Are you confused about Federal and State natural resource regulatory activities? Do you even know what they are? Do you need a permit for activities in wetlands? Do you know what the Federal and/or State Government considers a wetland? Do you know what you can do, or not do, along your beach area on Lake Michigan, along inland lakes, and/or rivers/streams? The Conservation District has identified Federal and State regulatory responsibilities as the #1 most misunderstood issue that private landowners will encounter while doing projects on their land. Presently the Delta Conservation District is the County Enforcing Agency (CEA) for the Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Act (Michigan’s Part 91). Simply stated, “you need a permit if you are undertaking an earth change (any type of clearing, grubbing, bulldozing, excavating, grading, building, etc.) that will be over one acre (43,560 sq. ft.) and/or within 500 ft. of a lake or stream”. The Delta Conservation District has also recently applied for and was accepted for a cooperative pilot program with the MDEQ to assist County residents in complying with wetland laws and associated rules (Part 303). The District will provide a range of services including, but not limited to; outreach and education; on-site review of proposed projects; and permit application assistance. To assist landowners with this difficult process of who, what, where, when, why, and how, the Conservation District will be hosting a public informational meeting on all regulatory activities and corresponding permitting processes. The Conservation District, MDEQ (Land & Water Divisions), and the Corp of Engineers will be present to provide an informative session with a question/answer ending format. During this informative session all regulatory activities that would affect what you do on your land will be described and explained. The informational session is scheduled for March 24th at Bay College’s Heirman Center, Rm. 952, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Please mark your calendar for this important informational meeting with an agenda aimed at - everything you ever wanted to know about your regulatory responsibilities under the current law.
The Delta County Conservation District will be sponsoring the 2010 Annual Delta County Big Tree Contest. We will be looking for the BIGGEST White Ash (Fraxinus americana) and the BIGGEST Apple Tree (Malus) In Delta County Each year different species are in the contest. The tree must be on property that you hold ownership to or have permission to be on. The winning tree will be determined by trunk circumference measured at 4 1/2 feet above the ground level. If the tree has multiple trunks, and they separate below the 4 1/2 foot mark, select the largest trunk and measure only one. If there should be a tie, it will be broken by total tree height. The winning tree entries will be verified by the District. A $25.00 check, and a ticket to the Annual Meeting will be awarded for the biggest tree in each category. Awards will be given out at the District’s Annual Meeting on April 14th, 2010. Be sure to enter your “Bragging Tree” and win some cash at the same time. You must submit your nomination on the entry form below by March 26th, 2010, at the Delta Conservation District, 2003 Minneapolis Avenue, Gladstone, MI 49837. Print and Fill out Form Below, Cut and Mail In- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2010 BIG TREE ENTRY FORM NAME: ________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ PHONE NUMBER: _______________________________________________________ TREE SPECIES: _________________________________________________________ CIRCUMFERENCE TO NEAREST INCH: ____________________________________
Old, abandoned or semi-abandoned apple trees occur throughout Michigan. Often the cultivars are very old and are no longer grown commercially. Many of them, however, if properly managed, could produce good fruit for use by homeowners for fresh eating, processing, and/or wildlife. Often the old trees are 25 to 30 feet tall and have not been pruned for many years. Also young non-bearing fruit trees should be pruned to give them a desired form and develop a strong framework that will support the fruit in later years. The Delta Conservation District will be hosting an Apple Tree Pruning Workshop on Saturday April 10th. Please contact our office after March 1st for location and time.
Delta Conservation District
59th Annual Meeting
April 14th, 2010
Social Hour - 6:00 PM
Dinner - 7:00 PM
Meeting/Election - 8:00 PM
Dinner Tickets $10 –
if purchased by March 31st
Tickets after that date will be $11
Presentation On:
Upper Peninsula Fawn Survival
&
Predation Study
(see details below)
Call for Tickets
(906)-428-9469 Ext. 3
Meeting Activities Include:
· Dinner
· Directors Election
· Awards–
· Big Tree Contest Winner
· 5th Grade Poster Contest Winners
· Special Raffles & 50/50
· Door Prizes
Upper Peninsula Fawn Survival & Predation Study
This year’s program at the Districts annual meeting will be a presentation on the role of predators on white-tailed deer survival in the U.P. A study is currently being conducted in the low snowfall zone of the U.P. Deer survival is influenced by many factors including weather, habitat, predation, disease, and hunter harvest.
Historically, the intensity of timber harvesting and winter severity have affected deer abundance in the U.P. Although these factors still exert a strong influence on deer populations, the role of predation is getting more attention by both sportspersons and game managers.
Researchers and MDNR personnel currently conducting the study project will give the presentation. You will see and hear how coyotes, bobcats, black bears, and gray wolves in this area affect our deer herd. The power-point presentation will show techniques used to capture and collar the above listed predators and also deer. Radio-telemetry and global positioning system (GPS) collars will be explained and available for review. Travel patterns of collared animals will also be shown. Data associated with searches for new-born fawns and fawn predation sites will be explained.
This presentation is interesting even to the non-hunter. So mark Tuesday April 14th on your calendar and get your tickets early.
2010 Delta Conservation District Tree SaleWould you like to buy trees at a great discounted price?The Annual Tree sale is drawing near and we are currently taking orders.To check out our 2010 Catalog go to the homepage and click on "Tree Sale". From there you can browse our catalog and print order forms.We currenly accept cash or check. Checks can be made payable to:Delta Conservation DistrictOur pick-up dates for this years sale are April 30th and May 1st. If you have any questions when placing an order feel free to call 906-428-9469 Ext. 3
Wildlife Habitat Management
“Walk In The Forest”
The Conservation District, Upper Peninsula Sportsmen’s Alliance, U.P. Whitetails Assoc., Wildlife Unlimited of Delta County & the Bays DeNoc Gobblers will be sponsoring a wildlife habitat management outdoor workshop.
The emphasis will be on land management practices that private landowners can do to
improve wildlife habitat on their own lands.
This outdoor session is designed to provide on-site practical information. Topics that will be covered will include:
· Importance of Habitat
· Timber Harvesting Techniques
· Wildlife Tree and Shrub Plantings
· Food Plots
· Available Cost Share Incentives
In order to address these needs and improve wildlife habitat, the above local wildlife organizations have again provided funding for a local cost-share program for wildlife habitat improvement. The purpose of the local cost-share programs is to assist and encourage private landowners to actively manage their forest and related resources. The program provides a local source of financial assistance to manage the broad rage of forest resources that interest today's forest landowners.
This workshop will be held on Saturday, September 18th, 2010. Please contact our office after August1st for location and time.
