WHEREAS, the use of off-road vehicles (ORV's) for recreation purposes on public and private lands throughout the United States is a recognized national problem of major significance; and
WHEREAS, the users of these vehicles face a problem similar to that faced by the hunters and fishermen a few decades ago; and
WHEREAS, the hunter and fisherman, through their own initiative, solved their problem by self-imposing taxes such as the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs and such other devices as the Migratory Bird Stamp, license fees, and private actions such as Ducks Unlimited; and
WHEREAS, several million acres of land have been acquired and developed through these programs to the benefit of hunters, fishermen and others with compatible interest; and
WHEREAS, there seems to be no reason why the ORV users, dealers, and manufacturers could not be equally successful in adopting similar programs to acquire, develop, and manage areas within reasonable access to the users so as to serve their needs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby offers our advice, assistance, and support to the ORV community in an effort to find a solution to the problem of ORV use and conflict through adoption of programs similar to what the hunter and fisherman have done before. 
WHEREAS, the Hoosier National Forest was one of the National Forests established under the Weeks Act of 1911 whereby abused land that had failed under intensive land uses were to be acquired by the public and managed for the protection of the headwaters of navigable streams and the production of timber; and
WHEREAS, the State of Indiana enacted legislation in 1935 to enable the United States to acquire land in Indiana for National Forest purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Hoosier National Forest is located in the Norman and Crawford uplands of Indiana and the soils of these two physiographic regions are the most fragile and erosive in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, the public land of the Hoosier National Forest is about 180,000 acres and this constitutes only 0.008 of the 23,161,000 acres of the State of Indiana; and
WHEREAS, these National Forest lands constitute a major portion of the public land that can be managed over the long run for the production of forest wildlife in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, they are especially important in providing the habitat required for turkey, grouse, deer and several non-game species as other habitats are converted to other land uses in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, there has been considerable investment made in wildlife habitat improvements on the Hoosier National Forest lands in furtherance of these wildlife management objectives; and
WHEREAS, a major portion of this investment has been made by the State of Indiana using federal funds generated by the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts and State of Indiana matching funds; and
WHEREAS, all of these funds are generated by licenses and taxes upon hunters and fishermen who willingly support their programs; and
WHEREAS, public funds and lands devoted to motorized vehicle use in Indiana far exceed the public funds and lands available for wildlife management purposes; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Indiana, wherein the Hoosier National Forest is located, to exclude the use of off-road vehicles from State natural resource lands.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby reaffirms our objection to the use of the limited and fragile public lands of the Hoosier National Forest for off-road vehicle purposes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we recommend that motorized vehicles used for recreational purposes be confined to the presently maintained and intensive public road system within the Hoosier National Forest; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that to recommend that studies be made by the State, counties and U.S. Forest Service to determine those public roads that have been abandoned and that should be formally vacated and closed.
WHEREAS, the Hoosier National Forest was one of the National Forests established under the Weeks Act of 1911 whereby abused land that had failed under intensive land uses were to be acquired by the public and managed for the protection of the headwaters of navigable streams and the production of timber; and
WHEREAS, the State of Indiana enacted legislation in 1935 to enable the United States to acquire land in Indiana for National Forest purposes; and
WHEREAS, following an intensive study conducted in 1971, the boundary of the Hoosier National Forest was revised downward from 723,000 acres to 645,000 acres; and
WHEREAS, the boundaries established by that study had the approval of all the counties involved and the approval of agencies of the State of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, the National Forest land now approximates 180,000 acres within the gross area boundary; and
WHEREAS, the State of Indiana Senate has expressed intent to study and make recommendations during 1977 in the matter of further land acquisition for National Forest purposes in Indiana, which periodic oversight seems correct and proper; and
WHEREAS, the Hoosier National Forest is a public resource of all of the people of Indiana; and
WHEREAS, there are many complicated issues involved in this national resource issue; and
WHEREAS, there are many natural resource potentials within the Hoosier National Forest such as big game ranges; rare, endangered and unique species habitats; critical watersheds; natural, archeological and geological areas; and wilderness areas; wherein the opportunities are only partially fulfilled but are within sight; and
WHEREAS, the wildlife and wildlife habitat of the Hoosier National Forest are of particular concern to the members of this organization.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby offers our assistance to the Legislature of Indiana in the conduct of any study undertaken in this matter; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we deem it inappropriate and unwise for the State of Indiana to adopt a total ban of acquisition of additional land within the Hoosier National Forest.
WHEREAS, to form a conservancy district in Indiana it only need be shown that a majority of petitioners favor such an action; and
WHEREAS, potential opponents of such an action are not necessarily notified that such an action is being taken.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges that the Indiana Legislature revise the present law to require that fifty-one (51) percent of the freeholders in a watershed demonstrate approval for the formation of a conservancy district; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the demonstration of approval be required to be a positive action of affirmation on the part of the freeholder.
WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana has implemented a Hunter Safety program; and
WHEREAS the success of the program would be vastly enhanced with the addition of specific personnel in each enforcement district charged with the responsibility of coordination of the program in that district; and
WHEREAS, the time is rapidly approaching when it will become mandatory for a hunter to have passed the certified hunter education course in order to secure a license to hunt.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges the legislature of the State of Indiana approve an appropriation for a minimum of ten (10) hunter education coordinators; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that positions be created and funded no later than the next biennial budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Division of Enforcement of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana develop a timetable, and publish the results, for implementing a mandatory requirement for being certified under the Hunter Education program in order to secure a hunting license in Indiana.
WHEREAS, senior citizens find it more and more difficult to conserve money on a fixed income; and
WHEREAS, the opportunity to fish and hunt has enormous recreational value to senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, the cost of managing and protecting Indiana's fish and wildlife is steadily rising.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana herby urges the legislature of the State of Indiana to set the fee for an annual hunting license at $1.00 for citizens of the State of Indiana who are 65 years of age or older; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the same fee be set for an annual fishing license for these same citizens.
WHEREAS, we citizens of Indiana have come a long way in the establishment of natural resource protection, restoration and management since the trek of Aldo Leopold through the State of 1929 as reported in his Game Survey of the North Central States ; and
WHEREAS, we still have a long way to go to reach our capability; and
WHEREAS, the people of Missouri have shown us the way through their conception and adoption of their Design for Conservation of the National Resources within their state; and
WHEREAS, we in Indiana should do no less.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to initiate a program similar to that developed and adopted by the State of Missouri; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc. initiate a program within our organization to that end; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., invite other conservation organizations and other organizations having an interest in the future o Indiana's Natural Resources to join in the effort.
WHEREAS, the youth of the State need to be presented a documentation of the role of the hunter as a predator, and hunting, as not only a major form of the outdoor experience by an important factor in the proper management and future well-being of many wildlife populations throughout the State.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges that the teaching of the role of regulated hunting, fishing and trapping in wildlife management be a part of all biology, environmental and similar classes in the schoolroom of the State of Indiana; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this teaching material be prepared by the Department of Natural Resources and Department of Public Instruction of the State of Indiana in cooperation with the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc. and other like-minded groups.
[NOTE: THERE WASN'T A RESOLUTION NO. 77-9]
WHEREAS, any information and Education program has as its purpose the dissemination of information on the programs of the sponsoring agency; and
WHEREAS, to be effective this information must be factual, specific, timely, and of sufficient interest; and
WHEREAS, the ways and means of dissemination are all-important in insuring that the information reaches the intended audience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana institute procedures whereby information released to the various news media is disseminated is an objective and systematic fashion and that the information released be accompanied by photographs whenever appropriate;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Division of Information and Education broaden its scope in preparing information to include pamphlets and brochures and especially to make the principle organ of the Department of Natural Resources, the "Outdoor Indiana" magazine, an all-encompassing publication with regular monthly articles featuring activities and objectives of all Divisions of the Department of Natural Resources; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that "Outdoor Indiana" include in its format information more pertinent to the 700,000 outdoor sportsmen of Indiana; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Department of Natural Resources create a professional cadre of information specialists responsible for public contact in order to inform and educate the public as to the objectives and activities of the Department and to facilitate participation by the public in the affairs of the Department and that the appropriate materials and visual-aids be developed to aid these specialists in completing their assigned tasks.
WHEREAS, funding is a difficult problem for the State Highway Department, as it is for all state government agencies; and
WHEREAS, the proper allocation of funds is necessary to maintain safe highways in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, mowing of highway medians and berms is an unnecessary expense and provides little benefit relative to safety; and
WHEREAS, mowing of highway medians and berms consumes enormous amounts of fuel; and
WHEREAS, unmowed highway medians and berms provide much needed wildlife habitat, as studies conducted by the Department of Natural Resources, State of Indiana, have shown.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby urges the Indiana State Highway Commission adopt a policy of not mowing highway medians and berms unless a clear and definite safety or fire hazard exists; and
BE IT RESOLVED, that we urge the State Highway Commission adopt a policy of cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources for enhancing the wildlife habitat potential through additional appropriate plantings wherever feasible; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge the Department of Highways and the Department of Natural Resources adopt a policy of cooperation with conservation clubs and other like-minded organizations to provide the opportunity for these clubs and organizations to help with the plantings in order to allow these organizations to fulfill their community service obligations; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we urge appropriate signs be erected in appropriate places designating that the unmowed and planted areas are for the benefit of wildlife.
WHEREAS, Lake Michigan comprises a significant natural resource and recreational area of Indiana; and
WHEREAS, most of the Indiana shoreline is in private ownership thereby blocking public access to the lake; and
WHEREAS, there is only one public access for watercraft to the lake in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, that access site is insufficient to handle the large number of recreational boaters and fishermen wanting access to the lake; and
WHEREAS, in an emergency this single public access point could not handle the large number of boats seeking to leave the water during a short period of time thereby creating a hazard to life, safety, and property; and
WHEREAS, public lands exist along the shoreline are suitable for establishment of public access sites.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 24-26, 1977, in Plymouth, Indiana hereby requests the Department of Natural Resources, State of Indiana to establish public access sites for watercraft to Lake Michigan at as many points as prove feasible using any and all available funding possibilities including the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
WHEREAS, the Little Calumet River is situated in a highly urbanized region of Indiana containing twenty (20) percent of the state's population, and
WHEREAS, the Little Calumet River project as outlined in alternative three and alternative four in "An Analysis of the Recreation Potential of the Little Calumet River located in Lake and Porter Counties, Indiana - August 1975" by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources can serve critically needed healthy outdoor recreation, flood control and if properly designed, can aid in abatement of point-source and non-point source pollution, and
WHEREAS, the Little Calumet River project can serve as a model for other urban rivers in the state;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana hereby urges that funding by the federal, state, and local governments for at least the lands in "alternative three" be accelerated for the earliest possible project implementation.
WHEREAS, the "Interim Review Report - Little Calumet River, Indiana by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, December 1973" was found to be unacceptable, and
WHEREAS, another plan known as "A Regional Park Conceptual Development Plan of the Little Calumet River in Northwestern Indiana - Indiana Department of Natural Resources - January 1976" was developed and is being used as the guideline for implementation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges that acquisition of at least the lands as noted in the 1976 plan be completed before the Army Corps of Engineers proceeds with any work, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that further engineering study be based on the public ownership of the lands as stated in the 1976 plan.
WHEREAS, Porter County is experiencing one of the highest population growth rates in the State of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, potential open-space within the county is rapidly diminishing, and
WHEREAS, open space is vital to the health and welfare of society, and
WHEREAS, a county parks system bridges an important gap between municipal park systems and state and federal systems.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana urges the establishment and funding of a Park and Recreation Department in Porter County by the appropriate authorities.
WHEREAS, the area known as Region 6, located in east-central Indiana, has the fourth highest concentration of population of all the 18 regions in the state, and
WHEREAS, the number of hunting licenses sold in Region 6 is the third highest of any of the regions, and
WHEREAS, the only state-owned Fish and Wildlife Area in Region 6 is the Wilbur Wright property located in Henry County, and
WHEREAS, the Wilbur Wright Fish and Wildlife Area consists of only 820 huntable acres.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges that the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana significantly expand the Wilbur Wright Fish and Wildlife Area and/or establish a new significantly large Fish and Wildlife Area within the boundaries of Region 6, and
BE IT FURHTER RESOLVED, that the additional Fish and Wildlife lands be acquired and opened to public use as rapidly as possible.
WHEREAS, wildlife habitat is severely diminished in the State of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, the private sector has the potential for playing a significant role in providing wildlife habitat, and
WHEREAS, the public derives a benefit from the preservation and conservation of habitat provided by the private sector.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges the General Assembly of the State of Indiana to enact legislation providing for a tax incentive for the private sector to encourage the preservation and conservation of wildlife habitat, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this legislation be modeled after the highly successful classified forest law.
WHEREAS, the wetlands of the State of Indiana have been severely diminished, and
WHEREAS, wetlands play an integral part in the hydrologic cycle by removing pollutants from the air and water, by providing for considerable ground water recharge, and by providing for flood water retention, and
WHEREAS, wetlands provide significant habitat for fish and wildlife, and
WHEREAS, wetlands have the potential for providing quality recreation and aesthetic values, and
WHEREAS, wetlands, by their very nature, provide for the health, welfare, and safety of the public.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges the General Assembly of the State of Indiana to enact legislation providing for the protection of the wetlands of this state, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this legislation recognize the right of the public to be protected from the effects caused by the destruction of these wetlands.
WHEREAS, the fish and wildlife resources of Indiana are regarded as an invaluable part of our natural heritage, and
WHEREAS, conservation of our fish and wildlife resources includes enforcement of regulations as well as management, and
WHEREAS, enforcement of our fish and wildlife regulations is vested in the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Division of Enforcement have undergone extensive training in police procedures, and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Division of Enforcement have been granted full police powers under the law of the State of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, the officers of the Division of Law Enforcement receive substantially less compensation than other enforcement officers of the State of Indiana,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges the General Assembly to upgrade the compensation received by the officers of the Division of Law Enforcement of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to a party with other similarly trained enforcement officers vested with the full police powers of the State of Indiana.
WHEREAS, the Law Enforcement Division is responsible for enforcement of state fish and wildlife regulations, and
WHEREAS, Conservation Officers, because of their state-wide distribution, are in a highly favorable position to acquaint the general public with fish and wildlife management practices, and
WHEREAS, training Conservation Officers in fish and wildlife biology should be a continuing or recurrent operation, including field as well as classroom instruction, and
WHEREAS, this instruction could bet be given by an individual within the Law Enforcement Division with formalized fish and wildlife training.
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana hereby urges that the Department of Natural Resources increase funding and personnel ceilings in order to provide the Law Enforcement Division with a Fish and Wildlife Training Officer.
WHEREAS, a recent ruling by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration relative to banning sport hunting on lands where workers are present could have a far-reaching impact on sport hunting if the ruling is expanded to other situations, and
WHEREAS, no proof exists that the supposed hazard to workers were sport hunting is allowed is of large consequence, and
WHEREAS, other methods such as safety colored clothing and safety zones where workers are present is a more sensible approach to protecting the workers.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana urges that the Congress of the United States enact legislation removing the authority from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to regulate matters involving sport hunting and other outdoor recreational activities.
WHEREAS, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, a federal administrative body of the Executive Branch, has announced intentions of creating a federal registration system for all new sales of firearms, and
WHEREAS, such a system is devoid of merit relative to the reduction of crime as witnessed by the failure of other registration schemes, and
WHEREAS, such a system can conceivably be a first step of confiscation of firearms in direct conflict with the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, and
WHEREAS, the administration has no right to promulgate such regulations as this authority rests with the Congress of the United States, and
WHEREAS, Congress has repeatedly refused to enact legislation to create a federal registration system for firearms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana strongly urges that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms withdraw its announced intentions relative to firearms registration, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the United States Congress exercise its authority by formally denying this authority to the Executive Branch of the federal government.
WHEREAS, many lakes and stream segments of the State of Indiana have been surveyed for water quality by the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board, and
WHEREAS, the lakes surveyed have been ranked in order of water quality, and
WHEREAS, the Department of Natural Resources of Indiana has also surveyed many of the aquatic habitats found in the state, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Geological Survey has completed a study of the watersheds of the state, and
WHEREAS, the 208 Planning Process will result in water quality management plans for the various regions of the State of Indiana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana, urges that the information gathered through the above-mentioned studies be utilized for preparing the required environmental impact statements for appropriate renovative work on the lakes and streams of this state that fall in the lower twenty-five percent of the Water Quality Inventory of the Indiana Stream Pollution Control Board.
WHEREAS, the Division of Fish and Wildlife of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana will experience a financial crisis by the end of the 1979 fiscal year, and
WHEREAS, that financial crisis is being precipitated by a rapid depletion of the Fish and Wildlife Fund, and
WHEREAS, that Fund is solely generated by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses to the outdoor sportsmen of Indiana, and
WHEREAS, as the Law Enforcement Division of the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana is primarily supported by the Fish and Wildlife Fund, and
WHEREAS, the duties of the Law Enforcement Division go beyond enforcing fish and wildlife regulations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 23-25, 1978, in Columbus, Indiana, strongly urge the General Assembly to enact legislation providing an alternate means of funding for the Law Enforcement Division, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that each division of the Department of Natural Resources and any other state agencies utilizing the services of the Law Enforcement Division provide their proportionate share of funding to the Division.
WHEREAS, there is significant land within established state forest boundaries that has not yet been acquired by the state, and
WHEREAS, these inholdings once acquired will enhance forest management, and
WHEREAS, acquisition of these inholdings is in the best interest of the public, and
WHEREAS, land values continue to rise thereby increasing acquisition costs;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana hereby strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to aggressively pursue the acquisition of all inholdings associated with the state forests of Indiana.
WHEREAS, there is significant land within the established boundaries of state fish and wildlife areas that has yet to be acquired, and
WHEREAS, these inholdings once acquired will enhance fish and wildlife management, and
WHEREAS, acquisition of these inholdings is in the best interest of the public, and
WHEREAS, land values continue to rise thereby increasing acquisition costs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana hereby strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to aggressively pursue the acquisition of all inholdings associated with state fish and wildlife areas.
WHEREAS, natural events over the years have shown that man's occupation of river flood plains has been an ill-conceived idea and economically unsound at best, and
WHEREAS, continued occupation of these flood prone areas results in untold losses in dollars, lives, and anguish, and
WHEREAS, often these losses are at least partially borne by the general public through increased taxation intended to remedy an unnatural situation created through unsound land uses.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana strongly urges that the State of Indiana begin acquiring flood prone areas and that these acquisitions be placed in the public trust and maintained in a state where natural events will not place an additional burden upon the public should they occur, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that wherever possible these acquired lands should be utilized for the benefit of fish and wildlife resources and compatible outdoor recreation by the public.
WHEREAS, Indiana has lost over one million acres of wetlands since 1850 constituting over 80% of Indiana's original wetland resources base, and
WHEREAS, wetlands have proven to be one of the most valuable natural resources we have providing benefits and functions that are nearly impossible for man to recreate economically, and
WHEREAS, the cost of purchasing and/or restoring wetlands is rapidly on the rise;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana hereby strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to aggressively pursue a wetlands acquisition program in order to acquire all of the significant wetland areas still left in this state, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the General Assembly of the State of Indiana provide the necessary funds and mandate that this program be carried out within a ten (10) year period beginning with the next biennium.
WHEREAS, forest land is the habitat of many species of wildlife, both game and nongame, and
WHEREAS, the amount, location, and condition of our forest land is of considerable interest to this organization and is basic to wildlife management planning, and
WHEREAS, the last Forest Survey in Indiana was conducted in 1967, and
WHEREAS, the 1967 Forest Survey reported the loss of another 200,000 acres of forest land from that reported in the 1950 Survey, a decline of 5% from 4.1 million acres to 3.9 million acres, and
WHEREAS, there is published data that indicates substantial areas of forest land are in effect in housing lots, sub-divisions, and private estates closed to all uses, and
WHEREAS, we understand the Forest Surveys are to be conducted every ten years.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana and the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture conduct the Indiana Forest Survey in 1980, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Survey include sufficient data on forest land use, owner attitudes, and objectives to reflect land area used for forestry purposes in Indiana.
WHEREAS, the amount of fish and wildlife habitat has been greatly reduced over the years, by a variety of man's activities, resulting in the reduction of both the quality and quantity of fish and wildlife, and
WHEREAS, there is a serious need to take immediate steps to minimize this impact and create new habitats where possible, and
WHEREAS, surface mining for coal is a necessary process to obtain coal for our nation's energy needs and does have impacts on the area being mined, and
WHEREAS, with modern mining technology and planning, coal mining does offer the opportunity o reclaim land specifically for the development of fish and wildlife habitat, and
WHEREAS, in many areas of Indiana mining is carried out in agricultural areas where wildlife cover has already been destroyed and that reclamation in these areas could replace habitat better than premining conditions, and
WHEREAS, as in the past the lakes left behind as the result of mining have provided both fish and wildlife habitat, and
WHEREAS, the new surface mining regulations emphasize reclaiming to the "approximate original contour" and thus discouraging the creation of lakes, and
WHEREAS, the new law does allow exceptions to this strict grading, however, the requirements and approval procedures are very restrictive so as to discourage mining companies in that they grade in these potential impoundments rather than create lakes where both fish and wildlife habitat could be developed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc. in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to take steps to encourage coal companies to design lakes into their reclamation plans so as to take advantage of this opportunity to create fish and wildlife habitat which is so critically needed in Indiana.
WHEREAS, the amount of hunting and fishing areas, particularly hunting areas, open to the general public has become less and less each year, and
WHEREAS, the reasons for this are complex involving: 1) increased demand related to population increases, (2) decreased acreages available because of habitat destruction, and (3) increased restriction of private lands to the general public because of liability, vandalism, overharvest, etc., and
WHEREAS, this problem is identified in the most recent Indiana Outdoor Recreation Plan where it states that 19% of our statewide population participates in hunting with the existing public hunting areas providing only 38% of the 1980 demand, and
WHEREAS, there are large acreages of land suitable for public hunting (and other uses) owned by coal companies but are closed to public access for several of the reasons cited above but particularly for insurance and liability reasons.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana strongly encourages the General Assembly, the Department of Natural Resources of The State of Indiana and the various coal companies to pursue cooperative programs and legislation, if necessary, that would provide incentives to make this valuable resource available to the sportsmen of Indiana. [Remaining text cut-off]
WHEREAS, wetland areas are an important natural resource and are vitally important to waterfowl propagation in Indiana, and
WHEREAS, funds for acquiring these vital resources in Indiana are critically short, and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Fish and Wildlife Code, Chapter 4.5, provides for the sale of an Indiana Waterfowl Stamp with one-half (1/2) the revenue collected going to a non-profit organization for the purpose of waterfowl propagation, and
WHEREAS, the total sales of waterfowl stamps in Indiana has amounted to over $200,000 since 1976 with further result of over $100,000 being appropriated to waterfowl propagation projects out of the State of Indiana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana hereby strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to establish a policy of utilizing the non-profit Indiana Waterfowl Stamps within the state until such time as the wetlands acquisition program of the State of Indiana is complete, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy be consistent with Section 4.5-4 of the Fish and Wildlife Code.
WHEREAS, wetland areas are an important natural resource and are vitally important to waterfowl propagation in Indiana, and
WHEREAS, funds for acquiring these vital resources in Indiana are critically short, and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Fish and Wildlife Code, Chapter 4.5, provides for the sale of an Indiana Waterfowl Stamp with one-half (1/2) the revenue collected going to a non-profit organization for the purpose of waterfowl propagation, and
WHEREAS, the total sales of waterfowl stamps in Indiana has amounted to over $200,000 since 1976 with the further result of over $100,000 being appropriated to waterfowl propagation projects out of the State of Indiana.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Conservation Council, Inc., in annual meeting assembled June 22-24, 1979, in South Bend, Indiana, hereby strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana to establish a policy of utilizing the non-profit portion of the revenues raised through the sale of Indiana Waterfowl stamps within the state until such time as the wetlands acquisition program of the State of Indiana is complete, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this policy be consistent with Section 4.5-4 of the Fish and Wildlife Code.
