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Error in Iowa Waterfowl
Hunting Regulations
DES MOINES - There is an error
in the season information printed in the 2006 Iowa Waterfowl
Hunting Regulations that involves canvasbacks. As printed, the
regulations booklet specifies season dates for "Ducks,
Mergansers and Coots - excluding canvasbacks." This is
incorrect. The season for canvasbacks is open with all Ducks,
Mergansers and Coots in both the north and south duck hunting
zones in Iowa this year.
Last year, canvasbacks had a
much shorter season, which required a separate entry in the
waterfowl regulations booklet, and a reference to "excluding
canvasbacks" under the Ducks, Mergansers and Coots entry. This
reference to "excluding canvasbacks" was, regrettably, not
deleted. We apologize for any confusion.
A corrected version of the
Waterfowl Seasons is available on the Iowa Department of Natural
Resources website at www.iowadnr.com. Click on Hunting, then on
Hunting and Trapping Regulations, then click on Migratory Bird
Regulations. The season dates and bag limits are on page 6.
The north duck zone season is
Sept. 23 through 27, and from Oct. 14 through Dec. 7. The South
Duck Zone is Sept. 23 through 27 and from Oct. 21 through Dec.
14.
The daily bag limit for ducks
is six with no more than four mallards (of which no more than
two may be female, two wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck,
one pintail, one canvasback, and two scaup.
Don't Bring Out of
State Firewood to Iowa Parks and Forests
DES MOINES - While thousands of
Iowans will be camping and building campfires over the Labor Day
holiday as a farewell to summer, state forestry officials are
urging visitors and campers not to bring out of state firewood
into Iowa state parks and forests.
"Transporting firewood from out
of state sources could threaten the health of our ash trees by
spreading the dreaded emerald ash borer that lives in ash
firewood," said John Walkowiak, chief of the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources forestry bureau.
Forestry experts in Michigan,
Indiana, Ohio, and most recently Illinois are in a battle
against the "emerald ash borer," a tiny green beetle that was
accidentally introduced to the U.S. from Asia. Since its
discovery in 2002, the insect has killed more than 20 million
ash trees in the lower peninsula of Michigan, northern Indiana,
and northern Ohio alone. "Within the last month, emerald ash
borer has been found in three Chicago metro areas. The borer
attacks all species of native ash, green, white and black ash
and all associated landscape cultivars," Walkowiak said. "Ash
trees are common in our forests, and have been heavily used in
urban landscapes, perhaps totaling one in every five trees in a
typical Iowa city.
"To date, continuing joint trap
tree work and survey efforts by Iowa DNR and Iowa State
University Extension Entomology have not found emerald ash borer
in Iowa," Walkowiak said. "There is no reason to remove ash
trees or to do any type of chemical treatments for a pest that
has yet to be found. But, by reducing the movement of out of
state firewood to Iowa public camping areas we can minimize the
risk of accidental introduction of an unwanted pest such as
emerald ash borer.
"Wisconsin and Illinois have
recently banned bringing out of state firewood into their state
parks as the concern of emerald ash borer coming from Michigan,"
he said.. Walkowiak urged travelers to emerald ash borer
infected states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio not to
bring back firewood from those states to Iowa. "Plenty of
firewood is available locally at your favorite state or county
parks. Lastly, make sure you burn all of your firewood at your
campsite and not leave it or transport to a new area."
For more information about
emerald ash borer go to
www.emeraldashborer.org .
For more information, contact
Walkowiak at 515-242-5966 or by e-mail at
john.walkowiak@dnr.state.ia.us
DNR Estimates More
Than 5,000 Fish Killed Near Rockwell City
ROCKWELL CITY - Investigation
of a fish kill near Rockwell City has determined that at least
5,000 fish were killed along a four mile stretch of stream that
included Lake Creek and one of its tributaries.
Most of the fish were smaller
species such as minnows, shiners and chubs although a larger
catfish and carp were also found.
The kill is believed to have
been caused by manure running from a hog operation owned by
Loren Wuebker of Rockwell City following a rain.
The investigation is continuing
and could result in enforcement action being taken and
restitution for the fish.
For more information, contact
Kevin Baskins at 515-249-2814.
Funds for Targeted
Watersheds Grant Program Announced
DES MOINES - Governor Tom
Vilsack and DNR Director Jeff Vonk announced today that eligible
watersheds in Iowa may qualify for federal funds under the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Targeted Watersheds
Grant Program.
Under this program, $16 million
is available to support the protection and restoration of the
country's water resources through a holistic watershed approach.
This program is designed to encourage successful community-based
approaches and techniques to protect water resources throughout
the country. Governor Vilsack can nominate an unlimited number
of meritorious projects for funding consideration by EPA.
Successful applicants will be eligible for funding of $600,000
to $900,000.
Several Iowa projects have
received funding under this program in recent years. In 2003,
the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance was awarded $600,000 to
support a comprehensive watershed project to protect and improve
water quality in Lake Rathbun. In 2004, the Iowa Department of
Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University were
awarded $1 million to carry out an integrated drainage tile
management-wetlands project, in cooperation with three drainage
districts in Palo Alto and Pocahontas counties.
Both Vilsack and Vonk said the
grant program offers excellent opportunities for local
communities looking to improve water quality.
"Water quality is a statewide
issue, but the most successful efforts we see in improving water
quality start at the local level," said Vilsack. "When local
citizens care enough about water quality to become active, the
work gets done and having access to the federal dollars is a
real shot in the arm for transforming interest and ideas into
action and results."
Vonk said an increasing number
of communities are realizing the importance natural resources
and outdoor recreation amenities play in the economic vitality
of their regions.
"By investing in water quality,
we support wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation and ultimately,
our economy. We also make Iowa a great place to live, work and
raise a family. Communities that understand these concepts and
lead the effort are the ones that will have best positioned
themselves for a more prosperous future," said Vonk.
DNR will solicit applications
for the program and provide recommendations to the Governor
regarding projects to be submitted for funding consideration. In
accordance with EPA guidance, applications will be evaluated
upon their anticipated water quality benefits, their breadth of
local support, their level of innovative environmental
problem-solving, and their compatibility with other federal and
state efforts.
To be considered, applications
must be received by the DNR no later than Oct. 25, 2006.
Governor Vilsack will submit Iowa's nominations to EPA, with
final selections being determined by EPA.
Additional details on how to
apply for the Targeted Watersheds Grant Program, including
eligibility requirements and where to send your application, can
be found at www.iowadnr.com/water/nonpoint/watershed.html.
Questions can also be directed to: Ubbo Agena, Nonpoint Program
Coordinator, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (phone
515-281-6402, email: ubbo.agena@dnr.state.is.us) or Becky
Schwiete, Environmental Specialist Sr. Iowa Department of
Natural Resources (phone 515-242-6196, email: rebecca.schwiete@dnr.state.ia.us)
