45 Years of Service 1975-2020
Cormorant Update
March 24,2020
If you have followed our Facebook page and Website, straitsareasportsmensclu.net, you will see we have been following the Management of Double-crested Cormorants. March 9thwas the last day of public comments for the proposed plan. When the comment day came there were over 1,400 individuals who submitted comments to the Fish & Wildlife Service.
We had high hopes we would hear something positive this spring about depredation permits. Unforutly with the Caronus virus and government red tape we will not hear anything at this time. Which the Caronousvirus problem it is understandable. Rest assured members of the Straits Area Sportsmen's Club will be out harassing the Cormorants when they arrive this spring.
From the Fish & Wildlife Service webpage, https://www.fws.gov/regulations/cormorant/process here is where the process is today March 24, 2020.
January 22 to March 9, 2020 - Public Scoping and Comment Period
Watch recorded webinars and view submitted comments at Regulations.gov Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2019-0103
Spring 2020 - The Service analyzes public comments and prepares draft EIS
An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a document that evaluates and discusses potential environmental impacts that would occur as a result of an agency taking action. It details the process through which a project is developed, includes consideration of a range of reasonable alternatives, analyzes the potential impacts resulting from the alternatives, and demonstrates compliance with other applicable environmental laws and executive orders. The EIS also informs the development of the draft rule, which will also be developed during this timeframe.
The next phase of public input will occur with the publication of a draft rule and draft Environmental Impact Statement
The Service will publish the draft EIS and draft rule for public review and comment. As part of the process, agencies identify and invite the participation of interested people. A draft EIS is published for public review and comment for a minimum of 45 days. This means the public has an opportunity to comment on the scope of the environmental review at the beginning of the process, and again on the draft before a final EIS and final rule is issued.
Summer 2020 - Draft EIS review and analysis
Upon the close of the comment period of the draft EIS and draft rule, the Service will consider all substantive comments and, if necessary, conduct further analyses. The Service will then prepare a final EIS, which informs the development of the final rule.
Fall 2020 - Publication of final EIS
A final EIS is then published, which responses to substantive comments. A Notice of Availability is published in the Federal Register, announcing the availability of both draft and final EISs to the public.The EIS process ends with the issuance of the Record of Decision (ROD), which is the final rule. The ROD explains the Service’s decision, describes the alternatives considered, and discusses any plans for monitoring, if necessary.
September 1, 2019
Effort Continues To Fight Cormorant In Great Lakes
Today, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced the Senate companion to the Cormorant Relief Act, legislation originally introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Collin Peterson (MN-07). The legislation would temporarily reinstate depredation orders to allow for recreational fisheries and aquaculture facilities alike to effectively manage cormorant populations.
To read the entire story from Radio Results Network click here.
Cormorant Control Program on Brevort Lake.
As one of the first non-government organizations to be approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to begin the Cormorant Harassment program on Brevort Lake. The SASC works closely with USFWS and the Michigan DNR the SASC has been working to control the number of Cormorants that attempt to inhabit Brevort Lake and the surrounding area.
Each spring after ice-out SASC Members begin to harass Cormorants to chase them off of the lake where they have had a devastating effect on the fish population of Brevort Lake.
May 26, 2016, a Federal Judge ruled the “Depredation” Orders for Double-Crested Cormorants Rescinded Immediately. Since then Club Members still harass only the cormorants they observe on Brevort Lake.
The Straits Area Sportsmen's Club is currently lobbying federal agencies and Congressmen to change this ruling.
To Learn More About Comorannts
The Eastern U.P. is a major nesting are for the Double Breasted Cormorants with its many island and lakes.