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DNR urges caution on late season ice - Ice fishing shelters must now be removed

MADISON – Outdoor enthusiasts are being cautioned that as warmer temperatures and spring showers move in, Wisconsin’s winter ice cover on lakes is beginning to move out. Lake ice that supported vehicles, fishing shelters and snowmobiles now is no longer trustworthy.

“Ice thickness can change at an alarmingly fast rate that could mean a quick, and potentially deadly dunk for anglers, snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts unless they follow safety precautions, says Gary Eddy, snowmobile safety administrator for Department of Natural Resources.

“The ice can change rapidly in the late season,” Eddy says. “Ice can worsen minute by minute with the warm temperatures and a little rain. Inlets, outlets, ice along shorelines and fishing holes can all deteriorate very quickly.”

Among the top ice safety tips from Eddy is one to check ice conditions with local sources. “Bait shops, local law enforcement agencies and even other anglers can provide you with the most recent information regarding ice conditions,” he said. “And driving on late-season ice is an accident waiting to happen.”

Other safety tips from Eddy include:

• Carry life saving equipment. The best safety device is the personal flotation device (PFD). All-terrain vehicle operators and snowmobilers may wear a snowmobile jacket that contains floatation material or wear a floatation device under the outer jacket. Purchase a pair of ice picks or make your own by driving nails into wood dowels. Should you fall through the ice; the picks will help you grab the ice while pulling yourself out. Also, carry a length of rope in case you have to rescue someone else. An ice spud can be used to check ice conditions as you go.
• Use the buddy system. It is best not to go alone. Should you go through the ice, a companion can rescue you or call for help. If you do go alone, leave a note or let someone where you are going, your intended route and when you expect to return.
Minimize travel at night. Bad ice is impossible to see at night and areas that were previously ice covered may quickly become open water.
• If you don’t know, don’t go. If unsure of the ice conditions, don’t go. Just because you see people on the ice does not mean the ice is safe. One area of ice may be thick in one spot and an inch deep just a short distance away.
• You fell in, now what? Don’t panic. The air trapped under your clothing will allow you a few seconds of flotation. Control your breathing and keep calm. Go back to the last safe ice -- where you fell in. Place hands and arms on the unbroken ice; kick your feet (as if swimming) while simultaneously pulling yourself up onto the ice’s surface. Once on the ice, don’t stand. Instead roll away from where you fell in, when several feet away, crawl away to a place safe to stand.

Ice fishing shelters must have been removed from all state waters by March 16

Ice anglers are also reminded that the last deadline for removing ice fishing shelters from the northern waters of the state was March 16. Shelters should already have been removed from southern and boundary waters. Ice anglers may continue to use portable ice fishing shelters as long as they are removed from the ice each day.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Eddy, ATV/Snowmobile Administrator at 608-267-7455

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Comment period for Impaired Waters List extended

MADISON – The Department of Natural Resources has extended the comment period for the 2008 draft Impaired Waters List until March 26, 2008. The original deadline of March 19, 2008 has been extended by one week to accommodate public requests for additional time to review the information provided by the Department. Comments may be submitted by e-mail to DNRImpairedWaters@wisconsin.gov or sent via first class mail to: Impaired Waters Program - WT/3, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

For more information on the Impaired Waters List, please visit the DNR's Website.

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Endangered Resources Tax Checkoff celebrates 25 years of conservation successes

MADISON – It has been 25 years since the loon silhouette first appeared on Wisconsin income tax forms and for a quarter of a century these donations have helped to protect more than 200 endangered and threatened animals and plants in our state including bald eagles, grey wolves and prairie white-fringed orchids.

“For those residents who haven’t yet filed their state income taxes, we are asking them to Look for the Loon and support Wisconsin’s endangered resources,” said Signe Holtz, director of the Endangered Resources program. “Your gift to the Endangered Resources Fund helps to conserve wildlife and their habitats while it is still cost-effective to protect them,” Holtz noted, adding that each dollar donated to the Endangered Resources Tax Checkoff is matched by state funds, “making your gifts twice as important.

“Every contribution, big or small, adds up to make an immeasurable impact on Wisconsin’s quality of resources and quality of life. It is a vital investment in the health and well-being of the environment, economy and quality of life – benefits everyone can appreciate and enjoy, now and for generations to come,” Holtz said.

Look for the loon on state income tax form or send a check directly to WI Endangered Resources Fund, PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

For more information on the Endangered Resources Fund, visit: Endangered Resources Fund.

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New information available on TV, plastic bag recycling

MADISON - A federally mandated transition from traditional, analog broadcasts to all-digital broadcasts is likely to result in many households replacing their current televisions with new digital TVs. State environmental officials are offering information on how people can recycle their electronic equipment in Wisconsin to avoid putting heavy metals in landfills and to recycle and reuse valuable metals.

After Feb. 19, 2009, households with older TVs, VCRs and DVD players may need new digital-to-analog converter boxes unless they receive TV programming via cable or satellite.

“We hope that people who chose to get new TVs or video players will take advantage of the growing number of recycling options for electronics,” said Cynthia Moore, recycling program coordinator for the Department of Natural Resources Waste and Materials Management Program. “Many local communities hold electronics collection events throughout the year, and several electronics retailers will also now accept used electronics, sometimes for a small fee.”

To provide consumers with information on the digital television transition, the federal government has a a href="https://www.dtv2009.gov/" target="_blank">web site with details and links related to the switchover [exit DNR]. The DNR also has general information on how to manage and recycle used electronics.

DNR Web site has new information on plastic shopping bags

The “paper or plastic” debate has also been gaining widespread attention recently, with cities and countries from San Francisco to China taking action to reduce the use and litter of plastic shopping bags. In the past few weeks, the debate has come to Wisconsin, with the state Legislature having considered a ban on non-biodegradable plastic bags. Cities like Madison are examining ways to increase plastic bag recycling.

The DNR Waste and Materials Management Program has a new set of Web pages for consumers, local governments and businesses looking to learn more about this issue. The pages include information on the environmental impacts of plastic and paper shopping bags, “biodegradable” or “compostable” plastics, and what options local governments have to address plastic bag issues in their communities.

“There’s a lot of attention on plastic shopping bags as an environmental problem right now, and we want to help consumers, businesses and governments understand the issue and possible solutions,” said Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling program coordinator.

Moore said the best environmental option is to reduce the use of both plastic and paper shopping bags and instead use sturdier, reusable bags. “There are more and more great reusable bag options out there,” she said. “Many are inexpensive—sometimes less than $1—and you can find some that fold up so small they’re easy to stick in a purse or your car’s glove compartment.”

Learn more by visiting the new plastic bags Web pages.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Moore, DNR recycling program coordinator, (608) 267-7550

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Tree seedlings still available from state nurseries for planting this spring

MADISON – Some varieties of tree seedlings are still available from state tree nurseries for Wisconsin landowners who are interested in planting trees on their property this spring.

“Wisconsin citizens show their conservation ethic every year by planting millions of tree seedlings to enhance and restore native forests,” says Avery Dorland, the tree nursery coordinator with the Department of Natural Resources. “Spring is the ideal time to plant young trees and there is still time to plan your tree planting project this year.”

Dorland notes there are a lot of benefits to establishing a forest tree planting, including growing forest products, enhancing wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, conserving energy by establishing a windbreak and improving the aesthetics of the land.

“Tree planting is also a great way to leave a living legacy to the next generation,” Dorland adds.

Trees reduce carbon dioxide in the air, thereby reducing the warming “greenhouse” effect of the gas. Over the lifetime of a tree, several tons of carbon dioxide are eliminated.

Landowners who are contemplating large tree planting projects should contact their local DNR forester or a private consulting forester for advice on species selection, site preparation, planting methods, tree planter rentals, and other considerations in establishing a successful forest tree planting.

Tree seedlings and wildlife shrubs can be obtained from both private and public sector nurseries in Wisconsin. Landowners can purchase seedlings from the DNR state nurseries for reforestation, wildlife habitat, windbreak and erosion control purposes. The minimum quantity that can be ordered from the state nurseries is 1000 tree seedlings, 500 wildlife shrubs or one packet. Wildlife, energy, and shoreland packets include 300 seedlings each.

Hardwood tree species still available at the state nurseries include red oak, black walnut, black cherry, sugar maple, silver maple, black ash, white ash and yellow birch. Conifer tree species available include white spruce, white pine, and red pine. Wildlife shrubs available include silky dogwood, hazelnut and hawthorn.

Private nurseries throughout Wisconsin also report a good supply and diversity of conifers, hardwoods and wildlife shrubs for tree planting in spring 2008.

Forest tree seedlings and shrubs are distributed in April and early May. Landowners who order from the DNR can pick up their seedlings at the state nurseries located in Boscobel, Hayward, or Wisconsin Rapids, or in many counties at a central location designated by the local DNR forester. Applications to purchase state nursery stock are available from local DNR offices, service centers, state nurseries, or by visiting the DNR Web site. A list of private nurseries providing forest tree seedlings in Wisconsin is generally available from these same offices and the DNR Web site.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Avery Dorland, Madison (608) 335-0220 , Griffith State Nursery, Wis. Rapids – (715) 424-3700, Hayward State Nursery, Hayward – (715) 634-2717, Wilson State Nursery, Boscobel – (608) 375-4123, or the DNR website listed above.

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Outdoor cooking workshop to feature Dutch oven cooking