From the Chicago Breaking News Center
WASHINGTON — After a White House meeting christened the “carp summit,” federal and state officials today announced a multi-pronged attack with a $78.5 million price tag to prevent Asian carp, an invasive species, from establishing populations in Lake Michigan.
Nancy Sutley, the president’s top environmental adviser, led the meeting at the request of the governors of Michigan and Wisconsin, who were on hand. Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois was scheduled to attend, but cancelled his travel plans because of the winter weather and planned to take part by teleconference, said Marlena Jentz, a spokeswoman.
Officials this afternoon unveiled an Asian Carp Control Strategy Framework, which they characterized as “aggressive” and “unparalleled.” It features more than 25 short-term and long-term actions funded by major spending, some of which officials said already is in the pipeline.
Late last week, Dr. Bryan Burroughs sent out an email to the Michigan TU Council detailing what steps TU was taking to address Asian Carp issue. Here’s his letter … Read the rest of this entry »
Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited (SWMTU) has donated $3,500 toward preliminary engineering feasibility work to identify and define acceptable options for removing the Marion Dam that also enhance recreation opportunities.
The SWMTU has also pledged a grant to the MRWA for $300 to support Tri-County Schools’ (Montcalm County) Fish Days. This project involves 4th and 5th grade classrooms spending a day at Winfield Lake fishing and learning about fish and water-related issues through hands-on activities.
Project Healing Waters is a national organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings.
Project Healing Waters would like to establish this program in the Grand Rapids area, through one or more of the Veterans Affairs facilities. Nationally Trout Unlimited is very active with this program and Schrems West Michigan Trout Unlimited has been approached and asked to be the leader in establishing and conducting this program locally.
We are asking anyone interested in being a volunteer for this project to contact us for further information. There are various roles within the volunteer organization, whether you are a fly tyer or someone just interested in helping out, we would like your help. You may be a veteran yourself looking to lend a helping hand to a fellow veteran. This is also a great way to participate with other Trout Unlimited members and make new friends and memories.
More information can be found at the Project Healing Waters website at www.projecthealingwaters.org. If you have any questions, please feel free to give board member Larry Risbridger a call at home at 616.891.0148 or by cell at 616.890.8327. He can also be reached via email at elrisbridger@charter.net.
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We are now taking reservations for our annual membership outing at the Wa Wa Sum Lodge. The lodge is located on the banks of the Main Stream of the Au Sables’s fabled “holy waters,” just east of Grayling, Michigan. The annual membership meeting to elect officers and new board members will held on Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 10:00am.
Please RSVP by June 12, 2010. Contact Larry Risbridger at either elrisbridger@charter.net or by phone at 616.890.8327 (cell) or 616.891.0148 (home). Please give your name, which nights we can expect you and your phone number/email address. If you have any questions, please give Larry a call. Space is limited, so make your reservation early.
Arrival is any time after noon on Thursday, June 17 with departure on Sunday, June 20. You may come for one, two or all three nights. This year’s nightly rate remains the same as last year at $150.00 for three nights, $100.00 for two nights and $50.00 for one night. Read the rest of this entry »