Recommendations for DrummondIslandComprehensive Resource Management Plan

Report of the DrummondIsland Writing Team

to the

Director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

March 2012??

DrummondIslandWriting Team Members

Primary Representatives

Alternate Representatives

Introduction

We, the Drummond Island Writing Team, present these recommendations to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to help guide the future management of DrummondIsland and resource use-related issues. We ask the DNRto consider these recommendations, contained here within, inthe development ofa Drummond IslandComprehensive Resource Management Plan. We believe these recommendations represent the diverse interests of Michigan society and will best serve the management of DrummondIsland for years to come.

The Role of the DrummondIsland Team

The DNRrecognizes that the citizens of Michigan have an interest and stake in the future management of DrummondIsland and should have an opportunity for their points of view to be represented. To address this need, the DNR established the Drummond Island Writing Team. Our membership represents a diversity of stakeholder viewpoints and includes:Please fill in

Recommendations from theDrummondIsland Writing Team

Environmental Protection

ChicagoShip Canal

Rationale: **For examples on writing the rationale for the recommendations, please look at the end of this document**

Recommendations:

  • For the betterment of Drummond Island fisheries, wildlife, tourism, and citizen:, The group recommends to the DNR, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Great Lakes Commission, the International Joint Commission, and the Michigan Congressional Delegation that they take all measures deemed necessary to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasives by closing the Chicago ship canal and possible elimination of salt water shipping from the Great Lakes.
  • The group recommends to the DNR, the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Great Lakes Commission, the International Joint Commission, and the Michigan Congressional Delegation that the Lake Huron and Lake Michigan lake levels be restored by reducing outflow (at a given lake level) to that which existed pre-St. Lawrence Seaway dredging of St. Clair and Detroit Rivers.

Fossil Ledges

Rationale:

Recommendations:

The group recommends that the DNR work with DI partners to:

  • place large boulders in front of the beaches to protect the fossil ledges from motor vehicle..
  • create and install informational signage for the Alvar region, Marblehead, Glen Cove road, fossil ledges, and other fragile nature areas in such a manner to make it extremely difficult to remove.
  • establish a public relations program to educate visitors on the fragile nature of these areas and to discourage illegal use.

Beech Bark Disease

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group supports and encourages the efforts of the DNR to mitigate the spread of beech bark disease and other terrestrial invasive species that affect the island’s flora and fauna.

Wildlife Management

Cormorant Control

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that cormorant control continue; with efforts being expanded (e.g., fall harassment, expanded dates, and areas of control and take) and press the USFWS and elected officials to allow further control of the cormorant population in order to significantly reduce negative impacts on the DrummondIsland fish populations.
  • We support the DNR’s efforts to increase cormorant harvest numbers to accomplish the objectives of this plan.

Deer Management

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that there be a special free DrummondIsland stamp that must be obtained to hunt deer on the Island. Make it mandatory that deer hunters provide the DNR harvest data for all deer seasons. The DrummondIsland Sportsmen Club will assist with collection and cost of deer harvest data.
  • Failure to return the data would result in the loss of deer hunting privileges on DI for the following year. (Amended: This recommendation came after the original recommendation).
  • The group recommends that Tribal deer harvest data obtained and submitted by the DrummondIsland Sportsmen Club be considered by the DNR.
  • The group recommends DI hunters would be allowed to take one deer (either antlered or antlerless), except during firearm season when only an antlered deer could be harvested. If the DNR allows there could be extra antlerless licenses – a bonus tag would be allowed in all hunting seasons.
  • The group recommends that antlered deer must have at least 3 points on one side.
  • The group recommends that elevated platforms and deer baiting be allowed from Oct. 1 through Nov. 4 and Dec. 1 through Jan. 1 in the Marble Head Management Area (everything southeast of Sheep Ranch Road) for 3 years. Elevated platforms and deer baiting in this area will be prohibited from Nov. 5 through Nov. 30 (see map).
  • Outside of this area, elevated platforms and baiting will be allowed from Oct. 1 through Jan. 1.
  • The group recommends that the DrummondIslandWriting Team convene in 3 years to evaluate the results/outcome of this recommendation.

Feral Swine

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group supports and encourages the efforts of the DNR to prevent the introduction of feral swine to DrummondIsland.

Ruffed Grouse Management

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that the Drummond Island Writing team members work with the DNR and the Ruffed Grouse Society to create areas that are more intensively managed for Ruffed Grouse and upland game birds (e.g., aspen blocks managed on rotation).

Bobcat Management

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • Due to the DI isolated bobcat population, the group recommends the prohibition of dryland and surface ice body gripping traps and cable restraints on the Island.
  • If the approved recommendation is not approved, the group recommends that the bobcat season be closed on DrummondIsland for five years.

Fisheries Management

Perch Management

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that the DNR manage the DrummondIsland perch fisheries to increase the quantity and size of perch in a manner that may include the following: habitat management, increasing the minimum take size to 8”, and reducing creel limits to 30.

Pike Management

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that the DNR reinstates pike season dates such that pike spearing not go beyond the end of February.
  • The group recommends that the DNR manage for trophy pike by incorporating protected slots.

Recreational Management

Old Growth Areas

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that the DNR work closely with the DrummondIsland Writing team in the identification and designation of old growth areas for their potential recreational uses.

Outdoor Recreation Strategy

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends that the DNR Wildlife Division Public Outreach and Engagement unit work with the Drummond Island Writing Team to establish an outdoor recreation strategy, which includes youth activities and other outreach programs to encourage outdoor-based recreation events.

Camping Platforms

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • If funding is obtained by the Drummond Island Tourist Association, the group recommends one raised camping platform be installed at each of four sites for remote tent camping by hunters and all sportspersons, known as 1) Mare Island, 2) North end Site (known as Grand Marais), 3) Glen Cove Site and 4) south side site (east of Long Point).
  • If funding is obtained by the DrummondIsland Tourist Association, the group recommends the installation of an ADA compliant paddling launch site (EZ-launch) at MaxtonBay boating access site.

Boat Launches

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR identify and provide additional boat launches (gravel) for outboard and duck hunting boats in remote sections (for example, Warner’s Cove, Bass Cove, and Glen Cove) of the island.

Shipwreck Buoys

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR support and recommend to the governing state and federal agencies that buoys be allowed on deep shipwrecks in non-shipping lanes within DrummondIslandTownship in the Great Lakes.

Multi-use Non-Motorized Trail

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR work with local partners to develop a multi-use (hunting, hiking, mountain bike, x-country ski, camping, equestrian, etc.) non-motorized trail with minimum impact on the natural features.

Walk-in Hunting and Other Recreational Opportunities

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • To encourage walk-in hunting and other recreational opportunities, the group recommends that the entire area north of First and Second Lake be designated as a no-wheeled motorized access area (see map).

Niagara Escarpment Hiking Trail

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR review the DITA trail proposal, which creates the Niagara escarpment hiking trail on the extreme east end of the DrummondIsland. This proposed trail would start at Sitgreaves Bay, follow the beach to Pilot Harbor, continue along the beach for about one mile, then rising with the Niagara Escarpment, it would follow a path through the Alvar to Marble Head and then continue on to the south to its end before dropping back down to the Lake Huron Shoreline a short distance to Shale Beach. The escarpment plan will also include a wildlife viewing birding trail that is on the north side of the PilotHarbor Marsh. (Insert poster/map)

South Marblehead Bypass Project

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR cease remaining phases of the south Marblehead bypass project, and future road maintenance activities not improve the road beyond what is necessary to meet 4-wheel drive standards.

Existing ATV Trails

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: DNR work with the DISC and DIORC on a proposed realignment of the existing ATV trails in order to provide for improved deer management and hunter experience. There will be no significant loss or gain of any wheeled motorized recreational experience in mileage, time of use, or quality of experience.

Road Improvement

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DNR support the improvement of the road from Glen Cove to SitgreavesBay to be passable by a two-wheeled drive sedan.

“Rock Crawl” Formation

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The group recommends: The DIORC develop a proposal that would be reviewed by the DNR that would use existing rocks to form a “rock crawl” in an appropriate area (non Pittman-Robertson/Restricted fund purchased land); an area consisting of approximately 200” wide x 50’ long adjacent to an existing ORV route.

Law Enforcement

DrummondIsland Conservation Officer

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT strongly recommends that the DNR employ a Conservation Officer who resides on DrummondIsland.

Filling Vacant Conservation Officer Positions

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that the vacant conservation officer positions in the EUP be filled.

Improving Patrol of ORV and Snowmobile Trails

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that members of the DIWT (the Township and the DrummondIsland ORC) work with the DNR and ChippewaCounty Sheriff to improve patrol of the DrummondIsland ORV and snowmobile trails.

Volunteer Conservation Officer Program

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that a Volunteer Conservation Officer program or similar volunteer program like community watch be evaluated for establishment on DrummondIsland.

Education and Outreach

Partnering with Public Outreach and Engagement Unit

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that the DNR Wildlife Division Public Outreach and Engagement Unit partner with the DIWT and additional stakeholders to establish synergy in developing a comprehensive communication strategy to promote tourism on DrummondIsland.

Education through Partnership

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that the DNR partner with local groups to educate the public on unique DrummondIsland issues/regulations through public broadcasting programs (e.g., Michigan Out of Doors), local newspapers, social media (e.g., facebook) and printed brochures and posters.

Starlight Preserve

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that the DNR work with the DrummondIslandTownship, DITA and other stakeholders to promote DrummondIsland as a Dark Sky, starlight preserve.

Funding

Increased Hunting and Fishing License Fees

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that hunting/fishing judgment fees be increased in order to provide improved DNR law enforcement and compliance.
  • The DIWT recommends that hunting/fishing license fees be increased in order to provide improved DNR law enforcement, compliance, and fish and wildlife management.

Reconvening with DNR

Examining the Plan Progress

Rationale:

Recommendations:

  • The DIWT recommends that the DNR reconvene a meeting with the DIWT one year after the plan is approved to examine plan progress.

[Examples of Rationale and Recommendations from the Bear Consultation Team: This may help you to think about how you may craft the rationale that formed your recommendations.

Bear Abundance and Distribution

Rationale: Landscape/Habitat

Black bears are generally forest animals. Michigan has nearly 19 million acres of forest land, and approximately 65% is privately owned. Around 35,000 square miles of suitable bear habitat is located in the Upper Peninsula (UP) and Northern Lower Peninsula (NLP).

Land management practices within different forest cover types can impact available habitat for bears.Ownership patterns can also uniquely challenge bear management. In general, public lands consist of good bear habitat; whereas private lands vary in the quality of habitat they provide. Individual bears, especially males, have large home-ranges and seasonal movements of ten to twenty miles are common for black bears. Mature males have been known to move even greater distances during the breeding season.

We have a desire for current and future bear hunters to have access to huntable lands -- both public and private. Access is being reduced due to the loss of CommercialForest lands, sale of private lands, road closures and habitat fragmentation. We also recognizethat the loss of public land may impact the land base on which treaty rights may be exercised.We are also concerned about the loss of large blocks of land to parcelization, which impacts bear habitat, the distribution of bear on the landscape, and hunting opportunities

We understand the DNR is involved in numerous planning efforts, such as the StatewideForest plan, Eco-regional Resource plans, the Wildlife Action Plan, and the Wildlife Division Habitat Plan. These plans should compliment one another and take into consideration the habitat needs of Michigan’s black bear.

Recommendations:

In regards to access…

  • We recommend the DNR continue to investigate and encourage incentives or programs that provide access to public and private lands for recreational use. These activities should include new levels of cooperation and communication between hunters, landowners, and the DNR.
  • We recommend the DNR actively seek public involvement in decisions related to existing road closures and other actions that could change or hinder bear hunting access opportunities.

In regards to parcelization…

  • We recommend the DNR continue to actively acquire and consolidate public lands and encourage conservation programs (easements, leases) that provide large blocks of accessible land.

In regards to habitat…

  • We recommend the DNR consider bear habitat and bear population management when acquiring and consolidating lands.
  • We recommend the DNR consider bear habitat and bear population management when crafting larger scale resource management plans.

Rationale: Southern Michigan Bear Distribution

Black bear are common in the UP and areas of the NLP and are observed occasionally in the Southern Lower Peninsula (SLP); these SLP observations have become more frequent in recent years. There are many different viewpoints concerning bears and their potential expansion into southern Michigan; some citizens are favorable and others are more concerned about potential risks to bears and to the public. We recognize that bear moving into urban areas can be a public safety challenge and in some cases alarming to the local residents and dangerous to the bears. Education is one of the most important components in an information strategy that targets the public’s acceptance for bears expanding into southern Michigan. The DNR response plan to problem bearsin previously unoccupied habitat will also be critical in elevating public acceptance.

Recommendation:

  • We recommend the bear population be allowed to expand naturally into southern Michigan to the extent that social acceptance allows. Proactive education should be aimed at developing tolerance among the public and understanding the value of the cost and benefits of living with bears.

Rationale: Recruitment and Retention of Hunters

As the number of participants in many recreational hunting opportunities continues to decline, we recognize the critical importance of hunter recruitment and retention. We understand the DNR Director has made this a priority by creating the multi-organizational Hunter Recruitment and Retention Work Group. We appreciate the Work Group’s effort in passage of the Apprentice license and lowering of the hunting age. We also support the DNR’s current youth hunting season opportunities.

We want future generations to appreciate and value the cultural significance of bears and believe active recruitment and retention efforts are crucial to achieve this goal. We recognize the importance of a sound conservation ethic and the role hunters play in perpetuating that ethic. In addition, hunters provide financial support for public land access and habitat management, which benefits all recreational users of these lands.

Recommendation:

  • The DNR should strongly encourage and promote the recruitment and retention of hunters. Opportunities such as Apprentice hunting licenses, youth-only seasons, mentoring programs, and other retention and recruitment methods need to be reviewed and widely implemented.

We, the members of the Drummond Island Writing Team, as the designated representatives of our respective agencies and organizations, reached consensus on all of the preceding recommendations and hereby certify we support the information set forth in this report.

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