DNR news releases, Oct. 10, 2013

MINNESOTA DNR NEWS #76                                                                                 Oct. 10, 2013
All news releases are available in the DNR’s website newsroom at www.mndnr.gov/news.
Follow the DNR on Twitter @mndnr.

IN THIS ISSUE
Government shutdown not expected to impact the Camp Ripley archery hunt
DNR seeks applications for spending oversight committees
More Minnesota businesses now required to take aquatic invasive species training
Grants available for development and maintenance of OHV trails

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Government shutdown not expected to impact the Camp Ripley archery hunt

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Minnesota Department of Military Affairs (DMA) are still planning to hold the 2013 Camp Ripley archery hunts scheduled for Oct. 26-27, and Nov. 2-3.

“Hunts at Camp Ripley are important to our archers, and many plan for this event a year in advance,” said Beau Liddell, area wildlife supervisor at Little Falls. “In addition, hunter harvest is the only means available to efficiently manage deer populations on the installation. However, effects of the federal government shutdown have made it challenging for our partners at Camp to meet their military training mission. We are sympathetic to those needs which take precedent over hunting at Camp.”
 
In recent days many hunters have contacted the DNR to inquire about impacts of the shutdown on the hunt. While the National Guard is impacted by the shutdown, it appears there will be sufficient military resources available to assist with managing the hunts, and as of today no significant impacts to the timing of the hunt are anticipated.
 
The current situation may change if the shutdown continues for a significant period of time and results in additional major impacts to military training. The DMA and the DNR are monitoring the situation and will release information as soon as it appears that changes to the timing of the hunts may occur.

Hunters should remain vigilant for statewide news releases, public service announcements, and should monitor the DNR’s deer hunting Web page frequently in case changes to this year’s events become necessary. If major changes are needed, the DNR will attempt to contact hunters via letter regarding such changes at least a week prior to the first hunt.
 
The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt with the DMA, which manages the 53,000-acre military reservation.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                         Oct. 10, 2013

DNR seeks applications for spending oversight committees

Minnesotans who would like to serve on committees that review how the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) spends game and fish fund dollars should submit an application by Friday, Oct. 25.

The DNR is seeking at least 12 to 14 people to serve on the Fisheries Oversight and Wildlife Oversight committees. Appointees will be responsible for reviewing the agency’s annual Game and Fish Fund report in detail and, following discussions with agency leaders and others, write a report on the findings of this review. About half of the current members’ terms expire Dec. 14, and are subject to this open application.

Though not well known, Minnesota’s Game and Fish Fund is the fiscal foundation for much of the state’s core natural resource management functions. Upwards of $95 million a year is deposited into this fund from hunting and fishing license sales, a sales tax on lottery tickets, and other sources of revenue, including a reimbursement based on a federal excise tax on certain hunting, fishing and boating equipment. The dollars that flow into this fund pay for the fish, wildlife, enforcement and ecological management that support 48,000 jobs in Minnesota’s outdoor recreation and hospitality business.

Interested applicants can learn more by reviewing past Game and Fish Fund reports at www.mndnr.gov/gamefishoversight/reports.html.

To apply, visit the DNR website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/gamefishoversight/applications.html.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       ___            Oct. 10, 2013

More Minnesota businesses now required to take aquatic invasive species training
Training sessions offered around the state this fall

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering additional aquatic invasive species (AIS) training to owners of lake service provider businesses this fall so they can legally work in the state’s waters.

Businesses that rent, lease or decontaminate boats or other water-related equipment are now required to attend AIS training and acquire a permit under a state law change that took effect in July.

“Before this change, the law applied only to businesses such as marinas, dock haulers, boat clubs and others who install or remove equipment from state waters,” said April Rust, DNR AIS training coordinator.

Several AIS training sessions for lake service providers are scheduled around the state: Rochester, Oct. 15; Bemidji; Oct. 16; Duluth, Oct. 27; Blaine, Nov. 6.

After completing the required three-hour training, lake service providers must pass an exam, apply for a permit online, and pay a $50 application fee before a permit is issued. The training sessions provide details about AIS and information needed to pass the test. They also cover how to integrate AIS prevention strategies into business practices. The permit is valid for 3 years. Lake service providers must have the permits while providing services.

Employees of lake service provider businesses also need to complete a short training course offered free online – unless they work for a business with boats, equipment or structures that remain on the property in the same body of water.

Nearly 1,000 lake service businesses in Minnesota have attended AIS training since January 2012 and are now included on the DNR’s list of permitted service providers.
(webapps8.dnr.state.mn.us/aquatic_invasive_species_training/lake_service_provider_permits/public_website_list).

To register for training, find out if a business needs a permit, or for more information, visit the DNR website at www.mndnr.gov/lsp.

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DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 Oct. 10, 2013

Grants available for development and maintenance of OHV trails

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Parks and Trails Division has scheduled a series of meetings to provide information about the off-highway vehicle (OHV) grant-in-aid (GIA) program, a cost-share program to facilitate development and maintenance of trails.

These meetings are intended for groups with an active interest in all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs) and off-road vehicles (ORVs), such as sport utility vehicles and modified trucks. The meetings will not be for snowmobile trails.

Groups currently receiving GIA funds are encouraged to attend. These meetings will also be helpful to local units of government that sponsor GIA contracts and clubs that want to expand public OHV trails in Minnesota.

DNR staff, including Parks and Trails area supervisors and OHV acquisition and development specialists, will explain the GIA application process, provide copies of the GIA manual and forms and answer questions.

Grant applications for maintenance of existing trails are due by Nov. 30. New trail proposals are accepted at any time.

The DNR asks anyone planning to attend one of these meetings to RSVP (see phone numbers below) so that adequate space and materials will be available:

Bemidji: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. - noon, Lake Bemidji State Park Visitor Center, 3401 State Park Road, NE, Bemidji, MN 56601; RSVP: 218-308-2367.

Tower: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6 - 8 p.m., Tower DNR office, 650 Highway 169, Tower, MN 55790; RSVP: 218-753-2580.

Rochester: Thursday, Oct. 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Rochester Community and Technical College (Heintz Center, Room #HA 122), 1926 College View Dr. SE, Rochester, MN 55904;
RSVP: 507-206-2847.

Sauk Rapids: Monday, Oct. 28, 7 - 9 p.m., Sauk Rapids DNR office, 940 Industrial Dr. South #103, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379; RSVP: 320-223-7878.

Fergus Falls: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Fergus Falls DNR office, 1509 First Ave. NE, Fergus Falls, MN 56537; RSVP: 218-739-7576.

Moose Lake area: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6-8 p.m., Rutledge Community Center, 7369 Highway 61, Rutledge, MN 55785; RSVP: 218-485-5410.

Windom: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Windom DNR office, 175 County Road 26, Windom, MN 56143; RSVP: 507-831-2900.

Metro area: Wednesday, Oct. 30, 7 - 9 p.m., Gander Mountain, 10650 Baltimore St. NE, Blaine, MN 55449; RSVP: 651-259-5874.

Brainerd: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6 – 8 p.m., Brainerd DNR office, 1601 Minnesota Dr., Brainerd, MN 56401; RSVP: 218-833-8710.

As additional meetings are scheduled, details will be posted at www.mndnr.gov (www.dnr.state.mn.us/ohv/ontrack/index.html). 

For questions about the OHV GIA program or suggestions for topics to discuss at upcoming meetings, contact Mary Straka, OHV program coordinator, 218-833-8713 or mary.straka@state.mn.us.

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