GLSFC Special Report

Sept 10, 2008

 

Cormorant control in Green Bay / Door County

Public comment period open until Sept 25

There is a public comment period on Wisconsinʼs proposed cormorant control plan, and comments must be received by September 25.

 

Letters should reference: "EA 08-61 Double Crested Cormorant Management in Wisconsin."   Just addressed your letter - To Whom It May Concern-

 

The Wisconsin cormorant population was state-listed as endangered in 1972, but increased to 2,213 nesting pairs in 1985. Delisted in 1986, nesting pair numbers increased to 10,546 in 1997 and 14,882 in 2005. More than 80% of the nesting pairs in Wisconsin are in the Lower Green Bay and Door County areas. Substantial numbers of cormorants migrating through Wisconsin in spring and fall also contribute to damage and conflicts.

 

Electronic copies of the Environmental Analysis on double-crested cormorant damage management are available at the USFWS web site:  http://www.fws.gov/midwest/MidwestBird/cormorants.htm  or the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/nepa.shtml    Hard copies of the report may be obtained by contacting USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services, 732 Lois Dr., Sun Prairie, WI 53590, (608) 837-2727, FAX (608) 837-6754.

 

Written comments on the EA will be accepted through September 25, 2008. Your comments should be submitted to the above address for USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services.   When faxing a comment, a copy should also be mailed to ensure that a complete version of the text is received.  

 

The document is extremely long (157 pages), however, you don't need to comment on the specifics of the plan.  We were contacted by Rep. Karl Van Royʼs office saying they submitted a letter generally supporting efforts to aggressively and permanently reduce the DCCO population in Wisconsin citing the destruction of habitat, displacement of other birds, damage to personal property, decimation of fish populations, etc.

 

Rep. Van Roy spoke to a person at the Wisconsin DNR about this, and she said they need to get letters of support for the program. There is concern the authorities will only hear from "bird lovers" and not from the "fish lovers." 

 

Dan Thomas, President

Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council

staff@great-lakes.org