Outdoor News Daily

SANTA FE — The State Game Commission will consider rule changes under the Aquatic Invasive Species Control Act that will allow state agencies and contractors to take appropriate actions to prevent the introduction and possible spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in state waters. AIS will be among several items on the agenda for the commission meeting Thursday, July 2, at Heron Lake State Park.

The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the park visitor center, approximately 13 miles south of Chama on N.M. 95, three miles off U.S. 84. The full agenda, detailed agenda-item briefings and other information are available on the Department of Game and Fish Web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us or by calling (505) 476-8008.
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CEDAR NECK, Del. – The newly-enhanced Slough’s Gut Marsh, located on the east side of the James Farm Ecological Preserve near Ocean View, was unveiled today – the result of a project that transformed 24 acres of eroded and degraded marsh into a healthy and productive ecosystem. The marsh is located on land owned by Sussex County and managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

“Slough’s Gut is an excellent example of what can be accomplished when we work cooperatively to ensure the health and sustainability of our coastal ecosystems,” said DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara. “The many scientists, engineers and environmentalists who worked on this project are to be commended for their outstanding work to assess, design and restore the marsh for all Delawareans.”
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DOVER – A team of scientists, biologists and managers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health and the Department of Agriculture have developed a water advisory sign that will be displayed at selected state and municipal lakes and ponds throughout Delaware to alert the public to the presence of blue-green algae and its possible harmful effects on people and animals.

States ranging from Massachusetts to Washington and Wisconsin have developed or are developing guidance for the public who may recreate in fresh water bodies. Blue-green algae – also known as cyanobacteria – are naturally occurring microscopic organisms that increase in density or “bloom” under certain environmental conditions, most commonly, an oversupply of nutrients combined with warm water temperatures.
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New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis today announced the discovery of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation (EAB) in Randolph, Cattaraugus County. The EAB is a small but destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species, including green, white, black and blue ash. This is the first time it has been detected in New York.

New York has more than 900 million ash trees, representing about seven percent of all trees in the state, and all are at risk should this invasive, exotic pest become established. This is just the latest in a series of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species detections across New York State, including the Asian Longhorned Beetle, Sirex woodwasp, didymo, zebra mussels, and Eurasian water milfoil. This has prompted the state to strengthen regulations, increase educational outreach, and encourage ways of limiting the unintentional spread of these potentially devastating pests throughout the state.
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Volunteers at the Fifth Annual Cleanup of the Inland Bays on June 13 filled a large construction dumpster with trash ranging from plastic bags and shoes to old crab pots and cigarettes. Forty volunteers met at Massey’s Landing in Long Neck, including 20 community volunteers and 20 offenders from the Sussex Community Corrections Center performing community service work, and headed out on land and by boat to Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay.

The greatest numbers of items collected were food-related, including straws, beverage caps and lids, plates and plasticware, to go boxes and food wrappers, along with a total of 340 cans and glass and plastic bottles. Waterway-related items included 51 abandoned crab pots, 24 buoys or floats, fishing nets, bait containers, fishing line and ropes. Other items included 60 shotgun shells, seven tires, clothing, building materials, balloons and toys and 102 cigarettes, plus a lighter and tobacco packaging materials.
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