1 of 13

Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: May 2017 This documentation is provided by Michigan DNR staff as a supplement to verbal reports that will be distributed to the Western UPCAC at the May 2nd meeting in Crystal Falls, MI.

DNR Public Meetings May 2 Western UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting, Crystal Falls Township Hall, 5:00pm Central May 3 DNR SCORP (Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan) Review, Marquette Township

Community Center, 2:00pm May 3 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Shingleton Office, 6:00pm May 6 Tree Planting in South Marquette County, Arnold, 9:00am (Contact Caleb Eckloff 906-226-1325) May 8 Wildlife Through Forestry Session, Ottawa Sportsman’s Club, Baraga, 7:00pm May 11 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Ludington May 18 Annual Peace Officers Memorial, LSSU, Sault Ste. Marie, 9:00am May 18 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, Great Lakes Sportsmen’s Club, Escanaba, 6:00pm May 19-21 ORV Instructor Academy, UP State Fairgrounds, Escanaba (Call 989-619-3784 to register) May 24 Lake Superior Fishery Workshop, Chocolay Township Hall, Harvey, 6:00pm May 25 Ask the DNR TV Show, WNMU-TV13, 8:00pm (featuring water sports, camping, recreation) June 8 Natural Resources Commission UP Meeting, MTU, Houghton June 14 Eastern UP Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting, Munising, 6:30pm DNR Pocket Park – UP State Fair in Escanaba – August 14 through August 20, 2017 WE NEED YOU! It’s never too early to start thinking about volunteering at the DNR Pocket Park in Escanaba during the week of the UP State Fair. Please consider volunteering with your group or family member(s) and help to teach a young girl or boy to catch a fish or shoot a pellet gun. Over 200 slots to fill! Create and nurture a new generation of young UP sportspersons! Call or email Kristi Dahlstrom (dahlstromk@michigan.gov / 906-226-1331) or Jo Ann Alexander (alexanderj7@michigan.gov / 906-786-2351) to reserve your volunteer slot NOW! U.P. State Park & State Sponsored Activities May 6 Porcupine Mountains State Park-Creating Gardens for Pollinators & Butterflies May 13 Porcupine Mountains State Park-Introduction to Fly Fishing May 21 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Museum Open House June 2-3 Porcupine Mountains State Park-Crafting a Wooden Flute

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

2 of 13

June 3 Van Riper State Park-National Trails Day June 9-10 Porcupine Mountains State Park-Make a Greenland Paddle June 10-11 Free ORV Weekend June 10 Tahquamenon Falls State Park-Fly Fishing Clinic June 17 Wells State Park-Crafty Campers Arts & Crafts Sale June 17 Fayette Historic State Park-Christmas in June June 18 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Iron, Steel & the Automobile June 20 Bewabic State Park-Total Woman in the Outdoors June 24 Porcupine Mountains State Park-Fusing Glass & Hand Forging Copper Bracelets Recent DNR Press Releases For full details, go to: www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom

NRC, DNR to create scientific panel on chronic wasting disease (4/25/17) Michigan fishing gets under way Saturday with spring openers (4/24/17) Concession opportunities available in Michigan state parks (4/24/17) Millions of fish to be stocked in Michigan lakes, streams in coming year (4/18/17) DNR advises caution to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease (4/17/17) “Ask the DNR” to feature Natural Resource Commissioners live April 20 on WNMU-TV13 (4/17/17) Reminders for UP spring beaver and otter trappers (4/14/17) Showcasing the DNR: Archers aiming high (4/13/17) Forest industry, public invited to UP state forest management meetings (4/13/17) Bear expert to speak at DNR forum April 18 in Houghton County (4/12/17) Near 100 new sites added to DNR’s Trout Trails web app (4/11/17) Registration opens for summer Becoming an Outdoors Woman in Marquette County (4/11/17) State agencies addressing erosion concerns at Porcupine Mountains (4/6/17) Showcasing the DNR: Some staffers have strong family ties to DNR (4/6/17) Spring fishery workshops offered in April and May (4/5/17) DNR Snowmobile & ORV Survey (4/4/17) 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, carlockm@michigan.gov Recreation Passport Grant Merrie Carlock, 517-284-5931, carlockm@michigan.gov Aquatic Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, parkerk4@michigan.gov Michigan Invasive Species Grant Kammy Frayre, 517-284-5970, frayrek1@michigan.gov Wildlife Habitat Grant Kelly Parker, 517-284-5957, parkerk4@michigan.gov U.P. Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Grant Bill Scullon, 906-563-9247, scullonh@michigan.gov The EUPCAC met on Thursday, April 20th in Newberry. Agenda items included a report from the Deer Subcommittee who presented two resolutions to support the work of the UP Wildlife Habitat Workgroup and the UP CWD Taskforce. Both resolutions passed. Updates were provided on CWD and the UP CWD Taskforce and a few additional suggestions were provided (such as carcasses across the international bridge in the Soo and selling of bait in CWD infected areas). A forest road inventory project update and the status of the Mackinac County ORV route proposal were provided. New

Eastern UPCAC Update

3 of 15

business items included cormorant control, wolf legislation status, a historical listing of agenda items and resolutions, and a council self-evaluation. The next meeting of the EUPCAC will be on Wednesday, June 14th in Munising. HB 4380 – Exempt Disabled Veterans from Recreation Passport Fee – Rep. Bizon HB 4380 seeks to amend section 805 of the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt an individual who was honorably discharged from the armed services from having to pay the Recreation Passport fee if they submit proof of total or permanent disability.

• The bill was referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 4381 – Exempt Disabled Veterans from Recreation Passport Fee – Rep. Wentworth HB 4381 is the companion bill to HB 4380 and seeks to amend sections 74116 and 78119 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to exempt an individual who was honorably discharged from the armed services from having to pay the Recreation Passport fee if they submit proof of total or permanent disability.

• The bill was referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 4401 – Discounted Senior Hunting License – Rep. Chirkun This bill seeks to amend section 43535 of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow individuals 65 years of age and older to obtain a base license at no cost and a deer, wild turkey and/or fur harvester’s license at a discounted rate of 80% from the fee of the resident license.

• The bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 280 – Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) Policy Change – Sen. Booher This bill seeks to make several changes to Part 19 (Natural Resources Trust Fund) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act. SB 280 allows the legislature to determine the amount of funds made available for awards for both acquisition and development. The bill would also limit the time period for completion of projects to two years.

• The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Appropriations. • The Administration opposes this legislation.

SB 76 – Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) 2017 Appropriation – Sen. Booher Pursuant to the recommendation of the Natural Resources Trust Fund Board, SB 76, as introduced, would appropriate $47.6 million from the MNRTF for 27 acquisition projects (approximately $27.7 million) and 87 development projects (approximately $19.9 million). Total matching funds of $40.1 million result in total project costs of $87.7 million. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Joint Capital Outlay made a recommendation to the full Senate Committee on Appropriations that the bill be amended to include 43 additional development projects for an additional appropriation of $7.7 million for projects that were applied for, but not recommended for funding by the MNRTF Board.

• This bill is before the Senate Committee on Appropriations. • The Administration opposes this legislation.

HB 4082 – Require Notification of Department Prescribed Burns – Rep. Whiteford This bill seeks to amend section 51501 and add section 51503c of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require prior notice to a township supervisor and primary point of emergency contact of prescribed burns.

• The bill passed the House unanimously and was referred to the Senate. • The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

If you would like to learn more about these and other bills, you can access the Michigan Legislature website at www.legislature.mi.gov.

April 2017 Legislative Update – Anna Mooney, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office

4 of 15

2017 U.P. NRC Meeting June 8, 2017 Michigan Tech

University Houghton, MI

The Natural Resources Commission met in Lansing on April 13th. Major actions:

• Director Keith Creagh approved two land transactions. Details of those transactions can be found linked within the NRC agenda online.

• The director also approved the May 4 Oil and Gas Lease Auction. The auction will offer for lease a little less than 1,900 acres of state-owned mineral rights in five counties.

• The commission adopted a resolution to establish a panel of scientific experts to advise “the NRC, DNR or other applicable agencies on further steps and actions which could be implemented to substantially mitigate or eliminate CWD in Michigan.” The panel will be appointed by the chair of the NRC and the directors of the departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development. The panel will be asked to deliver recommendations to the DNR and NRC by Dec. 31, 2017. Public input will be part of the process.

The Marketing, Partnership, Youth & Outreach Advisory Committee met first in the morning. Marketing and Outreach Chief Kristin Phillips updated the committee on the Marketing and Outreach Division's strategic planning process, which is still under development. A high-level draft plan is expected to be completed in the next month and will be distributed for review to the department and commissioners. Natalie Elkins of Marketing and Outreach gave an overview of the Salmon in the Classroom program. The goal of the program is to provide place-based educational opportunities that tie back to local communities for youngsters third-grade and higher. This connection encourages a life-long appreciation for Michigan’s natural resources and ecosystem health. This furthers a primary goal of the educational team at the DNR – building natural resource stewards. The number of participating students in the program has doubled since 2011, from 12,687 to 25,775. The cost to set up the program in a classroom is between $1,200 and $1,500. Funding comes through nearly 50 private organizations. Joanne Foreman of Public Information Office gave an overview of the Invasive Carp Challenge. The State of Michigan has invested $1 million to launch the global search for innovative solutions to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes. Only 47 miles separate bighead and silver carp from Lake Michigan, and the electric barriers meant to deter fish passage are not foolproof. A company called InnoCentive will administrate the Challenge. InnoCentive specializes in global crowd sourcing and has a network of over 380,000 “solvers” who bring technology to bear on problems. The Carp Challenge has generated a great deal of media coverage – including a blurb in Time Magazine -- and we have received calls from interested people all over the globe. The Challenge launches officially in July. Ray Rustem of Marketing and Outreach gave an update on the Youth Conservation Council. The program’s goal is to create future leaders in conservation while making lifelong connections among youth. One of the council’s initiatives uses the hashtag #YCCoutdoors to promote conservation efforts. The Youth Council’s next meeting will be held the last weekend in June and will focus on aquatic invasive species. Commissioners are invited and encouraged to participate. The Michigan State Parks Advisory Committee met next. Chuck Hoover was introduced as a new member, representing the Michigan United Conservation Clubs on the body. Parks and Recreation Chief Ron Olson provided an update on the Blue Ribbon Panel on State Parks and Outdoor Recreation. Ron provided highlights and accomplishments for each of the report’s seven recommendations. Parks staff next reviewed PRD applications for grants through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. Among the projects are a number of snowmobile bridge and culvert projects. The committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting the projects.

April 2017 NRC Meeting Summary – Ed Golder, Public Information Officer

5 of 15

Next the committee heard a report on the Sleepy Hollow State Park Management Plan and adopted a resolution supporting it. The committee tabled action on a resolution that would have recommended changing the name of the Bay City State Recreation Area. The committee will take up the name-changing resolution at its June meeting. The committee discussed adding a $5 fee to Recreation Passport purchases that occur at state parks as opposed to through the Secretary of State at the time of license renewal. This would align with the $5 fee charged by the Secretary of State when a Recreation Passport is purchased outside of the usual license renewal cycle. Plus, it would incentivize vehicle owners to purchase the Passport when renewing their vehicle licenses. The committee unanimously approved a resolution supporting the department taking this action. Ron gave the latest on copper exploration occurring in and near the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. You can read about the latest in a recent DNR press release. One critical point to note, given inaccurate information that has been circulated: Exploration within the park ended in February when the ground in the park thawed. There are no imminent plans to mine minerals that are beneath the park. The minerals in that section of the park are not owned by the state. Stephanie Yancer of Parks reported to the committee on social media at state parks. Parks relies on a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter, all allowing for interaction with the public. Parks has successfully used social media to market particular destinations in the parks the system. The committee passed a resolution urging the department to oppose Senate Bill 280, which affects the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund. The bill would allow the Legislature to determine the amount of funds made available for awards for acquisition and development through the fund. The bill would also limit to two years the time period for Trust Fund project completion. During the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries, Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter told the committee about his division’s Coffee and Conversations meetings, which are held around the state to provide opportunity for interaction with the public. The meetings have been focused particularly on regulations. Spring egg take is under way and going well. Fisheries continues to work with 35-plus partners on the plan to reintroduce arctic grayling into Michigan. Jim expects to roll out the arctic grayling plan at the May NRC meeting in Ludington. Muskie brood stock management has switched from the northern strain of Muskie to the Great Lakes strain. This has created challenges the division is working to address. Nick Popoff of Fisheries reported on lake trout and splake regulations in Lake Huron. The department recommends reducing the daily lake trout and splake bag limit in Lake Huron from three fish to two fish. Jay Wesley and Randy Claramunt of Fisheries followed up with a report on lake trout rehabilitation in lakes Michigan and Huron. Lake trout, native to Michigan, were all but extirpated in Lake Michigan in 1956, due to unregulated commercial harvest and the introduction of sea lamprey and invasive prey fish like smelt, alewife and goby. The department has been working to rehabilitate lake trout. We have stocked roughly 3 million lake trout a year in Lake Michigan. Harvest has been good. Natural reproduction has improved in southern Lake Michigan. In Lake Huron, lake trout crashed in the 1950s and 1960s. However, from the late 1990s through today, the lake trout population has been steadily increasing, and natural reproduction is now strong. In both lakes, the department and partners are for the first time meeting targets on limiting sea lamprey. This will help improve lake trout populations. Wildlife Chief Russ Mason told the committee about ongoing efforts to search for deer infected with chronic wasting disease outside a Mecosta County captive cervid facility where two CWD-positive deer heads were recently discovered. Wildlife Services has removed a number of deer outside the facility. Remaining harvest will be conducted through hunters and collection of road kill. Russ also talked about the death of Mark MacKay, who had worked for the Wildlife Division for 17 years. Russ reported to the commission on sandhill cranes. The population of sandhill cranes in Michigan has continued to grow – about 15 percent annually -- and is spreading across the state. Agricultural damage permits have risen, too, as the population has increased.

6 of 15

Lt. Tom Wanless of the Law Enforcement Division reported on the Limited Firearms Deer Zone in southern Michigan, created by the commission three years ago, with a sunset provision that takes effect this year. Five firearm types can be used in the zone. Lt. Wanless reported that there has been no increase in valid complaints as a result of the zone, and said the zone can help with the department’s recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts because it expands firearm selection in southern Michigan. The commission plans to extend implementation of the zone. Brent Rudolph of Wildlife and Phil Seng, vice president of D.J. Case & Associates, reported on their deer hunter retention research. Deer hunting participation, among males in particular, has declined. The number of female hunters has increased, although not at a rate high enough to stop the over-all decline of hunters. To delve into the causes of that decline, and explore the possibilities for better retention rates, the study focused on women, young males who hunt frequently and young males who hunt intermittently. Some 32,000 people responded to an online survey. The study also included focus groups at six locations. Sixty-one percent of respondents did not want to move Opening Day from Nov. 15. At the same time, 39 percent of younger people (ages 18-28) said they could hunt more often if opening day were moved to the Saturday nearest to Nov. 15. Eighty-one percent said their hunting habits were not changed by the presence of antler point restrictions. Survey respondents did not think hunting regulations are too complex. In fact, 86 percent said that regulations are not a barrier to their hunting more. When asked if there were any regulation changes that might increase their hunting frequency, respondents offered a variety of responses, from antler point restrictions (pro and con) to a one-buck limit to adjusting special hunts, especially youth hunts. Conclusions of the study: regulations are not a barrier to hunting and deer hunting regulations are not too complex. The NRC and department might consider revisiting objectives and regulations around early hunts, especially youth hunts. Multi-year license bundles with a price discount – respondents expressed interest in this idea – might lure more people. During the Committee of the Whole, the commission recognized Dennis Knapp for his 15 years of service to the department and to conservation in Michigan. Dennis retires as of today, serving the department most recently as liaison to the NRC, chief of staff and tribal liaison. Dennis was lauded by the commission for his “effective leadership and passion for natural and cultural resources.” The commission said that Dennis “leaves behind a remarkable legacy within the Department of Natural Resources that will remain with the citizens of this great state for generations to come.” Conservation Officer Steve Converse, a 16-year DNR veteran serving Manistee County, was honored by the Shikar-Safari Club International as Michigan’s 2016 Wildlife Officer of the Year. The award is presented to officers who show exemplary conduct and initiative while performing their duties. CO Converse is known for taking on additional responsibilities. He serves as a charter boat inspector, a significant task considering Manistee County has one of the busiest commercial fishing harbors in the state. In addition, the Law Enforcement Division relies on his creativity and expertise when developing training scenarios for new officers. Steve’s colleagues nominated him for the award, demonstrating the respect he has earned among his peers. Sylvia Smith, a sophomore at Lake Orion High School, was recognized for being this year’s turkey patch design winner. Parks Chief Ron Olson provided an update on parks. Recreation Passport sales are up 1.5 percent through February. Lodging nights in state parks are up 22 percent compared to last year. Harbor reservations are up 31.6 percent year-to-year. In Grand Traverse Bay on the Keweenaw Peninsula, stamp sands from mining are causing problems for navigation in the harbor, Ron said. PRD is working to resolve the problem. Tomorrow Parks and Recreation will graduate 30 people from its ranger academy. Jim Dexter announced recipients for this year’s round of Aquatic Habitat Grants. The program awarded $1.25 million to five projects, spread across the Lower Peninsula. Jim Bowes of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development gave an update on the captive cervid facility in Mecosta County where CWD has been discovered. This week, MDARD obtained a warrant to remove remaining deer inside the facility and believes it has now successfully removed all deer on the property.

7 of 15

Kelly Straka of Wildlife and Rick Smith of MDARD gave an update on Bovine Tuberculosis in deer. Prevalence of the disease in deer in 2016 was 2 percent, down from 2015. Erik Eklund from Finance and Operations presented an update on the department’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget. Discrepancies remain between the House and Senate on some of the governor’s budget recommendations for the DNR. Those will be resolved through the legislative process, likely after mid-May when the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference occurs. Legislative Liaison Anna Mooney reported on legislation affecting the department (see below). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. -Ed Golder, Public Information Officer Parks & Recreation Division: Doug Rich, WUP District Supervisor State Park/Recreation Area/Scenic Site/Forest Rec Units Baraga State Park: Staff have been working on short term worker hiring and prepping for the park’s opening on

4/28/17. Staff had CPR/First Aid/AED training and had several event planning meetings. The spray foam insulation project on the headquarters office attic has been completed. Staff also worked at the Boat, Sport and RV show in Marquette (7000+ attendance) and an Environmental Fair for 300 local school children.

Bewabic State Park: The seasonal ranger is back and getting the campground ready for the season. A bid package was submitted for an ADA shower renovation project. Repairing water damaged wall in the campground office is also taking place. Staff are cleaning up trees that fell during winter storms throughout the campground.

Bond Falls Scenic Site: Several early opening inquiries have been received and as well as event permit requests for summer weddings. Due to the early spring weather, the site will be opened earlier in April than normal.

Craig Lake State Park: The year round yurts have a decrease YTD of 12 nights. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The snow is all but gone at Fort Wilkins except in the woods. The last of the ice just

melted off of Lake Fanny Hooe. Both of our cabins are used most weekends. District safety meeting was on March 28 here at Fort Wilkins. Our camping and Copper Harbor reservations are coming in very strong with a lot of telephone calls for campsite information and on group camp reservations. Fishing has been poor on Fanny Hooe Lake and in Copper Harbor.

Lake Gogebic State Park: The park is currently closed for the season and will be opening for use soon. McLain State Park: Cabins have been very popular. Lack of staff has made it challenging to keep up with demand. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Ski hill numbers for the winter were up 12% again from last winter.

This is a 170% increase since our partnership with the college began in 2011!! Backcountry check-in procedure continues to be working thus far …capturing good use numbers which will help with stewardship/ future directions. The ski hill chalet roof project is underway. Skylights are being installed and rotten sheeting being replaced. It should be completed this spring. Camping and visitation numbers continue to rise. Visitor center restroom repairs close to complete.

Menominee State Recreation Area: The seasonal ranger is back and now staffing the Menominee River Rec. Area. Menominee River Rec. Area is seeing steady use.

Van Riper State Park: The year round rustic Peshekee cabin has an increase in attendance YTD of 5 nights. The year round rustic cabins at Little Presque Isle have an increase in attendance YTD of 64 nights.

Twin Lakes State Park: Staff have been working refurnishing picnic tables and signs, keeping the boat launch open for ice fishermen, moving snow from shop, and the lodge.

Wells State Park: Campground is open for semi-modern use. Baraga Field Office: Trees have been cut at McLain and the picnic building has been gutted for upcoming

demolition. Staff also worked on the gate for McLain. Staff hauled a Van Riper tractor to a repair facility and worked on the park headquarters attic insulation and drywall.

Escanaba Field Office: Staff completed construction of two new vault toilet buildings for district state park needs. Unit managed state forest campgrounds are being cleaned and cleared of down trees and branches from winter season. Vaults are open and water is accessible.

Division Updates

8 of 15

Boating Reports (BAS = Boating Access Sites) Bewabic State Park: Scheduled to push in skid piers and so site inspections at BAS sites next week. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: BAS Union Bay has been cleared of winter debris and is open for

fishing. Baraga construction crew assisted with moving two large boulders. Big Iron BAS has been dredged and is open for spring fishing / boating.

Lake Gogebic State Park: Currently working on site inspections for their 15 BAS sites and will be pushing in their piers soon. Staff is working to put in place a MOU with the Oman family concerning dredge spoils at Oman Creek BAS.

Van Riper State Park: Van Riper HQ roof insulation by Baraga FO staff in preparation for the roof replacement this summer.

Baraga Field Office: Worked on skid pier repair and refurbishing, had a meeting on the new grader and graded some BAS sites and roads. Big Iron BAS was dredged. Staff also attended Mine Safety and CPR/First Aid/AED trainings.

Cedar River State Harbor: Boating use at the harbor BAS is up due to an early spring and ice melt on Green bay. Copper Harbor State Harbor: We pushed in the skid piers at Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor. There is approval for

the Eagle Harbor utility and broadside boating upgrade study to be done this summer. Escanaba Field Office: Staff completed construction of one new vault toilet building for district BAS needs. All unit

skid piers were pushed in and site cleanup and opening continues. Repair to washouts resulting from heavy rains at BAS's continues.

Other Issues, Challenges or Items of Note Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The park store has a new concessionaire, Sue Fontz. She also does McLain State

Park store. No one bid on the second attempt for the Lighthouse Boat Tours out of Copper Harbor. The park spent over $1,500+ on ads. Summer housing in Copper Harbor is nonexistent and directing our short term worker applicants on where to stay is difficult. We have had two meetings with our Friends Group, the Fort Wilkins Natural History Association and deciding on money-making venues and what events to support.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Currently, the park is short three rangers due to various reasons. Couple this with infrastructure damage, seasonal switch duties, and normal visitor services, the result is some normal maintenance duties/repairs are being delayed or not completed. Current failures are prioritized and will be completed when staff becomes available between visitor service tasks and required seasonal duties. No timetables at this time. Current known larger infrastructure failures include: wet well pump at Union Bay campground (repairs underway), culvert at Visitor Center (permit in place.. maybe this week), foot bridge at Presque Isle (smashed by tree), possible sewer line collapse at ski hill (still investigating), well house collapse at Speakers Cabin, erosion/damage at Speakers Cabin and Presque Isle roof and large door at historic mechanic shop (door repair underway).

Van Riper State Park: Short-term worker interviews completed. Park supervisor attended the MARVAC Camping Conference in Marquette as well as the Boat, Sport, and RV show.

Multi-Use Trails South Branch of Ontonagon Bridge: Construction begins week of April 17, 2017. MJO Contracting from Hancock,

MI is the contractor. The project contract is $882,865 and construction is expected to take most of the summer. MI-TRALE has secured a reroute for continued trail use and has it set up.

Lake Linden Grade: Restoration work on affected private lands from the Lake Linden Grade washout was also awarded to MJO Contracting and will be completed mid-summer during low water levels.

Menominee River Bridge: Design is at 90%. Both DNR and Florence County Forestry and Parks Department are now working toward funding of the nearly $1,000,000 project.

Baraga-Arnheim Grade: Key culvert infrastructure repairs will begin with the kick-off meeting on April 24th. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The Copper Harbor Trails Club has ended the X-country grooming of the park trails.

Snowmobile season ended on March 31 for trail grooming. Twin Lakes State Park: This snowmobile season, over 45,000 snowmobiles traveled through Twin Lakes State Park

on the Nichols multi-use trail.

9 of 15

Lake Gogebic State Park: Staff have meet with Donald Helsel of MI-Trale to find appropriate routes to Lake Gogebic State Park and gain local support from the community. Once we have the local community support, the PRD will move a proposal forward to the ORV Advisory Work Group and the State Park Advisory Committee.

ORV Trails Conducted ORV meetings with each ORV sponsor and associated snowmobile clubs. Improved partnerships and

shared work responsibilities on larger dual use trail projects have been developing. Assisting clubs with 2018 grant applications which are due on May 1st. Many complaints from public and sponsors on the full size vehicle use on trails during spring break-up that are

causing trail damage. Extension of the LL trail from Bond Falls to the Bergland/Sidnaw Trail is approved and will be opening summer of

2017. Twin Lakes State Park staff has been planning the 2017 sport ride which will be on June 10th this year. Staff have

been working with local clubs on different trail problems. Snowmobile Trails Season officially closed on March 31st although most sponsors had stopped grooming prior to mid-March due to lack

of snow. Trail 160 was signed, brushed and all trail construction (including Mud Creek Bridge) were completed in February. It

was unfortunate the snow conditions did not allow for the trail to open this season. Trail 160 will be open for 2017-18.

Fort Wilkins Historic State Park had lots of use this year. Twin Lakes State Park is working with Superior Snowmobile Club on different issues. Equestrian Trails An Equestrian Workshop in the UP for fall of 2017 is currently being developed. Once a location and date are

selected, a survey will be sent to all groups seeking input on agenda. Development of the Pike Lake Campground (Houghton County) and trail system for equestrian use is progressing.

This season use will be allow via Use Permit with DNR as further campsite and trail design continues over the summer.

Met with MI-TRALE Equestrian group and presented a proposal to convert Pike Lake BAS (Houghton County) to an Equestrian Campground. Further meeting will be needed to formulate a good multi-use recreational plan for the area.

Equestrian group (BAMSAR) will be attempting to install the remaining two corrals at the state forest campground in Cedar River at the end of the month of April.

Pathways Bewabic State Park: Lake Mary Pathway seeing moderate use. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The trail is starting to be used by a few bicyclists. Van Riper State Park: Wrapped up the grooming at Blueberry Ridge Pathway, mild winter. Escanaba Field Office: Cleanup of storm damage occurring over the past month includes the removal of trees over

Days River as well as Anderson Lake Pathways.

Trespass and Acquisition Report Twin Lakes State Park: No new action has taken place on the acquisition for property on the south of the Park,

scheduled for the 2018 review list. Division office has all local paperwork. Planning Report Craig Lake State Park. Working with district planner and DTMB regarding the culvert project on the Craig Lake Road. Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: History is currently working on the displays for the Hospital Ward Room in the Fort.

The park will hire an electrician to install new electric lines to the displays. Most of the plaster repairs and painting are complete. Plans are underway to replace the bottom few logs in the married housing log cabin in the Fort this

10 of 15

summer. The cabin will have to be raised to remove the old rotten logs. And plans are to install a set of entrance gate posts.

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Planning for sportsman’s club improvements underway and planning for Bergland BAS paving is underway.

Van Riper State Park: Working with planner and DTMB regarding capital outlay funding received for water building upgrades/replacement.

Wells State Park: 90% plan review for renovations at the stone toilet building will be held in the first part on May. Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba cold storage building construction kick-off meeting occurring on 4/19/17. Planning

efforts are underway for the improvement of Ford River BAS, one of the more popular Bay de Noc BAS's. Fisheries Division: George Madison, Western Lake Superior Management Unit The following are the western Upper Peninsula fisheries division highlights for the period of March 14-May 1, 2017: Escanaba Field Office (Darren Kramer) Held two DNR-Fisheries Conversations and Coffee meetings, one being in Escanaba and the other meeting held in

Iron Mountain. Ongoing work with staffing the Menominee River fish lift elevator at the Hattie Street Dam. Held interviews for hiring an additional fisheries technician at the Crystal Falls field office. Attended a spring meeting with the Menominee/Marinette Great Lakes Sport Fishermen club. DNR Fisheries Chief Jim Dexter met with the Bays de Noc Great Lakes Sport Fishermen club as well as the Upper

Peninsula Sports Fisherman’s Association. Attended the Lake Michigan Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee biannual meeting.

Baraga Customer Service Center (George Madison) Attended public meetings in Land O Lakes and Phelps Wisconsin (just south of Watersmeet) for a proposal to amend

the current walleye regulation at the Lac Vieux Desert flowage from a daily possession of three walleye of 15 inches or larger to a new daily possession limit regulation of three walleye of 18 inches or larger. This regulation is being put into place to help protect and restore the declining walleye population in the Lac Vieux Desert Flowage. Tribal nations who traditionally spear fished the flowage have agreed to a spearing and netting moratorium on the flowage through the year 2022, as part of this rehabilitation effort.

Three DNR-Fisheries Conversations and Coffee meetings (public input meetings) were held in the western UP locations of Ishpeming, Houghton, and Ironwood. These meetings provided summaries of recent fisheries surveys, information about upcoming management programs, and reviewed sportfishing regulation proposals that will go to the NRC for review later this summer.

Attended the Lake Superior Citizens Fishery Advisory Committee biannual meeting. Presented a Western UP status of the fisheries update to the Copper Country Chapter Trout Unlimited. Presented a groundwater model theme program to the Society of American Foresters conference in Marquette. Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries (Mr. Jan VanAmberg and James Aho) Both hatcheries are moving fish out to public waters. The Thompson Hatchery along with the Escanaba Field Office

have completed the walleye egg take that supplies walleye fry to northern Michigan and all of the Upper Peninsula rearing ponds. Approximately 19 million eggs were collected on April 10th. Walleye fry are expected to begin hatching and transferred to rearing ponds during the week of May 15th.

Technicians have been stocking lake trout and splake in the southern areas of the State of Michigan. Spring trout fingerlings are being vaccinated for diseases of concern. Area school groups are currently doing their annual hatchery tours. Marquette Fisheries Research Station (Dr. Troy Zorn) Marquette Fisheries Research personnel jaw-tagged about 950 walleyes in Little Bay de Noc, in conjunction with the

walleye egg take operations, for ongoing studies of walleye movement and growth dynamics patterns. The Michigan DNR Great Lakes research vessel, R/V Lake Char, which is stationed in Marquette, will begin their

annual spring nets surveys for lake trout, starting April 24 and completing by May 31. Lead research biologist Shawn Sitar states “Our spring sampling stations are generally 80 to 250 deep and within a few miles from shore. The

11 of 15

deepwater survey stations extend from near shore areas to more than 20 miles offshore spanning all depths greater than 80ft. We will be conducting our spring survey in the following areas of Lake Superior: west of Keweenaw Peninsula in the Ontonagon and upper entry regions; East end of Isle Royale, outer Keweenaw Bay from Bete Grise to the Huron Islands; Big Bay; Marquette; Au Train, Munising, and Grand Marais.”

Lake Sturgeon egg collection activities will commence on Baraga County’s Sturgeon River, which will supply gametes (fertilized eggs) to the cooperative lake sturgeon rearing trailer at the outlet of Lake Gogebic, as well as Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians who rear lake sturgeon for the Saint Louis River at Duluth Minnesota.

Wildlife Division: Terry Minzey, Wildlife Supervisor 2017 Turkey Stakeholder’s Meeting: The UP Turkey Management Partners met at the Escanaba DNR office on

Monday, February 27th to review our most current hunting season results and regulations, discuss turkey population trends, status and habitat management efforts across the UP Region. Harvest recommendations did not need to be discussed since we are in year one of the spring season and year two of the fall season for the 3-year period of stabilized regulations. Al Stewart, Michigan Upland Game Bird Specialist and Program Leader, attended the meeting and provided a statewide perspective. The meeting was attended by representatives of turkey and wildlife organizations and Wildlife Division staff. The spring turkey season runs from April 17th to May 31st. The entire Upper Peninsula (Unit M) is open to spring turkey hunting, although the highest turkey numbers are found in the south-central counties: Delta, Menominee, Dickinson and Iron. The UP region is fortunate to have a wild turkey partnership that is credited with numerous positive contributions in how we manage and hunt turkeys.

2017 Spring Wildlife Surveys

- Fawn-to-Adult Deer Survey: Spring has finally arrived and wildlife division staff have begun their spring wildlife surveys. The earliest wildlife survey that we run is the Fawn-to-Adult Deer Survey. This survey is designed to be a deer recruitment index. This information may be useful for projecting trends in deer populations, developing antlerless harvest recommendations, guiding habitat planning efforts, and facilitating information exchange with the public. Deer Management Units (DMU) were aggregated into Deer Survey Units (DSU) based on similar fawn-to-doe ratios derived from the fall U.P. Deer Camp Survey and seasonal deer movement derived from deer tagging data and expert opinion (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The fawn-to-adult deer survey is conducted in 6 Deer Survey Units (DSU) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Deer Management Units (small numerals) are also shown.

No formal survey training is required to participate, but all surveyors are provided with instructions and have a professional background in wildlife science. Participants were asked to conduct surveys during the period mid-March to early May, focusing on the morning or evening hours when groups of deer would be actively feeding in open areas. Surveyors plan a route through a given DSU that will take them past forest openings, fields, clearings, and wide road right-of-ways where deer are most visible, especially known “break out” areas adjacent to deer wintering complexes. Whenever a deer or group of deer is observed, surveyors pull off of the road and use binoculars to identify individuals as fawns or adult deer, if possible.

- American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey: This survey is coordinated by the federal government and

incorporates surveyors in federal and state government, university participants and volunteers. The Singing-ground Survey provides an index to the relative size of the woodcock breeding population in North America. It is the most important source of data used to guide federal, state and provincial woodcock programs. As part of their courtship behavior, male woodcock exhibit aerial and vocal displays each evening. They begin by giving calls described as "peents" shortly after sunset. From habitat types called singing-grounds, birds alternately "peent" and make flight songs.

12 of 15

Peregrine Falcon Nesting Box: A new nesting box for peregrine falcons has been placed on the Houghton-Hancock lift bridge and is already being used by a pair of these endangered birds. This new nesting box was a group effort involving the Michigan Dept. of Transportation, Copper Country Audubon, the Baraga High School shop class and local Wildlife Division staff. Later this year, DNR staff will uniquely band peregrine falcon chicks as a way to help track movement and population growth of these birds. Copper Country Audubon and Pasty.com have sponsored a nest cam so the peregrines can be observed by everyone at this link. http://pasty.com/nestbox.html

2017-2018 Bear Harvest Recommendations and Bear Recommendations: The Natural Resources Commission approved the following at their meeting on March 9, 2017: The commission approved bear regulations and license quotas for the next two years. The commission approved the regulations as recommended by the department, with the exception of quotas in the Baraga Management Unit. There, the commission adjusted the suggested quota of 1,365 to 1,490, the same as last year.

2017-2019 Deer Harvest Recommendations:

Antlerless deer harvest quota recommendations are being formulated for an informational presentation to the NRC for consideration at their May meeting. The NRC will act on these recommendations at the June meeting.

UP Habitat Work Group: Work on Deer Wintering

Complex Project will continue under the direction of the UPHWG and with funding provided by Safari Club International. The group has contracted with Stu Boren, BorFor Land Management Services, for the remainder of 2016.

Disease Update

- Canine Distemper has been on the upswing for the last couple years so we expect that it will affect several species of animals again this year. As a result, DNR Wildlife and LED staff will be sending animals that have shown classic signs of the disease to the Wildlife Disease Lab in Lansing for necropsy and diagnosis. Skunks and racoons are the two species that are most often affected by this virus. Since both of these species are rabies vector species they will routinely be rabies tested by personnel from USDA Wildlife Services. Calls concerning sick raccoons or gray fox will most likely be diagnosed with canine distemper.

Forest Resources Division: Don Mankee, WUP District Supervisor The 2019 Year of Entry (YOE) inventory is underway. Open house and compartment review schedules will be posted

online, along with other state forest inventory information at: www.michigan.gov/forestry. The division is continuing to monitor stands that are at high risk for loss due to the current outbreak of Spruce

Budworm. Aerial detection flights are being used to detect the hardest hit areas. These areas will be reviewed in the context of the whole resource. Salvage sales maybe set up to utilize the trees before mortality occurs. For more information on this and other forest pests go to www.michigan.gov/foresthealth.

13 of 15

The division is continuing to work with the USFS on the Good Neighbor Authority GNA. This year the GNA program in the Western UP will grow. DNR staff prepared just under 300 timber sale acres on the Ottawa NF in 2016, and is currently preparing about 800 acres in 2017. The staff of the Ottawa NF was pleased with our efforts in 2016 and their confidence in us shows by the sizable increase they have requested in the program. Our sale prep efforts on the Ottawa will again focus on managing red pine in 2017, with plans already in place to branch out into more and varied timber management scenarios in the future.

As of April 21st, 327 timber sale contracts are open west UP wide. This represents 601,329 cords of timber on

36,254 acres, valued at approximately $32.9 million.

West UP units report 10 active timber sales in the west UP totaling about 1,393 acres.

Forest cultivation work is now underway in the west UP. Various site preparations are underway, and this year about ½ million trees will be planted on state forest lands in the west UP. Much of planting will be in the Gwinn FMU.

The forest protection staff reports there were a total of 8 fires since the beginning of the season. The division responded to 6 fires totaling 28 acres. Additionally 2 fires totaling 63 acres were responded to by our federal partners or by local volunteer fire departments. A small group of firefighters are currently assigned to help with prescribed burning operations in the lower peninsula.

The UP fire outlook is on track for a normal season at this point. One person has been dispatched to Florida this

spring to help with fires there. Fire officers have started working their spring fire schedule staffing for optimal burn day coverage.

The division conducted our annual Incident Management Team Meeting in preparation for extended types of

emergencies. Team members met in Marquette and reevaluated their capabilities. They identified weaknesses and worked to mitigate potential problems.

Forest Health staff provided the following summary of current issues affecting the UP:

- Spruce budworm: Defoliation in 2016 covered many of the same areas as 2015, with some minor expansion into previously uninfested spruce/fir resources in the west-central Upper Peninsula. The intensity of the defoliation was generally less in 2016. Budworm populations will continue to increase over the next decade or so. FRD reviewed and assessed over 50,000 acres of high-risk spruce and fir stands in 2016. Close to 7,000 acres of timber sales were prepared last year that included spruce budworm salvage. Focus in 2017 will continue on identifying and harvesting newly-defoliated, high-risk mature and older spruce/fir stands. A number of stands in the Gwinn, Baraga, Shingleton and Crystal Falls still need to be reviewed by FMU staff to assess risk. These should be completed by May 1st.

- Heterobasidion Root Disease. This serious root rot fungus was detected for the first time in the U.P. in 2016. The disease was confirmed in a red pine plantation on private land in Luce County. The Forest Health Program will be conducting early detection surveys in adjacent red pine stands. In addition, a draft HRD Advisory is being reviewed by the FRD Management Team. The advisory will assist field staff in assessing HRD risk and provide guidance on treatment options.

- Oak wilt: Efforts continue statewide to detect and confirm oak wilt. In 2016, 34 oak wilt areas were treated on state land, where nearly 30,000 feet of root graft barriers were installed with a vibratory plow. All red oak trees within the treated areas were removed via post-treatment timber sales. Monitoring will continue in the U.P. in 2017. Staff are strongly encouraged to report suspected oak wilt areas to the Forest Health Program, as early detection and treatment can avoid significant losses from this fast-moving disease.

- Beech bark disease: FRD continues to work with USFS researchers to identify BBD-resistant beech trees in hard-hit areas of the state. Progress continues in developing resistant hybrids, including efforts to develop a containerized seed orchard of resistant U.P. genotypes to speed production of restoration-quality seedlings.

14 of 15

- With the retirement of Dr. Bob Heyd in December, the Forest Health Program is currently down 2 staff members (Ron Murray retired in 2015). Scott Lint is currently acting in the position, as well as continuing to handle duties statewide as forest health technician.

CFM Foresters have received over 22,000 acres of Commercial Forest enrollment applications to inspect/review this

summer state-wide. There are over 6,800 acres of enrollment applications for the west UP, 14,500 in the east UP and 820 acres downstate.

The division is working on a project in cooperation with the USFS, NRCS, Conservation Districts, Forest Industry, Sportsmen’s Clubs, and Private Landowners, to establish an ongoing series of newsletters and training sessions for private landowner, professional foresters, and biologists regarding wildlife habitat enhancement through carefully designed silvicultural practices. To date, two forums have been held in the UP. The third forum is scheduled for May 8 at the Ottawa Sportsmen Club just west of Baraga. The featured speakers will be from the Predator Prey Study Group. A Moose Forum is scheduled for August 10 at the Red Rocks Lanes and Banquette Center. The featured speakers will be Dr. Vince Crichton, Manitoba, and Dr. Dean Beyer, DNR.

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Lt. Pete Wright, District 1 Law Supervisor Recruit School 8 is slated to begin in mid-July. We have an excellent pool of candidates and are in the process of conducting final interviews and getting conditional offers of employment out. Other happenings in the district: CO Ethen Mapes reported that an illegally taken bear case that occurred in 2016 has been adjudicated. Two

Ontonagon County men were sentenced on the charges of taking a black bear without a license and out of season. One individual was ordered to pay $2,939.78 and the other $3,070.00. Both had three day jail sentences suspended so long as they comply with all terms of their probation.

CO Brian Lasanen was the closest unit to a call of a personal injury (PI) accident involving a motorcycle vs deer. CO Lasanen arrived on scene, assessed the situation and provided first aid for the injured rider. CO Lasanen applied direct pressure to a laceration on the victims head until paramedics arrived.

CO Ethen Mapes was on patrol near the village of Ontonagon when he witnessed a vehicle being operated in the opposite lane. CO Mapes could see the driver was struggling to keep the vehicle on the roadway and conducted a traffic stop. After his roadside investigation, the driver was placed under arrest for driving without a valid driver’s license as well as operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .17 or higher.

COs Nathan Sink and Ethen Mapes hiked into the Little Carp and Big Carp Rivers in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. The fish were running and many anglers made the hike to enjoy the rivers. There was a high compliance with fishing regulations and a few warnings were given: littering, dogs off leashes, and failure to carry fishing license on one’s person. CO Sink and Mapes hiked over 8 miles and made some very good contacts among other hikers and anglers who were recreating in the park.

CO Ethen Mapes conducted a foot patrol along the Misery River and tributaries to Lake Superior near Silver City in Ontonagon County. CO Mapes contacted a hand full of anglers enjoying the spring steelhead run. Anglers were having some success and were in compliance with fishing rules and regulations.

While patrolling Lac View Desert Lake, CO Shannon Kritz observed two subjects fishing. Contact was made with the subjects and four jig poles were observed being used. The older subject told CO Kritz he was with his future son-in-law and was just teaching him how to ice fish since he was from down south. He stated that his son-in-law had not been fishing and that all four lines were his. The father-in-law was cited for fishing with too many lines and the son-in-law purchased his fishing license through the mobile app so he could fish legally.

CO Nathan Sink received a complaint of ORV’s driving around a closed gate on National Forest property, tearing up the land and taking firewood. As CO Sink arrived at the location to investigate the damage, the individual responsible for the illegal activity was observed coming out of the closed area with a load of firewood on his ORV. Enforcement action was taken after a quick confession was obtained.

15 of 15

Public Information Office: John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer Video has been posted online of Michigan Natural Resources Commission members John Matonich of Bessemer and

J.R. Richardson of Ontonagon in their recent appearance on “Ask the DNR.” The two commissioners, along with the DNR’s George Madison and Marc Pomroy answered questions from viewers of the hour-long program live. The video is available online at: http://wnmuvideo.nmu.edu/show/ask-dnr/

The DNR’s weekly “Outdoors North” column continues to appear in The Mining Journal and Escanaba Daily Press,

with positive feedback from editors and readers. Our “Showcasing the DNR” series has continued to be successful, with several recent stories featuring U.P. topics

and people. Several additional U.P. stories are scheduled over the next few weeks and months. Find out more at www.michigan.gov/dnrstories.

A recent media briefing was held in the Marquette DNR office to provide information, photos and video from the

DNR’s recent moose survey. Another briefing has been set for May 10 in Marquette, to brief reporters on preparation for fire season.