Thursday, July 26, 2018

Not everyone happy with impending move of Wildlife Division wildlife research unit

Despite controversy regarding its economic necessity, a move of the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Olentangy Research Station is still a “go.”

The 10-person wildlife management scientific unit is set to relocate to the Wildlife Division’s building located within the massive Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Fountain Square complex in Columbus. This arrangement is expected to be completed sometime in mid-August, says a departmental spokesman.

Wildlife scientists with the Olentangy unit in Delaware are tasked with studying a wide range of species. Among them are the wild turkey, white-tail deer, upland game and non-game, waterfowl, fur-bearer, trumpeter swans, barn owls, and several others.

This unit is not the same as that with the state Geological Survey Division’s Horrace Collins Seismic Center which operates out of Alum Creek State Park.

The move from Olentangy Station to Fountain Square will actually be a cost-neutral move for Wildlife,” said Natural Resources spokesman Matt Eiselstein.

The division incurred total costs of $47,890 in Fiscal Year 2018 to rent, operate and maintain the Olentangy Station. The cost in Fiscal Year 2019 is estimated to be nearly identical.”

Thus the move is intended to consolidate the Wildlife Division’s wildlife management research and bring closer to administrators those scientists who conduct such studies.
Yet the move is not without critics, including Jim Abrams, a non-retired Wildlife Division official.

Abrams says the cost to rent the Delaware facility is only $25,000 annually while the so-called “charge-back” fee (an accounting metric that incorporates such things as expenses for operations) will actually amount to $200,000 annually

This money will go to the parent Natural Resources Department via debiting the Wildlife Division’s Wildlife Fund, Abrams says.

The cost to purchase the existing facility in Delaware: $300,000,” Abrams says as well.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

Trump's trade war claims America's boat builders and RV makers as victims

America’s boat builders and recreational vehicle manufacturers are each fearful the Trump Administration’s new tariffs will erode profits, stifle growth, and create unemployment within their respective communities.

Indeed, both recreational-dependent industries are seeing the cost of manufacturing goods all ready escalating with no ceiling in sight. All due to the addition of tariffs on imported aluminum and steel for starters.

And at the other end of the product pipe line are retaliatory extra charges being assessed on finished goods. Canada, Mexico and the European Union are all attaching their own punitive import taxes on boats shipped from the U.S. And those markets account for fully 69 percent of all manufactured boats exported from this country, industry spokesmen say.

More specifically the U.S. recreational boating industry says it is facing a triple threat from tariffs on steel and aluminum, as well as anti-dumping claims on what are called countervailing duties on Chinese aluminum sheet, along with tariffs on nearly 300 marine related products.

The negative impact of such add-on fees, tariffs and the like could result in a loss of up to $1.7 billion for the boat-building industry alone, says the National Marine Manufacturers Association.

In effect, the Association – along with the European Boating Industry trade organization and the International Council of Marine Marine Industry Associations – collectively say their industry is being caught in the middle of economic trench warfare, “with extremely serious consequences for the sector on both sides of the Atlantic.”

President Trump’s recent announcement to impose a worldwide 10-percent import tariff on aluminum and 25-percent tariff on steel has faced criticism abroad, including a proposal by the European Union to put a range of US made products, including recreational vessels, on a retaliatory tariff list,” the three partners say in a joint communique.

In the U.S., the recreational boating industry contributes $38.2 billion in gross domestic product, supports 35,000 businesses and 650,000 direct and indirect jobs, the partnership says in hammering home the economic value of their operations.

Thus any additional cost on metals will drive up prices and drive away buyers, the industry says.

Aluminum is a critical raw material for boat and marine component manufacturing, and increased costs for US manufacturers to source this product will disrupt sales to a pontoon and aluminum fishing segment that accounted for $3 billion in U.S. sales and 110,000 boats,” says the three organizations also.

Using history as a backdrop, the three groups note that a similar trade war in 2002 under the-then George H.W. Bush Administration saw a cascading effect that caused a loss of some 200,000 marine-related jobs in this country.

There is no winner in a trade war,” the marine industry lobbying triumvirate says.

We have in the past expressed our subscription to the idea that mutually beneficial economic growth is achievable through tariff elimination, simplified certification procedures and internationally harmonized standards,” the partners add.

We reiterate our conviction that a reasonable and balanced partnership between the USA and the EU, which does not threaten growth, jobs and innovation, is the only sustainable way forward.”

Alarmed as well is this country’s recreational vehicle industry, an economic segment that interestingly enough has very strong ties with Indiana. That is the state in which Vice President Mike Spence hails from and for which he served as governor prior to being selected by Trump to serve as his second in command.

Indeed, Indiana’s strong connection to the RV industry is reflected in Congress. The U.S. Senate’s bipartisan “RV Caucus” - whose purpose is to promote the industry within Congress - is co-chaired by Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly with that state’s other senator, Todd Young, also being a member. On the House side, Indiana U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski is co-chair of its “RV Caucus” with four other Indiana House members also serving on the body.

Right now, manufacturers are concerned that the tariffs could hurt the RV market by increasing their costs and forcing them to raise prices. RV makers are trying to hold the line on price for now, but that becomes more difficult the longer the tariffs remain in place,” Kevin Broom, spokesman for the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association, said to this reporter. 

The short explanation is that tariffs on steel and aluminum negatively impacts RV production in the U.S. in several ways. Among them are increasing production costs both for RV manufacturers as well as their suppliers, the Association adds.

Yet even before the tariffs were implemented, domestic steel and aluminum producers were increasing their prices to downstream RV industry users, by amounts between 10 and 30 percent, Broom said as well.

Expanding on the subject, the RVMA added that “the scope of the steel and aluminum tariffs that have been enacted is far too broad to have the intended effect of curbing abuses by certain countries, and will only create new challenges for American businesses to the benefit of foreign competitors.”

And as if the additional cost of raw metals was not enough, prices to the consumer on RV models at retail in March were “up 8.5 percent versus the same time last year” Broom says.
Not surprisingly therefore the RVIA “opposes increased steel and aluminum tariffs which increase the cost to manufacture RVs and their components.”
As for what appears not to be impacted - at least for now, anyway - is the cost of imported outboard engines unless they are assembled as part of a packaged item. In which case the additional expense is the result of the tariffs on imported metals.
Spokesmen for both Honda Marine and Yamaha Marine told this reporter at the time this story was written that they are unaware of any additional levy or tariff on their respective outboard engines.
Similarly, a spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation said his organization's members are not experiencing any new tariff or duties being applied to handguns, rifles and shotguns being imported into the United States.
- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Proposed rule change would protect potential new Ohio record smallmouth bass applicant

Under a proposal announced July 11th an angler catching a new Ohio state record smallmouth bass won’t have to worry about either breaking the law or returning the fish to water.

The eight-member Ohio Wildlife Council heard for the first time several new fishing – and a few hunting and trapping - rule changes.

Among the proposals is one that if approved would remove the current May 1st to the last Saturday closure on the taking of smallmouth bass and largemouth bass from the waters of Lake Erie. With the provision, however, that from May 1st through the forth Saturday in June an angler could keep only one bass.

Outside of this period, says the Ohio Division of Wildlife, and which presented the proposals to the Council, the existing five-bass daily limit and 14-inch minimum size limit would still apply.

The reason for the proposal would help answer the question of what an angler would have to do if he or she caught a new state record smallmouth bass from Lake Erie and would then be forced to release it or else be caught breaking the law,” said John Windau, the Wildlife Division spokesman.

Under rules established by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio’s State Record Fish Committee which maintains Ohio’s list of record fish, an applicant must obey all state fishing regulations but also is required to present the specimen to a Wildlife Division fisheries biologist for species verification.

This stipulation would thus prevent keeping and killing a potential new state record bass since doing so would violate the Record Fish Committee rule of obeying all fishing regulations. Yet by releasing the fish the angler would void the rule of requiring that the fish be presented for weighing on a certified scale and for verification by a fisheries scientist. In other words: Catch-22.

The rule proposal change also will also a person catching a bass of a lifetime to keep it for mounting,” Windau said.

Windau noted that the Wildlife Division did not present any rule change proposals impacting potential alterations to the daily bag limit on either Lake Erie-caught walleye or yellow perch. That is because the various Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario meets each late winter to discuss the coming year’s quotas and establish seasons and d bag limits. Those proposals are typically presented in March, said Windau.

However, other proposals and other rules items presented by the Wildlife Division to the Council July 11th did include:



Crappie Fishing:
Changes were proposed to crappie size and bag limits at certain waters. It was proposed that the 30-fish daily bag limit and the 9-inch minimum size limit for crappie be removed at the following lakes and reservoirs: Acton, Cledening, Hargus, Highlandtown, Knox, Madison, Nimisila, Rush Creek and Springfield lakes; C.J. Brown, Clear Fork, Griggs and West Branch reservoirs. Removal of these regulations is expected to improve the crappie fisheries at these locations as well as provide anglers more opportunities to harvest fish from these areas.

Licensing of Charter Captains:

It is proposed that rules be amended to reflect the modernization of the fishing guide application and issuance program. Applicants will no longer be required to submit a notarized copy of their U.S. Coast Guard license with their fishing guide license application. Applicants can submit a digital copy of the US Coast Guard license as part of the on-line licensing system. This will reduce a burden on the regulated businesses.

Camping at the K H Butler Wildlife Area:

It is proposed that this rule be amended to allow camping at the K H Butler Wildlife Area located in Gallia County which is in Wildlife District four. Camping will be permitted at ten (10) designated camping sites during the time of March 1 to November 30, however camping will be restricted to self-contained camping vehicles only. The K H Butler wildlife area is primarily utilized as a public boat ramp with access on the Ohio River. Providing this opportunity for additional public use will encourage more utilization of this area and encourage travel and fishing in this region.

Dock Fees:

Increase the annual fee for watercraft docking permits at ODNR-Division of Wildlife owned docks.

Ginsing:

Changes to ginseng harvest requirements.

Pymatuning Fishing:

It is proposed to amend a rule in order to clarify that the bag limits for walleyes, muskellunge, crappie, or black bass at Pymatuning lake are daily bag limits. This change will provide for consistent regulations with Pennsylvania.

Spotted Bass Name Change And Also Ice Fishing Rule Change:

It is proposed to amend the rule to allow removing the word “Kentucky” when referencing spotted bass. “Kentucky is not part of the common name for this fish.
It is further proposed to clarify the rule which requires fish to be whole or complete while fishing, to include when fishing on or through the ice. This rule applies to all waters where a fishing license is required.

River Otter Trapping Approved Changes:

New counties were approved to open for river otter trapping, as the species is now prevalent in many areas. All counties formerly in Zone “A” have been moved to Zone “B.” In addition, several counties were moved from Zone “C” to Zone “B.”

These counties are: Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Perry, Scioto and Vinton. All three river otter trapping zones season bag limits have not changed. Total river otter trapping season bag limits are zero otters for Zone A, one otter for Zone B and three otters for Zone C.

Other Proposals:

Additional approved rule changes include increasing quail hunting opportunities at Tri-Valley and Crown City wildlife areas, and allowing the use of attached non-visible light-emitting range finders and other devices when hunting with a longbow or crossbow.

A statewide public hearing on the proposed rules will be held at the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s District One office on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 9 a.m. The office is located at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215.

The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that approves all ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. The council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates after considering public input at their meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Council meetings are open to the public. Individuals who want to provide comments on a topic that is currently being considered by council are asked to register at least two days before the meeting by calling 614-265-6304. For those unable to attend the hearing, comments will also be accepted online at wildohio.gov. The online form will be available in August.

By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Former Ohio Wildlife chief plucked for prestigious Interior Departmment panel

Retired Ohio Division of Wildlife chief Mike Budzik has joined a blue-ribbon panel designated to advice the Trump administration on pro-sportsmen and pro-shooting issues.

The 18-person Hunting and Shooting Sports Council will meet at least twice annually in Washington to – in the words of the U.S. Department of the Interior to provide the agency’s secretary - and the Agriculture Department Secretary - “with advice regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation.”

The purely advisory council will also examine ways to benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said.

As noted in federal law established by Congress, the panel will sunset in two years. It was scheduled to meet July 11th.

Budzik joins such other outdoors and shooting luminaries on the panel as Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA’s Insitute for Legislative Action; Dale Hall, Executive Director for Ducks Unlimited; Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation; Julie Golob, internationally acclaimed champion competitive shooter; Eva Shockey, co-host of “Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventure” outdoors TV show; and Larry Keane, Senior VP of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

Among the group’s 11 alternates are Rob Keck, director of conservation for Bass Pro Shops; Becky Humphries, CEO of the National Wildlife Federation; and John Banks, director of the Penobscot Indian Nation’s Department of Natural Resources.

In being appointed to the purely advisory panel, Budzik said he first applied for the position, which required letters of endorsements from both Ohio junior Senator Rob Portman as well as Bob Latta, U.S. Representative from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District.

Budzik said he decided to submit an application for the non-paying, volunteer position with the intent and hope of “providing some insights and observations concerning the challenges and opportunities facing hunters and shooting sports participants.”

The former Wildlife Division chief served with the agency for 30 years and as its head from 1995 to 2003.

I have over four decades of service in this area and nearly eight years of national perspective when serving as Ohio’s Wildlife Division chief,” Budzik told “Ohio Outdoor News.”

During that time I also served as an Executive Board member, Chairman of the Wildlife Resource Policy Committee, member of the Furbearers Resource Committee with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.,” Budzik said. “I’ll work diligently to serve in an honorable, constructive and collaborative manner.”

Recommendations from the group to the secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture shall include - but not be limited to - policies and programs that conserve and restore wetlands, agricultural lands, grasslands, forests and range-land habitats; Promote opportunities and expand access to hunting and shooting sports on public and private lands; Encourages hunting and shooting safety by developing ranges on public lands; Recruit and retain new shooters and hunters; Increase public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and economic benefits of hunting and shooting; Encourage coordination among the public, hunting and shooting sports community, wildlife conservation groups, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government.

Interior secretary Zinke said the selected panel members are true to the conservation values and ethics of President Theodore Roosevelt and that their picks will help ensure the preservation of hunting, shooting and conservation enshrined in the thoughts and deeds of the former president.

The Council will also encourage partnership among the public, the sporting conservation organizations, state, tribal, territorial, and federal government; and benefit recreational hunting and recreational shooting sports,” Zinke said.

I will be forever grateful to Senator Rob Portman and Congressmen Bob Latta for their encouragement and letters of support,” Budzik said.

Portman’s press office did not respond to requests seeking the senator’s thoughts on his recommendation of Budzik.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net

Monday, July 2, 2018

Staying sober, staying safe, being sensible being stressed for July 4th boating holiday

You wouldn’t think this would be necessary but the Coast Guard reminds mariners not to use emergency flares as celebration tools for the July 4th holiday period,, which begins Tuesday.

No question, the Coast Guard correctly notes, the Independence Day holiday period is typically busy. In fact, off the three summer holidays, the July 4th one is the busiest waterways boating one in Ohio.

Previous years have shown an influx of Coast Guard responses, the Homeland Security agency says.

Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in more than three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2016, and that 83 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Likewise, beachgoers are reminded to look for signs marking hazardous areas and watch out for fluctuating water currents, strong undertows and riptides.

The Coast Guard goes so far as to suggest that personal locator beacons be employed by kayakers and boarders.

It is also recommended to utilize the buddy system when out and about. Solo-adventurers are advised to leave float plans with friends and family including estimated times of departures and arrivals.

Boaters and operators are encouraged to wear lifejackets and are reminded to provide personal flotation devices for all persons aboard and be sure to check all required safety equipment.

Anyone operating a watercraft should not consume any alcohol or other intoxicating substance. This point is being driven home this holiday period as local, state and federal waterways law enforcement agencies step up surveillance during their joint “Operation Dry Water” campaign, designed to look out for watercraft users operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.



You wouldn’t think this would be necessary but the Coast Guard reminds mariners not to use emergency flares as celebration tools for the July 4th holiday period,, which begins Tuesday.
No question, the Coast Guard correctly notes, the Independence Day holiday period is typically busy. In fact, off the three summer holidays, the July 4th one is the busiest waterways boating one in Ohio.
Previous years have shown an influx of Coast Guard responses, the Homeland Security agency says.
Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in more than three-fourths of recreational boating fatalities in 2016, and that 83 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Likewise, beachgoers are reminded to look for signs marking hazardous areas and watch out for fluctuating water currents, strong undertows and riptides.

The Coast Guard goes so far as to suggest that personal locator beacons be employed by kayakers and boarders.

It is also recommended to utilize the buddy system when out and about. Solo-adventurers are advised to leave float plans with friends and family including estimated times of departures and arrivals.

Boaters and operators are encouraged to wear lifejackets and are reminded to provide personal flotation devices for all persons aboard and be sure to check all required safety equipment.

Anyone operating a watercraft should not consume any alcohol or other intoxicating substance. This point is being driven home this holiday period as local, state and federal waterways law enforcement agencies step up surveillance during their joint “Operation Dry Water” campaign, designed to look out for watercraft users operating a vessel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net