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Recycling in Wisconsin continues to show strength

Latest survey shows strong commitment, more materials recycled at higher levels

MADISON – Results of a household survey on recycling in Wisconsin show residents remain committed to recycling and are recycling more kinds of items at higher rates. The survey is the ninth taken since 1990, when Wisconsin began its statewide recycling program.

“The survey shows that Wisconsin’s recycling program has been successful and popular ever since it began in 1990,” says Suzanne Bangert, director of the waste and materials management bureau for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“People continue to recycle, which diverts valuable raw materials from landfills – materials businesses want and are using to make new products and provide jobs.”

The number of respondents who described themselves as strongly committed or committed to recycling has remained at 96 percent since 1992, with the number of those strongly committed rising over time from 62 percent in 1992 to 71 percent in 2006.

In 1990, not a single household reported recycling magazines, but in 2006, 75 percent report that they recycle magazines. Similar recycling increases are noted for cardboard and other paper, metal cans, glass and plastic.

The 2006 survey included new questions about electronic waste items such as computers, televisions and cell phones. In Wisconsin, 80 percent of households now have a computer; roughly half of those own two or more. More than 98 percent of households own televisions, with more than 80 percent owning two or more.

Computers have a lifespan of about three years. Cell phones and other electronic devices have similarly short lifespans, and the end of broadcast analog TV signals in 2009 in the move toward digital TV may prompt more consumers to discard older televisions./p>

“Electronic waste is among the fastest growing waste categories in the state,” Bangert says. “This survey information will help us develop efficient and effective strategies for dealing with e-waste.”

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Survey Center conducted the statewide telephone survey of 555 households for the DNR. Survey results are accurate to plus or minus 5 percent.

Survey results also showed that people’s concern about mercury in the environment has increased. In 2002, 51 percent of households were very (15 percent) or somewhat concerned (36 percent) about mercury disposal. In 2006 72 percent were very concerned (25 percent) or somewhat concerned (47 percent) about mercury. About two-thirds of respondents said that they did not have thermometers or thermostats containing mercury in their home, but about the same number were unaware if their community had a program for recycling these items.

Many households rely on a number of methods to handle yard waste, including composting and leaving grass clippings on the lawn, but the proportion of households that burn yard waste increased from 18 percent of respondents in 2002 to 22 percent in 2006.

“We will continue to encourage the public to reduce burning as a waste disposal method and to compost and reuse the nutrients in yard waste. It’s better for our air and for the land,” Bangert says.

A summary of survey results is available on the DNR Web site at (WEB URL). Two other recent publications about recycling in Wisconsin, the report Wisconsin Recycling Means Business and the video, Too Valuable to Waste, can be found on the recycling pages of the DNR Web site. The materials show how the recycling industry in Wisconsin creates jobs, prevents valuable resources from being wasted in landfills and develops innovative new products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Cynthia Moore, (608) 267-7550

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Fall brings composting opportunities

MADISON – Fall is an excellent time of year to start composting, or for those who already compost, to think about improvements. State air quality and fire control rules restrict the burning of yard waste in Wisconsin, and burning is completely prohibited in a growing number of communities because it pollutes the air and creates a fire hazard.

While yard waste is prohibited from landfills, and many communities provide yard waste pickup and community composting sites, home composting is an environmentally friendly alternative. Leaves, small brush, grass clippings, and other organic material can be easily managed at home through composting. Best of all, compost will be produced and available right on site for use in your yard and garden.

Here are a few pointers:

• Add both brown material like leaves and sticks, and green material like grass clippings and vegetable cuttings, in alternating layers, starting with brown material on the bottom. This properly distributes the nitrogen-rich green materials among the carbon-rich and more porous brown materials to ensure your compost has airflow to support growth of desirable microbes that decompose the waste in an inoffensive way.
• The microbes also need moisture. To keep the composting process going, water may need to be added, especially for open piles and uncovered bins during dry weather. However, the desirable air-breathing microbes can’t grow in saturated conditions, either. To check for the proper moisture level, you should be able to squeeze about one drop of liquid out of a small handful of compost.
• Generally, green material makes the composting process faster, but faster is not necessarily better. Faster decomposition requires more air and more attention to keep the compost from being a nuisance. Even with green material at only five percent of the mixture, layering green and brown material and some weekly turning becomes more important.
• Recycling food waste like vegetable trimmings, tea bags, coffee grounds and eggshells is best done in a covered bin, again layering with brown material. Worms, especially red worms, in bins are another way to recycle food waste and this efficient method is also gaining popularity. Compost and worm bins can be homemade or commercially manufactured. Inquire about compost bins with your local retailers, or search the Internet for “compost bins” to find instructions for making your own bin and to see a wide variety of manufactured bins.
• A foul odor indicates the compost pile is not getting enough air. This might be from too much moisture, too much green material in the mixture or materials getting compacted together over time. Turning the compost helps maintain good air circulation throughout. Alternating layers of brown and green materials also helps maintain good airflow, since the brown materials take longer to break down.
• Locate your composting piles or bins about 10 feet or more away from structures, but within reach of a garden hose. This helps keep interested animals at a distance, allows easy watering of the compost and is also good fire safety. While compost fires are rare, compost piles do generate heat, and under certain conditions, the material may smolder or even catch fire.
• Composting should also be located on a dirt surface that drains well. Relocate the composting every few years. Vegetation around the composting area may be aesthetically pleasing and will use up the nutrients that get rinsed out. Yet, be sure to periodically inspect your composting bin if using one, and the ground surface around the composting bin or pile, to be sure animals aren’t making a home in your compost.
• Local ordinances may apply to home composting. In some cases, composting may be located only in the backyard or at a minimum distance from neighboring property, and a bin may be required for composting food wastes. Also, composting of meat, dairy and foods containing animal products may be prohibited locally. Even if not specifically required by your local government, DNR recommends food waste composting only in a bin capable of preventing access by animals that may scavenge in your area.

For more information on composting or DNR yard waste regulations, contact your municipal recycling staff, county extension agent or a DNR regional recycling specialist. Additional information can also be found on under “yard waste” on the DNR Web site or the University of Wisconsin Web site [exiut DNR] and search publications for “composting”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Wheat – (608) 267-0557

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Early Canada goose season harvest estimates up from last year

MADISON - Preliminary estimates from the early goose hunting season in Wisconsin show that hunter success was up, with this year’s harvest significantly exceeding last year’s total. State wildlife officials say approximately 20,650 Canada geese were harvested this fall from Sept. 1 through 15.

“This number exceeds all earlier years’ totals for the early goose season,” says Kent Van Horn, migratory game bird ecologist for the state Department of Natural Resources. “We predicted it would be a very good year for Canada goose hunting in Wisconsin and we’re happy hunters had a good early season.”

In comparison, last year’s estimated harvest during the early season was 13,410 geese. 2001 was the second highest early season harvest at 16,000 geese.

The early goose season targets the resident population of Canada geese that breed in Wisconsin, since Canada geese that breed in Ontario do not migrate to Wisconsin until later in September or October. Canada geese that breed in Wisconsin are viewed differently by Wisconsin residents.

Some residents value these geese for their aesthetic value, some enjoy them as a recreational hunting resource while other residents view them as a nuisance, particularly in urban\suburban park-like settings. The harvest level this year continues to demonstrate that the early September Canada goose hunting season remains an effective tool for managing our resident Canada goose population.

The regular Canada goose hunting season in the Exterior, Horicon and Collins zones began on Sept. 16 following the early season and will continue until Dec. 16 for all zones except the Collins zone which runs through Nov. 17 and the Mississippi River subzone of the exterior zone where the season is scheduled to run from Sept. 30 through Oct. 6 and Oct. 14 through Dec. 15.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn – (608) 266-8841

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New era opens for world’s largest lake sturgeon population, spearing opportunity

Deadline to buy 2007 sturgeon spearing license is Oct. 31

OSHKOSH – A new chapter in Wisconsin’s lake sturgeon management success story opens this winter with a new Lake Winnebago spearing season structure that is intended to keep the harvest of adult females at an acceptable level while continuing to allow anyone who wants to participate to do so.

Wisconsin’s century-old sturgeon management program and citizen commitment to the ancient species have enabled the Winnebago System to sustain the world’s largest lake sturgeon population, while continuing to offer a unique sturgeon spearing opportunity, says Ron Bruch, senior sturgeon biologist and Department of Natural Resources Oshkosh fisheries supervisor.

Under the new structure for the spearing season that opens Feb. 10, 2007, there will be separate, annual spearing seasons: one on Lake Winnebago and one on the system’s upriver lakes of Butte des Mort, Winnecone and Poygan. Previously the Upriver Season occurred only once every five years but was open to anyone who wanted to participate in it and bought a license.

People will get to participate in one or the other season: the Upriver Lakes season is controlled by a limited-entry drawing similar to that used to determine who gets permits to participate in the bear hunting season. Spearers not receiving a permit for the Upriver Lakes season can participate in the Lake Winnebago season if they buy a spearing license by Oct. 31, 2006.

“These changes will allow Wisconsin to continue preserving the Lake Winnebago system sturgeon population while maintaining a biologically sound open access fishery,” Bruch says.

The Winnebago System supports a naturally produced lake sturgeon population that is the largest within the lake sturgeon’s native range, estimated at 11,000 adult females and 25,000 adult males. It also allows Wisconsin to offer North America’s largest winter spear fishery, with an annual average harvest of 1,400 fish and annual economic impact of more than $3 million dollars to the Winnebago region.

DNR fisheries biologists and the Winnebago Citizens Sturgeon Advisory Committee developed the season changes in 2005, motivated by concerns over years of relatively high harvests capped by a 2004 season in which spearers exceeded the harvest cap for adult females by 61 percent, Bruch says.

High harvest of females is a concern because removing too many of them can cause the population to crash and recovery of this slow-growing, late maturing fish could take generations. Females do not reach sexual maturity until 20 to 25 years, and then spawn only once every three to five years.

Female fish tend to be larger, and spearers have been enjoying more success in targeting them in recent years as the increasing abundance of gizzard shad causes the lake sturgeon to congregate in the southern tip of Lake Winnebago. Improving water clarity, due in large part to a comprehensive management plan that’s restored fish habitat and reduced polluted runoff entering the Winnebago system, has also made it easier for spearers to get a fish. That success, in turn, is luring more spearers to participate.

Some changes on tap for spearers, but Oct. 31 deadline to buy spearing license remains

To accommodate growing recreational interest but protect the vulnerable fish, changes limit how many spearers can spear on the Upriver Lakes, where the spearer success rate is typically very high. Spearers who want to participate in the first annual Upriver Lakes season had to submit an application by Aug. 1. Using a computer program that randomly selected applicants, DNR conducted a drawing in early August.

Of the 2,972 people who applied, 500 lucky individuals received letters from DNR in August notifying them they had been selected and were authorized to buy an Upriver lake sturgeon spearing license, according to Dave Argall, a DNR customer service and licensing specialist. Applicants who weren’t successful in getting a permit each got a preference point, and will be given first consideration if they apply for a permit for the 2008 season. Those people can buy a sturgeon spearing license for Lake Winnebago and participate in the 2007 season on the lake.

Any person participating in any sturgeon spearing season needs to buy a spearing license by Oct. 31, 2006 for the appropriate season. It is important for successful applicants for the Upriver Lakes permits to note that if they choose not to buy a spearing license for the Upriver Season, they will not be able to buy a Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing license.

Licenses for both seasons can be purchased: over the Internet through the DNR Web site; at any DNR Service Center; at automated license issuance system sales locations; or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). The Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing license is $20 for residents and $65 for nonresidents, an additional $3 handling fee will be charged for Internet and telephone sales.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: on sturgeon management contact Ron Bruch (920) 424-3059 or Karl Scheidegger (608) 267-9426; on sturgeon licenses and permits contact Dave Argall (608) 267-7699 or Diane Brookbank (608) 267-7799

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Wisconsin well positioned for World Water Monitoring Day Oct. 18

MADISON – With about 1,500 volunteers monitoring the quality of water in Wisconsin lakes, the state is well positioned to celebrate World Water Monitoring Day on Oct. 18 this year.

The event is coordinated by the Water Environment Federation and the International Water Association [exit DNR] to recognize citizen water quality monitoring activities throughout the United States and the world. Nationally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will lead a celebration on the Anacosta River in Washington, D.C.

In Wisconsin, the 1,500 or so volunteers provide a small army of help for the Department of Natural Resources to maintain the health of Wisconsin lakes – and know when something’s going wrong.

Laura Herman, with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension Service, coordinates the multi-agency sponsored monitoring program. She says the volunteers are the backbone of efforts that help the Department of Natural Resources stretch its resources.

There are only six DNR lake coordinators for Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes, Herman notes, so it would be impossible for them alone to gather data on a large number of lakes.

“Volunteers are the ones out there being our eyes and ears, watching things changing, things degrading, and if they see things degrading then the DNR can get out there,” Herman says.

There are volunteers on all types of lakes, from those that are 20 or 30 acres to lakes such as Lake Winnebago, which covers nearly 138,000 acres. Some work individually while others work in groups.

“We have volunteer lake monitors from lakes almost all surrounded by state forest or national forest and others on lakes you couldn’t put another house on,” she said.

Monitors all have one thing in common, according to Herman: They care about lake water quality and they’re doing something about it.

Most of the volunteers do water clarity readings using Secchi disks that are lowered into the water enabling the volunteer to determine the depth at which the disk cannot be clearly “read.”

Some volunteers take additional training and sample water quality for water chemistry, such as temperature, algae (chlorophyll a) and phosphorus. Dissolved oxygen readings, which provide good information about the suitability of the water for fish life and how the water is reacting to chemical changes, are taken by other volunteers.

Some volunteers work to monitor and control aquatic invasive species. They take periodic samples of Eurasian water milfoil; curly-leaf pondweed, purple loosestrife, rusty crayfish populations and Zebra mussel populations, according to Herman.

She said other volunteers aid the Department of Natural Resources in compiling baseline data on the native plant community in lakes.

“They’re looking for what plants are on the lake. Then they track whether the densities of the plants are changing.” The information helps DNR biologists to determine what is happening with the health of the lakes. Typically, because aquatic plant identification can be very difficult, the plants are collected by volunteers and identification is done by local DNR biologists.

While some volunteers take on the activity as a solitary pursuit for others it’s a great learning project. “It’s a neat sharing experience,” Herman says.

White Lake in Langlade County benefits from school classes that do monitoring. The Phelps School district works on Vilas county lakes and Beaver Creek Reserve in Eau Claire County coordinates local monitoring efforts.

Mike Lizotte, director of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh aquatic research lab, has worked with the DNR to train nearly 100 volunteers to work on the Lake Winnebago system, which constitutes 17 percent of the state’s inland surface water. The work of the volunteers reading Secchi disk readings has resulted in the amount of data jumping from less than 10 readings in 2004 to more than 500 data points in 2005.

“It’s allowed us to map the (Lake Winnebago) system and see how algae blooms developed,” he says.

Herman said that some of the work volunteers do is also aided by coordination with satellite data. The clarity readings on lakes done by volunteers can be compared to satellite data and then applied to other lakes in the area. This way, she says, the work of volunteers not only benefit the lakes they work on but “are gaining us data on the lakes around them.”

Volunteers receive a report on the lake they sample every winter that outlines what their readings mean. Herman notes that the data often shows the water quality in lakes is improving and not degrading. Another report compares lake type and lake conditions “so they can see how they fit compared to everybody else,” Herman said.

More information on the volunteer effort and contacts for the program is available on the lake monitoring page of the DNR Web site.

A gallery of photos from satellites is available at Landsat Satellite Image Gallery of Wisconsin Lakes [exit DNR].

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Herman (715) 365-8998

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Time to order tree seedlings from state nurseries for spring planting

MADISON – Landowners who are interested in purchasing trees from state nurseries to plant next spring should place orders this fall, state forestry officials recommend, because many of the desirable species sell out quickly.

“Every year Wisconsin landowners plant millions of tree seedlings to enhance and restore native forests,” says Greg Edge, a tree nursery specialist with the Department of Natural Resources. “Fall is the ideal time to prepare tree planting sites and to order seedlings.”

Landowners can purchase seedlings from the DNR nurseries for reforestation, wildlife habitat, windbreak and erosion control purposes. The minimum quantity that can be ordered from the state nurseries is 1,000 tree seedlings or 500 wildlife shrubs or one packet. Wildlife, energy, and shoreland packets include 300 seedlings each.

Hardwood tree species available at the state nurseries include red oak, bur oak, swamp white oak, black cherry, silver maple, sugar maple, green ash, white ash, quaking aspen, river birch, white birch, yellow birch and black walnut. Conifer tree species available include white spruce, black spruce, white pine, jack pine, hemlock and white cedar. Red pine inventories are low this year at the state nurseries; however, red pine seedlings are available from many of Wisconsin’s private nurseries. Wildlife shrubs available include hazelnut, ninebark, American plum, silky dogwood and red-osier dogwood.

“If you’re thinking about doing a large tree planting project contact, your local DNR forester or a private consulting forester for advice on species selection, site preparation, planting methods, cost sharing programs, tree planter rentals, and other considerations in establishing a successful forest tree planting,” Edge said.

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 State Tree Nurseries page of the DNR Web site.

Tree seedlings and wildlife shrubs are also available for purchase from many private nurseries in Wisconsin. 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: Greg Edge, La Crosse – (608) 785-9011, Griffith State Nursery, Wis. Rapids – (715) 424-3700, Hayward State Nursery, Hayward – (715) 634-2717, Wilson State Nursery, Boscobel – (608) 375-4123

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Pipeline expansion may result in incidental taking of rare dragonflies

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Wisconsin’s endangered species law (s. 29.604, Wis. Stats.) requires the Department of Natural Resources to notify the public when it proposes to authorize the incidental taking of a state endangered or threatened species.]

MADISON – The construction of a portion of a 321-mile long 42 inch-diameter underground liquid petroleum pipeline and a 21 inch-diameter return line across the state of Wisconsin could result in the incidental taking of three rare dragonfly species if they are encountered during construction.

As part of the environmental permitting process for the Enbridge Energy pipeline that extends from the Superior terminal facility in Douglas County to the Delavan Substation in the northeast corner of Rock County, a screening for rare species determined that waterway crossings within the corridor could potentially contain the pygmy snaketail, listed as threatened; Saint Croix snaketail, listed as endangered; and extra-striped snaketail, listed as endangered under state law.

Department of Natural Resources staff further evaluated the waterway crossings and identified six waterways where they determined that measures could not be implemented to avoid impacts to the three dragonfly species, and where “incidental take” may occur. DNR staff have defined conservation measures designed to minimize “incidental taking” that include: strict procedures for response loss of drilling mud, reduction of the temporary workspace, crossing methods that minimize impact, restoration and monitoring of bed, bank and vegetation conditions.

Under the “incidental taking” law, which was approved by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1997, the Department of Natural Resources can authorize the taking of an endangered or threatened species from a location if that removal will not jeopardize the species' survival or recovery in Wisconsin.

DNR staff have concluded that the proposed project will minimize the impacts to the dragonflies by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence and recovery of the state populations of these dragonflies or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on the threatened species will be incorporated into the proposed Incidental Take Authorization. Copies of the conservation measures, background information on the dragonflies, and the jeopardy assessment are available on the Incidental Take page of the DNR Web site or upon request from Andy Galvin, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, 101 South Webster, Madison, WI 53707, (608) 264-8968. Public comments will be taken through November 10th, 2006 and should be sent to Galvin at the above address.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Andy Galvin - (608) 264-8968

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Forestry issues and activities topic of seminar

MADISON - The public can learn more about current issues and activities on Wisconsin’s public, private and urban forests at upcoming seminars in five locations throughout Wisconsin.

Each seminar will include presentations on preparing for wildfire emergencies, invasive species and forest planning issues. A forest industry representative will provide an update on issues and challenges facing the industry in Wisconsin.

Although the sessions are designed for town leaders, anyone who has an interest in Wisconsin forestry issues is invited to attend. Seminars are sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and the Wisconsin Towns Association (WTA).

Presentations will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day with registration from 8 to 9 a.m. Anyone planning to attend must pre-register with the Wisconsin Towns Association at least one week in advance. There is a $35 registration fee that includes lunch and a meeting packet. The registration form is available on the WTA Web site at: <http://www.wisctowns.com/06ForestrySeminarRegistration.html [exit DNR]>.

Locations and dates are:

• October 27, Cable at the Lakewoods Resort
• October 31, Carter at the Indian Springs Lodge
• November 1, Minocqua at the AmericInn
• November 2, Stevens Point at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center
• November 3, Madison at the Marriott West

The Madison seminar will be Webcast for those unable to attend any of the presentations in person.

For more information about the seminar, contact Wisconsin Towns Association Director of Education Tom Harnisch at (715) 743-7477 or by e-mail at <Harnisch@tds.net>. For information about the Webcast, contact DNR Forestry Outreach Specialist Kirsten Held at (608) 264-6036 or by e-mail at <Kirsten.Held@wisconsin.gov>.

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Urban wildlife damage abatement and control grants available

MADISON – Urban areas experiencing problems associated with concentrations of white-tailed deer or local Canada geese can apply for cost sharing grants to help them develop long-term management solutions for dealing with these urban wildlife species.

Qualified urban areas (as defined by § 86.196(1)(c), Wis. Stats.) have until Dec. 1 to apply for grant reimbursements up to a maximum of $5,000 under the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) Grant Program.

The program was created to help communities solve wildlife control problems.

Applications will be judged according to the following criteria:

• The extent to which the application addresses prevention and abatement of wildlife damage to human safety, the environment, health, property, or of nuisance wildlife problems,
• The method of urban wildlife population control,
• The cost effectiveness of the plan or project, and
• The financial need of the urban area.

Application materials must be complete, including a signed or notarized resolution from the urban area, and postmarked on or before Dec. 1, 2006. Questions about whether an area qualifies as an urban area can be directed to Ricky Lien, DNR urban wildlife specialist, at (920) 892-8756, Ext. 3045. To request an application write to Eileen Trainor, DNR Bureau of Community Financial Assistance, PO Box 7921, Madison WI 53707-7921 or call - (608) 267-0848. Application information is also available on the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control (UWDAC) Grant page of the DNR Web site.

FOR INFORMATION: on urban wildlife contact Ricky Lien – (920) 892-8756, Ext. 3045; on grant application contact Eileen Trainor at - (608) 267-0848

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New web page a gateway to hot Great Lakes issues, opportunities

MADISON - A slew of issues are on tap now for the Great Lakes -- and a new web page will make it easier to learn about and get involved in these issues and opportunities in coming weeks, the state’s top water official says.

“The Great Lakes region is acting with the strongest unified voice in several decades. We’re hoping that focus will translate to even better actions at the state and federal level and more federal funding,” says Todd Ambs, Department of Natural Resources Water Division Administrator.

“Now is a great time for citizens to get involved in Great Lakes issues and to share their opinions with their elected officials,” he said.

The Our Great Lakes web page provides links to these and other issues making the headlines:

• a special legislative committee working on ratifying an agreement among Great Lakes governors on water use;
• ongoing efforts to advance in Congress the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy, a historic national plan for restoring and protecting the Great Lakes and securing more federal funding;
• an opportunity to comment on a Wisconsin community’s application to use more Lake Michigan water; and
• a public forum on the Sheboygan River and a conference on the state of the Lake Michigan ecosystem.

The Web page also links to information about the Office of Great Lakes, which DNR created in 2004 to bring a greater focus and visibility for Great Lakes management needs, and which was involved in many of the issues featured on the special Web page.

The office provided administrative support for negotiations on the water use agreements, represented the state in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration, coordinated the development of a Wisconsin restoration and protection strategy, and provided financial support for restoration and protection projects around the basin.

The office has also been the key support unit for Governor Doyle as chair of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. The office was created through an organizational reassignment of existing staff. The DNR Office of Great Lakes is led by Chuck Ledin, a veteran DNR water resources official long involved in Great Lakes issues.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON GREAT LAKES ISSUES CONTACT: Todd Ambs (608) 264-6278 or Chuck Ledin (608) 266-1956

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October Wisconsin Natural Resources looks at protecting the animal world’s ‘middle class’

MADISON - For animals, like people, the vast majority in the middle class get little attention. In the October issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine readers can learn about efforts to protect the vast number of animals that are “in the middle” – those that are not hunted, yet are not endangered. “Protecting nature’s middle class” describes efforts to keep these populations from slipping into trouble.

Another article “Rejuvenating a reliable workhorse” shows how the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery will be renovated to keep pumping out salmon, trout, spotted musky, sturgeon and northerns for stocking.

“The speedy pace of outdoor relaxation” looks at the changing nature of camping experiences and changing demand for camping amenities.

“The well-mannered hunter” provides 27 tips for building and maintaining good relations as hunters seeking the privilege of hunting on private lands.

“Weather the weather, whatever the weather” – recounts the cold, heat, snow, rain and bluebird weather during the last 50 deer hunting seasons.

The October issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine is available for $3.50 plus shipping or people can get a whole year’s worth – six big issues – delivered to your door for just $8.97. Subscribe toll-free at 1-800-678-9472, online at Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. Subscription blanks and single issues are also available from our circulation office at P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: David L. Sperling, editor - (608) 266-1510

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EDITOR’S ADVISOR: NEWS RELEASE ARCHIVES AVAILABLE

[EDITOR’S ADVISOR – NEWS RELEASE ARCHIVES AVAILABLE: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is now only archiving news releases on the DNR Web site for the two complete calendar years before the current year. News releases prior to those dates are available on a compact disk. For a CD of all available DNR News, Outdoor Reports, Regional & Breaking News before 2004 please contact the Bureau of Education and Information at (608) 266-6790.]