Contacting the Office:
Julie Morin, Acting Native American Specialist
e-mail: Julie_Morin@fws.gov
BHW Federal Building
One Federal Drive
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
Phone: 612-713-5108
Fax: 612-713-5280
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2003 Tribal
Wildlife Grant
$147,784
Restoration of the Raymond "Snooty"
Couture Fish Hatchery and Rearing Ponds
Thomas Doolittle, 715-682-7123
Tribal
Partnership Sparkles as Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge Receives
NAWCA Grant
On Sept. 10, 2002,
the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission approved a $999,800 grant
under the North American Wetland Conservation Act (NAWCA). The NAWCA
Grants Program requires, at a minimum, the grant amount to be matched
with non-federal contributions typically made by state, tribal and other
non-governmental partnerships. The grant will be applied to a project
called Superior Coastal Wetland Initiative, Phase II. The project is
in the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes Region Joint Venture.
The acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitats associated with
this proposal will advance the goals identified in the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan and the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes
Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan. Below are a few details regarding
the approved project. Superior Coastal Wetland Initiative, Phase II,
Wisconsin - This effort will focus on four counties in northern Wisconsin.
The proposal will protect and restore habitats within known migration
corridors and nine miles of coastal shoreline and wetlands. Approximately
1,814 acres of wetlands and 3,357 acres of uplands will receive long-term
protection. Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge will receive a
portion of the grant ($20,000) to assist with restoring 13 acres of wetlands
within the refuge boundaries. Other partners involved with this proposal
are the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, The Nature Conservancy,
Ashland/Bayfield/Douglas/Iron Counties Land Conservation Department and
Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The grant amount is for $ 999,800
and the partners contributed $1,350,058; the grantee is Whittlesey Creek
National Wildlife Refuge. Offices
Involved: R3-Joint Venture R3-Whittlesey Creek NWR Resource Outputs:
The acquisition and restoration of wildlife habitats associated with
this proposal will advance the goals identified in the North American
Waterfowl Management Plan and the Upper Mississippi River and Great Lakes
Region Joint Venture Implementation Plan. The proposal will protect and
restore habitats within known migration corridors and nine miles of coastal
shoreline and wetlands. Approximately 1,814 acres of wetlands and 3,357
acres of uplands will receive long-term protection. Partners: Other partners
involved with this proposal are the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa,
The Nature Conservancy, Ashland/Bayfield/Douglas/Iron Counties Land Conservation
Department and Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
North
American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey Completed by Ted Koehler from
the FWS Ashland Fishery Resources Office
As
part of the North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey, Ted Koehler
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service''s Ashland Fishery Resources
Office surveyed Wisconsin Route #005, which is located near the Bad River
in northern Wisconsin. This annual survey provides an index to the relative
size of the woodcock breeding population and is the most important source
of data used to guide the United States and Canadian woodcock programs.
Male woodcock give vocal calls described as "peents" and perform
aerial displays called "flight songs" shortly after sunset
as part of their courtship behavior. The number of peenting males were
recorded and the results entered into the national database.Offices Involved:
R3-Ashland FRO Resource Outputs: As part of the North American Woodcock
Singing Ground Survey, Ted Koehler from the Ashland Fishery Resources
Office surveyed Wisconsin Route #005. This annual survey provides an
index to the relative size of the woodcock breeding population. The number
of peenting males were recorded and the results entered into the national
database. Partners: USFWS, WIDNR, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
(Many other private, state and federal partners for the national survey
as a whole.)
Native
American Liaison Annual Report Features Tribal Partnerships and Cooperative
Projects
In
FY 2001, Native American Liaison projects and activities featured a balance
of coordination and communication between Service representatives at
various levels, members of tribal governments and multi-tribal agencies.
There was a significant increase in outreach activities benefiting individual
tribes which often provided indirect benefits for additional tribes.
A summary of specific activities include the following. A new Native
American Directory for Region 3 tribes was completed in October and updated
with web sites and email addresses in July.
The
liaison participated in the "Government on Display" event at
the Mall of America featuring the Gray wolf. Cross regional communication
and partnerships were supported by coordinating information concerning
the down listing of the wolf with Region 6 and joining Regions 2 and
6 in the FWS Memorandum Of Agreement with Intertribal Bison Cooperative.
Strengthening our partnership with tribal organizations is a high priority
and the "power of the press" is an excellent tool. Service
activities relevant to tribal tradition and values are featured in articles
contained in Native American publications. A news article describing
the proposed down listing for the western great lakes population of the
gray wolf was prepared and submitted to the Editor of Native American
Fish and Wildlife Society Publication From the Eagles Nest. Information
on the proposed rule, comment time line and tribal impact were included
in the article. A second news article was prepared and submitted to the
Editor of the Lac Courte Oreilles Journal Times featuring Service demonstration
of an interactive hunter education display to the LCO Boys and Girls
Club. The system enabled youth to experience a traditional tribal activity
by using laser shotguns and rifles to "hunt big game" in a
controlled classroom. Specific activities were provided to individual
tribes demonstrating a broad range of partnership opportunities and resource
benefits. In fisheries Service field offices worked with 8 tribes and
one inter-tribal organization in completing surveys, assessments and
plans on sturgeon, coaster brook trout and other trust species.
Tribes
also joined Service personnel to conduct recreational fishing events
for youth during National Fishing and Boating Week. Several National
Wildlife Refuges are located near tribal reservations or in treaty ceded
areas. Tribal coordination and communication regarding refuge operations
increased during the year. Service participated in tribal training and
government to government communication on refuge issues benefiting resources
important to the tribe. Special activities were conducted to involve
tribal members in reestablishment of the Whooping Crane.
Tribal
participation in ecosystem activities included the Bad River Band which
proposed Bald and Golden Eagle Protection in Tribal Fish and Wildlife
Code; the joining of Federal, Tribal and State Agencies with Commercial
Fishers in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Team to benefit ecosystem
resources by funding four projects that support priorities of lake sturgeon
restoration and Great Lakes Islands protection; and the Red Lake Nation
who became the first tribe to host an ecosystem team meeting. Tribal
coordination of endangered species issues continued but at a reduced
level from last year.
Follow-up
activities were conducted with the tribes involved in the NRDA settlement
on the Nemadji River on the proposed action related to the exchange of
land on South Fox Island, MI. The region continued to fulfill tribal
trust responsibilities by pursuing the transfer of equipment to tribes.
Surplus diesel generators were found for the Natural Resources Department
at Bad River Indian Reservation, surplus fish trucks found a new home
at the Mole Lake and Leech Lake tribes for use by their fish hatchery
programs and the region identified a process to provide surplus computers
to tribal youth. Interagency activities helped to bridge the partnership
with tribes. The regional liaison represented the Service in joining
the Bureau of Indian Affairs in honoring their Regional Forester who
was promoted to a position at the BIA National Interagency Fire Center
in Boise, ID; coordinated regional activities supporting the youth fishing
event sponsored for the 11th year by BIA and Red Lake Band at the Minnesota
Valley NWR and participated with Service regional managers during an
open forum partnership meeting with resource leaders from State of Minnesota.
Activities and support for tribal natural resource personnel included
events at professional societies. As a member of the Native Peoples''
Fisheries Section the regional liaison prepared a detailed report of
Section activities to the Section President. Specific items were linked
to the elements in the strategic plan of the American Fisheries Society
and rationale was provided to demonstrate how the Section supports the
Society goals. A half day 12 paper symposium sponsored by the Section
during the Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society was organized
and moderated. Four other Sections of the Society co-sponsored the symposium
entitled A Partnerships in Tribal Fisheries - A Basis for Fishery Success
in the 21st Century. Funding was arranged to support the travel of two
tribal presenters. The annual meeting of Native American Fish & Wildlife
Society was held May 21-24 in Lincoln City, OR. and active participation
occurred during the Service Native American Liaison session.
Interpersonal
relationships are the keystone to tribal partnerships. Activities to
build on the Service/ Tribal relationship included: support and identification
of a funding source for a PROTECTORS OF THE EARTH YOUTH CAMP: ( a one
week camp was held for American Indian and African American students
to study scientific and cultural knowledge regarding natural resource
topics); a presentation to Optimist International Chapter on Tribal/Service
Youth Fishing Event; coordinating and attending an awards banquet held
by Red Lake Nation to Honor a Service Employee for his volunteer support
to National Fishing Week for the past 10 years; the Brandenburg Prairie
Foundation created a dynamic dual picture poster depicting a thundering
Bison herd on the top half and three trumpeter swans in flight on the
bottom signed copies of the poster were provided tribal representatives
to recognize their contribution to natural resources; at the invitation
of the Red Lake Nation the regional liaison represented the Service and
became a honorary member of the tribal DNR during the final services
for Lawrence Bedeau, Director of Natural Resources for Red Lake Nation
who passed on.
The
Regional leadership beginning with the Regional Director supported many
issues concerning tribes. Regional Director, Bill Hartwig lead Service
participation in Annual Conference of the Great Lakes Region of the Native
American Fish and Wildlife Society by delivering the keynote address.
An estimated 100 attendees represented the 34 tribes and 4 tribal organizations
in the Region as well as other Federal agencies and States. The meeting
was hosted by the Bay Mills Indian Community at their Resort in Brimley,
Michigan. Service guests included Mr. Pat Durham, Native American Liaison,
Washington, DC and Mr. Jim Brown, Native American Liaison, Region 4 Atlanta.
The Conference theme focused on partnerships and major topics included:
political opportunities with the new administration, availability of
eagle parts and feathers and status of guidelines, availability of bison
from units of the National Wildlife Refuge System and update of cooperative
Tribal/Service projects benefiting fish and wildlife resources. The Service
recognized Faith McGruther, Regional Director (GLNAFWS) for her leadership
and organizational efforts with a signed framed copy of the Brandenburg
Foundation A Prairie Poster. The Native American Liaison office provided
support to the Native American Liaison in the Washington Office by reviewing
the GPRA tribal partnership performance measures and drafting more measurable
elements, and organizing and hosting the October National Service Liaison
conference call. The liaison shared the tribal partnership GPRA goal
with project leaders at the Regional fisheries meeting and attended Tribal
Cultural and Historic Preservation Training. .
Resource
Outputs: The Native American Liaison Annual Report summarizes the Highlights
and accomplishments of the tribal partnership activities involving Region
3 offices. The achievements support the trust responsibility the Federal
Government has to Tribal Governments and the Partnership activities related
to the Service GPRA Goal.
Partners:
The Regions tribal trust responsibilities include 35 tribes, 11 each
in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 12 in Michigan and 1 in Iowa. The Region
also coordinates programs, activities and issues with 4 multi-tribal
groups which include: the Minnesota-Chippewa Tribe in Minnesota; the
1854 Treaty Authority in Duluth, MN; the Great Lakes Indian Fish and
Wildlife Commission (GLFWIC) which includes the Voigt task force) in
Wisconsin; and the Chippewa-Ottawa Resource Authority (CORA) in Michigan
previously the Chippewa-Ottawa Treaty Fishery Management Authority.
Chequamegon
Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force Increases Efforts for 2002
At
a Jan. 30 meeting, task force member Julie Van Stappen, NPS-Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore, volunteered to set and monitor a total of nine adult
zebra mussel sampling devices at island park locations receiving high
density boat traffic. This will increase the 2002 effort to a total of
54 adult sampling devices in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters. The
USFWS-Ashland FRO (25) and Bad River (14) and Red Cliff (6) Tribal Natural
Resource Departments will maintain their current monitoring effort. Instead
of veliger sampling with a plankton net, task force member Mike Keniry,
WDNR-Bayfield, volunteered to scuba dive along the Ashland harbor docks
in search of adult zebra mussels. If found, Mike will collect the adults
and deliver them to Dr. Mary Balsar, University of Wisconsin-Superior,
for analysis. Dr. Balsar has volunteered to examine the gonads of discovered
mussels for development. Developing gonads would confirm that reproduction
is occurring. In other deliberations, task force members agreed that
zebra mussel information packets should be assembled and distributed
to boat owners at marinas and boat launches around Chequamegon Bay and
the Apostle Islands. Mike Keniry described Wisconsin''s new regulation
relating to zebra mussels. With regard to zebra mussels, the new law
states "A law enforcement officer may order a person to do the following:
Remove zebra mussels from a boat, boat trailer or boating equipment before
placing it in the Lower St. Croix River. Remove or not place a boat,
boat trailer or boating equipment in a navigable water if the law enforcement
officer has reason to believe that the boat, boat trailer or boating
equipment has zebra mussels attached." The Chequamegon Bay Zebra
Mussel Task Force is co-chaired by Gary Czypinski, USFWS-Ashland FRO
and Bill Mattes, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Other
member organizations not previously mentioned include USGS-Lake Superior
Biological Station, City of Ashland Dept. of Public Works, and Xcel Energy
(formerly Northern States Power Co.). Offices Involved: R3-Ashland FRO
Resource Outputs: Output: Outline a work plan for 2002 to monitor for
the presence of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters,
Lake Superior. Outcome: Assess abundance, distribution, and size structure
of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay and outlying waters, Lake Superior,
and attempt to delay or prevent the spread of zebra mussels to inland
waters and Lake Superior waters outside of Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle
Islands. Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources, USGS-Lake Superior Biological Station,
NPS-Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bad River Tribal Natural Resources
Department, Red Cliff Tribal Natural Resources Department, City of Ashland
Department of Public Works, Xcel Energy.
Fish
Passage on Graveyard Creek
Great
Lakes Coastal Program funding assisted the Bad River Band to restore
fish passage on Graveyard Creek. The project area is located within the
Bad River Indian Reservation Boundaries (Ashland and Iron Counties) in
northern Wisconsin. In the mid-1980''s, Bad River Natural Resources Department
(BRNRD) personnel observed coaster brook trout spawning in Graveyard
Creek along with coho salmon, brown trout and steelhead. However, due
to a massive logjam that developed at the mouth of Graveyard Creek, fish
were no longer able to migrate to/from Lake Superior. Great Lakes Coastal
Program grant dollars were used in Fiscal Year 2000 to remove the debris
dam at the mouth of Graveyard Creek, again allowing passage of anadromous
trout and salmon. With assistance from the Natural Resources Conservation
Service and additional Coastal Program funding in Fiscal Year 2001, another
30 smaller barriers were removed as well as instream and riparian restoration
work. Three miles of stream were opened for fish migration, and stabilization
of the stream banks was conducted to prevent erosion. In the next several
years, instream structures will also be used to restore stream flows
into the historic channel, which will improve coaster brook trout habitat.
The BRNRD has been a major cooperator and believes that with a minimal
amount of effort, anadromous coaster brook trout can be restored once
again to Graveyard Creek. The Service''s Ashland Fishery Resources Office
has organized many successful partnerships to restore, protect, and manage
coastal habitats in the Lake Superior basin through the Service''s Coastal
Program. In Fiscal Year 2001, restoration, land use, planning, aquatic
nuisance species prevention and control, as well as outreach and education
projects were funded. Restoration projects resulted in more than 700
acres of coastal fish and wildlife habitat restored and protected. The
Coastal Program features non-regulatory, partnership-based efforts that
restore and protect habitats, enhance fish passage, and control invasive
species. It focuses resources on sensitive coastal areas by applying
Service funding and technical expertise to local projects and leveraging
the participation of other groups. The program benefits numerous ecosystems
in that it identifies resource priorities and achieves on-the-ground
results in a manner that would otherwise be difficult for any single
entity. Resource Outputs: Great Lakes Coastal Program funding assisted
the Bad River Band to restore fish passage on Graveyard Creek. FY 2000
dollars were used to remove a debris dam at the mouth of Graveyard Creek,
again allowing passage of anadromous trout and salmon. In FY 2001, Coastal
Program funding was used to remove another 30 smaller barriers as well
as in-stream and riparian restoration work. Three miles of stream were
opened for fish migration, and stabilization of the stream banks was
conducted to prevent erosion. Partners: Bad River Band Natural Resources
Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Volunteer
Sturgeon Monitoring Program by Commercial Fishermen started in Western
Basin of Lake Superior
The
Ashland Fishery Resources Office (FRO) has initiated a volunteer sturgeon
monitoring program for commercial fishermen fishing near the Keneewaw
Peninsula in the upper peninsula of Michigan on Lake Superior. Three
tribal fishermen have volunteered to tag and collect data from sturgeon
caught in their gill nets or trap nets. Two of the fishermen, Joe Newago,
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Neil Malmgren, Keweenaw
Bay Indian Community (KBIC), are using gill nets and the Dakota brothers,
Dale and Brad, of the KBIC, are fishing with trap nets. Each volunteer
is given a "sturgeon kit", a tackle box that contains a cloth
tape measure, scissors, tag gun and yellow USFWS numbered floy tags,
camera, a mini-hack saw, pencils and scale envelopes that were developed
to record the data on. When a sturgeon is caught, total length and girth
measurements are taken, weighed if possible, then the sturgeon is tagged
at the base of the dorsal fin. A small piece of the pectoral fin is clipped
and saved in the scale envelope, which will be used for genetic work.
A picture of the fish is taken as a visual record and then released.
If the sturgeon is dead, the mini-hack saw is used to remove the pectoral
fin to be used for aging the specimen, along with all the data being
recorded as well. Along with the volunteers, the Red Cliff Band of Lake
Superior Chippewa Natural Resources Department is currently conducting
their annual lake trout assessments on Lake Superior, and a kit was supplied
to the tribe. Data collected from the tribe and volunteers will be entered
into a Lake Sturgeon Great Lakes Database that is currently being developed.
Partners: Ashland FRO Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Natural Resources
Department, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources
Department, Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Natural Resources
Department
New
Tag for Lake Trout Research Records Depth and Water Temperature
The
Chequamegon Bay Zebra Mussel Task Force completed this year's zebra mussel
monitoring efforts in Wisconsin's Chequamegon Bay area of Lake Superior
November 1, 2001. Twenty one of 41 adult zebra mussel monitoring devices
were set and checked by staff from the Ashland Fishery Resources Office.
Tribal Natural Resources Departments from Bad River and Red Cliff set
and checked 14 and six devices respectively. The devices were set in
July, checked at least monthly, and lifted in October. Locations included
recreational and commercial boat docks, industrial areas, and tributaries.
Areas monitored included Chequamegon Bay, Madeline Island, and near shore
Lake Superior from the Sand River to the Bad River, a shoreline distance
of more than 100 km. A total of six plankton tows were also completed
during the period to check for the presence of veligers. The veliger
tows were taken in the Ashland and Washburn harbors. On Sept. 4, one
dead adult zebra mussel was discovered on a sampler near the discharge
area of the Northern States Power facility. No other zebra mussels were
found on any other samplers during the 2001 monitoring period. Analysis
of the plankton samples for the presence of veligers has not been completed.
The Service and tribes monitor the waters for zebra mussels as part of
an ongoing effort to prevent to prevent infestation of zebra mussels
in Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior, and to prevent or delay the spread
of zebra mussels in outlying waters to Chequamegon Bay. Resource Outputs:
Output: Monitor for the presence of zebra mussels in Chequamegon Bay,
Lake Superior. If detected, decide on the best course of action to prevent
spreading. Take steps to prevent a future infestation from occuring.
Outcome: Attempt to prevent an infestation of zebra mussels in Chequamegon
Bay, Lake Superior, and prevent or delay the spread of zebra mussels
in outlying waters to Chequamegon Bay Partners: Great Lakes Indian Fish
and Wildlife Commission, USGS, NPS, BIA, Bad River and Red Cliff Depts.
of Natural Resources, the City of Ashland, WI, and Northern States Power
Co.
