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Western Upper Peninsula Citizen Advisory Council DNR Division Reports Date of Production: July 2018 This documentation is provided by Michigan DNR staff as a supplement to verbal reports that will be distributed to the Western UPCAC at the July 17, 2018 meeting in Houghton, MI.

DNR Public Meetings July 10 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, Raber Area Sportsmen’s Club-Goetzville, 6:00pm

July 11 Forestry Compartment Review-Baraga Unit, DNR Office-Baraga, 9:00am

July 12 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Lansing

July 17 Western UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, Michigan Tech University-Houghton, 5:30pm

July 24 Pilgrim River Forest/Forest Legacy Project Ceremony, Houghton Area, 11:00am

August 1 Eastern UP Citizen’s Advisory Council Meeting, LMAS Health Dept-Newberry, 6:00pm

August 9 Natural Resources Commission Meeting, Lansing

August 15 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Board Meeting, Escanaba, 9:00am

August 15 Forestry Open House-Escanaba Unit, DNR Office-Stephenson, 3:00pm CDT

August 23 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Office-Shingleton, 6:00pm

August 28 UP Sportsperson Coalition Meeting, DNR Office-Crystal Falls, 6:00pm CDT

U.P. State Park & State Sponsored Activities July 10 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Remembering the Barnes-Hecker Tragedy

July 13 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Iron Ore Heritage Trail Bike Tour

July 14 Baraga State Park-Kayaking 101 and 102

July 17 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Michigan Wolves: Myths vs. Facts

July 20 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Iron Ore Heritage Trail Bike Tour

July 20 Indian Lake State Park-Bob Hausler, Musician

July 22 Fort Wilkins Historic State Park-Eagle Harbor Life Saving Station Open House

July 22 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Sate Park-UP Stepping Stone in Stained Glass

July 24 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-The Immigrant Experience in the UP

July 26 Straits Stat Park-NWTF Intro to Turkey Hunting Clinic

July 27 Fort Wilkins Historic State Park-Battery D Michigan Light Artillery Living History Civil War Encampment

July 27 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Iron Ore Heritage Trail Bike Tour

July 27 Indian Lake State Park-NWTF Intro to Turkey Hunting Clinic

July 27 Baraga State Park-Christmas in July

July 27 Wells State Park-Christmas in July

July 28 Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Sate Park-Stitching and Dyeing the Shibori Way

July 28 Palms Book State Park-Family Fun Day

July 31 Michigan Iron Industry Museum-Yooper Talk: Dialect as Identity in Michigan’s UP

August 13-19 DNR Pocket Park Open during the UP State Fair-PLEASE CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING!

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

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Season Dates & Reminders July 1 May apply for fall turkey hunts

July 8 Dog training opens; may also use dogs for night hunting (see p. 48)

July 15 May apply for an antlerless deer license

▪ Can also apply for reserved deer hunts

▪ Youth 10-16 may purchase one junior antlerless license, over the counter

July 15 Opener for turtle seasons (snappers and softshells)

August 1 Crow season re-opens (open dates are 8/1 – 9/30 and 2/1 – 3/31)

August 1 Deadline for fall turkey applications

August 1 May apply for reserved waterfowl hunts

August 1 Hunting & Trapping Digests available at license agents

August 1 Hook & lure size/weight restrictions begin on all streams (through 5/31, see p. 11)

August 10 May place bear blinds in Zone 1 and may place bear baits in Zone 1

August 13 Fall turkey drawing results posted on website

August 15 Deadline for antlerless deer applications (also reserved deer hunts)

August 17 May place bear blinds in Zone 2 (see Bear Digest for baiting dates)

August 20 Leftover turkey licenses on sale (for unsuccessful applicants, others on 8/27)

August 28 Deadline to apply for reserved waterfowl

Recent DNR Press Releases

For full details, go to: www.michigan.gov/dnrpressroom

▪ Fish webcam, CO recruit school, Natural Resources Commission meeting & more (7/9/18)

▪ Showcasing the DNR: Get a behind-the-scenes look at park search and rescue (7/5/18)

▪ Weekly fishing tips, bear plan update and invasive species help (7/2/18)

▪ Turkey hunting update – spring and fall seasons (6/29/18)

▪ Enbridge submits final three Line 5 reports to state of Michigan (6/29/18)

▪ Invasive species outreach events at boat launches June 30-July 8 (6/28/18)

▪ Showcasing the DNR: Take a trip t the past with “Future Historians” (6/28/18)

▪ State park volunteer opportunities, input on state forests (6/27/18)

▪ Results of 2018 elk and bear hunt drawings now available (6/26/18)

▪ Cleveland-Cliffs dam project to affect Deer Lake near Ishpeming (6/22/18)

▪ Fur harvesting update (6/22/18)

▪ Showcasing the DNR: Michigan Upper Peninsula state park weddings (6/21/18)

▪ First case of chronic wasting disease suspected in Jackson County (6/21/18)

▪ Lily Pond public access site closed because of storm damage (6/17/18)

▪ Fall construction closures to affect reservations at F.J. McLain State Park in Houghton County (6/15/18)

▪ Construction work to continue through summer at Laughing Whitefish Falls in Alger County (6/15/18)

▪ Winter survey shows healthy Michigan wolf population (6/14/18)

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

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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 June 6th at Little Bear Arena in St. Ignace. A presentation by DNR’s Jason Fleming on the firewood movement update was provided on behalf of the Firewood Movement Subcommittee. Updates were provided on cormorants, CWD communication, UP public road inventory public comment options, and invasive carp. The DNR’s new forest health specialist Simeon Wright introduced himself and gave a brief update on the latest forest health issues in the state. A new muskie registration and call-in system was also described. The next meeting of the EUPCAC will be on August 1st in Newberry.

The Natural Resources Commission met in Lansing on July 12th. Major actions:

• The Commission approved Antlerless Deer License Quotas. The commission discussed adding antlerless licenses in Upper Peninsula Deer Management Units in Iron, Dickinson, and Menominee counties. However, the commission decided against those additional licenses because there was not enough time for the public to review and comment.

• Director Keith Creagh approved the sale of less than a half-acre of DNR-managed public land in Ogemaw County.

The first meeting of the day was of the Marketing, Partnership, Youth and Outreach Advisory Committee. Marketing and Outreach Chief Kristin Phillips told the committee about the Pathways program, which allows students to learn about careers in natural resources. Among other things, the program helps the DNR develop a more diverse pool of candidates for future employment around natural resources. Kristin told the committee about the Marketing and Outreach Division and Public Information Office 2017 Accomplishments Report. Among the highlights: last year we had 500,000 people come through our visitor centers, a 23 percent increase over 2016; 110,000 people participated in our education programs, up 9 percent from 2016; we reached 1.2 million email subscribers, up 15 percent over the previous year. Our call center received and answered 24,000 phone calls, about 5,500 per staff member. We had more than 98 million social media impressions. We helped prepare and distribute over 600 communications, including weekly “Showcasing the DNR” feature stories that offer an in-depth look on the department’s work and Michigan’s natural resources. This year 12 convention and visitor bureaus partnered with the department to promote outdoor recreation deals and discounts, Kristin said. The Michigan Wildlife Council is continuing its mission -- through sophisticated digital marketing efforts -- of informing the public about the critical role hunting, trapping and fishing play in conservation. Ami VanAntwerp of the Marketing and Outreach Division talked about the Parks and Recreation Division’s celebration of its centennial, which will occur next year. The goals of the campaign are to raise $510,000 and increase awareness of state parks. The plan is to tell the story of state parks through the people who visit them, encourage people to share their stories and solicit donations throughout the centennial year. A possible tag line for the campaign is: “Look back; give forward.” Nick Dohm of the Forest Resources Division talked about the Department’s drone program, developed in consultation with multiple divisions and now operated by FRD. The department has identified four pilots for the unmanned aircraft systems and has instituted a training regimen for the pilots, who are dispersed regionally around the state. Some potential uses for drones: forest fire and prescribed burn monitoring; thermal imaging; marketing; habitat evaluation; emergency response; law enforcement; coastal erosion monitoring; forest pest monitoring and mapping. Tom Weston of Marketing and Outreach Division talked about the department’s ongoing partnership with the Wardens show on the Outdoor Channel. We signed a contract in 2017 with the Outdoor Channel to highlight the work of our conservation officers and the work of our other divisions. The result is a wholistic picture of not only natural resource enforcement but natural resource management. Some 30 episodes have been produced. In the first full year of 2017, the

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

Eastern UPCAC Update

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show saw 10.2 million viewers. The Outdoor Channel would like to renew its contract with the department for another two years. The department is continuing negotiations on that proposal. Next, the Policy Committee on Wildlife and Fisheries met. Assistant Fisheries Chief Todd Grischke told the committee about reassignment of Atlantic salmon production. Because of the need for more production capacity, the division has assigned additional rearing to the Harietta State Fish Hatchery. The reduction of brown trout production at Harietta has freed up raceway space for salmon rearing. Those salmon should be in the water by 2020. Walleye production relies on external rearing ponds, which makes production subject to variable weather conditions, Todd said. This spring’s water levels and weather have reduced production in walleye ponds across the state. Walleye production remains in range, but some areas may not be stocked to full capacity. The Research Vessel Char out of Marquette recently had an accident in rough seas and sustained prop damage when it struck a tree in the lake, Todd reported. The vessel has been repaired and was back on the water as of today. Wildlife Chief Russ Mason told the committee that next week wildlife chiefs from across the Midwest will get together at Rose Lake. Wildlife Services has started to collect samples in Jackson County around the latest free-ranging deer found to be positive for chronic wasting disease. Meat from the animals being collected is going to the Binder Park Zoo. Test results will be available soon. The department’s Wildlife and Marketing and Outreach divisions recently received the Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Excellence in Conservation Award for its public engagement strategy around CWD. A Land Use Order that will be before the director for a decision at next month’s meeting would restrict motorized vehicle use on two of our Grouse Enhanced Management Systems (GEMS): The Ralph GEMS and the Bill Rollo Memorial GEMS, both in the Upper Peninsula. The proposed restriction would reduce the potential for motorized vehicle accidents and protect wildlife habitat. Dennis Tison of the Wildlife Division talked about a dedicated area within the Sharonville State Game Area in Jackson and Washtenaw counties. The area is set aside for hunting through the Michigan Operation Freedom Outdoors program. Called the Pierce Road Unit, the 600-acre patch of land allows for hunters with health and physical challenges to get into the field and provides for a high-quality deer hunting experience without competition with other hunters. There has been no biological impact from hunting in the special unit, and participants have been grateful for the experience, Dennis said. One participant wrote: “I went hunting with my dad and Papa from five years old. I never missed a year until last year because I couldn’t walk in the woods. I felt depressed knowing I would never be able to hunt again. My son found out about this and it was a Godsend.” In the Committee of the Whole, Chad Stewart of Wildlife recapped deer regulations, aimed at addressing chronic wasting disease in Michigan’s deer herd. The regulations 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 includes three counties that were added to the previous 13-county Management Zone as a result of finding an additional CWD-positive deer in Jackson County. The additional counties are Jackson, Calhoun and Hillsdale.

• A ban on baiting and feeding in the Lower Peninsula, effective January 31, 2019, with an exception to this ban for disabled hunters. The start date on this regulation is intended to allow bait producers and retailers time to adjust to the new rule.

• A four-day early firearms season in the CWD Management Zone in early October. Although this was among the department’s suggested regulations, the Commission asked that this recommendation be removed from the department’s proposal.

• Allowing all legal firearms to be used in muzzleloader season in the 16-county CWD Management Zone.

• Carcass movement restrictions in a five-county CWD Core Zone.

• Antlerless options on deer licenses/combo licenses during firearms seasons in the five-county CWD Core Zone.

• Expansion of early and late antlerless seasons in select counties.

• Rehabilitation regulations. These proposed regulations will be decided at next month’s NRC meeting. Commissioners proposed a number of amendments to the proposed regulations. Those amendments will be considered next month as well. The department’s surveillance goal in the 16-county Management Zone is to take 15,035 deer to help determine where CWD exists. In addition, the division is looking to collect 600-some deer in the western-most counties of the Upper Peninsula, mostly using crop damage control permits during the summer.

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Steve Chadwick of the Wildlife Division talked about the department’s surveillance strategy. The department has found that compliance with mandatory deer check decreases as time goes on. The department’s proposed surveillance plan would rely on voluntary hunter compliance and seek to collect samples where we know hunters are located – by working directly with meat processors and taxidermists; expanding check stations in the 16-county Management Zone; and establishing drop boxes where hunters can leave deer heads and fill out information. Marketing and Outreach Chief Kristin Phillips talked about the department’s CWD communications strategy, which will be critical to success of CWD management. Our topline messages:

▪ The DNR is taking deliberate actions – and we need your help. ▪ We want you to keep hunting – you are an important deer manager. ▪ Get your deer tested – there are many options. ▪ Be responsible with carcass movement and disposal.

Resource Deputy Bill O’Neill presented some metrics and measures the department plans to use to determine the success of our CWD strategy. These are designed to measure progress on our primary management goals:

▪ Preserve deer hunting opportunities for future generations ▪ Slow the spread of disease ▪ Maintain low prevalence rate ▪ Continue a strong and transparent communication process ▪ Fill information gaps in our knowledge of CWD science and management

Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler presented a life-saving award to Conservation Officers Andrea Albert and Steve Butzin of Antrim County. On Jan. 6, 2018, the two were patrolling Pinney Bridge Road on snowmobiles when they observed an accident involving two snowmobilers. CO Butzin found one of the snowmobilers, a female passenger, face down in the Jordan River. He rolled the passenger over to keep her head above water. She was unconscious and unresponsive. A civilian snowmobiler was able to rescue the second snowmobiler, a male who was also face down in the river. CO Albert contacted Antrim County Dispatch and helped administer first-aid, especially to the seriously injured female. EMS arrived and the victims were transported out, with the more seriously injured passenger airlifted to Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Both victims have fully recovered.

PA 238-240 (SB 302-302 and HB 4475) – State Managed Public Land Strategy– Sen. Casperson, Booher and Rep.

Howell

These acts amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to codify the state’s managed public land

strategy. The acts prohibit the Department from acquiring land north of the Mason-Arenac line if any state PILT

payments, commercial forestland payments, or payments on tax-reverted land are not paid in full and on time. Further, the

acts provide counties or townships the ability to prohibit the Department from acquiring land where 40% of that local

jurisdiction’s land is either owned by the state, federal government, or in commercial forestland. These acts would also

require the Department to give written notice in a newspaper publication and to provide an opportunity for a public

meeting when disposing, acquiring, leasing or significantly developing land more than 80 acres in size.

Public Act 240 (SB 303) amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to expand the acceptable uses

of the land exchange facilitation fund to pay for surveys and environmental assessments incurred by the Department in

land transactions, as well as the costs of managing the natural resources for public recreation activities and development

projects on department managed lands.

PA 209 (HB 5638) – Water Withdrawal Tool– Rep. Miller

This act amends Part 327 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to provide an alternative route for a

property owner to submit a water withdrawal assessment. Instead of a request for a site-specific review, the act allows a

property owner to submit to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) the data used when entering the required

fields of the Online Assessment Tool. The act gives options to the property owner to submit either registration for a

proposed withdrawal that will draw water from aquifers separated from glacial aquifers by bedrock or an analysis by a

professional hydrologist demonstrating that the withdrawal is unlikely to cause an adverse resource impact.

July 2018 Legislative Update – Anna Mooney, Legislative & Legal Affairs Office

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Under this act, the DEQ will have to provide the property owner an acknowledgement of receipt within 20 working days

after the data and analyses related to the proposed withdrawal are received.

PA 272 (HB 5417) – Transporting of a Bow – Rep. Johnson

This act amends the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual to transport a bow or

crossbow in their vehicle without having to be unstrung, enclosed in a case or carried in the trunk of the car if it is

unloaded and uncocked.

HB 5903-5904 – Pollinator Council– Rep. Cochran and Maturen

These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to create a Pollinator Advisory

Council within the Department of Natural Resources. Under the legislation, the council would advise the department on

pollinator health and would provide assistance in implementing the pollinator protection plan.

• These bills were referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 5994 – Personal Watercraft Operator Requirements– Rep. Webber

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require an individual that is 14-16

years-old operating a personal watercraft be accompanied by a parent or guardian or designee that is at least 21 years-old.

Both individuals would be required to have obtained a boater safety certificate.

• This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6045 – Free Hunting and Fishing License for Veterans – Rep. McCready

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual that is retired

from a branch of the armed forces to obtain a hunting and/or fishing license at no cost.

• This bill was referred to the House Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6124-6125 – Recreation Passport – Rep. Victory

These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act and the Motor Vehicle Code to allow

to expand where Recreation Passports are needed. This legislation would require an individual at a State Trailhead and a

State Forest Campground to have a Recreation Passport.

• These bills were referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6133 – Antlerless Deer Permits – Rep. VanderWall

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to allow an individual who obtains a

private-land antlerless deer license to transfer that license to an immediate family member.

• This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6153 – Repeal of Obsolete Ruleset – Rep. Rendon

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to repeal obsolete requirements and

rulemaking authority for the Forest and Mineral Resources Development Fund.

• This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6187, 6199-6201 – Straits of Mackinac Safety, Protection and Accountability – Rep. Allor, Cole, and Chatfield

These bills seek to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act and the Code of Criminal Procedure

to provide additional protections for the Great Lakes in the Straits of Mackinac where pipelines exist. HB 6187 would

require the Department of Natural Resources to install markers, buoys or other signage to indicate to an operator of a

vessel that they are in an area where an anchor or other vessel equipment is currently prohibited.

HB 6200 would prohibit the dragging, setting or use of an anchor by a vessel in the Straits of Mackinac, unless granted

permission by the Director. HB 6199 would provide clear penalties for an operator of a vessel that is knowingly dragging

or using an anchor in an area where it is prohibited, unless by emergency order. Lastly, HB 6201 would require that an

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owner, operator or manager of a Straits gas or oil pipeline from which a release occurs notify the Department of

Environmental Quality immediately. The owner or operator of the pipeline would then be required to submit subsequent

reports on the cause of the release, discovery of the release and the response measures taken to prevent reoccurrence or a

schedule for completion of measures to take place.

• These bills were referred to the House Committee on Michigan Competitiveness.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6196 – Chronic Wasting Disease – Rep. Albert

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural

Resources (DNR) to establish locations where individuals may drop off deer carcasses in each area of the state where deer

have been diagnosed with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The bill would also require the DNR to establish and post to

their website recommendations for the appropriate way to dispose of a deer carcass.

• This bill was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

HB 6205-6214, 6216 – Animal Industry Act Rewrite – Rep. Lauwers, Howell, Victory, Alexander, Vaupel,

Wentworth, Calley, Barrett, Frederick and Cole.

These bills seek to amend the Animal Industry Act and other various acts to make numerous updates and revisions. The

bills would clarify the indemnification process for a livestock or domestic animal owner. The legislation codifies certain

duties and requirements of the State Veterinarian.

• These bills were referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

• The Administration has not taken a position on this legislation.

SB 1072 –Prohibited Species List – Sen. Kowall

This bill seeks to amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to require the Department of Natural

Resources (DNR) to maintain a “Prohibited and Restricted Species” list. The bill would also require registration of all

businesses engaged in selling aquatic organisms and would require record retention in a manner described by the DNR.

The bill would also codify in statute DNR Fisheries Order for Fish Disease Control.

• This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources.

• 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.

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 western UP Open Houses will be on August 15th for the Escanaba Unit and September 26th for the Gwinn Unit.

▪ As of June 28th, 383 timber sale contracts are open WUP Wide. This represents 799,475 cords of timber on 47,475

acres, valued at approximately $41.8 million.

▪ WUP units report 12 Active Timber Sales in the WUP totaling about 778 acres. Units report the demand for hardwood saw logs remains strong, hardwood pulp is steady and softwood pulp has been soft.

▪ Forest health issues have been relatively quiet based on recent reports from the west UP. ­ Reports of brown red pine lower canopies in western Baraga county. So far it appears this may be general tree

stress and environmental damage rather than a specific disease or insect issue, although more follow up is needed.

Division Updates

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­ Large numbers of Dichelonyx beetles have been reported feeding on leaves. They are noticed due to their large size and metallic color, but generally do not cause enough damage to impact tree health.

­ Oak wilt symptoms are expected to show up soon in Dickinson, Menominee and Iron counties. The MI DNR forest health program plans to continue treatment of oak wilt pockets with vibratory plow lines this fall.

­ Aerial survey efforts are planned for July in order to detect other issues.

▪ Spring reforestation efforts in the WUP included 850,000 red and jack pine seedlings planted on 925 acres of state forest land as follow-up treatment after these acres were harvested in recent years. 30,000 white pine were planted on about 133 acres of state forest land in Dickinson County to enhance wildlife habitat values.

Fisheries Division: George Madison, Western Lake Superior Management Unit The following are the western Upper Peninsula fisheries division highlights for the period of May 18, 2018 through July 16, 2018. Escanaba Field Office (Darren Kramer) ▪ The Menominee dam sturgeon lift and transfer season wrapped up the last week of May. A total of 24 adult lake

sturgeon were transferred upstream. ▪ Fertilized and maintained walleye rearing ponds in May and June. ▪ Completed discretionary and Status and Trends lake surveys in May and June. ▪ Harvested spring fingerling walleye ponds the weeks of July 2, 9 and stocked eastern, central, and western unit

waters. ▪ Lake sturgeon streamside rearing facility on the Cedar River is operating again this summer. Approximately 300

juvenile lake sturgeon were in the facility as of July 1st. ▪ Assisted DEQ with road and stream crossing site visits/inventory in Houghton County after the June flood event. Baraga Customer Service Center (George Madison) ▪ Lake Superior Basin Team meeting in Gaylord, partnering with the Lake Huron Basin Team. ▪ Federal coaster brook trout stocking at Marquette, 5,000 yearling fish. ▪ Lake Gogebic stakeholder meeting, to discuss results of 2017 netting survey and creel census program. ▪ Fisheries netting surveys; Lake Medora (Keweenaw County, Silver Lake Basin (Marquette County), Perch Lake (Iron

County), Hannah-Webb (Iron County) Emily Lake (Houghton County), Beatons Lake (Gogebic County. ▪ Lots of restoration work associated with the Houghton/Hancock flood event. ▪ Lake association meetings; Beatons Lake property owners, Ontonagon sport fishing club, Dead River Campers Inc. Marquette and Thompson State Fish Hatcheries (Mr. Jan VanAmberg) Thompson State Fish Hatchery

▪ Fish Culture ­ Fisheries technician Ryan Lytle has accepted a position in Texas. His last day at Thompson Hatchery is July 5th.

Hatchery will be short staffed for at least the month of July. ­ Spring stocking was completed in early June, a week or two delayed due to late spring. All stocking

assignments were meet or exceeded. ­ This was the first year of a five-year study were all our steelhead were AD clipped and over ½ were clipped

and coded-wire-tagged. Results over the next 7 to 8 years will define movement patterns, rates of natural reproduction etc.

▪ Maintenance ­ The first phase of construction of the new coolwater hatchery is expected to begin before the end of the

month. The only construction work scheduled this year is drilling of three new production wells to serve the planned coolwater production facility. Water production levels are needed to finish the rest of the engineering. Expect construction of new incubation building and extensive rearing ponds to begin in 2019.

­ Local Forest Resource Division staff and the Newberry Parks and Recreation Equipment crew collaborated with the hatchery staff to build a new road into a new well site for the new hatchery.

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­ Crew has been working on a couple of cement repair projects. One on the apron by the settling pond undermined by muskrats. Required excavation and a new cement pour. The other was a leaking drain pipe on the outlet of the settling pond.

Marquette State Fish Hatchery

▪ Fish Culture ­ Spring stocking was completed in late May, a week or two delayed due to late spring. All stocking assignments

were meet or exceeded. ­ Working on an agreement with USFWS to transfer our Great Lakes lake trout stocking assignment for northern

Lake Huron. The plan is to transfer ½ of the assignment next year and all of it in 2020. Concurrently working on arrangements to fin-clip the fish to be stocked in 2019.

▪ Maintenance ­ Crew installed a new grate below the bridge to exclude wild salmonids from migrating up into the hatchery. ­ Parks and Recreation equipment crew is scheduled to do site work this summer to correct water drainage

issues around the culvert at the hatchery entrance. Marquette Fisheries Research Station (Dr. Troy Zorn, Dr. Ed Baker) ▪ Crews spend a couple of days electrofishing for brook trout in the Pilgrim River, capturing fish to implant PIT tags for

a fish movement study with MTU. ▪ We also spent part of a day boomshocking the lower Cedar R to get genetics from smallmouth bass for a

collaborative study with UWSP and WDNR. ▪ The RV Lake Char has completed the spring lake trout survey and was in the middle of the siscowet lake trout survey

when the vessel struck a submerged log 23 miles offshore from Munising and bent one of the props. Thanks to the Pictured Rocks Boat Cruises staff the Lake Char was lifted in Munising, the props removed, and they are currently being repaired and tuned. The props should be back on the boat by July 11 and the survey work will resume at that time.

▪ Brook trout streams will be sampled in July with electrofishing gear in support of ongoing analysis of the brook trout bag limit.

▪ Sturgeon gamete collections and adult tagging were completed in the Sturgeon River. However, eggs were only collected from 3 females. Poor egg hatch forced implementation of plan B-the collection of larval lake sturgeon-to supply fish for the rearing trailer on the Ontonagon River. Over 3 nights approximately 1,000 larval lake sturgeon were captured from the Sturgeon River and these fish are now in the rearing trailer.

Office/Lab/Workshop/Building Activities ▪ Staff are fully engaged in 2018 survey work ▪ Biologists continue working on data analysis, reports, manuscripts for journal publication, and proposal preparation

for GLFT and GLFWRA funding sources. ▪ Staff continues to work on net building/repair, equipment maintenance, etc. in between bouts of lab/fish aging. ▪ Zorn, Sitar, and Baker continue to work on population models for walleye, lake trout, whitefish, sturgeon, etc.

Wildlife Division: Terry Minzey, Wildlife Supervisor

▪ 2018 Turkey Season Update: The fall turkey season runs from September 15th to November 14th. The entire Upper Peninsula (Unit M) is open to spring and fall 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.

▪ Furbearer Regulations-New for 2018:

Bobcat bag limit is 2 per resident. ­ One kill tag is valid for all lands and all units combined. ­ A second kill tag is valid for Unit A ONLY, on private lands (excluding Commercial Forest lands). Fisher/marten bag limits and season dates have changed. ­ Season dates for fisher/marten are Dec. 7 - 16.

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­ New bag limit for fisher/marten is a combined bag limit of 2 per resident fur harvester, of which only 1 may be a fisher. (The fisher/marten kill tag can be used for 1 fisher OR 1 marten. The marten only kill tag can be used for 1 marten.)

New foothold trapping near exposed bait restrictions. ­ Foothold traps may not be used to trap furbearers within 20 feet of bait that is visible from more than 4 feet

above the bait. (Completely submerged foothold traps are exempt from this restriction.) ­ For purposes of this regulation, bait is defined as: any animal or animal parts, including dead fish, EXCEPT: dried

hide, fur, feathers, or bones that are less than 36 square inches in size and entirely free of meat may be used as a visual attractant.

▪ 2018 Bear Harvest License Quotas and Regulations: The NRC approved bear regulation and harvest quotas for this

two-year cycle on March 9th, 2017. License quotas and regulations will remain unchanged this fall. Staff are beginning to analyze data in preparation for the upcoming 2019-2020 bear season recommendations. Bear drawing results were posted on Monday, June 25th at http://www.michigan.gov/bear. Applicants can check their drawing results, leftover licenses and drawing statistics. The preference points needed to acquire a first hunt license in Gwinn went up one point (5-6 points). All other UP hunt period preference points remained the same as they were in 2017. In the Bergland Unit, 203 leftover licenses are available for the third hunt period.

▪ 2018 Deer Harvest Recommendations: The NRC has expressed interest in revisiting the U.P. antlerless license

quotas and archery harvest regulations. This reflects an increase in deer numbers due to easier winters and conservative harvests over the last 3 years, particularly in the south-central portions of the UP. Antlerless deer harvest recommendations have been forwarded to the NRC for consideration at upcoming meetings this summer.

▪ Peregrine Falcon Chick Banding: Falcons at the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge successfully raised a chick and

another pair on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, between Houghton and Hancock, raised 3 hatchlings. The chicks at the Lift Bridge were banded by a Michigan DNR team on June 26. Color-coded bands attached to the legs of young birds allow scientists to track movement, reproductive behavior and population growth of the falcons. Chicks in both locations were named and both nest boxes have webcams monitoring the bird’s activities. They remain listed as an endangered species in Michigan, with about 40 pair actively trying to nest statewide.

▪ Linbeck Lake Openings Dedicated as Curtis Grondin Memorial: This site on the Escanaba State Forest Unit, has a

long history of hunters accessing the property to target various game species, including wild-turkey. In 2013, the Department entered a partnership with SCI and NWTF dedicating an access site and hunter walking trails as a memorial to a passionate member and turkey hunter, Curtis Grondin. This project seeks to forestry mow over 100 acres of openings. Lack of fire and mowing for an extended period within the large grass openings have resulted in growth of shrubs and trees and a decline in the quality of habitat these openings provide to wildlife. Proposed practices are expected to set back woody encroachment and promote a species rich herbaceous cover. In addition to other wildlife benefits, these practices are expected to provide abundant insect food and create favorable turkey poult rearing grounds that also support predator avoidance strategies.

▪ Disease Update:

­ West Nile Virus: Research is beginning in the upper Midwest looking into the possibility that West Nile Virus could be impacting ruffed grouse populations. Minnesota and Wisconsin will be working with Michigan to sample ruffed grouse this year to determine whether there is a link between West Nile Virus and the downward trends in ruffed-grouse numbers in the last couple years when their 10-year cycle is usually increasing. In 2017, there were 12 grouse diagnosed with WNV in Michigan, prior to that only 1 bird had been diagnosed with disease.

­ Rabies: There is an increase in rabies prevalence in bats found in Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. As of June 28th, 22 bats and 2 skunks have tested positive for rabies, compared to 9 bats at the same time last year. Rabies is a viral disease of mammals that is transmitted through the bite of scratch of an infected animal. Bats and skunks are the most common carriers of rabies in Michigan. In 2017, there were 38 cases of rabies in animals in Michigan, including 35 bats, 2 skunks and 1 cat.

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Parks & Recreation Division: Doug Rich, WUP District Supervisor State Park/Recreation Area/Scenic Site/Forest Rec Units ▪ Baraga State Park: Park has been busy, camping is up approximately 12% YTD. Staff have been busy with severe

weather events as many campsites flooded on the Father’s Day storm. They were dry and reopened within a week. A seiche receded the water on Lake Superior the following Saturday and when the waters returned, they flooded the day use and the highway depositing a lot of debris. Some events, like Baraga County Spring Fling (200 approx.) and Baraga County Lake Trout Festival (225 approx.), were held and went very well. State forest campground sites, especially Big Eric and King Lake, have been busy.

▪ Bewabic State Park: Attendance was up or similar to 2017. Hot weather has increased day use/ beach use. One total shower has been remodeled, and one partial shower remodel has been completed at the park, as well as two new roofs on vault toilets at Squaw Lake state forest campground.

▪ Bond Falls Scenic Site: Revenue is up about 10%, even with the beach closures on Bond Falls Flowage for E. coli. ▪ Craig Lake State Park: Yurt stays have an increase of 25 nights YTD compared to FY17 at the end of June. Rustic

cabins have an increase of 9 nights. Camp nights are down by 24 nights. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The park was open the week of Memorial weekend which is late due to staffing

and the weather. We were 5 campsites shy of filling over the holiday weekend. The weather has been cool (cold) and no bugs in May, but the use is slow. The Memorial Day event in Fort Wilkins drew about 190 people for the Copper Harbor school children program by the Marine Honor Guard and various speakers. The tick study was performed at Fort Wilkins on May 31-June 1 with some ticks found and the small dark leg deer tick that causes several dieses was also found at our boat launch at Lake Fanny Hooe, which surprised the survey group.

▪ Lake Gogebic State Park: It has been a slow start to the camping season at Lake Gogebic. Some unfortunately timed rains storms have literally dampened this camping season for May and June. Customers are continuing to bring ash wood with bark attached into this park.

▪ McLain State Park: May had 457 camp nights, 57 mini cabin nights, 6 rustic cabin nights, and 4 shelter rentals. Day use numbers for the month were 8,156. June (as of June 27) had 597 camp nights, 74 mini cabins nights, 17 rustic cabin nights, and 12 shelter rentals. Day use numbers for the month were 9,757. The new bathroom building opened June 28th for public use.

▪ Menominee State Recreation Area: Use has been high at the site. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: Spring/summer usage at the campgrounds, cabins, backcountry and

day use area attendance are all up. Staff participated in search and rescue training along with the Coast Guard, Michigan State Police and Forest Service. Interior staff are currently working on clearing the trails, inspecting bridges and making contacts with backcountry users. Ontonagon 3rd and 4th grade classes planted pollinator gardens at the Union Bay Campground. The Friends of the Porkies raised funds and gifted the park a brand-new Rescue Argo for emergency calls and search efforts. The Friend's Folk School & Artist in Residence programs are in full swing. Lake of the Clouds erosion area/social trail mitigation project just wrapped up.

▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Camping usage is moderate, despite a late start, bugs, and flooding that have led to a slow start of the season. Flood and storm damage were slight in the campground, flooding of toilet building, cutting of blacktop and some tree damage occurred. Trails in the area were washed out in three spots; repairs have been made and the trail is open in the Twin Lakes area. Day use has been slow with late start of spring and closure of beach by the health department after the flood. Beaches were reopened on June 26th. A spring S.P.O.R.T. Ride was a huge success with 52 ORVs and over 70 riders attending. The ride included many miles of new trail recently opened to ORV usage by the U.S. Forest Service, which included the Sturgeon Gorge and the Sturgeon River Campground. Riders enjoyed cooking hotdogs over a campfire and the beautiful scenery at the river park where lunch was served.

▪ Van Riper State Park: Camp nights have an increase of 464 nights YTD compared to June 2017. Overnight lodging the park has a decrease of 2 nights YTD compared to June 2017. The Friends of Van Riper and Craig Lake State Parks, Inc. secured a bike pump track and it was delivered in June. Little Presque Isle/Harlow Lake Cabins have seen a decrease of 41 nights YTD compared to YTD June 2017. Little Presque Isle biking and hiking trail signage went up in June with a few last posts to be installed in the coming week.

▪ Wells State Park: New playground equipment was installed and donated by the friends group. A partnership with City of Menominee resulted in trees being installed for aesthetics at the Menominee boating access site. Camping for the months of May and June were higher than last year’s numbers. Camping is up 9% and cabin rental was also up 9%.

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▪ Baraga Field Office: Assisted with door lock installation and hazard tree removal at Baraga State Park, worked on the roof at Van Riper State Park’s concession, installed skid pier at Emily Lake state forest campground, and hauled gates to McLain State Park.

▪ Escanaba Field Office: The state forest campground season started slow; but has now picked up. Staff have begun replacing kiosk roofs at unit state forest campgrounds and other units too. Unit staff have removed several hazard trees as well.

Boating Reports (BAS = Boating Access Sites) ▪ Baraga State Park: Otter Lake and Otter Dam BAS has had very high-water levels, but water is receding. BAS sites

have been busy. ▪ Bond Falls Scenic Site: The boat launch on Bond Falls Flowage (UPPCO) was closed for a couple weeks due to E. coli

and coliform levels. ▪ McLain State Park: Lily pond and Bootjack BAS were damaged by the Father’s Day storm and are closed until

further notice. Lily pond BAS has been estimated at $93,000 to repair. ▪ Menominee State Recreation Area: Flooding damage from the Father’s Day Flood impacted two BAS sites in

Menominee county; working with the Escanaba Field Office to haul and spread gravel to fix parking lots. ▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: There is average use at the Union Bay and Big Iron BAS sites. Oman

Creek BAS has been rebuilt and dredged in time for the 4th of July holiday week. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: BAS sites are all open and had little damage from the storm event. Emily Lake’s BAS site had

its skid pier refurbished over the winter and now is in great shape due to an excellent job by the boating access crews.

▪ Van Riper State Park: Water drawn down by Cleveland Cliffs on Deer Lake Marquette County as they will be working on the dam all summer. Brown Road BAS skid pier repair work.

▪ Baraga Field Office: The ranger practiced driving for CDL, staff finished Oman Creek cleanup, project and dredge. ▪ Cedar River State Harbor: Installed broadside docking at the harbor for seasonal and transient boaters along the

break walls. ▪ Copper Harbor State Harbor: The BAS sites are open and grass mowing has begun. Steady use by area fishermen. ▪ Grant Township: Moving forward with the kayak launch. ▪ Copper Harbor Marina: Trust Fund request submitted. ▪ Eagle Harbor: The cost analysis study is slowly moving forward with their 50% report. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Escanaba staff assisted with the rebuild and armoring of Oman Creek BAS. Staff have made

several repairs to unit access sites, including road repairs, vault repairs, and skid pier repairs. Staff have also assisted with the dredging operations at Oman Creek.

Personnel News, Vacancies/Hires, Recognition ▪ Baraga State Park: All state workers (STW) are on and our second ranger was hired and began working in May.

MRS crew began on June 18. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Had to post a commissioned ranger position a second time after only two candidates accepted

an interview the first round. Unable to fill all STW positions. Sharing one STW on the boating crew between Bewabic and MRSRA.

▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: The park ranger position was closed on June 26 and we have 12 applicants to set up interviews for.

▪ McLain State Park: The park ranger transferred to the Porcupine Mountains, leaving the park one ranger short going into the busy season. Park staff have stepped up to cover.

▪ Menominee State Recreation Area: Unable to fill all STW positions. Sharing one STW on the boating crew between Bewabic and MRSRA.

▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: A staff member began working out of class as a ranger as the current ranger transferred from the Porkies to Pigeon River. McLain State Park’s ranger transferred to the Porkies. The hiring process has been started to fill the vacant ranger position. MRS work crew began working at the park in mid-June.

▪ Van Riper State Park: Supervisor Doug Barry transferred from Van Riper State Park to be the Supervisor at Orchard Beach State Park in the lower peninsula. The lead ranger is presently working out of class.

▪ Wells State Park: STW Luanne Rye-Peterson is recognized for her 25th year working for Wells State Park and the DNR.

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Other Issues, Challenges or Items of Note ▪ Baraga State Park: Wet campsites and electrical pedestal breakers tripping or needing replacement continue to be

a challenge. Storms have become a challenge with cleanup, wet campsites, and staff time after storms. The Houghton County Trails Incident is requiring a significant amount of time from the trails STW, park supervisor and park accounting assistant. STW hiring was difficult. It took three rounds of postings to get all STWs hired. The park supervisor is also assisting with some of the duties for Van Riper State Park until that position is filled. The park supervisor organized a NASAR Search and Rescue Training held at a nearby facility for many western UP and Parks and Recreation Division (PRD) staff, along with other local agency staff (Coast Guard, MSP and Forest Service). The training will hopefully assist PRD field staff with the ever-increasing number of local incidents. Staff also attended Michigan Cares for Tourism planning meeting at Fort Wilkins.

▪ Bewabic State Park/Menominee State Recreation Area: Hiring STWs has been the main challenge. ▪ Bond Falls Scenic Site: The area has had some fee pipe vandalism, cameras and self-registration envelope audits

have been done. The fee pipe is changed/emptied daily. It has not been a continued issue. High water levels and subsequent E. coli and coliform levels on Bond Falls Flowage (beach closures) caused an immense volume of phone calls regarding site closure and UPPCO campground status. Our site was not closed and remained open for waterfall viewing. STW hiring was difficult. It took three rounds of postings to get all STWs hired.

▪ Lake Gogebic State Park: Continuing the pattern of leaking main water lines. Several leaks have been detected and repaired during this reporting period. Campsites continue to suffer from poor drainage making it necessary to close sites during and after rain events. Staff are making plans to address. Still short one STW position. A third posting has gone out to the local papers, schools, colleges, etc.

▪ Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park: New/continued erosion issues along M-107. The Ontonagon County Road Commission is working to address major problem areas. Removed broken swing set from Union Bay campground. There is now no playground equipment at either campground at the Porkies. The Union Bay Shoreline has been opened and closed due to high E. coli levels stemming from the major storm events in Gogebic & Houghton Counties.

▪ Twin Lakes State Park: During strong storm events, the toilet building floods and causes a lot of maintenance for staff.

▪ Wells State Park: Had a valve in the lagoon fail before we were able to discharge. ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Filling all STW hours is a continued problem. Multi-Use Trails ▪ Baraga State Park: There was significant damage to the Houghton – Chassell trail that is being evaluated and

addressed. ▪ Bond Falls Scenic Site: There was no trail damage due to the high-water levels. ▪ Baraga Field Office: Assisted with hauling equipment and materials and assessment for Houghton County Trails

Incident. ORV Trails ▪ Baraga State Park: Use has been very high. Two trail clubs had organized rides in June, one had 60 people, the

other had 70, along with local use and riders staying in the campground. ▪ Bewabic State Park: Staff have to deal with lots of garbage at the ORV trail heads. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: A great Sport Ride was held this June with over 110 miles traveled over the course of the

day. Park retrieved two machines that broke down on the trail. Everyone had a great lunch at the Sturgeon River Campground and then returned back to Twin Lakes. Trail conditions were good but were very dusty. Staff worked with the Forest Resources Division to repair the washouts in the Twin Lakes area within the first week after the storm event that occurred in June.

▪ Wells State Park: Trails were impacted on the forest island trail when we had the state of emergency due to the June storm. Parts of the trail are inaccessible for people to pass; we are working on assessing the damage.

▪ Baraga Field Office: Assisted with hauling equipment and materials and assessment for Houghton County Trails Incident.

▪ Houghton County: Trails were severely impacted by the Father’s Day storm that hit the Keweenaw Peninsula. An incident command post was established to address all the damage issues. The storm damaged up to 60 miles of trails in Houghton County with estimates of up to $20,000,000 worth of damage.

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Snowmobile Trails ▪ Baraga State Park: We are having some issues with ORV’s trying to utilize snowmobile routes to access the village of

L’Anse and getting stuck as this route is swamp in the summer. ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Weekly contact with the local snowmobile club about trail conditions after the storm event. Equestrian Trails ▪ Twin Lakes State Park: Met with the Mi-TRALE equestrian group and went over proposed roads and trails that

could be use by the group. They will be submitting their trail proposal soon. Pike Lake area would offer some great riding opportunities to the group.

Pathways ▪ Escanaba Field Office: Unit staff continually works with local volunteer groups to take on new and complete existing

projects at Days River Pathway. Trespass and Acquisition Report ▪ Craig Lake State Park: Per the Attorney General’s office, " continue to use N. Nestoria Road for public access and

egress to the park." Planning Report ▪ Baraga State Park: Design is 90% complete for upgrades to the campground’s electric and wet well utility

infrastructure. ▪ Fort Wilkins Historic State Park: Continue to plan for the Michigan Cares group who will be hosting their one-day

work bee at Fort Wilkins in September. We have had our Monthly District meetings. Attended the Belle Island historic planning team meeting. A Baraga district meeting was held in Alberta.

▪ McLain State Park: Phase 1 critical infrastructure relocations including a new toilet shower building and 20 new campsites was completed on July 1, 2018. Phase II critical infrastructure relocations including a new park entrance, contact station, and 16 additional modern campsites has been successfully bid out. Phase II construction is proposed to begin August 1, 2018.

▪ Van Riper State Park: Water treatment and supply upgrades is confirmed as a fall 2018 project which will shut water down early at Van Riper State Park. Water will be turned off for visitors beginning September 17, 2018 and Van Riper will only host two harvest festival weekends for 2018 instead of three weekends. A mandatory pre-bid meeting was held for potential bidders.

▪ Van Riper State Park Beach Building: Lighting and hand dryer upgrades in all areas of the restrooms were completed by contractors. The building is currently undergoing painting of the interior and the exterior will be completed in the future by contractors.

▪ Van Riper State Park Bicycle Pump Track: Friends of Van Riper in partnership with the DNR have purchased a bicycle pump track and are in the planning stages of installing the track with the assistance of park staff.

▪ Escanaba Field Office: Staff have spent many hours preparing for the building of the new cold storage facility located in Escanaba, including tree and equipment removal. A new 50’ x 100’ cold storage building with concrete floor slab and electrical and mechanical utility will provide storage for the major maintenance equipment (bulldozer, dump truck, track loader, back-hoe, etc.).

▪ Oman Creek Boating Access Site: The site is undergoing a new design of the groin. Two groin concepts have been developed and a public input opportunity is being planned for July 2018. Conceptual design is 100% complete and the preferred groin alternative is being considered.

Public Information Office: John Pepin, Deputy Public Information Officer ▪ With summer in full swing, media requests for interviews have increased, with stories produced on a range of

subjects ranging from bears to mosquitoes to invasive species and the DNR’s Recreation Passport. ▪ Filming for an upcoming episode of “Wardens” was completed in Ripley, in the wake of the June 17 disastrous

flooding in Houghton County. The footage showed efforts by the DNR to rebuild trails.

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▪ The effort has begun to collect Showcasing the DNR story ideas for 2019. To submit yours, please send them to me at pepinj@michigan.gov. We have a range of new writers this year producing material for the series. If you or someone you know would like to write a story, please contact me (906 226-1352).

Law Enforcement Division (LED): Acting Lt. Ryan Aho, District 1 ▪ District 1 has received 4 new Conservation Officers. Baraga and Marquette Counties each received one new officer and

Gogebic County has receive two. Sgt. Grant Emery has transferred to District 4. Currently District 1 has four working out of class acting positions. Acting Captain Pete Wright, Acting Lt. Ryan Aho and Acting Sgt.(s) Mark Leadman and Doug Hermanson.

▪ COs Shannon Kritz, Jared Ferguson and Brain Bacon attended the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula 2018 Peace Officers Memorial Service in Iron County. The COs participated in the motorcade procession which included more than 60 patrol vehicles from the U.P. and surrounding areas. There was also a ceremony held honoring fallen officers and their families.

▪ CO Jeffrey Dell was patrolling the Menominee River when he observed two men fishing. When CO Dell contacted the anglers, only one was able to produce a license. The other asked if he wouldn’t get a ticket if he produced a license at court. CO Dell asked if he had bought a license already. The man assured the CO that he had. CO Dell ran his name through the system just the same. Before his purchase history could come back via radio, the man stated, “Honestly, I didn’t buy a license”. CO Dell stated he knew, and the radio confirmed. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ COs Mark Leadman and Josh Boudreaux were checking fishermen on Deer Lake on the walleye opener. COs Leadman and Boudreaux observed 3 subjects fishing in a small boat not far from the boat access site. The fishermen were checked when they returned to the boat launch. Two of the fishermen presented current fishing licenses and the third said he was not fishing but just along for the ride. After being shown the pair of binoculars in the COs hands and informed that he had been observed fishing for some time, he reluctantly changed his story and said he had been fishing. Both of his fishing partners had already stated that he had been fishing also. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ COs Josh Boudreaux and Mark Leadman checked numerous anglers on the Peshekee River on the walleye opener. A group of three fishermen returned to their truck carrying a bag with a walleye inside. PCO Boudreaux asked the fishermen how long the walleye was. One subject stated that he thought it was 15 inches. When asked if they had a tape measure and measured the fish he said no; “It looked like it was legal”. CO Boudreaux measured the walleye that was only 14 inches long and returned it to the river. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ CO Mark Leadman checked a group of anglers fishing on Deer Lake in Ishpeming before the walleye opener. One subject stated he was fishing for bass and showed several pictures of bass he had caught at the lake. Another subject had put his fishing pole down and was now uninterested in fishing. Upon questioning, the subject stated that he wasn’t really a fisherman and hadn’t purchased his fishing license. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ COs Dave Miller and Brian Lasanen worked smelt fishermen at various rivers in Baraga County. COs Miller and Lasanen watched fishermen most of the night and the run was slow. The smelt finally started to run at about 2:30 A.M. and the rivers were black with smelt. The COs watched as 3 generations of one family couldn’t help themselves and were filling up their buckets and going back to get more buckets and coolers from their vehicles. The group was well over their limit of two gallons each. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ CO Dave Miller watched one fisherman fill a five-gallon bucket to the top with smelt. The individual returned to his truck where he dumped the smelt into a cooler in the bed of his pickup truck. The subject then returned to the river where he filled the bucket with smelt a second time. CO Miller made contact and questioned the fisherman about his first bucket of smelt. The fisherman tried to explain that his cousin had filled the cooler with smelt until CO Miller explained that he had been watching him the entire time. Enforcement action was taken.

▪ CO Ethen Mapes was dispatched to an overdue subject with health issues. The subject had left his residence around 6:30 pm and hadn't returned. With the time approaching 10:30 pm and heavy rain storms passing by, CO Mapes organized a search party. Civil Air Patrol and Michigan State Police Troopers both responded. A plane was used to assist in the search. Also assisting was Mi-Trails, Superior Search and Rescue, Ontonagon Sheriff's Office, Michigan State Police, DNR Conservation Officers from Ontonagon, Gogebic, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette County, SONCO South, Dispatchers from the Negaunee Regional Dispatch Center, and many local volunteers. The search concluded when the missing subject was found trapped under his four-wheeler. The subject was transported to Ontonagon Area Hospital for precautionary purposes.

▪ CO Brian Lasanen was checking boats coming off Lake Gogebic after dark when he observed a boat coming to the landing without a white navigation light. CO Brian Lasanen contacted the operator of the boat and it was determined he did not have a personal floatation device on board and he had been drinking. CO Lasanen conducted standard field sobriety tests and requested the operator to also take a preliminary breath test. The operator of the boat refused to submit a breath test. Law enforcement action was taken.

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▪ CO Zach Painter was on patrol in Gogebic County and pulled up behind a vehicle stop in the middle of its lane, the driver put the vehicle in park and exited walking towards the rear of his vehicle. The driver was stumbling and had to use his vehicle to keep his balance. CO Painter initiated a stop and upon contact with the driver smelled the odor of intoxicants. The driver had slurred speech and could not stand straight. Standard field sobriety tests were given to the driver. Enforcement action was taken for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

▪ COs Hermanson, Miller, DeLonge, Lasanen and Sgt. Pomroy returned from Isle Royale and patrolled the Portage channel in Houghton County in response to the aftermath of destructive thunderstorms and flooding. Large debris fields were checked, and several overturned kayaks and loose PFDs were investigated. Shore contacts were made, and assistance offered to those in areas made inaccessible by washed out roads.

▪ CO Cody Smith and CO Mark Leadman were on patrol in Marquette County when they received a complaint of someone keeping walleye at Deer Lake. With the restrictions placed on Deer Lake it is illegal to keep any fish on the lake. COs Leadman and Smith arrived at the lake noticing a vessel that matched the description of the complaint. Contact was made with the vessel and it was noticed the registration was expired. While talking to them about the complaint, they denied keeping any fish stating that they knew the lake was catch and release. CO Leadman noticed a stringer they were trying to keep hidden which contained two walleyes. A citation was issued for both violations.

▪ CO Jeffrey Dell conducted a patrol in Menominee County to target early season bass activity. CO Dell contacted a group of anglers and asked to see one of the angler’s stringer that had fish on it. The angler asked CO Dell if he wanted to measure the large smallmouth bass on the stringer. CO Dell stated he’d rather look at the small largemouth bass and pointed to another fish on the stringer. The fish was found to be well under the legal-size limit. The fish was released back into the river and enforcement action was taken for possessing an undersized largemouth bass.

▪ CO Shannon Kritz was on patrol in Iron County when she encountered two subjects fishing. She made contact and asked for fishing licenses from both individuals. The male subject then offered CO Kritz his fishing license from Illinois. CO Kritz told the subject that an Illinois license does not count in Michigan and that a Michigan fishing license only costs $10 per day. The subject then told her he wished he had known that before she contacted him. Enforcement action was taken on both subjects for fishing without a license.

▪ District 01 COs worked in Houghton County in the wake of the devastating flooding. COs aided a massive volunteer effort in cleanup of affected areas and worked with other DNR divisions in assessing the recreation trail for unstable areas that may be a secondary threat to areas below.

▪ COs Shannon Kritz and Dave Miller patrolled Houghton County after floods caused substantial damage to residential and recreational areas. The COs assisted recovery efforts by bringing bagged lunches to volunteers provided by the Red Cross and local donations. The COs also patrolled closed ORV routes to ensure people were staying away from unsafe areas.