WHEREAS, the Montana Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society has presented a resolution concerning the paddlefish to the
Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society for
consideration; and
WHEREAS, the concerns expressed in the
resolution are concerns shared by the entire Upper Missouri River area; and
WHEREAS, the paddlefish is a migratory
species with some populations of interstate concerns;
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED that the
Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society does herewith
endorse the resolution presented by the Montana Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society, with expansion of their resolution to include all the
paddlefish populations within the Upper Missouri River area.
WHEREAS, members of
the Montana Chapter of The American Fisheries Society through their elected
officials have supported policies which protect populations of important
Montana fish species from being adversely impacted by habitat destruction and/or
overharvest; and
WHEREAS, the paddlefish (Polyodon
spathula) is a unique and valuable Montana fish species; and
WHEREAS, paddlefish populations have
undergone drastic declines in many parts of their former range due to various
human related activities; and
WHEREAS, only six major self-sustaining
populations of paddlefish remain in the United States today; and
WHEREAS, recent political events and economic
sanctions have resulted in a decline in the availability of sturgeon eggs for
caviar; and
WHEREAS, paddlefish eggs have substantially
increased in value as a source for caviar; and
WHEREAS, a commercial market is developing
for paddlefish eggs, with the end product caviar; and
WHEREAS, the Montana paddlefish fisheries, where gravid females occur, cannot withstand the added pressure of a commercial fishery; and
WHEREAS, commercial or black market traffic
of paddlefish eggs would reduce the sport value of these fisheries and
encourage overharvest;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Montana
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society does herewith oppose any action which
would encourage overharvest of the paddlefish; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Montana
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society specifically opposes any level of commercial
take of paddlefish eggs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that high priority be
given by all resource management agencies to the protection of the paddlefish
and their habitat to ensure future survival and well being of the species.
A
RESOLUTION CITING THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER CHAPTER
OF
THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY'S DISSATISFACTION
WITH
THE U. S. FOREST SERVICE'S 50 YEAR LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN IN SUPPORT
OF INCREASED WATER YIELDS WITH IMPROVED WATER QUALITY ON NATIONAL FOREST LANDS
WHEREAS, streams in the Black Hills National
Forest are an extremely important recreational resource valued at over $139,500
per mile in trout fishery benefits alone as well as providing other multiple
uses; and
WHEREAS, forest management practices have a
direct influence on water yield and water quality of these streams; and
WHEREAS, fifty year Forest Land and Resource
Management Plans currently being reviewed indicate no measurable increase in
water yield or improvements in water quality associated with forest management
practices; and
WHEREAS, riparian habitat vital to fish and
wildlife populations are being destroyed as a result of poor Forest Service
management concerning overgrazing by livestock and mining of stream bottom
lands; and
WHEREAS, accurate stream flow and aquifer
gauging stations are important monitoring instruments to determine long-term
trends in water yield and aquifer recharge as associated with forest watershed
management;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Upper
Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society, assembled at its
annual meeting, January 20, 1982, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, herein strongly
recommends that the United States Forest Service reconsider its plan and should
implement forest management practice that will result in increased water yields
and protect water quality to the benefit of the fishery and other multiple
uses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we encourage the
United States Forest Service to cooperate with the United States Geological
Service to maintain and expand its surface and sub-surface gauging stations
associated with the Madison Aquifer, some of which are now proposed to be
discontinued.
Resolved by:
THE UPPER MISSOURI RIVER CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY
________________________
President UMRC, AFS
January 20, 1982
A
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE COOPERATIVE WILDLIFE AND
FISHERY RESEARCH
UNIT PROGRAM OF THE UNITED STATES
Fish and Wildlife
Service
WHEREAS, the Cooperative Wildlife and Fishery Research Unit Program of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service represents a cooperative effort among federal and state agencies, universities and private interests to provide advanced training in natural resource management, technical expertise and research on wildlife and fishery problems of mutual concern; and
WHEREAS, Cooperative Research Units have made important contributions to the understanding and management of natural resources in the upper Missouri River drainage; and
WHEREAS, the initial federal FY 82 budget proposal did not include support for the Cooperative Research Unit Program; and
WHEREAS, Congress, in recognition of the value of the Cooperative Research Unit Program, subsequently restored a level funding budget for the program during FY 82;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper
Missouri River Chapter of the
American Fisheries Society, assembled at its annual meeting, January
20, 1982, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, herewith recognizes and appreciates the
contributions of the Cooperative Research Unit Program to the enhancement of
our natural resources and their associated recreational opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service is urged to budget funds for FY 83 and subsequent years
and that Congress and the President of the United States appropriate funds
sufficient for continued operation of the program at its full staffing
level for the existing units.
RESOLUTION OF THE GARRISON DIVERSION
UNIT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Upper Missouri River Chapter (UMRC) of
The American Fisheries Society has long been interested in the Garrison
Diversion Unit because of its adverse impacts on fisheries, wetlands, rivers
and streams, water quality and its potential for interbasin transfer of fish
and other aquatic biota. As such we passed a resolution in 1983 urging
the Bureau of Reclamation to quantify impacts to the James River prior to any
further construction that affects the James River. In 1984, the Garrison
Diversion Unit Commission was created to resolve economic, environmental,
agricultural and international problems of the Garrison Diversion Unit.
WHEREAS, we applaud the Commission’s attempt
at trying to find acceptable solutions to Garrison Diversion because
that in itself acknowledges problems exist with the authorized plan; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the Commission made
good progress in addressing North Dakota’s municipal, rural and industrial
water needs; and
WHEREAS, the Commission had to complete their
plan in an extremely short (four months) time frame and could not explore all
alternatives to _________ environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, in reality, the Commission’s Plan
could potentially increase the irrigation acreage because they recommended the
addition of 70,480 acres of new irrigation development without recommending
deauthorization of the original 250,00 acres; project irrigation acreage could
actually increase by 28 percent; and
WHEREAS, the irrigation acreage draining into
the James river under the Commission's Plan is increased 3.5 times, from 33,010
acres to 113,360 acres, consequently the Commission's Plan recommends extensive
channelization of the James River to accommodate increased flows; this
channelization will reduce species diversity and fish habitats while increasing
the pollutant load to the river; increased flow related impacts to the James
River in North and South Dakota and Arrowwood, Dakota Lake and Sand Lake
National Wildlife Refuges are greater than with any earlier project
alternative; and
WHEREAS, the Commission recommended an outlet
from Devils Lake to the Cheyenne River and funding for a Garrison related inlet
to Devils lake be considered; this could allow for unwanted biota transfer to
Canada and also introduce carp into the excellent fishery in Devils Lake; and
WHEREAS, the Commission concluded that water
quality would be degraded in the James River and even after equilibrium
conditions are reached in 50 to 70 years, without any dilution an increase of
22 percent in salinity would be anticipated at the North and South Dakota
border; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation has not
yet quantified the impacts expected to the James River with the authorized
project;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that UMRC believes
the Commission’s Plan fails to adequately address the problem of interbasin
biota transfer and compounds the impacts to the James River; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, while the UMRC
recognizes favorable features of the Commission’s Plan such as preservation of
Kraft Slough and development of needed municipal, rural and industrial water
systems for North Dakota communities, the UMRC cannot endorse the Commission's
alternatives to the authorized project until problems of interbasin biota
transfer have been eliminated and impacts to the James River reduced; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UMRC of The
American Fisheries Society offers it's talent and expertise to the State of
North Dakota and the Department of the Interior to assist in review, evaluation
and resolution of these issues of concern; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UMRC will send
copies of this resolution to The American Fisheries Society and to all
Divisions, Sections and Chapters of AFS, to national conservation organizations
and to members of the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives who are concerned
about the Garrison Diversion Unit.
Passed unanimously at the _________ annual business meeting of the
Upper Missouri River Chapter of American Fisheries Society, assembled in Fargo,
ND, on February 22, 1985.
Resolution concerning oil and gas development
and Lake Sakakawea paddlefish and other game fish population
Whereas, the paddlefish and other game fish species
such as walleye and sauger are highly regarded important warm water fish in
Montana; and
Whereas, Lake Sakakawea in western North Dakota is a
critical habitat area for maintaining the existing paddlefish populations of
the Yellowstone and lower Missouri rivers; and
Whereas, Lake Sakakawea and the Yellowstone and lower Missouri rivers are essential yet an inseparable aquatic ecosystem for the well being of the paddlefish and other game fish; and
WHEREAS, intensive oil and gas development
will be occurring in the near future within Lake Sakakawea; and
WHEREAS, the Montana paddlefish and other
game fisheries could be damaged if development occurs in a manner which would
harm paddlefish and other game fish species habitats and specifically the early
life stages of paddlefish and other game fish;
Now, therefore, be
it resolved, that the Montana
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society does herewith request the U. S. Army
Corps of Engineers to conduct a complete environmental impact assessment
concerning oil and gas development and effects on the Lake Sakakawea paddlefish
and other game fish species populations before issuance of the appropriate
permits.
RESOLUTION Regarding the
Appropriate Allocation of Funds
for the Sport
Fishing and Boating Enhancement Fund
(Wallop-Breaux Fund)
WHEREAS, the American anglers have been
supporting a user-pays program since 1951 to provide for sport fish restoration
(the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act or Dingell-Johnson Act, P.L.
75-415); and
WHEREAS, the American anglers in 1984
supported the successful passage of an "expansion" of this user-pays
program in Public-Law 98-369 (the Sport Fishing and Boating Enhancement Act Of
Wallop-Breaux Act); and
WHEREAS, these acts provide funds generated
from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment and marine fuels to the state fish
and game agencies for sport fish restoration; and
WHEREAS, since 1951 these excise taxes have
been automatically appropriated (permanent-indefinite appropriation) to the
dedicated sport fish restoration and enhancement fund for allocation to the
states; and
WHEREAS, these funds now constitute
approximately 1/4 to 1/3 of each state's fisheries budget; and
WHEREAS, the President's proposed FY 1986
budget would eliminate the automatic appropriation of these revenues to the
Wallop-Breaux Fund; and
WHEREAS, due to state budget processes and
federal laws, states will have little chance to use the withheld revenues
effectively should they be allocated a year or more late;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Upper
Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society assembled at Fargo,
North Dakota, the 22nd day of February 1985, urges North and South Dakota’s
Delegation to the 99th Congress in their development of the FY 86 Budget:
1. To
retain the automatic appropriation (permanent-indefinite- appropriation) of
revenues generated by the Wallop-Breaux Act (P.L. 98-369) to be placed in the
dedicated Wallop-Breaux Fund; and
2. To
direct the Office of Management and Budget to allocate all Wallop-Breaux
revenues to the states and to the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service as prescribed
by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (P.L. 75-415) as modified by
the Sport Fishing and Boating Enhancement Act (P.L. 98-369).
__________________________
Upper Missouri River Chapter
American Fisheries Society
Forward to:
-North and South Dakota's Delegation to the 99th Congress
-Galen Buterbaugh, Regional Director, USFWS, Denver
-Carl Sullivan, Executive Director, AFS
MISSOURI
RIVER DIVERSION RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Missouri Chapter of The American Fisheries Society has presented a resolution concerning the diversion of Missouri River water to the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society for consideration; and
WHEREAS, the concerns expressed in the resolution are concerns shared by the Upper Missouri River Chapter;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society does herewith endorse the resolution presented by the Missouri Chapter of The American Fisheries Society and supports the concept of federal legislation that would provide for consultation and negotiation of all basin states regarding the management of Missouri River Basin waters for fish, wildlife and recreation purposes.
Approved by the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries
Society.
Date: February 11, 1983
A RESOLUTION IN
SUPPORT OF THE
FEDERAL FISH
HATCHERY SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATES
Fish and Wildlife
Service
WHEREAS, the Federal Fish Hatchery System of
the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service represents a cooperative effort among
federal and state agencies to provide fishery products and technical expertise
unavailable from other sources; and
WHEREAS, the National Fish Hatchery System has made
invaluable contributions to the understanding and management of the fishery
resources throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, the federal FY 83 budget did not include support for 18 hatcheries within the system;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society, assembled at its annual meeting, February 11, 1983, in Jamestown, North Dakota, herewith recognizes, appreciates and supports the contributions of the National Fish Hatchery System to the enhancement of our natural resources and their associated recreational opportunities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service is urged to budget funds for FY 83 and thereafter and that Congress and the President of the United States appropriate funds for continued operation of the Program at its full staffing level for the existing units.
A
RESOLUTION ON THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION’S
PROPOSED
DEVELOPMENT OF PHASE I OF THE
GARRISON
DIVERSION UNIT AND
ITS IMPACTS TO THE JAMES RIVER
WHEREAS, the James River in North and South
Dakota has been identified as a significant and valuable natural resource that
is essential to the maintenance of an adequate fishery within the basin; and
WHEREAS, Phase I of the Garrison Diversion
Unit will have a significant impact on the James River and its fishery
resource; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Reclamation has not
quantified the impacts of proposed developments of the Garrison Diversion Unit
to the James River;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that
the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society petitions
the Bureau of Reclamation to quantify the extent of its proposed developments
before any further impacts to the River occur; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the fishery resource be considered and that adequate design and operational features be incorporated into these proposed developments to preserve the value of the James River's fishery resource.
Approved by the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries
Society.
Date: February 11, 1983
RESOLUTION ON GARRISON
DIVERSION
WHEREAS, the Upper Missouri River
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society has been concerned with the Garrison
Diversion Unit because of its implicit adverse impacts upon fisheries,
wetlands, rivers and streams, water quality and the potential for interbasin
transfer of fish and other aquatic biota; and
WHEREAS, the Garrison Diversion Unit
Commission was appointed to resolve the economic, environmental, agricultural
and international problems associated with the Garrison Diversion Unit; and
WHEREAS, water quality impact studies
associated with a tripling of irrigation acreage draining into the James River
will not be completed until 1990, while construction continues on project
features designed to deliver irrigation water to the James River Basin; and
WHEREAS, proposed reauthorization
legislation, as recommended by the Garrison Diversion Unit Commission, has
failed to adequately protect the James River and associated riparian habitat
from the ultimate form of degradation, channelization;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper
Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society, assembled at the
annual meeting in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on the 25th day of
February, 1986, opposes proposed amendments of HB 1116 that:
1. Provide
for any channelization of the James River; and
2. Provide
for new construction on the James River Feeder and New Rockford Canals prior to
completion of impact studies; and
3. Provide
for the tripling of irrigation acreage within the James River Basin prior to
completion of water quality impact studies; and
4. Does
not specifically provide for a final disposition of the Lonetree Reservoir
issue as it relates to biota transfer.
______________________________
Douglas Hansen, President
Upper Missouri River Chapter - AFS
A RESOLUTION REGARDING CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
OF FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS ON THE JAMES
RIVER IN NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA
WHEREAS, the James River is important fish and wildlife habitat in both North Dakota and South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, there are several Bureau of Reclamation projects in the planning stages which may affect the James River fish and wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers has a flood control project in the planning stage which could have a significant impact on the fish and wildlife habitat; and
WHEREAS, the cumulative impacts of the various projects could be many times the impacts of an individual project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Upper Missouri River Chapter of The American Fisheries Society urges that the Interior Department initiate a study of the cumulative impacts of all federally funded or sponsored projects which will affect the fish and wildlife habitat of the James River in North and South Dakota; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Upper Missouri River Chapter will send copies of this resolution to The American Fisheries Society and to all Divisions, to state administrators of North and South Dakota, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation and to members of the U. S. Senate and House of Representatives from North and South Dakota.
WHEREAS, the Souris River, originating in
Saskatchewan, Canada then flowing 358 miles through North Dakota before
entering Manitoba, Canada supports fish and wildlife resources of international
importance; and
WHEREAS, the Souris Basin Development
Authority in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada proposes to construct
Rafferty Dam on the Souris River and Alameda Dam on Moose Mountain
Creek, the main Canadian tributary to the Souris, and thereby retain 50 percent
of the annual Souris River flow into the United States for the purposes of
recreation, industrial and municipal water supplies and flood control purposes;
and
WHEREAS, Section 1124 of the 1986 Water
Resources Development Act authorizes United States contribution of up to $41
million for the construction of Rafferty and Alameda Darns in order to provide
flood control benefits in the United States including 100-year flood protection
for the city of Minot; and
WHEREAS, Canadian retention of 50 percent of
the annual Souris River flow will significantly reduce water available for all
beneficial uses in North Dakota and create water supply and water quality
problems with severe adverse effects on fish and wildlife resources on two National
Wildlife Refuges, including the probable loss of the Lake Darling fishery which
currently provides 113,000 angler use days/year and is valued at over $4
million/year; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers,
as the federal agency responsible for transfer of United States funds and
fulfillment of National Environmental Policy Act requirements for the project,
has limited the scope of the Souris Basin Project plan and environmental impact
statement to only those impacts which result directly from flood control in the
United States; and
WHEREAS, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
draft environmental impact statement is inadequate and incomplete with regard
to flood control impact analysis and compensation; and
WHEREAS, the Rafferty-Alameda Project in
Canada and the Souris River Basin Project in the United States will culminate
in significant long-term adverse impacts to fish and wildlife resources
throughout the Souris River Basin; and
WHEREAS, the Rafferty-Alameda Environmental
Impact Statement produced by the Souris Basin Development authority in
Saskatchewan, the Souris Basin Project Plan and Environmental Impact Statement
produced by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, taken separately or together, do
not address water shortages, low flows and attendant water quality problems
below the Canadian Dams nor do they provide a comprehensive basin-wide analysis
of the cumulative environmental impact which will result from their
international project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society urges Colonel Joseph Briggs, District Engineer, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, to postpone issuance of the final Souris River Basin Project Environmental Impact Statement in order to allow sufficient time to:
1. Comprehensively
and thoroughly analyze all impacts resulting from the Rafferty-Alameda Project;
and
2. Develop
and insure adequate mitigation and compensation mechanisms for all adverse
flood control impacts including compatibility requirements for the affected
National Wildlife Refuges; and
3. Reconsider
project alternatives after holding public hearings to get additional input; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that because the Corps
of Engineers has chosen to look only at flood control impacts and ignore low flow
impacts caused by retention of Souris River flows in Canada, that the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society urges the North Dakota congressional
delegation and state political officials take action necessary to initiate a
comprehensive basin-wide review by the International Joint Commission of the
proposed projects in the Souris River Basin.
Passed by the Dakota Chapter of AFS assembled at their annual meeting
held in Aberdeen, South Dakota on March 1, 1988 with copies sent to:
Governor George Sinner
Senator Quentin Burdick
Senator Kent Conrad
Congressman Byron Dorgan
Joseph Briggs, U. S. Army COE
Grant Devine, Premier of Saskatchewan
George D. Hill, Souris Basin Development Authority
Galen Buterbaugh, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
James Scherer, Environmental Protection Agency, Denver
Dale Henegar, North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Lorne Scott, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation
Rich Cunningham, North Dakota Wildlife Federation
David Campbell, National Wildlife Federation
N.B. Brandson, Director Environmental Branch, Winnipeg, Manitoba
AMERICAN FISHERIES
SOCIETY - DAKOTA CHAPTER
OF ZANDER Stizostedion
lucioperca
WHEREAS, the North Dakota Department of Game
and Fish attempted to introduce the European zander Stizostedion lucioperca
into North Dakota in 1987, failing only to do so in by the need to destroy
potentially diseased stock; and
WHEREAS, many concerns regarding
interspecific competition, diseases/parasites, effects on forage species,
hybridization with walleye and/or sauger, movement and recolonization, etc.,
have not been evaluated; and
WHEREAS, the state has not conducted a
thorough evaluation of the proposal utilizing protocols recommended by The
American Fisheries Society nor has the state consulted with state and
provincial jurisdictions that may be affected by potential ecological damage
caused by the spread of the species beyond state boundaries;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society urges the North Dakota Game and Fish
Department to delay their introduction of zander until a complete evaluation of
the proposal has been undertaken as outlined in The American Fisheries Society
policy on the Introduction of Aquatic Species; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Dakota
Department of Game and Fish contact the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Exotic
Fish Laboratory in Gainesville, Florida, to evaluate the zander since they are
staffed and equipped for this purpose.
Passed by the Dakota Chapter of AFS assembled at their annual meeting
held in Aberdeen, South Dakota on March 1, 1988 with copies sent to:
Mr. Stan Moberly, AFS President
Dr. Robert White, AFS President-Elect
Mr. Joe Dillard, AFS 1st Vice-President
Dr. Shelby Gerking, AFS Past President
Mr. Dale Henegar, Commissioner, North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Fisheries Directors in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Dr. William Richkus, AFS Resolutions Committee Chairman
DAKOTA CHAPTER OF
THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY
WHEREAS, The American Fisheries Society is an
international professional, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the
wise management and conservation of fisheries resources; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society was established to further promote the professional
management and conservation of the fisheries resources of North Dakota and
South Dakota in accordance with the objectives of the parent societies; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society meets annually to encourage the exchange of information; and
WHEREAS, the positive professional and social
benefits and values of these meetings is recognized and deemed necessary for
further promotion of fisheries management and conservation in North Dakota and
South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the North Dakota Game and Fish
Department, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and Region 6 of
the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service desire to encourage membership in the
society and attendance of the annual meeting of the Dakota Chapter of The
American Fisheries Society;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society urges the North Dakota Game
and Fish Department, the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and
Region 6 of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to hereby support the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society by:
1. Encouraging
their professional fisheries personnel to engage themselves as active members
of The Society; and
2. Encouraging
their personnel to attend meetings and workshops of The Society and provide
transportation and travel expenses when feasible; and
3. Providing
assistance for the publication of abstracts from proceedings of annual
meetings.
Passed by the Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society
assembled at their annual meeting in Aberdeen, South Dakota on March 1, 1988.
Chuck Sowards, Chapter President
NORTH DAKOTA GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT
Dale L. Henegar, Commissioner
SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF GAME, FISH AND PARKS
Richard Beringson, Executive Secretary
U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Galen Buterbaugh, Regional Director
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE DAKOTA CHAPTER
OF THE AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY AND
THE SOUTH DAKOTA CHAPTER OF THE WILDLIFE
SOCIETY
WHEREAS, the value of this state's fish and wildlife is one of the main factors contributing to the quality of life in South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the pursuit of hunting, fishing and
all other forms of outdoor recreation is one of the more important social
activities of South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Wildlife and
Fisheries Sciences at South Dakota State University has provided educational
and research training to a large number of fish and wildlife managers in South
Dakota and other states and have provided service to all of the people of the
State of South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the current building housing the
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences is the oldest building on the
South Dakota State University campus and is wholly inadequate for their needs;
and
WHEREAS, a new building has been authorized
by the South Dakota Legislature and ranked as the number one priority building
by the Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS, both the Dakota Chapter of The
American Fisheries Society and the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society
have in the past provided resolutions of support for the new building (which
will house Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Horticulture and Forestry) and
hereby reaffirm that support with this concurrent resolution;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these
Societies on March 1, 1988, do recommend quick construction of the new building
to house the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and that copies of
this resolution be provided to Governor George Mickelson, Joint Appropriations
Committee, Chairmen Nickolay and Poppen, Dr. Robert Wagner (President SDSU) and
Dr. David Bryant (Dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences).
RESOLUTlON IN SUPPORT OF REORGANIZATION
AND IMPROVED MANAGEMENT OF
FEDERAL FISHERIES PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society is concerned with a developing crisis in the Federal
Government involving funding and organizational ability to carry out mandated
freshwater and marine fisheries responsibilities; and
WHEREAS, increasing pressure on fisheries
resources creates an immediate need for improvement in carrying out the federal
mission; and
WHEREAS, these fisheries resources represent
a significant economic and recreational resource to the nature; and
WHEREAS, The American Fisheries Society
initiated a special committee to explore various alternatives for improving
federal organization and operation for fishery conservation and management and
formulated a proposal for reorganization of the federal role in the nation's
fishery resources affairs ("Federal Responsibilities for U. S. Fishery
Affairs"); and
WHEREAS, The American Fisheries Society
adopted the committee report and recommendations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society assembled at their annual meeting
held in Aberdeen, South Dakota, on March 1, 1988, do hereby urge the Congress
of the United States to:
1. Support
and implement the concepts of reorganization included in the report; and
2. Support legislation to consolidate fisheries and habitat protection programs primarily in the National Marine Fisheries Service, presently in the Department of Commerce, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, presently in the Department of Interior.
North Dakota Congressional Delegation
South Dakota Congressional Delegation
Appropriate House and Senate Leadership
Concurrent
Resolution of the Dakota Chapter
of The American
Fisheries Society and The South Dakota
Chapter of the
Wildlife Society
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society and the South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society are
comprised of over 300 members who are professional biologists, educators and
administrators living and working in South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the value of this state's fish,
wildlife and recreational opportunities are one of the major factors
contributing to the quality of life and culture of South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, the pursuit of hunting, fishing and
all other forms of outdoor recreation are one of the more important social and
economic factors operating in South Dakota and in fact contribute in excess of
$240,000,000 to the state economy annually; and
WHEREAS, water resources in the form of
lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and wetlands play a key role in the resource base
supporting these activities and in the propagation of wildlife and fisheries of
the state, and in particular that some state and federal endangered species are
water dependent; and
WHEREAS, these water resources of the state
are to be managed and protected for the good of all the public and as stated in
SDCL section 46-1-1, “The people of the state have a paramount interest in the
use of all the water of the state and that the state shall determine what water…can
be converted to public use or controlled for public protection”; and
WHEREAS, reservations of water for public use
are within the authorities existing within South Dakota law;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society and the South Dakota Chapter
of the Wildlife Society urge the South Dakota Departments of Water and Natural
Resources and Game, Fish and Parks to develop policies and procedures to
recognize and reserve sufficient quantities of surface waters for fish,
wildlife and recreational purposes based on sound biological data and provide
copies of this resolution to Governor George Mickelson, Secretary of the
Department of Water and Natural Resources, John Smith, Secretary of the
Department of Game, Fish and Parks, Richard Beringson, Chairman of the Game,
Fish and Parks Commission, Dr. Roger Liudahl, Chairman of the Board of Water
Management, Marion Gunderson and to the S.D. Congressional delegation.
Resolution of the
Dakota Chapter
of The American
Fisheries Society
WHEREAS, professional fisheries workers
employed by state and federal resource agencies are expected to utilize their
knowledge to serve fisheries resources; and
WHEREAS, these resources are for the benefit
of all citizens and correct management is the responsibility of workers in the
profession; and
WHEREAS, the discharge of these
responsibilities may result in conflict with individuals, groups, or
governmental agencies;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society on February 23, 1989, strongly
recommends that individuals should not be penalized by harassment, reduced
performance evaluations, transfers or other actions which could be considered
punitive for fulfilling their professional responsibilities to the fisheries
resource and that copies of this resolution be provided to appropriate state
and federal agencies in North Dakota and South Dakota who are responsible for
the fisheries resource and to the North Dakota and South Dakota congressional
delegations.
Reconstruction of
the D.C. Booth Historic
Fish Hatchery
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
fisheries Society recognizes the regional and national historic, cultural and
economic impact of the D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery, Spearfish, South
Dakota and recognizes its role in public conservation efforts; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter endorses and
supports the reconstruction of the D.C. Booth Hatchery; and
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter encourages the,
North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming Congressional
Delegations to seek and support federal funding and reconstruction of the D.C.
Booth Hatchery; and
WHEREAS, such reconstruction will enable the
D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery to serve as a public institution preserving
national western heritage and fisheries history and assist in its preservation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the
Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society assembled at their annual
meeting in Bismarck, North Dakota on February 23, 1989, urge all appropriate
federal entities to pursue full funding for a reconstruction of the D.C. Booth
Historic Fish Hatchery with copies of this resolution provided to appropriate
federal agencies in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana and Wyoming,
and to those states’ congressional delegations.
PROPOSED DEVILS LAKE STABILIZATION AND
FRESHENING VIA DIVERSION OF
MISSOURI RIVER WATER
WHEREAS, Devils Lake constitutes a
valuable resource yielding economic benefits in excess of $30 million per year
from the recreational fishery; and
WHEREAS, the Devils Lake sport
fishery is a thriving industry enjoyed by thousands of anglers who spend
hundreds of thousands of hours on the lake each year; and
WHEREAS, the natural productivity of
Devils Lake is based upon delicate balance of salinity and fertility; and
WHEREAS, this natural productivity
is maintained through natural fluctuations in lake elevations which have been
occurring over the last 6,000 years; and
WHEREAS, the addition of Missouri
River water without an outlet will, in the short term, dilute salinity levels,
but ultimately, the additional dissolved solids of the Missouri River water
will expedite salinization of the entire basin; and
WHEREAS, reduction of salinity
concentrations that currently retard primary production and hold some noxious
algal forms in abeyance despite the existing high levels of growth stimulating
nutrients, will result in shifts in species composition of both fish and water
dependent birds with deleterious environmental effects which are not yet
understood; and
WHEREAS, the risk of transferring
non-indigenous aquatic organisms from the Missouri River to the Hudson’s Bay
drainage via high volume water conduits will be significantly increased; and
WHEREAS, such introductions of
organisms will affect native biota in unknown ways through predation,
competition, infection, genetic interaction and habitat degradation; and
WHEREAS, history has shown that such
introductions are irreversible and that once established, it is not practical
to eradicate invading organisms; and
WHEREAS, the diversion of Missouri
River water into Devils Lake would necessitate the construction of an outlet to
Cheyenne River, thereby providing a direct route of introduction of Missouri
River biota into Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba in violation of the
recommendations of the International Joint Commission concerning the Boundary
Water Treaty of 1909;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society, assembled at its 26th
Annual Meeting, 1 March 1990, in Pierre, South Dakota, strongly opposes the
diversion of Missouri River water into Devils Lake, North Dakota, until a
position paper is prepared that fully evaluates the potential impacts of inner
basin water transfer from the Missouri River to Devils Lake.
COOPERATION REQUIRED TO DEVELOP WATER LEVEL
MANAGEMENT PLANS TO BENEFIT FISHERIES
AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES OF MISSOURI RIVER
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society was initially chartered because of a concern for the well being of the fisheries resources of the Missouri River; and,
WHEREAS, the Dakota Chapter of The American
Fisheries Society is comprised of fisheries resource professionals throughout
the Dakotas; and,
WHEREAS, the chapter has maintained a long
term commitment to the fisheries resources of the Dakotas; and,
WHEREAS, Missouri River system reservoir
fisheries are dependent on proper water level management; and,
WHEREAS, the Missouri River system reservoir
fisheries represent an investment of millions of dollars by the North Dakota
Game and Fish Department, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, as well as the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers itself; and,
WHEREAS, the Missouri River provides as much
as 40% of statewide fishing use in the Dakotas; and,
WHEREAS, the fishery resources of the
Missouri River represents a great economic value important to the quality of
life in the Dakotas; and,
WHEREAS, recent years of drought have
negatively impacted the Missouri River fisheries resources and their users in
many ways; and,
WHEREAS, despite the drought, impounded
waters of the Missouri River continue to be excessively released downstream;
therefore, be it RESOLVED that members of the Dakota Chapter
of The American Fisheries Society assembled at the 1991 chapter meeting
re-affirm the Chapter's long term commitment to the fishery resources of the
Missouri River; and
BE IT RESOLVED further, that the Dakota
Chapter of The American Fisheries Society requests the U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers to work together with the states of North and South Dakota to develop
a fair and equitable plan to manage water levels in the Missouri River Mainstem
System to benefit fishery and recreational resources; and
BE IT RESOLVED further, that the Dakota Chapter of The American Fisheries Society recognizes a fair and equitable plan to manage water levels in the Missouri River Mainstem System must include revisions to the current U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Master Manual and subsequent Annual Operating Plans; and
BE IT RESOLVED further, that a copy of this
resolution be sent to the Governors of North and South Dakota, the heads of the
North Dakota Game and Fish Department and the South Dakota Department of Game,
Fish and Parks Departments, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Montana,
Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri Chapters of The American Fisheries Society,
and the Missouri River Division, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.
RESOLUTION CONCERNING MANAGEMENT OF
MISSOURI RIVER FLOWS FOR ENDEMIC SPECIES
WHEREAS, the Missouri River is important
habitat for pallid sturgeon, a federally endangered fish species; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri River and associated
tributaries are important habitat for the sicklefin chub, sturgeon chub and
blue sucker, which are candidate fish species for endangered or threatened
species designation; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri River is important habitat for least terns, a federally endangered bird species, and piping plovers, a federally threatened bird species; and
WHEREAS, the Missouri River is important
habitat for a myriad of other fish and wildlife species; and