|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2010
For more information contact:
Tim Patronski, Native American Liaison, U.S.F.W.S., 612-713-5108
In excess of $683,000 in Fish and Wildlife Conservation Grants Awarded to Tribes in the Midwest Region
The U.S.F.W.S., Midwest Region recently announced backing for 4 Tribal fish and wildlife conservation plans totaling $683,927 through the Service's Fiscal Year 2010 Tribal Wildlife Grant Program. The following Tribes received backing this year: the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin; the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians; the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians; and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians in Michigan.
Tribal Wildlife Grants provide assistance to Tribes for development and implementation of programs that benefits fish and wildlife resources and their habitat. Activities funded through the plan may include: planning for wildlife and habitat conservation, fish and wildlife conservation and management actions, fish and wildlife related research, habitat mapping, field surveys and population monitoring, habitat protection, and public education that is relevant to the project.
Since 2003, 66 plans totaling over $8.6 million have been funded in the Service's Midwest Region through the Tribal Wildlife Grant Plan and the Tribal Landowner Incentive Program. These plans have made a big difference on the ground and have helped build capacity for Tribal management of culturally important fish and wildlife species.
The following plans were funded this year:
· Walleye Assessment to Safeguard Fishery on White Sand and Little Sand Lakes - Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians ($83,954). Walleye is a culturally significant fish of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians as it provides Tribal members with subsistence and sport fishing opportunities. The purpose of this one year plan is to conduct a comprehensive walleye population survey on White Sand and Little Sand Lakes in order to evaluate the existing 15 year old harvest regulations and determine whether the new regulations are needed.
· Development of a Native Species Restoration Project for the 1836 Treaty Area: Arctic Grayling and Elk Re-establishment - Little River Band of Ottawa Indians ($200,000). This 3 year plan will develop a comprehensive native species restoration Project for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians Reservation and the Big Manistee River watershed focused on Arctic grayling and elk. The plan will increase the Band's capacity to restore these culturally important species, previously extirpated from Michigan.
· Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Natural Resources Department 2010 Tribal Wildlife Grant (Walleye Assessment and Model) - Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians ($199,973). This 2 year plan will gather information to calculate population estimates of adult walleye and classify walleye lakes based on recruitment type to further develop the walleye population model currently used in Michigan's inland lakes. The refined model will be used to predict adult walleye abundance in order to effectively manage walleye resources in the 1836 Treaty Area of Michigan.
· The Boardman River Restoration Project: Tribal Fishery Enhancement of 7 Generations - Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians ($200,000). This plan will support the 2nd phase of the Boardman River restoration effort in Michigan. This restoration project, one of the biggest dam removal and fish passage restoration plans in the Great Lakes basin, will have a significant and lasting impact on the fish and wildlife resources that are of great importance to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and other partners within the Boardman River watershed.
The Service received 137 proposals requesting In excess of $21,000,000 in plan backing this year. The proposals were reviewed by regional and national scoring panels and 42 plans totaling $7,112,852 were funded. The national news release and more information on the plans funded are accessible at:
http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=06801DC7-F835-D4E5-C56BE6DEBFF9B571
The mission of the U.S.F.W.S. is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
|
