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IWF RESOLUTIONS
WHEREAS, the Public Access Site Program is one of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife's (DFW) highest ranking programs by the Fish and Wildlife staff, and
WHEREAS, 81% of 6223 respondents to a statewide fisherman questionnaire stated "free public access is important to their selection of a place of fish", and
WHEREAS, during the past 50 years, the number of DFW employees available to maintain sites has not kept pace with site acquisition and development, and
WHEREAS, the DFW is working on plans for a new program entitled 'Adopt-A-Public Access Site', and
WHEREAS, the strategic plan for the Adopt-A-Public Access site states that boaters benefit tremendously from the 275 public access sites that have been developed to date; 155 in northern Indiana and 120 in the south, and
WHEREAS, many rivers in east central Indiana are lacking access sites, such as the Salamonie in Blackford and Wells Counties, the Mississinewa in Delaware, Grant and Randolph Counties and the White in Delaware, Madison and Randolph Counties, and
WHEREAS, parking facilities near these rivers are at a premium or even non-existent in these counties, and
WHEREAS, there is little or no public land available in these counties for access site development, and
WHEREAS, these river are small in these counties while access sites with ramps are not always needed, areas to park vehicles are, and
WHEREAS, in some northern counties the DFW is working with the Department of Transportation and county officials to provide more and better access sites, and
WHEREAS, the DFW, fisheries section is responsible for the acquisition phase while the wildlife section is responsible for the site construction and maintenance phase of the public access program
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 10 and 11, 1995 at Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, Indiana urges the Division of Fish and Wildlife to work with state and local officials in an effort to secure more Public Access Sites especially in east central Indiana, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation urges all its member clubs to help maintain existing access sites by Adopting-A-Public Site in their area. 
WHEREAS, the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act (Farm Bill) is scheduled for reauthorization in 1995; and
WHEREAS, the 1995 Farm Bill will have an enormous impact on the quality of Indiana's and the Nation's soil and water resources, abundance and quality of fish and wildlife habitat, and health and safety of food products; and
WHEREAS, the 1995 Farm Bill should recognize that America's farmers are among the world's most productive and agricultural policy has brought great environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, responsible stewardship of Indiana's and our Nation's farmlands should be the priority of the 1995 Farm Bill; and
WHEREAS, the 1995 Farm Bill should encourage sound farming practices and ensure healthy farms and healthy foods; and
WHEREAS, the 1995 Farm Bill should encourage responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers, protect Indiana's and the Nation's drinking water, curtail polluted agricultural run-off, improve food safety, and conserve wildlife and endangered species habitats;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation in its Annual Meeting assembled June 9-11, 1995 at Turkey Run State Park, supports a 1995 Farm Bill consisting of four primary policy objectives:
* Retain and improve existing Farm Bill conservation provisions and titles, including the Conservation Reserve Program and Wetlands Reserve Program, Swampbuster and Sodbuster;
*Advance environmentally sound farming by strengthening broad-based conservation and stewardship incentive programs to replace existing subsidy payments.
*Provide special incentives to family farmers and those now excluded from farm programs to enhance the use of environmentally sound farming practices;
*Continue to support a water quality incentive program whereby participating farmers adopt site-specific management plans to protect water quality; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation urges Congress and the Administration to include these four conservation policy objectives in the reauthorized 1995 Farm Bill.
WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has revealed plans to turn portions of Fort Benjamin Harrison into a state park; and
WHEREAS, the IDNR also plans to purchase and run the Form Benjamin Harrison Golf Course in conjunction with the new state park; and
WHEREAS, the IDNR suggests that all Hunter Education classes should provide gun range experience and training whenever possible, and
WHEREAS, preserving any existing gun ranges would help to accomplish this, and
WHEREAS, if plans are to be considered to eliminate the ranges at Fort Benjamin Harrison which fall within the state park area.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 10 and 11, 1995 at Turkey Run State Park, Marshall, Indiana urges the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to retain these ranges for recreational use and gun safety training; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation urges the IDNR to use some of the Hunter Education Pittman-Robertson funds to open and maintain more ranges in Indiana for safety training and recreational use.
WHEREAS, the organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has long been a thorn in the side of hunters and trappers; and
WHEREAS, PETA is now starting to focus its harassing tactics on sportfishing; and
WHEREAS, it is PETA's intention to ban all sportfishing; and
WHEREAS, PETA is trying to introduce a new program into the schools; and
WHEREAS, this is their anti-fishing answer to the "National Hunting and Fishing Day" program; and
WHEREAS, PETA is using the acronym "S.O.S." "Save Our Schools"; and
WHEREAS, the acronym is already registered by another environmental, conservation organization for its highly acclaimed "Save Our Streams" stream monitoring program.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana urges that when an anti-fishing or hunting program is presented in any school system, the Department of Education requires equal time be provided for opposing viewpoints.
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation is committed to conserving our state's natural resources and the reasoned expenditure of our tax dollars; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has plans to build a new highway between Bloomington and Evansville, which would cost at least 800 million dollars and would destroy over 5000 acres of farms and forests; and
WHEREAS, this proposed would result in the fragmentation and loss of habitat to wildlife in the area, including bisecting through the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge; and
WHEREAS, INDOT's extensive draft plan for this highway gives less than one page of consideration to alternatives to build the proposed highway including upgrading existing routes, such as US 41 from Terre Haute to Evansville and US 50 from Bedford to Vincennes, public transportation and education options and the "no build" alternative; and
WHEREAS, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires thorough examination of alternatives to all major federal construction projects before the project can commence; and
WHEREAS, INDOT has failed to meet this federally mandated requirement and is barred from proceeding until it can show that the proposed highway is the best alternative environmentally and locally for our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana urges INDOT to revise the Draft Environmental Impact Statement to include an appropriately detailed and objective statement of the highway alternatives, giving alternatives reasonable considerations with fair opportunities for citizens input throughout the process.
WHEREAS, a coalition of outdoor enthusiasts is promoting a new national program dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation, recreation and education; and
WHEREAS, it was initially called the "Wildlife Diversity Initiative" this program will be funded by a federal excise tax on outdoor recreation equipment and supplies not already taxed for Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs; and
WHEREAS, the "Wildlife Diversity Initiative" is now called the "Teaming with Wildlife Program; and
WHEREAS, this program will operate similar to the very successful Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs that sportsmen have supported for over 50 years; and
WHEREAS, hunters and anglers have happily paid an excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition and fishing supplies to benefit the management of game species of fish and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, this program will provide an opportunity for all outdoor enthusiasts to support the management of fish and wildlife species that fall between the harvested and the endangered; and
WHEREAS, just like the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson programs a states matching fund need only be 25 percent of the total, and
WHEREAS, this could increase the non-game tax check-off fund fourfold; and
WHEREAS, this program is supported by the National Wildlife Federation and 23 of its State Affiliates; and
WHEREAS, there will soon be a bill submitted in Congress to authorize this program.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana endorses the "Teaming with Wildlife Program"; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the IWF urges that matching moneys do not come from sources which would normally be used for matching funds for the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation suggests that, in Indiana, matching funds be obtained from the non-game tax check-off and the Indiana General Fund or other sources that do not raid potential Pittman-Robertson or Dingell-Johnson moneys.
WHEREAS, western timber industry interests succeed in 1995 in securing passage of a "timber salvage" rider to a Congressional appropriations bill which suspends all environmental laws in a massive deforestation grab against our remaining ancient forests, including the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and other national laws; and
WHEREAS, this legislative provision is being used to abuse vast areas of our National Forests, and must be halted if America's remaining ancient forests are to be protected; and
WHEREAS, bills are now pending in the Congress to repeal the "salvage rider", but have not yet been enacted; and
WHEREAS, the President's position is ambivalent in first signing the "salvage rider" bill then publicly acknowledged that was a mistake, but declining thus far to support the repealers or using his executive power to halt the timber raids; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana that the "timber salvage" rider be repealed, and that the President be hereby urged to support such repeal; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation commends the timber salvage repeal bills HR 2745 in the House and S 1595 in the Senate, urges their passage and their active support by the President.
WHEREAS, the Public Rangeland Management Act (S 1459) passed the Senate by a 51 to 46 vote; and
WHEREAS, the companion house bill (H.R. 1713) has passed on to the Senate Environment Committee; and
WHEREAS, Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands alone annually provide American with 72 million days of hunting and 37 million days of fishing; and
WHEREAS, recreation on BLM lands generates more than $675 million a year; and
WHEREAS, under these bills the following could occur:
1. Public interests, other than grazing, play and insignificant role in the decision-making process affecting land use and range management plans.
2. On-the-ground grazing actions are exempt from review under the National Environmental Policy Act, a crucial tool for protecting fish and wildlife habitat along with other important rangeland resources.
3. Rangeland monitoring is complicated to the point that our agency managers may be unable to adequately respond to obvious resources damage.
4. The Forest Service and BLM may be prevented from assuring adequate water supplies necessary to support fish and wildlife populations, recreation and other non-grazing uses.
5. The National Grasslands are removed from the National Forest System and, without Forest System protection, will be in jeopardy of being transferred to state or private ownership.
6. New private property "rights" for grazing permittees are created, contrary to established public land law and policy, enabling a backdoor giveaway of our public land; and
WHEREAS, 3 percent of the nation's cattle operators and 5 percent of the sheep producers hold federal grazing permits; and
WHEREAS, 2 percent of these permittees, four billionaires, a life insurance company and an oil company, control about half of all BLM acreage grazed; and
WHEREAS, about one-half of the 160 million acres grazed by livestock are in acceptable or "functioning" ecological condition; and
WHEREAS, an even higher percentage of riparian areas are in damaged condition; and
WHEREAS, grazing fees in effect in 1994 were $1.98 per animal Unit Month, compared to as much as $10.00 per AUM on private land; and
WHEREAS, under these bills fees would likely decline to about $1.70 - $1.80; and
WHEREAS, these bills will create Grazing Advisory Councils to make recommendations on range improvement objectives; and
WHEREAS, a majority of the Council members will have to be ranchers, which would again favor livestock interests over fish, wildlife and outdoor recreation.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana urges our elected officials to oppose these or any other bills which elevate grazing to the dominant use on public lands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation feels that public lands should be managed for multiple use.
WHEREAS, all of Indiana's wetlands and most wetlands around the nation are in serious danager of losing protection if two bills currently being considered by Congress become law; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 961 and S 851 will represent the most sweeping pieces of legislation to weaken federal protection of wetlands ever considered by Congress; and
WHEREAS, these two pieces of legislation would effectively define millions of acres of wetlands out of existence; and
WHEREAS, a minimum of 73 million acres of wetlands or 71 percent of the remaining wetlands in the contiguous U.S. would no longer be designated as wetlands; and
WHEREAS, the definition used in these bills are in direct conflict with the recently released National Academy of Science's report on wetlands; and
WHEREAS, American natural treasures such as the Florida Everglades, Virginia's Dismal Swamp and the picturesque wetlands surrounding the San Franciso and Chesapeake Bays could be lost forever if these bills are approved; and
WHEREAS, in Indiana, the two bills would effectively remove 100 percent of our 750,000 remaining acres of wetlands from protection; and
WHEREAS, many people in our state are not aware that nearly all of our wetlands have been drained, leaving us a scarce 15 percent of what was present prior to settlement; and
WHEREAS, wetlands serve many valuable purposes to people and wildlife; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being the most productive ecosystems, they also protect people during floods by absorbing stormwater like a sponge; and
WHEREAS, wetlands also serve as a crucial component to clean drinking water by filtering out sediment and pollutants before they reach our streams, rivers and lakes; and
WHEREAS, in a November 1995 poll of Indiana residents conducted by Responsive Management, Inc., 80 percent said they strongly or moderately support efforts to protect Indiana's wetlands; and
WHEREAS, in a December 1995 nation wide poll conducted by Linda DiVall of American Viewpoint, 79 percent of the people polled "support current levels of environmental regulations", while only 21 percent responded that "environmental regulations have gone too far".
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana urges congress to defeat H.R. 961 and S. 851 and pass laws that protect, not destroy, our valuable wetlands; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation urges our elected representatives, National, State and Local to work to conserve all our natural resources for future generations.
WHEREAS, The National Wildlife Refuge System has been created with the primary purpose of providing secure habitat for populations of wild creatures; and
WHEREAS, the National House of Representatives has passed the "National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act" (HB-1675), AND
WHEREAS, The "National Wildlife Refuge Improvement Act" would:
1. Fundamentally alter the purpose of the Refuge System by making hunting coequal with habitat conservation;
2. Severely limit the use of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to create new refuges;
3. Create an unneeded exemption process to facilitate military use of refuge lands;
4. Limit the ability of the refuge managers to control use of pesticides for farming on some refuge lands;
5. Weaken the ability of the Fish and Wildlife Service to manage competing public uses of the system;
6. Dilute consideration of the public interest from management decisions; and
WHEREAS, Hunting is allowed on more than half of the Wildlife Refuges and is appropriate when it is compatible with a Refuge's primary purpose - providing secure habitat for wild populations; and
WHEREAS, the present Administration has opened 15 new refuge hunting programs and will open 7 more shortly; and
WHEREAS, more than half of the nation's 508 Wildlife Refuges are open to hunting, representing 95 percent of the acreage in the Refuge System; and
WHEREAS, the Presidents Executive Order of March 25, 1996 has stated that hunting and fishing will continue to be priority uses of the Refuge System; and
WHEREAS, Section 1 of this Executive Order states "The Mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to preserve a national network of lands and waters for the conservation and management of fish, wildlife, and plants resources of the United States for the benefit of present and future generations"; and
WHEREAS, Section 2 states "To help ensure a bright future for its treasured national heritage, I hereby affirm the following four guiding principles for the management and general public use of the Refuge System:
(a) Public use. The Refuge System provides important opportunities for compatible wildlife-dependent recreational activities involving hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, and photography, and environmental education and interpretation.
(b) Habitat. Fish and Wildlife will not prosper without high-quality habitat, and without fish and wildlife, traditional uses of refuges cannot be sustained. The Refuge System will continue to conserve and enhance the quality and diversity of fish and wildlife habitat within refuges.
(c) Partnerships. America's sportsmen and women were the first partners who insisted on protecting valuable wildlife habitat within Wildlife Refuges. Conservation partnerships with other Federal agencies, State agencies, Tribes, organizations, industry, and the general public can make significant contributions to the growth and management of the Refuge System.
(d) Public Involvement. The public should be given a full and open opportunity to participate in decisions regarding acquisition and management of our National Wildlife Refuges.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. in annual meeting June 8 and 9, 1996 at McCormick's Creek State Park, Spencer, Indiana supports the guidelines set forth in the President's Executive Order of March 25, 1996; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation urges the U.S. Senate to reject HB-1675 and refuse to weaken our National Wildlife Refuge system.
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 recreation 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 Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled June 7 & 8, 1997 at Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana hereby urges the legislature of the State of Indiana to set a fee for an annual hunting license, for citizens of the state of Indiana who are 65 years of age or older, which would be no more than is required for the state to be eligible to receive its full share of Pittmen-Robertson moneys; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the same fee be set for an annual fishing license for these same citizens.
WHEREAS, the quality of life for all Indiana citizens requires that we work together for sustainable populations of native plants and animals, and ecosystems integrated into an economically productive and ecologically healthy Indiana landscape; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation has devoted resources throughout the last year to the Indiana Biodiversity Initiative by serving on its Steering Committee; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive state-wide initiative to conserve biological diversity is crucial because only three percent of Indiana, or approximately 700,000 acres, is publicly-owned for the purposes of conserving and protecting natural areas and providing recreational opportunities; and
WHEREAS, protecting our state's natural heritage is important for all Hoosiers, especially the 70 percent or 2.8 million who participate in wildlife-associated activities each year, including hunting, fishing, photographing, observing and wildlife feeding; and
WHEREAS, Indiana's biological diversity is seriously threatened by habitat loss and degradation, as well as prolific exotic species.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation in annual meeting June 7 and 8, 1997 at Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana, supports and continues to enhance its participation in the Indiana Biodiversity Initiative; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation should push for land use policies that protect our state's biological diversity.
WHEREAS, the Crandon Mining Company plans to pump up to 1.7 million gallons of ground water per day for 30 years from a proposed new mine in the Lake Michigan watershed into the Wisconsin River; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin River is a tributary of the Mississippi River; and
WHEREAS, the Crandon Mining Company evidently believes that it will cost lost less to build and maintain a 30 mile pipeline to the Wisconsin River than the treatment necessary to keep the water in the Lake Michigan Watershed; and
WHEREAS, a major issue in the Great Lakes water quality is simply maintaining the existing hydrological cycle; and
WHEREAS, this cannot be done if major diversions such as Crandon's are allowed or if cumulative affects of smaller ones are ignored; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (FWRD) prohibits any new diversions of water from the Great Lakes watershed unless it is approved by the governor of each Great Lake state; and
WHEREAS, Crandon and the state of Wisconsin take the position that the FRWD applies only to surface water diversions, not ground water diversions; and
WHEREAS, ground water flow is as much a part of Great Lake hydrology as surface flow; and
WHEREAS, the intent of the law should not be defeated by such a weak argument; and
WHEREAS, it has been the Indiana Wildlife Federation's policy, since 1982, to oppose any plan to divert water from the Great Lakes watershed to points outside that watershed for any purpose.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled June 7 & 8, 1997 at Pokagon State Park, Angola, Indiana hereby urges Governor Frank O'Bannon to protect the whole Great Lakes basin by opposing and vetoing any Great Lakes watershed diversions.
WHEREAS, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a 30,000 acre National Wildlife Refuge on the Kankakee River in Indiana and Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the Grand Kankakee Marsh was once located in the Kankakee River watershed in Indiana and was one of the largest inland marshes in the world, comprising over 500,000 acres of wetlands and hardwood forest; and
WHEREAS, its unique location near Lake Michigan to the north, the tallgrass prairies to the west, and forests to the east once made the Marsh home to countless species, and its vast wetlands acreage made it an attraction for visitors from around the world in the 1800s who sought to hunt, fish, and enjoy other outdoor pursuits until it was converted to agricultural and other uses in the 1900s; and
WHEREAS, despite massive habitat loss and fragmentation, the Kankakee River landscape still contains remnants of prairie wetland, tallgrass and mesic prairie, oak savanna, forest lands, riparian woodland corridors, and other important habitat which means more of these associated habitats should be restored; and
WHEREAS, the Great Lakes states are part of a major international flyway for waterfowl and other birds, yet have sustained statewide wetlands habitat loss of, for example, up to 87 percent in Indian and 85 percent in Illinois, which means wetlands in this flyway are strongly needed and should be restored; and
WHEREAS, the Marsh area is currently home to numerous sensitive species, including a migratory stopover site for up to 100 percent of the eastern population of sandhill cranes, so that restoration of habitat within the Marsh will benefit these and over 220 state-listed endangered, threatened, and list-candidate species that exist in the area and could keep others from being federally listed; and
WHEREAS, the restoration of wetlands would provide habitat for numerous species including several on the 1995 List of Migratory Nongame Birds of Management Concern in the United States, and would further prioritize the management area goals under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan to improve populations of migratory waterfowl; and
WHEREAS, restoration would help to reduce flooding, soil erosion, silt deposition and water pollution, and because of the area's proximity to Chicago and other urban areas, would attract ecotourism dollars to an area in need of economic stimulation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Wildlife Federation in its Annual Meeting assembled March 19-22, 1998, in Alexandria, Virginia, supports the establishment of the Grant Kankakee Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.
WHEREAS, for over fifty years Indiana sportsmen and women have willingly an proudly contributed to fish, game, and wildlife conservation by purchasing licenses, and by paying excise taxes known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, the Dingell-Johnson Act, and the Wallop-Bureau Act on fishing and hunting equipment, and
WHEREAS, 67% of all Hoosiers participate in wildlife-watching activities, and
WHEREAS, many mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles, insects, and other species are in decline in Indiana as a result of habitat loss, and
WHEREAS, use and demands of non-consumptive conservationists is growing at a rapid pace, and
WHEREAS, use and demands of habitats will continue the explosive spiral upward, and
WHEREAS, pressures on all wildlife will increase and habitat quantity and quality may decline, and
WHEREAS, Teaming with Wildlife will add to the conservation success for all outdoor enthusiasts by securing and improving wildlife habitat for the benefit of all species, and
WHEREAS, Indiana would be eligible to receive an estimated $6.8 million in matching funds, and
WHEREAS, a broad-based coalition of over 2,600 groups and businesses has been established to support Teaming with Wildlife, and
WHEREAS, Teaming with Wildlife will restore many critically low species populations, conserve millions of acres of habitat nationally, and will provide countless hours of recreation on our lands and waterways.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting June 13-14, 1998 in Brown County State Park, Nashville, Indiana emphatically supports passage of federal legislation establishing a federal excise tax of up to 5% on supplies, equipment, and products traditionally purchased by non-consumptive wildlife enthusiasts.
WHEREAS, "non-point" sources of pollution such as agricultural runoff, homeowner runoff, atmospheric deposition, and contaminated sediments have become Indiana's largest water-quality problem, causing many of our water resources to be unsafe for fishing, swimming, and wildlife, and
WHEREAS, Indiana is not effectively using a watershed protection provision of the Clean Water Act known as the "Total Maximum Daily Loads" (TMDLs") provision, and
WHEREAS, TMDLs establish the amount of pollutants a body of water can accept while still remaining healthy, and then must be developed and implemented to keep pollutants from all sources from exceeding established limits, and
WHEREAS, Indiana must identify the water-quality limited waters, names of pollutants causing water quality problems, establish a prioritization of impaired waters, develop a listing of waters targeted for TMDL development within a two-year time frame, and assure that public participation has been provided, and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act's TMDL provision, Section 303(d), is designed to attack pollution regardless of its source and provide controls intended to be enforceable, but Indiana is failing to protect our state's precious water resources from diverse sources of pollution,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation assembled at its annual meeting June 13-14, 1998, in Brown County State Park, Nashville, Indiana, demands that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management aggressively use the Clean Water Act's TMDL provision to identify the Hoosier states' damaged waters and the pollutants causing impairments, and to develop and enforce watershed cleanup plans immediately.
WHEREAS, the West Otter Lake Association (WOLA) has asked the Pigeon Creek Drainage Board (PCDB) for help to alleviate flooding at Otter Lake; and
WHEREAS, the WOLA believes that the flooding is caused by the Department of Natural Resources raising the height of the Mongo Mill Pond by two (2) feet from time to time; and
WHEREAS, the PCDB believes that by dredging Pigeon Creek (usually referred to as the Pigeon River) from Otter Lake to County Road 175 North the flood problems will be relieved; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Commerce (IDOC) has requested more information on environmental impact; and
WHEREAS, the PCDB has sent the IDOC a letter of intent to indicate that a formal application will be made later; and
WHEREAS, an Indiana University Geological Survey (IGL) states that the Mongo Mill Pond is Twenty-nine (29) lower than Otter Lake; and
WHEREAS, the IGL states four (4) main reasons for the flooding at Otter Lake, including homes that have been constructed only one (1) or two (2) feet above the lake; and
WHEREAS, the IGL states in conclusion: No connection can be demonstrated between adjustments of the water level in Mongo Mill Pond and reported high lake levels upstream in the Pigeon River. Pigeon River maintains a relatively high gradient and fast-flowing channel characteristics between the two, whereas the flow of shallow ground water is strongly northward, away from Otter Lake and toward the millpond. Therefore, it does not appear possible for rises in the millpond to affect the level of Otter Lake without violating the basic laws of physics and fluid flow. Instead, temporary periods of high water levels in Otter Lake are very probably the results of sudden increases in surface runoff and groundwater discharge to the lake stemming from major rainfall events. These inputs overwhelm the ability of the artificially constructed outlet to drain the lake in a timely manner. The problem is exacerbated by the proximity of some homes to the lake; and
WHEREAS, the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area is one of the areas that the DNR has chosen for the reintroduction of river otters; and
WHEREAS, County Road 175 North is approximately three and one half (3 ½) miles within the boundaries of the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting June 13-14, 1998 in Brown County State Park, Nashville, Indiana opposes any attempt to dredge any part of the Pigeon River which lies within the boundaries of the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area.
WHEREAS, in late 1993 the "Governor's Task Force on Environmental Permit Fees" chaired by then Lt. Gov. Frank O'Bannon and consisting of representatives of industries and municipalities, environmentalists, legislators and other interested parties recommended a minimum IDEM staffing level of about 1230 full-time professional staff and the budget to adequately fund them, and
WHEREAS, in the November 4, 1993, Task Force meeting, the then IDEM Commissioner stated that proposed staffing and funding of 1230 positions "was not adequate to run the required programs, it was only a stop gap number to keep programs alive" and "is a very contentious issue and open to politics - let us please keep peace so that we may give Indiana the programs that are needed"; and
WHEREAS, state and federal mandates may have changed, but have not decreased, and, therefore, staffing needs at IDEM are still in excess of 1230 positions; and
WHEREAS, the staff levels in the Departments of Water Management and Environmental Response in particular were never increased to their projected needs level; and
WHEREAS, over the last four years administrations have reduced requested staffing and funding for IDEM and have frozen many critical positions within the agency resulting in unjustified reductions from 1230 to 990 positions in spite of the statutorily - authorized full funding and staffing of the Department; and
WHEREAS, the use of consultants by the Department, some assigned to policy-making positions, has increased while technical staff positions, essential to the long-term health of the Department have been severely reduced; and
WHEREAS, when, under prior IDEM management a proposal for a reduced staffing level of about 990 was prepared, incomplete estimates were made of the staff cost and these estimates were used to prepare budget estimates which resulted in financial shortfalls in the Department; and
WHEREAS, the permit fees mandated by SEA 417, PL 16 in 1994 were created specifically to ensure adequate funding for the 1230 positions recommended as the minimum level of staffing for the agency by the Governor's Task Force; and
WHEREAS, because of hiring freezes IDEM has never filled all of the 1230 positions, despite its continued collection of permit fees, and as a result has not addressed many of the deficiencies intended to be corrected by the increased staffing, particularly the NPDES permit backlog; and
WHEREAS, IDEM currently is preparing to eliminate at least 60 staff-level positions, which only will exacerbate IDEM's inability to meet federal and state mandates and its mission of protecting Indiana's environment; and
WHEREAS, it is unjustifiable to strip IDEM further of strategic technical positions and cripple further the Department's ability to implement critical human health, environmental and economic development programs, particularly with a large State budget surplus; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation (IWF) believes the agency has not followed proper hiring procedures for filing merit positions, and has filled some positions with political appointees; and
WHEREAS, environmentalists, municipal managers and officials, industry leaders and legislators recognize the need for an adequately staffed, funded and fully professional IDEM staff; and
WHEREAS, all these circumstances have resulted in significantly increased politicization and demoralization of the Department's staff; and
WHEREAS, the voters of Indiana and the IWF have trusted Governor O'Bannon to restore and energize IDEM and not to politicize nor privatize it as his gubernatorial opponent promised.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting June 13-14, 1998 in Brown County State Park, Nashville, Indiana urges:
1. That IDEM immediately stop its ongoing elimination of Staff-level positions.
2. That merit hiring procedures at IDEM be restored fully, the practice of filing merit positions with non-merit appointees be ended and improperly appointed personnel be terminated.
3. That the Governor implement as quickly as practical the minimum staffing level of 1230 recommended by the "Governor's Task Force on Environmental Permit Fees" in 1993.
WHEREAS, the current size of the Indiana deer herd has been balanced to satisfy hunters, the agriculture business and wildlife watchers, and
WHEREAS, Quality Deer Management (QDM) would require a further drastic reduction in the size of Indiana's deer herd, and
WHEREAS, this would result in lost hunting opportunities and a significant loss of Pitman Robertson money coming back to Indiana, and
WHEREAS, QDM in other states has lead to the leasing of private property for the purpose of deer hunting, and
WHEREAS, leasing will leave property owners in Indiana open to liability lawsuits.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting on June 11-13, 1999 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana, does not support Quality Deer Management in Indiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. strongly urges the Department of Natural Resources to resist any attempts to change the current deer management practices.
WHEREAS, it is currently illegal to hunt white tail deer in enclosed hunting preserves in Indiana, and
WHEREAS, the privatization of native species goes against modern wildlife management practices, and
WHEREAS, there is a threat of disease being transmitted to wild populations of deer, and
WHEREAS, preserve hunting will tarnish the image of ethical sportsman and conservationist.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting on June 11-13, 1999 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana, wants to urge the Indiana General Assembly to resist any request to change the current law(s) that exist as they apply to hunting preserves.
WHEREAS, in a tort claim filed with the Indiana Attorney General on February 3, 1999, by a group of Fawn River property owners stating their intent to sue the State of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for $70 million; and
WHEREAS, this tort claim is based on the allegation that the IDNR and many of its officials and employees destroyed the river's ecosystem when IDNR employees lowered a dam at the Fawn River Fish Hatchery May 18, 1999; and
WHEREAS, the group further claims that millions of cubic yards of thick, gooey much rolled downstream when the dam's gate was lifted, destroyed everything living in its wake including rare clams, tens of thousands of fish and the very vegetation and life forms upon which the mussels and fish feed upon; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Law Enforcement documented the actual number of fish lost at 153 due to the drawdown of the 1.75 acre millpond on May 18, 1999; and
WHEREAS, further surveys conducted by various biologists from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, its Fisheries section and the Division of Soil Conservation, all summarizes the impact of fish, wildlife, fauna and aquatic life forms as "minimal," and that current mussel populations would indicate that the Fawn River is in excellent overall health contrary to the allegations made in the tort claim; and
WHEREAS, additional comparisons of these surveys with the data compiled in surveys conducted prior to 1998, show nearly identical or slightly improved water quality in the Fawn River, again contrary to all allegations made in the tort claim;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation assembled in annual meeting on June 12, 1999, at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, Indiana urges the State of Indiana and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reject this tort claim as unfounded and without merit and to resist or fight any and all law suits or other legal actions that may result from this incident with all its available resources.
WHEREAS, natural resources, conservation, and environmental education has not been foremost in Indiana schools curriculum; and,
WHEREAS, the need and demand for quality natural resources, conservation, and environmental education exists; and,
WHEREAS, many other states have taken necessary steps to improve both the quality and quantity of various education programs and supplements; and,
WHEREAS, many colleges and universities have revamped education programs that recognize the importance of natural resources, conservation, and environmental education; and,
WHEREAS, the importance of this education cannot be understated,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation assembled in annual meeting at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison, Indiana on June 12, 1999 urges the Indiana State Board of Education to thoroughly examine their policies and guidelines for natural resources, conservation, and environmental education and to make participation in this education more prevalent and more consistent throughout all of Indiana.
WHEREAS, the Governor of Indiana, the Director of the Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana Department of State Personnel, and others have been successful in addressing the overall pay structure of most employees of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; and,
WHEREAS, most employees have received substantial pay adjustments and the salary ranges of most positions have been upwardly modified to more accurately compensate these employees based on job requirements, education, and job functions; and,
WHEREAS, most positions are now somewhat in line with like positions in other states; and,
WHEREAS, gross salary inequities still exist, mainly with professional biologists, professional administrative staff, and professional managerial staff; and,
WHEREAS, these few positions represent the core of the IDNR as well as the major influence on important issues and policies of the IDNR; and,
WHEREAS, the response of the Indiana Department of State Personnel toward resolving the inequity suffered by the aforementioned IDNR professionals has been poor at best; and,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Indiana Wildlife Federation assembled in annual meeting on June 12, 1999 at Clifty Falls State Park near Madison Indiana demands the fair and just treatment of these neglected professionals by the Indiana Department of State Personnel and that these pay structures be adjusted accordingly and back pay granted to June, 1998.
WHEREAS, Public Law 69-1992 established the Indiana Heritage Trust Program; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Indiana Heritage Trust Program is to acquire real property that are examples of outstanding natural features and habitats and have historical and archeological significance and provide areas for conservation, recreation and restoration of native biological diversity; and,
WHEREAS, the program is designed to ensure that the State's natural heritage is preserved or enhanced for succeeding generations by acquiring, preserving, and enhancing real property for new and existing state parks, state forests, nature preserves, fish and wildlife areas, wetlands, trails and river corridors; and,
WHEREAS, the success of the Indiana Heritage Trust Program is evident by the fact that the first six years of the program's existence (1993-1998) has resulted in 1933 acquisition projects protecting over 27,500 acres; and,
WHEREAS, Indiana Heritage Trust Program accomplishments to date have exceeded all expectations; and,
WHEREAS, the conservation partnership that has evolved among the residents of Indiana through their purchase of environmental license plates, members of this Indiana General Assembly, Indiana Executive Administrations, and the highly leveraged conservation partnerships with private/non-profit groups such as North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Federal Wetlands Reserve Program, North American Wetlands Conservation Act, The Lilly Endowment, Audubon Society, The Nature Conservancy, The Shirley Heinz Foundation, Acres, Ind., C.I.L.T.I., and many others have donated monies at least equal to the funds generated by Indiana Heritage Trust and thus allowing many more areas and special places to be protected and conserved for future generations; and
WHEREAS, farmland in Indiana is disappearing at ever increasing rates primarily due to urban sprawl and other types of human intervention; and,
WHEREAS, some support for the protection of farmland to be placed under the authority of the Indiana Heritage Trust Program has been reported; and,
WHEREAS, the Indiana Heritage Trust Program has to date preserved and protected some 27,500 total acres for all Hoosiers; and,
WHEREAS, there are some 11,800,000 acres of farmland throughout the State of Indiana; and,
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation, an organization of affiliated conservation clubs and concerned citizens of Indiana, is dedicated to habitat protection for wildlife in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives Bill H.R. 701, the Conservation Reinvestment Act of 1999 , Title III provides permanent dedicated funds to the states for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife-related education; and
WHEREAS, the only current source of funding in Indiana for non-game species is a voluntary tax check-off and contributions; and
WHEREAS, we support Indiana District 3 Representative Tim Roemer's, co-sponsorship of the legislation, H.R. 701, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 ; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation is dedicated to protecting wildlife habitat and to ensuring public education about wildlife in Indiana,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting on June 11, 12, 13, 1999 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana urges its 30,000 members and supporters to endorse the passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 , H.R. 701.
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation, an organization of affiliated conservation clubs and concerned citizens of Indiana, is dedicated to habitat protection for wildlife in Indiana; and
WHEREAS, the House of Representatives Bill H.R. 701, the Conservation Reinvestment Act of 1999 , Title III provides permanent dedicated funds to the states for the conservation of wildlife and wildlife-related education; and
WHEREAS, the only current source of funding in Indiana for non-game species is a voluntary tax check-off and contributions; and
WHEREAS, the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 represents a good first step to secure conservation funding and is co-sponsored by Indiana District 3 Representative Tim Roemer; and
WHEREAS, the Indiana Wildlife Federation is dedicated to protecting wildlife habitat and to ensuring public education about wildlife in Indiana,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Indiana Wildlife Federation, Inc. assembled in annual meeting on June 11, 12, 13, 1999 at Clifty Falls State Park in Madison, Indiana urges its 30,000 members and supporters to endorse the passage of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999 , H.R. 701 and its companion Senate Bill S.B. 25 with the following improvements:
1. The bills provide permanent funding not subject to the annual appropriations process;
2. The bills prioritize funding for non-game wildlife;
3. The bills require state fish and wildlife agencies to develop state wide conservation plans to identify the areas of greatest need for conservation funding;
4. The bills provide for public meetings or citizen advisory committees to help guide state programs.
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