Posted: 5/31/05
Public prefers status quo over new refuge plan
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Leave things as they are right now. Donít make any changes.
That seemed to the consensus of more than 300 people who packed the American Legion Hall in La Crescent on May 26.
They were there to hear about and comment on a 15-year management plan for the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Toward the end of the three-hour-long meeting, someone asked for a show of hands to see which of the four alternatives people preferred: no action; one favoring wildlife; one favoring public use; or one that is combination of wildlife and public use, which refuge managers say is the preferred one.
Most of the people raised their hands for the no action approach.
That was hardly a scientific poll, but refuge manager Don Hultman said several times that public input is important, and the refuge managers will consider peopleís opinions.
ìAs a poker player, Iím not going to show my hand too early,î Hultman said with a smile after the show of hands. Hultman used a wry sense of humor throughout the session, which partially diffused the undercurrent of anger that many of the comments carried.
Hultman said the final Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) will likely be a ìmix and matchî of the proposals. He also encouraged people to attend one of six workshops that will be occurring in cities later this month. Meeting locations will be announced in the local media, including The Argus.
The deadline for final comment is August 31, 2005. They can be sent to Upper Mississippi River NF&WR, 51 East Fourth St., Winona, MN 55987; or through their website at www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss/index.html.
Gary Mrozek of Rollingstone urged people to stay involved or get involved at these meetings. He said very people came to the scoping meetings that took place in the early stages of the CCP.
Electric motors-only?
Comments at last weekís meeting covered many areas. Several people spoke against the establishment of 16 electric motor-only areas. No gasoline-powered motors or airboats would be allowed there. These would cover 14,498 acres on the 261-mile long refuge. A 5 mile-per-hour speed limit would be in effect in those areas.
The first two comments on the night objected to that idea. One came from Ken Lukaszewski of Rollingstone, who said he represented the Minnesota Trappers Association. He also said something could be set up to address airboat ethics issues.
Jon Netzer suggested having a seasonal electric motor zone in those areas from May through October. ìOtherwise older people, hunters, theyíre done. I donít think they deserve that,î he said.
That could be a valid alternative, Hultman responded.
Another man addressed the issue of airboats more bluntly. He said he had hunted for 37 years in an area south of the Reno Spillway that is now proposed for an electric motors-only designation. He said he is a quiet hunter, and that the proposal doesnít make sense. Airboats are the ones that should be regulated, he said. ìI have nothing against airboats. I think theyíre great. But they make too much noise,î he said.
Fred Lesher of La Crosse thanked the refuge managers for trying to protect all wildlife. The refuge is about all of the birds, not just the game birds, he said. He said he likes to see things like bird observation towers and decks.
Jim Nissen, refuge manager for the La Crosse District, responded that another observation deck is being studied at mile marker 11 south of Shellhorn on Highway 26..
Sedimentation concerns
Sedimentation, pollution from municipalities, and invasive species are the biggest problems on the river, and the plan doesnít address them, one man said. Leave things the way they are until you get a solid management plan, he said to applause.
Steve Serres of Brownsville complained about sedimentation in Schnickís Lake south of his city. He blamed the Army Corps of Engineers, and said they should be paying to fix spots like that.
Nissen said that Wildcat Creek is a good example of how much sediment streams carry into the river. He added that Schnickís Lake will be a ìborrow areaî for an upcoming project to build islands in Raft Channel further south.
Fees criticized
Having fees at the 26 refuge-managed boat landing also got a poor reception. ìI think we should be able to use them for free,î a high school student commented.
She also complained about a permit fee proposal for camping on islands. She said she and her friends like to go fishing on islands during the night. ìIf youíre on a sandbar, why would you need a permit?î she asked.
Hultman said he would take her comments to heart. After several more complaints about various fee proposals, Hultman added, ìIn fact the way this is going, all the fees are going to be ripped out of the area pretty quick.î
One man said that people donít want to be limited, they want to do it their way. ìIt seems to be all about me,î he said. People have the attitude of, ìWeíre not the problem, itís the nasty government, he said. People need to recognize that more and more people are doing things in an area that isnít growing, he said.
Most of the comments were polite, but some people raised the inevitable anti-government flag. ìYou DNR people you think you guys are God,î one many said in an angry voice. ìWeíre paying your wages. Why donít you work for us?î
Hultman responded that he is looking out for all sides, although some people donít believe that. ìI canít really convince people otherwise,î he said.
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