on approximately approved. According to its “Rex - dian River flows into Sitka Sound. The Sitka National Historic Park on Baranof Island includes several 1,700 acres of state forest land ton Project” website, a project in - totem poles carved and donated by native people from villages throughout southeast Alaska. None of the near the Fiborn Quarry. The state formation office is under original totem poles came from Sitka, however, although this art form is very much a part of Tlingit tra - already owns the surface of these construction in the community dition. The original collection of poles had been displayed at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition. properties and wishes to consoli - and was scheduled to open this Many of the poles currently located along the park’s two miles of wooded pathways are copies of deterio - date its ownership interests, by month (See editorial on Page 4 of rating originals that can still be seen in the visitor center. owning both the surface and the this edition). A local resident has mineral rights. also been hired, they said, to serve The state would transfer min - as a “point of contact” to allow U.P. fish kills may be common after harsh winter eral rights on an equivalent area, immediate face-to-face access to Upper Peninsula anglers and others enjoying the and other aquatic life typically die in late winter, but approximately 1,700 acres located a company representative. outdoors might discover a higher-than-average num - may not be noticed until a month or more after the ice ber of dead fish or other aquatic creatures—such as leaves the lake, because the dead fish and other Help compile The North Woods Call history turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish—this summer, fol - aquatic life are temporarily preserved by the cold If you have stories to share about The North Woods Call and lowing heavy ice an snow cover this past winter and water. its past publishers, or photos and background information spring. "Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for about the newspaper’s role in Michigan conservation history, "Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill," air at holes in the ice and often ends with large num - please contact us at: [email protected] . said Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division research bers of dead fish that bloat as the water warms in We’re still hoping to put together a history book sometime. section manager. "Much of the U.P. saw very deep ice early spring," Whelan explained. "Dead fish and other and snow, so winterkill may be particularly common aquatic life may appear fuzzy because of secondary this year in shallow lakes, streams and ponds. These infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause kills are localized and typically do not affect the over - of death. The fish actually suffocated from a lack of Support The North Woods Call all health of the fish populations or fishing quality." dissolved oxygen, caused by decaying plants and Winterkill occurs during especially long, harsh other dead aquatic animals under the ice." and Michigan conservation winters—similar to the one experienced this year. Dissolved oxygen is required by fish and all other Shallow lakes with excess aquatic vegetation and soft forms of aquatic life. bottoms are particularly prone to this problem. Fish —Michigan DNR report Advertise your business here! This may be one of Contact: [email protected] your last chances If you haven’t yet purchased one of these fine books, there will be few opportunities left.

The collection of writings by long - time North Woods Call Publisher Electronic subscriptions: Glen sheppard is out-of-print and $35 per year, or $60 for two years only a few precious copies remain.

Check our website for availability Print subscriptions: and ordering information: $55 per year, or $95 for two years www.mynorthwoodscall.com Details at www.mynorthwoodscall.com