Program Notes from the September 24, 2007 Meeting of LKWA
September 24, 2007 at 6:00 pm
Milton Township Hall
Chairman, Rick Persson called the meeting to order at 6:04 pm. There were 19 persons in attendance.
A motion was passed to approve the minutes of June 26, July 31, and August 19, 2007 as Emailed.
The treasurer’s report for June 26, 2007 was distributed and discussed.
Sightings around the lake included the departure of the White Pelicans and several sightings of Osprey.
Old business:
- 1. The legal proceedings regarding Lake Koshkonong water levels are now in the stage of filing briefs for the Circuit Court judicial hearing (Judge Dillon) that is scheduled for December 14 at the Rock County courthouse in Janesville. The petitioners filed their briefs on September 14. The response briefs from the WDRN, LKWA and Theibeau Hunt Club are due 10/26. The petitioners will then file reply briefs by 11/16. They have also requested oral arguments before the judge on December 14 and he has agreed to allow them.
New Business:
- Linn announced the Duncan Pledger will be doing an article on LKWA in the Janesville Gazette on about November 1.
- Rick reported that the nest boxes are completely sold out. Bill Bendig is willing to make more kits this year.
- Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 30 at the Milton Town Hall at 6:00 pm. The program will be “Birds of the Rock River area and white pelicans in Wisconsin”. The speaker will be William Volkert, Wildlife Educator, Horicon Marsh.
- There will be no meetings in November and December. Meetings will resume in January with the nest box assembly day. We will again make wood duck boxes and mallard rolls. A request was made to provide both top and side openings for the wood duck boxes. Meetings in the spring will include a speaker from the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, Andy Paulios speaking about prothonotary warbler nest box placement and management, and a speaker on osprey and bald eagles.
The meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.
Program: Wisconsin’s Strategic Plans for Waterfowl
Ricky Lien, Wetland Habitat Specialist
Mr. Lien introduced himself noting that he has many years of experience working to improve habitat for many species of birds including peregrine falcons and tundra swans. His present position is as the Wetland Habitat Specialist for Wisconsin. He works with Ken Van Horn who is the Waterfowl Specialist for Wisconsin.
Mr. Lien noted that management of waterfowl and wetlands has many facets. The Federal government has 140 agencies that deal with wetlands and Wisconsin also has many agencies involved. His particular work has two main goals:
- To get wetland projects accomplished. The majority of wetlands are privately owned (80%). Most of the non-private wetlands in Wisconsin are state lands. The work requires money, permits, staff and engineering. Other challenges are adverse weather conditions, invasive species and the need for more research. He noted that Charlie Killian is the wildlife biologist for our area.
- Develop the "big picture" – he noted that the state has many strategic plans addressing waterfowl and wetlands. The plan that we have recently reviewed is a draft of the "Wisconsin Waterfowl Strategic Plan". This particular plan has very little included regarding wetland habitat management. Two other plans address habitat in much more detail. One is called "Reversing the Loss". This plan is quite generic and does not often apply well to a particular wetland. The third plan, "The Wisconsin Plan" is more specific and is a true implementation plan.
The Wisconsin Plan is now 15 years old. It was prepared as part of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan put together by Canada, the US and Mexico. The plan was in response to a crash in waterfowl populations that followed a severe Midwest drought in the 1980s. A key emphasis of the plan is habitat preservation and management. Specific focus areas are included, sometimes down to the township level.
This plan needs to be updated and the emphasis will shift to include all bird species.
Q. Here do we get help with our wetland management questions?
A. Start with Charlie Killian. The DNR has no private lands specialist for our area. These positions have been greatly decreased in recent years. We can also ask the US Fish and Wildlife for help, particularly through the Partners for Wildlife Program.
Q. How serious is predation in waterfowl management?
A. Recent studies have shown that Great-horned owls are significant predators of Blue-winged teal. Mallards are more affected by predation in prairie potholes than in larger wetlands. The best thing for mallards is more wetlands.
Another interesting project was recently completed in the prairie regions of Canada. It had become obvious that pintail populations were declining in areas where summer wheat was grown. When farmers were convinced (using incentive programs) to raise winter wheat instead, pintail populations rebounded, and the farmers made more money!! This was related to the timing of harvest that prevented destruction of the nests and allowed successful reproduction. Now over one million acres in Manitoba are planted in winter wheat and it is great for pintails.
Another serious cause of waterfowl loss is lead contamination of our wetlands.
Q. What can be done to control cattails?
A. Habitat is a very effective herbicide. However, its use requires a special aquatic license. Also, it is broad-spectrum so valuable plants in the same area may be damaged.
Q. What can be done about carp?
A. In Lake Winnebago, there was a very successful program based on building a break-wall to block carp and prevent wind erosion. It cost about 1.5 million.
The program concluded at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Penny Shackelford, Secretary-Treasurer