CONSERVATION LINES

JANUARY 2002

by Ron Spitler

Belated Thanks, Ralph !

Ralph Blasey, Environmental Director for the Avid Bass Anglers of Michigan, responded admirably last summer to our alert regarding the public meeting on the Pickeral Lake Access Site closure threat. He and his 16 year-old son attended the meeting on August 14 and were joined by only one other supporter for improvement of the site. The other 40 or so speakers were opposed to improvements, preferring instead to shut the access to boaters and allow swimmers, etc. to continue dominating the site.

Ralph then sent an e-mail to all federation members reviewing the situation and asking for help through a letter writing/e-mail/telephone campaign to the DNR. He delivered seven letters to the DNR from us, including one from Bruce Shupp, International Conservation Director. It was enough to avoid such a dangerous precedent. Some improvements are scheduled for the site and it will remain open.

Fisherman’s Landing at Muskegon Lake May Move, In 2003

Rumors were flying recently about Fisherman’s Landing; was it being sold for development as a commercial shipping port? Was the best tournament site in that part of the state just going to disappear? Was the city selling us out? I contacted the person who could give me the answers, Ric Scott, Director of Leisure Services in Muskegon. Ric’s job is to oversee recreational development in the city, and he explained the situation. The end of the lake where the ramp is has been designated a “port zone” for some time. Two different parties have talked with the city about acquiring the site to develop it into a port, and consequently, the city looked into options for “converting” (moving) the ramp to a different location. On January 28 the City Commission will make a decision on whether to move the ramp or not. If they choose to move it, the plans and funds are in place to expand Hartshorn Marina (located mid-lake on the south side) to accommodate as much parking, including expansion to 15 launching slips. Mr. Scott assures me they do not wish to discourage us or any other boaters, but in fact would provide an improved site. He added that the site would probably have more congestion, due to the existing marina, but in the end would probably be better, overall. If the commission approves changing the location, the existing ramp would not be closed until the new one is ready, probably in the spring of 2003. Nothing will change at the ramp in 2002. I’ll keep you posted as this issue develops.

Partnership Agreement with DNR Nears Reality

On December 17 Dennis Beltz and I met with DNR representatives in the Mason Building in Lansing to finalize the language in the draft partnership agreement. John Schrouder, Bill Boik and Gary Towns reviewed the document with us and very few changes were made, mostly for language clarification. The document is now being sent to the appropriate division chiefs for their approval and signatures. John and Bill will join us at the February meeting to let us know what is happening in Fisheries and Recreation Divisions, and hopefully we’ll have the signed document at that time. This landmark partnership will mean greater cooperation and coordination between DNR and the BASS Federation, something that can only help us in our bass interests in the future.