Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel today announced he has signed an order transferring responsibility for fisheries and environmental research in the Great Lakes area from the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries (BCF) to the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife (BSFW) effective October 1.
Secretary Hickel noted that the Department first announced proposed changes in bureau responsibilities last spring. At that time, the Department pointed out that it was apparent that virtually all the Great Lakes States were making increased recreational opportunity their predominant interest in administering the lake resources.
The new order also places greater emphasis on recreational opportunities. In addition, it will help to step up current research on environmental affairs, such as the extent of mercury contamination in the lakes.
Under the order, BSFW will take over from BCF the administration of biological research programs at the Great Lakes Fishery Laboratory at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and at field stations at Saugatuck, Michigan, Ashland, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, and Mobridge, South Dakota; field station sea lamprey research at Hammond Bay (Millersburg), Michigan, and field station work on sea lamprey control at Marquette and Ludington, Michigan.
BSFW will also assume responsibility from BCF for research on the alewife problem in Lake Michigan and rehabilitation of lake trout stocks in Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
Congress appropriated $1, 218, 000 for fiscal year 1971 for operation of the Great Lakes fishery programs and BCF will transfer to BSFW the funds remaining for those purposes.
At the same time Secretary Hickel announced the appointment of Dr. Stanford H. Smith, 50, as acting director of the Ann Arbor laboratory for the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. Dr, Smith is a prominent Federal career fishery scientist with more than 20 years' research experience on fisheries of the Great Lakes.
The new Ann Arbor director succeeds Dr. George Y. Harry, J r., 51, who has been transferred to the post of director of the BCF Marine Mammals Laboratory at Seattle, Washington.
All personnel, facilities, and equipment will be transferred under this order with no reductions in staff or funding.
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