Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: September 2018

This documentation is provided by DNR staff as a supplement to verbal reports that will be distributed to the Western UPCAC at the September 12, 2018 meeting in Ontonagon, MI.

Upper Peninsula Regional Coordinator Update – Stacy Haughey, UP Regional Coordinator

DNR Public Meetings September 12 Western UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Porkies Ski Chalet, 3:00pm Eastern September 13 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Porkies Visitors Center, 1:00pm Eastern September 18 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, Gogebic ISD Office-Bergland, 1:00pm Eastern September 18 Forestry Open House-Soo Unit, DNR Office-Naubinway, 3:00pm September 19 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Office-Baraga, 4:00pm September 19 Forestry Open House-Soo Unit, Kinross Township Hall, 3:00pm September 26 Forestry Open House-Gwinn Unit, DNR Office-Ishpeming, 3:00pm October 11 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Lansing October 23 Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Munising Township Hall, 6:00pm

U.P. & State Sponsored Activities September 14 – Harvest Festival September 14 – Harvest Festival September 14 – Harvest Festival September 15 Fort Wilkins Historic State Park – 12th Annual Geocaching Event September 15 Fayette Historic State Park – A Paranormal Event September 21 – Harvest Festival September 21 Wells State Park – Spooktacular Halloween & Harvest Celebration September 27 Michigan Iron Industry Museum – Iron Ore and the Civil War September 27 Twin Lakes State Park – Senior ORV Ride September 27 Brimley State Park – Harvest Festival

Season Dates & Reminders 9/1 – Goose, Teal, Snipe, Rail seasons open (see digest for periods and bag limits) 9/1 – May place tree stands, ladders, steps, and Type 3 deer blinds on state land 9/1 – Sturgeon opens on the boundary waters 9/4 – Drawing results for Antlerless Deer posted on website 9/10 – Leftover and over-the-counter Antlerless licenses on sale at 10:00 am 9/10 – Bear hunting begins in the U.P. 9/15 & 9/16 – Youth Waterfowl Hunt (2018) 9/15 – Small Game Opener (Rabbit, Hare, Ruffed Grouse, Fox/Gray/Black Squirrel) 9/15 – Fall Turkey season opens (through 11/14) 9/15 – Turtle seasons close (snappers and softshells) 9/15 – Can place bait for deer (except in TB and CWD counties, see p. 61)

1 of 12 9/16 – Bear hunting opens in Red Oak, South Baldwin, Gladwin units (9/17 with dogs) 9/22 & 9/23 – Early Antlerless Firearm Deer season (see digest for areas) 9/22 & 9/23 – Liberty Hunt for deer, see pgs. 26 and 30 9/22 – Woodcock opener 9/24 – Bear firearm seasons end - Lower Peninsula (Note: closes 9/22 for bait hunters) 9/29 – Duck hunting opens in the North Zone 9/30 – Crow season closes; Sturgeon closes on Lk. St. Clair, St. Clair River and Boundary Waters 9/30 – Trout season closes on most inland waters 9/30 – Snowmobile licenses expire 10/1 – Early Archery Deer season opens (through 11/14) 10/1 – Racoon hunting opens statewide 10/1 – Last day to apply for the Fort Custer Freedom Hunt 10/5 – Archery Bear season open in Red Oak unit (thru 10/11) 10/6 – Duck Hunting opens in the Middle Zone 10/10 – Pheasant opens in Zone 1, also Sharp Tailed Grouse (through 10/31, see maps) 10/13 – Duck hunting opens in the South Zone 10/18 – Independence Hunt for deer opens (through 10/21, see p. 30) 10/15 – Raccoon/Fox/Coyote trapping open statewide; Badger trapping open in Zone 1 & 2 10/15 – Gray & Red Fox hunting opens 10/20 – Pheasant season open in Zone 2 & 3 (through 11/14) 10/20 – Quail season opens, close date 11/14 (see list of open counties) 10/25 – Beaver, Otter, Muskrat & Mink trapping open in U.P. (for residents, others see p. 46) 10/26 – Late bear seasons close in the U.P.

Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom

▪ Storm damage forces temporary closures in northern Michigan (8/31/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Getting wild in the classroom (8/30/18) ▪ Pure Michigan trail program, COs on TV, elk season in northern L.P. (8/27/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: ‘Smart ship’ technology making waves in Michigan waters (8/23/18) ▪ Share your thoughts with the DNR at September meetings (8/22/18) ▪ Sturgeon hatchery tours, fishing guide photos, power of place (8/20/18) ▪ Ruffed grouse hunters can help with WNV monitoring (8/16/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Protecting Michigan’s valuable hemlock trees (8/16/18) ▪ K-12 wildlife ed, expert outdoor skills help, tree-planting grants & more (8/13/18) ▪ Natural Resources Commission approves CWD deer regulations (8/10/18) ▪ DNR seeks trail sponsor for important central UP snowmobile (8/9/18) ▪ Ladies’ shooting day returns to the Sportsman’s Club in Ontonagon County (8/9/18) ▪ Showcasing the DNR: Electrofishing for answers (8/9/18) ▪ Donna the Buffalo headlines Aug. 24-26 Music Festival (8/9/18) ▪ Forestry grants, NRC meeting Thursday, CO Academy blog (8/6/18) ▪ DNR Get Involved: state park volunteer opportunities, U.P. State Fair (8/2/18) ▪ DNR firefighters help fight blazes in California and across the nation (8/1/18)

2 of 12 Grant Contacts For other grant information, to go: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-58225---,00.html

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Recreation Passport Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, [email protected] Aquatic Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] Michigan Invasive Species Grant Kammy Frayre, 517-284-5970, [email protected] Wildlife Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, [email protected] U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Grant Bill Scullon, 906-563-9247, [email protected]

Eastern UPCAC Update

The Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting met on August 1st in Newberry. The following were agenda items discussed: Subcommittee Reports (Firewood Movement, Fisheries (Cormorants), and Policy Impact), Trail Support Resolution Response, CWD Communication Update, Deer Movement Study, Resolution of Commendation for Consideration, Fire Season Report, Upcoming Sate Park 2019 Centennial Celebration, Wolf & Deer Updates, and a Furbearer Regulations Update. The next meeting of the EUPCAC will be on October 23rd at Munising Township Hall in Wetmore.

August 2018 NRC Meeting Summary – Ed Golder, Public Information Officer

At the August 8th NRC, the Commission set regulations to address the presence of chronic wasting disease in the state’s deer population during their monthly meeting in Lansing.

The regulations, which will be in effect for the 2018 deer seasons unless noted otherwise, include: • A statewide ban on the use of all natural cervid urine-based lures and attractants, except for lures that are approved by the Archery Trade Association. • An immediate ban on baiting and feeding in the 16-county area identified as the CWD Management Zone. This area includes Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ottawa and Shiawassee counties. • A ban on baiting and feeding in the Lower Peninsula, effective Jan. 31, 2019, with an exception to this ban for hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements. The start date on this regulation is intended to allow bait producers and retailers time to adjust to the new rule. • Effective immediately in the CWD Management Zone and four-county bovine tuberculosis area (in Alcona, Alpena, Montmorency and Oscoda counties), hunters with disabilities who meet specific requirements can now use 2 gallons of single-bite bait, such as shelled corn, during the Liberty and Independence hunts. • Allowance of all legal firearms to be used in muzzleloader season in the CWD Management Zone. • A purchase limit of 10 private-land antlerless licenses per hunter in the CWD Management Zone. • Restrictions on deer carcass movement in the five-county CWD Core Area (Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties) and the CWD Management Zone. • Antlerless options on deer licenses/combo licenses during firearms seasons in the five-county CWD Core Area. • Expansion of early and late antlerless seasons in select counties. • Changes to regulations regarding wildlife rehabilitators.

In addition, the commission asked the DNR to move forward with: • An experimental mandatory antler point restriction regulation in a five-county CWD Core Area, including Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm and Newaygo counties. The restriction would begin in 2019, provided a survey of hunters shows support for the requirement and specific department guidelines are met. This is intended as a tool to evaluate the effects of antler point restrictions on the spread and prevalence of CWD, along with deer population reduction.

3 of 12 • A hunter-submitted proposal for mandatory antler point restrictions in Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, St. Clair and Lapeer counties. If hunter surveys support this regulation and specific department guidelines are met, it would be implemented in 2019.

The Commission also approved: • An increase in antlerless deer licenses in certain deer management units in the Upper Peninsula, an indication of a recovering herd in those areas. • Expanded hunting at the Marl Lake Property at South Higgins Lake State Park to provide greater opportunity for hunting and trapping in this area, where hunting has traditionally occurred. • Special hunt opportunities at the Pierce Road Unit of the Sharonville State Game Area. This will allow hunters with disabilities to hunt deer on state land without competition from other hunters.

Director Keith Creagh approved: • Restrictions on motorized vehicle use on specific trails in the Ralph Grouse Enhanced Management System and the Bill Rollo Memorial Grouse Enhanced Management System in the Upper Peninsula. The restriction will guard against vehicle accidents and protect wildlife habitat. • Four land transactions. Details can be found in the NRC agenda.

The day began with a meeting of the State Parks Advisory Committee. Jason Fleming of Parks and Recreation told the committee about the expansion of field trail lands for hunting dogs at . There have been closures of field dog trial areas around the state due to funding concerns and user conflicts. To off- set these closures, a commitment was made to locate and develop additional field trial areas. This helps meet the commitment by expanding Highland’s field trail area on a former sod farm. Land at this area is currently under lease, allowing the Highland Field Trial Grounds Association to be responsible for maintaining the grounds.

Coy Vaughn, director of Washtenaw County Parks, and Debbie Jensen of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division gave a presentation on the General Management Plan for Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, a recently created state park that is co-managed by the department and the county. The park is used for many passive forms of recreation, such as hiking, birding and stargazing and has a history that includes a connection to the Underground Railway. The planning process included discussion of how hunting could be a part of the park’s future.

Parks and Recreation Chief Olson discussed the brief history of the Grand Prix event on Belle Isle and the proposal from the Grand Prix to continue the race on the island. Key considerations in evaluating the proposal have been how much time is spent setting up and breaking down the event, the benefits the park receives as a result of the race, the overall benefit the race provides to the city of Detroit and the considerable public input received. A decision from the department is expected soon.

Significant damage occurred on trails in Houghton County because of a June 17 storm that led to flooding there. The department is hoping to secure FEMA support for helping with the efforts to clean up and repair damaged areas. In Grand Haven last weekend, rip currents from high winds and waves led to two deaths and three injuries, despite red flags warnings. The Parks Division is reviewing the event to see if improvements can be made.

Michigan State Parks will celebrate a centennial in 2019. Maia Turek of Parks explained that the celebration will focus on memories from all of those who have been a part of State Parks and capturing those memories in our donor and volunteer programs. The hope is to increase awareness of destinations and to connect with those who have made lifelong memories through story telling. “Look back, give forward” is the tag line for the campaign.

Assistant Parks Chief Jacklin Blodgett shared Recreation Passport and revenue numbers through June. While numbers are increasing, the number of people purchasing Passports at parks is declining, demonstrating that more people are purchasing Passports through the Secretary of State.

4 of 12 Jason told the committee about tracked chairs for people with disabilities purchased through a donation from the non-profit organization, Kali’s Cure for Paralysis Foundation. Five chairs and accessories were purchased and are now available at Waterloo, Tahquamenon Falls, Muskegon, Belle Isle and Maybury parks.

During the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries, Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter introduced Seth Herbst as the new manager of the Aquatic Species and Regulatory Affairs unit for the Fisheries Division. There continue to be issues at our fish production facilities, especially involving pumps, a reminder of aging infrastructure at hatcheries. The division has helped with clean-up and repairs in Houghton County following flooding and storm damage there. Thirteen agencies participated in a targeted response to the presence in Lake Erie of grass carp – a species of invasive Asian carp – this year. The effort increased capacity through Mutual Aid Agreement for aquatic invasive species response.

Todd Grischke of Fisheries told the commission about four fisheries orders before the commission for information this month and for action at the September NRC meeting.

Fisheries Order 204 would remove two spawning closures on Manistee Lake in Manistee, and Swan Creek in the City of Allegan. A closure would be added for Cheboygan River and Black River.

Fisheries Order 212 would remove language in the Area in the Upper Peninsula that includes a prohibition on “scented material.” Many artificial plastic baits are scented these days, and scented baits have not been shown to increase fish mortality as once feared.

Fisheries Order 229 would remove net handle length restrictions from netting regulations to increase safety for fishers.

Fisheries Order 251 adds a provision allowing a sportcard or driver’s license number to be displayed on a fishing shanty in lieu of a name and address, consistent with a statute change.

Wildlife Chief Russ Mason said recent changes will allow for animal damage nuisance control permitees to keep certain nuisance animals taken under the authority of an Animal Damage Nuisance Control Permit issued by the department. The department will work with the National Park Service to relocate Michigan wolves to Isle Royale, where the wolf population is in decline. The Service’s goal is to reintroduce up to 20-30 wolves over a 3-year period.

Mark Mills of Wildlife talked about the removal of Otsego Township Dam, which was complex because of the presence of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) trapped behind the dam. The DNR has been involved in the restoration of the dam area following the removal and is planning a ribbon cutting event Aug. 30 celebrating the completion of the dam removal.

During the Committee of the Whole, Director Keith Creagh and Commission Chair Vicki Pontz recognized the members of the Chronic Wasting Disease Working Group. The Working Group began meeting following the Chronic Wasting Disease Symposium held last fall in Lansing that brought together leading experts on the disease from around the world. The Working Group took the information from the symposium and made recommendations to the commission that helped inform the CWD regulations passed.

Division Updates

Fisheries Division: George Madison, Western Lake Superior Management Unit The following are the western Upper Peninsula fisheries division highlights for the period of July 18 through September 12, 2018.

Escanaba Field Office (Darren Kramer) ▪ Technicians have been completing discretionary stream and S&T stream surveys. ▪ S&T lake habitat and limnology surveys are also being wrapped up by the techs.

5 of 12 ▪ Continue to work with partners (Trout Unlimited, USFS) on installing brush bundles in Cooks Run ▪ Jennifer attended the Western U.P. Invasive Species Conference and participated in a panel discussion. The conference (about 100 in attendance) was co-sponsored by the Invasive Species Control Coalition of Watersmeet and the Iron County Lakes and Streams Partnership. ▪ Jennifer attended and participated on a panel at the Western UP Invasive Species Conference ▪ the juvenile lake sturgeon in the Cedar River streamside rearing facility were PIT tagged on August 16th and released (N=183) on August 23rd. The sturgeon grew well this summer and averaged about 5 inches in length when released. ▪ Jennifer and Darren each recently spent 1 week up in Houghton County assisting the DEQ to inventory the status of trail-stream crossings (railroad grades) from the Lake Linden area to Ripley. Many crossings were damaged/washed out as a result of the June flood event. ▪ Biologists have been busy with lake association and angler group meetings as these groups typically have member gatherings during the summer. ▪ Staff attended a wild rice training field trip on Vermillac Lake.

Baraga Customer Service Center (George Madison) ▪ Flood damage assessment work at the Hancock – Lake Linden rail grades. ▪ Attended the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, Lake Superior Technical Committee, workshop. ▪ Assisted with the UP State Fair pocket park ▪ Hosted two workshops in lower Michigan; Freshwater Mussel Workshop, and Aquatic and Terrestrial Snail workshop. ▪ Attended Perch Lake (Iron County) property owners meeting. ▪ Hosted a tour of the Ontonagon watershed for determining water flow discharges from the associated dams during periods of flood or drought. ▪ Preparing lake and stream survey analysis reports

Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries (Mr. Jan VanAmberg) ▪ Hatchery technician crew have been helping Research Section on coaster brook trout surveys and nearshore assessment nettings projects. ▪ The captive lake trout broodstock have been given the pre-spawn antibiotic injections. ▪ Maintenance staff and technician crew completed the settling basin clean out project.

Marquette Fisheries Research Station (Dr. Troy Zorn, Dr. Ed Baker) ▪ We conducted assessment netting in Keweenaw Bay (splake heaven) and Huron Bay during the week of August 13 and have been in the field since then. Data will be entered sometime in the fall once field season ends.

Parks & Recreation Division: Doug Rich, WUP District Supervisor State Park/Recreation Area/Scenic Site/Forest Rec Units ▪ Baraga State Park: Camping is up approximately 10% YTD. There have been several events, including 4th of July festivities, Kayaking 101/102, Christmas in July and Raising Hope, Fostering Dreams. All events have been highly attended. Passport revenue and day use has been up along with camping numbers. Mini-cabin use is up slightly, tepee use is down about 14%. SFCG use is consistent with last year’s attendance. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Lodging is up 3% over the previous year. Day use attendance is up 28% in July over 2017. It was a very hot July this year and the beach got a lot more use. A new shower stall was installed in B Building. 15 picnic tables got all new boards, half dozen others refurbished. ▪ Scenic Site: Revenue is down substantially from last season. Several factors are likely to be at play. Staffing was an issue as one staff member was out most of July due to a non-work injury. We have had some tampering with the fee pipe. ▪ : Yurt stays have an increase of 31 nights YTD, rustic cabins have an increase of 11 nights, camp nights are down by 51 nights. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Camping is just slightly up, but 2.5% up over the same two months in 2016. The Michigan Light Artillery of Battery D reenactors were up at Fort Wilkins on the last weekend in July. About with about 680 visitors attending the three-day event. We also had a Meteors and Smores event with 80 participants for

6 of 12 the Smores and 120 for the star viewing. We had a local college professor bring his telescopes and they were a big hit to view the planets. ▪ : Campground attendance is running slightly higher this season compared to a year ago. Materials purchased and set to reroof the headquarters building scheduled for the fall. ▪ McLain State Park: Day use numbers have been steady through July and August, with August having the most day use visitors. Camping really picked up in mid-July and has continued to go up in August. Mini Cabins are being painted and 2 are complete. Staff are working on benches for Fort Wilkins for their tourism cares event in September. ▪ Porcupine Mountains : Union Bay campground has been running full 7 nights a week all of July & August. Presque Isle Campground had been full 5/7 nights per week cabins and backcountry attendance has been very busy. The new backcountry camping policy has been well received and working smoothly. Interior staff is currently working on clearing the trails, inspecting bridges and making contacts with backcountry users. Hosted the 14th Annual Porcupine Mountain Music Festival. Early reports are indicating near record attendance. MRS work crew planted nearly 4,000 trees in various areas throughout the park. Large quantities of infected ash wood have been intercepted at the campground offices. The wood is confiscated, burned and citations issued. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Camping for both months has been good with the park filling on most weekends, Day-use good with most beaches closed in Houghton in July for flood damage, or construction. MRS crew did a fine job during their 8 weeks at the park. Steward- planting trees in day-use area along highway. Mini-cabin good usage. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Camp nights have an increase of 351 nights YTD, overnight lodging at Van Riper State Park has an increase of 9 nights YTD. Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Cabins have seen a decrease of 70 nights YTD. Little Presque Isle- Tuesday, July 24th there were 37 people rescued from the island at Little Presque Isle via US Coast Guard and Marquette County Special Operations Unit. Local Fire Officers graded the roadway at the point and at Wetmore Landing. Between fire season and staff returning from a western fire crew, the FO crews are planning to cut hazard trees around the cabins at Harlow Lake. A few volunteer cleanups through the Sierra Club have taken place in the last two months as well. ▪ Wells State Park: Camping is up 19% for the year, modern lodging is up 10%. ▪ Baraga Field Office: Staff have been heavily involved with repairs and safety issues due to the Houghton County flooding. They worked most of July on trail repairs in Houghton County. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Roads within Little Lake, and Anderson Lake SFCG were improved, with a focus on maintaining culverts and improving ditching.

Boating Reports (BAS = Boating Access Sites) ▪ Bewabic State Park: Lake Emily BAS- Dug out soil and put field stone around perimeter of vault to stop ground water infiltration. Also blocked off and repaired erosion for illegal ORV access to site. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The Eagle Harbor utility and area upgrade is proceeding with a 90% completion report. We have been contacting the local C.O.'s with complaints of boats staying too long at both Lac Le Belle and at Eagle Harbor. The move out of the slips but other boats soon take the spots and stay too long. Staff is working with Law Enforcement Division to address the situation. All BAS sites have been busy as the weather is very warm and dry. Very little rain has fallen for the 2 months past. ▪ Lake Gogebic State Park: Paving and lighting improvements at Bergland Dock scheduled for this fall. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Steady use at the Union Bay and Big Iron BAS sites. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Fair usage of BAS sites during July and a little slower for August as fishing slowed down with hot weather. Lake Roland fishing slowed down with the May fly hatches in August. Painted the Twin lakes field Office, but did not get the trim done, ▪ Van Riper State Park: Water draw down by Cleveland Cliffs on Deer Lake Marquette County as they will be working on the dam all summer. Brown Road BAS ski pier repair work. Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz was held at Hoist Basin to help educate visitors on what can be done to help combat the spread of aquatic invasive species by a doing few minimal actions each time entering or exiting a water source. ▪ Baraga Field Office: Most of August has been spent on repairs due to the Houghton County flood at Lily Pond BAS. ▪ Cedar River State Harbor: Bids for dock removal have been collected and will award soon for the removal of the dock that heaved over winter. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Staff removed and reinstalled Stanley Lake BAS to address a sinking vault issue. Staff assisted in the rebuilding of Lily pond BAS in Hancock.

7 of 12 Personnel News, Vacancies/Hires, Recognition ▪ Baraga State Park: Two STW’s have left for school. MRS crew is done for the season, they did a great job. Bond Falls Scenic Site both STW’s have left for school. Baraga Field Office one STW has left for school. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Vacant Ranger position all season. Very happy to report Brittany Sides, STW from the Porkies is our new ranger at Bewabic. Her first day is Monday, August 27, 2018. ▪ Craig Lake State Park: STW that was assigned to Craig Lake interviewed and accepted a Ranger position at Ionia Recreation Area in late July. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: New Park Ranger 9 Trever Downard will start work on August 27, 2018. We have lost four STW this past 2 weeks with school starting. ▪ Menominee State Recreation Area: Ranger Dylan Worple has been covering both Menominee and Bewabic. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Ranger Michael Grzenia transferred to the Porkies from Fayette Historic Park. STW Logan Graff was hired as a Ranger at . STW Brittany Sides was hired as a Ranger at Bewabic State Park. MRS work crew completed their work term in mid-August. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Debra Gill is currently WOC Supervisor and Matena Coron is the WOC Lead Ranger for this unit. ▪ Wells State Park: Ranger E6-8 transferred to Fayette State Park, vacancy will be filled within the next month. Summer ranger will have worked 25 straight summers after this year. We will be recognizing her for her work on her last season later next month. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: All STW positions filled.

Other Issues, Challenges or Items of Note ▪ Baraga State Park: With the Park Supervisor and admin support working heavily on Houghton County flood issues regarding trails and Lily Pond BAS, park day-to-day tasks are not getting as much attention as needed. New rangers this season are trying to assist with park tasks as much as possible but are still learning operations. For both Baraga State Park and Bond Falls Scenic Site, STW’s are leaving for the season, attempts to hire have failed. Ads for employment resulted in receipt of one new applicant. Staff from Baraga are covering the vacancies at Bond Falls as well. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Staffing has been an issue all year, being one ranger short for the entire season. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The filling of STW has been difficult this year. ▪ Lake Gogebic State Park: Unable to fill STW positions this season. 4 of the 5 positions were filled. Water system has been malfunctioning. The switch and float system has failed resulting in the pumps not turning on when the water is low in the tanks. Staff has been able to manually fill the tanks twice a day to keep up with demand. Replacement parts have been ordered and will be installed by an electrician when they arrive shortly. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: New/continued erosion issues along M107. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Roads in the campground are becoming harder to maintain as the black top is wearing thin over years of use. The addition of the MRS crew was of great help over the 8 weeks they were at the park, many jobs which have been pushed aside because of lack of staffing were done by the crew. A great program for helping parks with small crews like Twin Lakes. ▪ Wells State Park: Staffing has been low due to staff returning to college.

Multi-Use Trails ▪ Baraga to Arnheim plans are now at 100% for Phase 2 culverts. The 2017 MNRTF $300,000 grant has been added to the work order and current plan is bid out for 2019 construction due to the availability of contractors. ▪ Houghton County Trails Incident Update: ▪ An Incident Command short team was set up in mid-August to assist with administration of the work progressing. ▪ DNR crews have continued to make progress on culvert replacements and stabilization of washouts. ▪ MJO contracting is under contract and working on the larger washouts. ▪ FEMA declaration was signed and DNR is working with FEMA staff. ▪ Baraga State Park and Baraga Field Office: Assisting with Houghton County efforts. ▪ Craig Lake State Park: Trails around Craig Lake and the High Life Creek trail were cleared in early July by park staff with the help of the local MRS crew. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The hiking/biking trails at Fort Wilkins continue to receive a lot of use.

8 of 12 ▪ Van Riper State Park: Trails at Little Presque Isle were cleared and received some gravel hauled in for areas of need. Work was done by the local MRS crew, park staff and some volunteers from the Friends of Harlow.

ORV Trails ▪ MI-TRALE club grant projects: • Grading continues on the Sidnaw to Bergland grade and is over 50% complete. • Trail grading and repairs to west end of Pioneer Trail have been bid and awarded. The east side is currently in the bid process. • Engineering of 6 stream crossings between Marenisco and Wakefield is at 50% and plan sets are being reviewed. • Trail grading on Land O Lakes Trail is out for bid. • MI-TRALE has been working over a year on finding a towable magnet that was capable of collecting the old railroad spikes and other metals on the grades. Over this summer they have been working with a company to develop a magnet and last week were able to demo and purchase the unit. It is currently in use on the Sidnaw to Bergland trail. This will be a very beneficial tool for safe trail use and shows the commitment of our trail sponsors. There were no DNR funds invested in this unit. ▪ Chippewa Sno-Kats: • Two miles of the Alpha Spur rail grade were developed and will allow the 4 mile spur to be opened for ORV traffic. The $40,000 grant project reconstructed and graveled a section of this formerly unused state grade. ▪ Keweenaw ATV Club: • The club has repaired several washed out sections of the Keweenaw Trail and awarded a brushing contract on the Lake Linden Trail prior to Dollar Bay as a first phase of trail improvements. ▪ Baraga State Park: Many ORV campers and use of local trails. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Usual trail maintenance and weekly trail checks, culvert checks for active beaver areas. All closures in our local area have been repaired enough, until culverts and permits are issued. Repairs should be done by the end of fall. Grading is needed on the Nicholls trail 3# as this spring early riders did a lot of damage to trail conditions and ditching. Culvert replacement is going on right now, with the waterways crew working on Trail #3 near the Waboose washouts. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Staff have been extremely busy assisting with the trail repairs due to the Houghton storm over Father’s Day. All career staff have been working out of Houghton.

Snowmobile Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: The Bill Nicholls trail locally will be worked on this fall and should be done by winter season.

Equestrian Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: MI-TRALE equestrian group is still working on the paperwork for the Pike Lake proposal. ▪ Van Riper State Park: Staff cleared Thunder Valley Equestrian Trails for use. There were many trees down on the trails that are now passible.

Pathways ▪ Van Riper State Park: Staff cleared Tyoga Pathway of trees and tall grass. ▪ Wells State Park: New signage went up at the Cedar River North State Forest Campground. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Abandoned cars found on Days River Pathway, local conservation officer dispatched to issue, still under investigation.

Planning Report ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: We continue to plan and have had a telephone conference calls for the Michigan- Cares 4 Tourism group in hosting their one-day work bee at Fort Wilkins in September. Two capital outlay projects have been let out to bid for masonry and electrical repairs within the historical fort complex. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Currently planning for the Porkies master plan review kicking off in October. The Porkies is planning on Hosting the September NRC, CAC, MISPAC and commissioner Richardson retirement party at the Ski Chalet and Visitor's Center. The Waterways commission is planning to make a visit this week to some of the Porkies and Lake Gogebic’s BAS sites.

9 of 12 ▪ Van Riper State Park: Water from the main well in Van Riper State Park tested positive for arsenic in July and all postings required by the local Health Department were put up. Park staff worked with a local water hauler and have a 1,000-gallon water tank with potable drinking water available for park visitors. The bid package for the water upgrades was awarded to RC Mechanical Inc. to start upgrades on September 17, 2018. Water will be shut down on September 17, 2018 for the upgrades. In addition to this, Van Riper State Park will only host 2 Harvest Festivals this season to accommodate contractor schedules for the water upgrades. Lighting and hand dryer upgrades in all areas of the restrooms were completed by contractors. The interior and exterior of the building were repainted by contractors as well. New door slabs for the men's restroom side and one door in the laundry room are planning to be replaced.

Wildlife Division: Terry Minzey, Wildlife Supervisor ▪ Bats: MI DNR secured grant funding to replace a gate to a mine in Norway that was compromised this past spring. The mine is an important bat hibernaculum in MI as it has shown higher bat survival rates over other white-nose syndrome infected sites in MI.

▪ Deer: The deer movement study radio collared 150 deer in January at Little Girls Point, East Lake Gogebic, and Western Iron County. As of 8/28/2018 the survival over all age and sex demographics is 72%. Some deer have traveled up to 33 miles from their wintering habitat. We expect to deploy between 80-100 collars this winter supplementing those lost throughout the year. Information about the study can be found at https://campfirewildlife.com/projects/deer-movement/. The DNR will test any deer that a hunter is interested in having tested for CWD, bring the head or deer to a DNR office for processing. If you see a sick deer acting strange, please contact a local DNR office.

▪ Habitat: The Sturgeon River Sloughs Wildlife Management Area is undergoing an infrastructure improvement project, improving water supply to the impoundments. We anticipate the construction will be completed by this winter.

▪ Grouse: The DNR will be conducting a West Nile Virus study in grouse this fall. The DNR is soliciting help form hunters to provide grouse samples collected in Dickinson, Iron, and Marquette Counties. Try out the new 4,400 acre Norwich GEMS located on the , 5 miles north of Matchwood on the Norwich Rd.

▪ Bears: The DNR will again be collecting hair samples at registration stations as well as a small piece of rib bone this year. The data collected will help with a stable isotope bear diet study.

Forest Resources Division: Don Mankee, WUP District Supervisor ▪ Units are working on 2020 YOE Inventory. Open house and compartment review schedules are posted online, along with other state forest inventory information at www.michigan.gov/forestry.

▪ The next WUP Open Houses will be on September 26th for the Gwinn Unit and on October 3rd for the Crystal Falls Unit.

▪ As of August 7th, 380 timber sale contracts are open WUP Wide. This represents 771,189 cords of timber on 45,712 acres, valued at approximately $39.5 million.

▪ WUP units reporting there are 21 Active Timber Sales in the WUP totaling about 3,312 acres. Units report demand overall is steady. Hardwood saw logs remains strong, hardwood pulp is steady and softwood pulp has been soft.

▪ The West UP is on track to complete the setup of about 15,000 acres of planned Harvest Treatment on state forestland. In addition to over 1,200 acres on the Ottawa National Forest as part of the Good Neighbor Authority.

▪ Forest health issues reports from the West UP:

10 of 12 • Many aspen trees in the West UP stand out due to aspen blotch miner caterpillar damage this summer. Initially the damage appears as pale areas in the leaf, over time affected areas of the leaves turn dark brown. Damage appears dramatic, however the impact on long-term tree health is expected to be minimal. • Aerial survey efforts, reports and other observations suggest that in many areas, spruce budworm activity was lower this summer than in the past few years. Damage to balsam fir and spruce remains evident from previous years. • Oak wilt symptoms have been reported in Dickinson and Menominee counties. The forest health program plans to continue treatment of oak wilt pockets on state land with vibratory plow lines this fall to cut grafted roots and protect healthy oak near infection epicenters.

▪ Units report work on maintaining and improving our State Forest Road System as limited budgets allow. This work includes grading, upgrading roads like the Skunk Creek Road in Dickinson county, and the continued work assisting with the Houghton County flood relief efforts.

▪ Cooperative Forest Management Foresters in the West UP continue to inspect new Commercial Forest Act applications for enrollment. For further information about the Commercial Forest Program see: www.michigan.gov/commercialforest.

▪ FRD staff from the WUP continue the assist with PRD and DEQ to recover from the recent flooding in Houghton County.

▪ Several FRD staff are on western fire detail including fires in Wyoming, Idaho, and Colorado. Although the National reediness level has been downgraded from the highest level of 5 to 4 The Eastern Area Coordination Center reported the continued need for additional resources.

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Acting Lt. Ryan Aho, District 1 ▪ Sgt Marc Pomroy has transferred from Area 02 to Area 01 replacing Sgt. Grant Emery. Acting Captain Pete Wright, Acting Lt. Ryan Aho and Acting Sgt. Mark Leadman continue with working out of class assignments. ▪ CO Josh Boudreaux was contacted by DNR Wildlife Division employees about a collared wolf that was believed to be deceased due to a “mortality signal” being emitted from its collar. CO Boudreaux responded to the location along with DNR wildlife assistant Jeff Lukowski. Upon locating the wolf, it was determined that the wolf had likely been shot at a separate location and then dumped. A weeklong investigation ensued with assistance from DNR Wildlife Division, DNR Law Enforcement Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Acting Sgt Mark Leadman and Delta County CO Stephen Butzin. Using information gathered in the investigation, COs were able to locate the suspect and obtain a confession. Charges are pending with the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office. ▪ CO Jennifer Hanson patrolled the Cisco Chain of Lakes in Gogebic County. Numerous fishing and marine safety violations were addressed such as fishing without a license, failing to provide an adequate number of lifejackets, failure to display registration decal, and violations of the slow no wake zone. Enforcement action was taken. ▪ CO Brian Bacon and CO Jeff Dell patrolled Iron County lakes for marine and fishing activity. The COs discovered one group that had been up from out of state and had been fishing for the last three days. Two out of three subjects checked could not produce fishing licenses. One subject stated he purchased an online license but didn’t save it and he did not currently have phone signal. When CO Bacon showed the subject, there was phone service where they were at, the stories changed. CO Bacon verified that both subjects had not purchased licenses, and enforcement action was taken. ▪ CO Brian Bacon and CO Jeff Dell approached two anglers that were observed fishing. As the COs approached, they observed one of the anglers throw a fish from the boat. When contacted, the anglers state that he was just releasing a twelve-inch bass they had caught earlier. A check of the rest of the fish on board found more undersize bass. The subjects then asked if the size limit on bass was still at twelve inches? The COs answered that if they believed the limit was still at twelve inches, they would not have just released a twelve-inch bass. Enforcement action was taken. ▪ CO Ethen Mapes was patrolling Lake Gogebic after sunset when he stopped a pontoon boat for traveling without navigational lights. The vessel was also found to have an expired registration. CO Mapes was citing the operator for the equipment violation when another vessel, a fishing boat, was spotted also traveling without navigational lighting. CO Mapes followed the vessel to a nearby resort where he observed the operator struggling to dock his boat and then contacted him at the dock. CO Mapes suspected the operator to be under the influence of alcohol and sobriety tests were performed. The operator was more than twice the legal BAC limit and was lodged at the Ontonagon County Jail.

11 of 12 ▪ CO Ethen Mapes was called to assist in the search and rescue of an overdue rock climber in Ontonagon County. The search lasted into the early morning hours when the rock climber was found alive and unharmed. The man had become trapped half way down a very high rock face while scouting for a group rock climbing event. The climber was unable to climb up or down and was trapped on a small rock ledge for over thirty hours with no food, water, shade, or means of communication. He was located with the assistance of the Michigan State Police K9. CO Mapes then climbed up the rock face through a small ravine and was able to lower the man’s climbing gear down to him, allowing him to finish his descent. ▪ CO Brett DeLonge received a complaint regarding geese being shot on a lake near the Marquette/Alger County line. CO DeLonge arrived on scene and interviewed individuals at the residence where the geese were shot as well as multiple neighbors who witnessed the incident. Upon contact CO DeLonge observed a dead goose in the water and spoke with several individuals. CO DeLonge received a confession of two minors who shot at a family of geese with a BB gun to scare them. CO DeLonge retrieved the dead goose and performed a quick necropsy on the tailgate of his patrol truck which revealed that the goose appeared to be shot with a small caliber rifle. CO DeLonge followed up with the juveniles and their parents with his findings. Enforcement action was taken. ▪ CO Josh Boudreaux was responding to an altercation between two subjects that were reported to be in possession of a sword. With all emergency equipment activated, CO Boudreaux attempted to pass a vehicle as they approached a road intersection. The vehicle being overtaken turned into the side of CO Boudreaux’s patrol truck as it did not yield to an emergency vehicle and did not use a turn signal to indicate it was turning. CO Boudreaux made contact with the driver and quickly determined the individual had been drinking and had a revoked driver’s license. An MSP Trooper was dispatched to the scene to make an accident report and assist in the OUIL investigation. The subject was found to be intoxicated with a blood alcohol content more than twice the legal limit. Open intoxicants were also found inside the vehicle. The subject was lodged in the Marquette County Jail with numerous charges filed against him. ▪ Acting Sgt Mark Leadman and CO Josh Boudreaux responded to a complaint of a deer just being shot in a camp yard in the Watson area. The complainant advised that the deer was still alive but had a broken back. Michigan State Police (MSP) Troopers from the Gladstone Post were also dispatched as they were closer to the scene. Upon arrival, the complainant advised that an ORV had just been heard leaving the area and the deer was now gone. Acting Sgt. Leadman and MSP Troopers followed the ORV tracks back to a residence where one suspect was caught in the act of skinning the small spike horn deer that was hanging in his front yard. The subject’s father admitted to shooting the deer as he drove around with a loaded rifle attempting to harvest a deer. The father and son were both arrested as the son had a warrant for his arrest out of Delta County and the father had shot the deer out of season and in a safety zone while having a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. The deer and rifle were also seized. ▪ Acting Sgt. Mark Leadman and CO Josh Boudreaux responded to a complaint of individuals actively cutting trees on state land. The COs arrived on scene and followed vehicle tracks off trail through the woods for several hundred yards. The COs heard a chainsaw start back up and followed the sound straight to its source. The COs observed an individual fell a tree while his counterpart stacked wood in the bed of a very overloaded pickup truck. The COs contacted the individuals who stated they had come out to cut wood a few times already and didn’t believe they were doing anything wrong because it was state land and the trees belong to “the people”. Enforcement action was taken including citations being issued to both parties and the wood was delivered to the Gwinn DNR Field Office. ▪ CO Josh Boudreaux contacted a group of kids who were out fishing with their uncle on Lake Angeline. After swapping fish stories with the kids and looking at the pictures of them proudly displaying their catch CO Boudreaux asked to check the license of the adult who had been actively fishing upon his arrival. The individual stated he didn’t have it on him and upon looking into it, CO Boudreaux discovered the man had not purchased his 2018 fishing license. CO Boudreaux pulled the man aside and again asked him if he had purchased his license. The man replied he hadn’t bought it yet, wanted to take his nieces and nephews out fishing, and was too embarrassed to admit it when he was standing by them. CO Boudreaux informed the man that he appreciated him getting the kids involved in the outdoors but reminded him that he needs to set a good example for them also. CO Boudreaux informed the man that he would be checking his license purchase history and if he did not have a fishing license purchased by tomorrow morning he would be receiving a citation. The man thanked CO Boudreaux and followed through, purchasing his license shortly after the encounter.

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