Winter/Spring 2001

Conservation News

Sportsman's CAUCUS TOURS MISSISSIPPI Conservation Projects ­ Recently, Congressman Chip Pickering of Mississippi, Co-chairman of the Congressional Sportsman's Caucus and Congressman Robin Hayes of North Carolina, the Co-Vice Chairman of the Caucus, met in Starkville with approximately 100 landowners and Mississippi's agricultural/conservation community. The event was sponsored by the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Farm Bureau, Farm Service Agency, Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, Mississippi Extension Service, Mississippi Poultry Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Quail Unlimited, Tyson, Wildlife Management Institute and Billy Van Devender/Claw Forestry. These landowners and conservation groups were laying the groundwork for the next Farm Bill, primarily the conservation components. The Farm Bill is a vital part of federal legislation that will help ensure the future of wildlife and clean water. The morning consisted of a panel discussion on agricultural and conservation issues. The discussion ranged from legislation on how to improve the Conservation (CRP) and Wetlands (WRP) Reserve Programs and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) for wildlife to ways on how to design conservation programs so they are more landowner friendly. During the afternoon session, a field trip was taken to the farm of Eric Dibble to look at land that has been enrolled in WRP. Another field trip was taken to the farm of Jay Chancellor to look at WHIP and CRP before having dinner at Circle M Ranch. According to Congressman Pickering, "It is extremely beneficial to see, first hand, the results of federal programs that impact Mississippians. Events such as this one allow members of Congress to obtain the knowledge to improve programs, which will be very important as we write the next Farm Bill." As the Congress adjourned for the year, the excitement about reauthorizing the conservation components of the Farm Bill was evident. The Congressional Sportsman's Caucus is the largest Caucus in Congress, and through the leadership of these two gentlemen, conservation will be in good hands.

Wildlife SEED AVAILABLE ­ To aid landowners who would like to plant wildlife food plots, Wildlife Mississippi, working in cooperation with Resource Management, Inc. and Pioneer Hi-Bred International has initiated a Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. Through this program, Wildlife Mississippi will make seed available at a minimal cost. The Wildlife Habitat Seed Program is designed to provide an incentive for landowners to establish and maintain food plots that will yield a variety of benefits to the landowner as well as the species of wildlife he or she is managing. Winter wheat will be available through the 2001 Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. All seed has been treated and has excellent germination rates. The seed is provided by Pioneer Hi-bred International and is distributed through Resource Management to the Foundation. If planted properly, they will be utilized by a variety of species of wildlife. White-tailed deer, turkeys, bobwhite quail, mourning doves and many species of songbirds will benefit from these plantings. The guidelines regarding this program are simple and easy to follow. Anyone interested in obtaining seed should send a written request to Wildlife Mississippi for an order form and planting recommendations for the seed. Wildlife Mississippi will be taking orders up until July 15, 2001. This will allow the staff to place the orders in a timely manner to ensure that they will be filled. Shipping and handling charges incurred by Wildlife Mississippi are included in the price of the seed. The costs will be $4.00 per 50 lb. bag for wheat. Persons ordering seed will be required to pick it up in Amory, Greenville or Hattiesburg. For an order form and planting recommendations for this unique program, send a self-addressed stamped #10 envelope to Wildlife Mississippi, P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776.

MORE BOAT RAMPS For Anglers ­ It's a known fact that Mississippi has some of the best inland freshwater fishing of any southern state. One thing that makes fishing a lot more fun is having a good place to launch your boat. Last year, the Boat Ramp Program of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks built the following ramps across the Magnolia State to improve access for fishing and boating on public waters. They include Lake Ferguson in Washington County, the Big Black River in Claiborne County, the Mississippi River in Bolivar County, the Pascagoula River in George County, the Tallahala River in Jones County, the Chunky River in Lauderdale County, the Pearl River in Pearl River County and Graham Lake in Jackson County.

PUBLIC WATERS GET Millions Of FISH ­ Never let it be said that Mississippi is not a fishing state. From January through December 2000, more than 3.2 million fish were stocked into the public waters of Mississippi by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The fish were raised at state fish hatcheries located at Oxford, Canton, Meridian and Lyman and at the federal hatchery in Tupelo. The fish species stocked were bluegill, redear, coppenose bluegill, hybrid sunfish, white crappie, triploid crappie, northern largemouth bass, Florida largemouth bass, channel catfish, hybrid striped bass and walleye.

BEST YEAR YET FOR EAGLES ­ The 1999/00 bald eagle nesting season was the most productive yet for these birds in Mississippi. Some 26 young eagles fledged from 18 successful nests across the state. This was one more young and four additional successful nests than the previous year. In addition, six new nesting territories have been found. If you know of bald eagle nests in your surroundings, or have questions about eagles and their nesting habits, call the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science at (601) 354-7303.

CONSERVATION HELP Available ­ The 1996 Farm Bill, which was passed by Congress and signed by the President, has some very beneficial provisions for fish and wildlife conservation. It was passed by the Agriculture Committee; current members of the Agriculture Committee from Mississippi are Senator Thad Cochran and Congressmen Chip Pickering, Ronnie Shows and Bennie Thompson. Cost-share programs in the sign-up include the WRP (Wetland Reserve Program) from the Natural Resource Conservation Programs (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) has a continuous sign-up for the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) for high priority practices. Applications for enrolling land in WRP are being taken in the NRCS office until August 1, 2001, for FY 2002 funding. WRP offers three options for wetlands enrollment: 1) permanent easements, 2) 30-year easements and 3) 10-year contracts. Landowners interested in enrolling eligible land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Continuous Sign-Up should apply at the FSA office. Eligible cropland may be enrolled in grass or riparian forest buffers (along streams), or shallow water areas for wildlife. Eligible marginal pastureland may be enrolled in the riparian forest buffer practice only. Buffer practices carry an attractive financial incentive package that pays a bonus of up to $150.00 per acre. Participants in these programs must own or control land and agree to prepare and implement a management plan which contains certain conservation practices to be installed on the land. The plan describes the landowner's goals for conservation. The participant and the U.S. Department of Agriculture must enter into an agreement to implement the plan; the agreement lasts 5-15 years and the easement for WRP lasts either 30 years or is perpetual. NRCS agrees to provide the necessary technical assistance and pay 75 percent of the cost of installing the wildlife habitat practices. Approval may be granted for cost-share assistance for not more than $10,000. Applications are ranked and point values are assigned. Applications with the most points will be funded. Practices in these programs will help provide cover for wildlife, including the planting of trees, as well as nesting and brood rearing habitat for species like turkey and quail. Aquatic habitats and water quality can be improved by establishing habitat adjacent to streams. Wildlife habitat can also be improved through these programs by creating small openings in forest stands. A later date will be announced for ranking applications. Landowners should contact their local office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service or Farm Service Agency in their local U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center for further information.

ARKABUTLA Lake HONORED ­ Arkabutla Lake, one of four U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes in Mississippi, has long been recognized for its beauty, the quality of its recreational facilities and the usefulness of its social and educational functions. The lake has recently received national attention as the recipient of the Corps' Natural Resources Project of the Year 2000 Award. The presentation ceremony, attended by resource manager Bill Fly and members of his staff, was held in Norfolk, Virgina. The lake team was commended for an "Outstanding job of providing a quality natural resource management/recreation program when there seems to be less staff and funding each year to manage such programs." The award is based on exceptional achievement in natural resources management, efficiency in the use of financial and personnel resources, success in interagency programs and initiative in public involvement and effectiveness in visitor safety. "A team effort was responsible for winning the award," Fly said. "We have an extremely motivated and highly dedicated staff." Located on the Coldwater River in Tate and DeSoto counties in northwest Mississippi, Arkabutla Lake has been an integral part of the State's wealth of natural resources since 1943. Arkabutla's initial purpose was, and its primary objective continues to be, flood control, and the lake has saved millions of dollars in potential flood damage. But flood control is not the lake's only strong point. Through the years it has acquired a substantial reputation for recreation, education, wildlife habitat, fishery management and waterfowl production. Because of its fishery management and its reputation for exceptional water quality, Arkabutla has attracted national attention as a crappie fishing destination. Arkabutla has become well known for its special events. Among these are a deer hunt for the physically challenged, midwinter bird counts, charity runs, regattas, fishing tournaments, Public Lands Day, a youth raccoon hunt, a bald eagle survey and the Triannual Trade Days Fair. All these, plus ongoing programs, add up to approximately 2 million visitors each year.

FOREST SERVICE IMPROVES FIRE FIGHTING ­ According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, some 3,500 new employees will be added in firefighting positions over the next several months. As many as 64 of these positions, all of which are expected to be full-time slots, are expected to be added over the next two years to the firefighting forces protecting the national forests in Mississippi. The new jobs are part of the National Fire Plan developed in response to the devastating fire season of 2000, which burned a record 7.3 million acres nationwide. In fiscal year 2000, national forests in Mississippi had a total of 173 fires; these burned more than 5,000 acres. "The new fire initiative's effect on the national forests in Mississippi will certainly be welcomed," said forest supervisor Gerry Farmer. "We've been shorthanded for a number of years. This program will give us an opportunity to increase our ranks. It will also give us a better opportunity to support our other federal, state and private cooperators throughout the state." According to Farmer, the 64 positions were assigned to Mississippi on the basis of an analysis of the number of personnel needed to maintain their program of fire suppression and prescribed fire. The service has maintained an active prescribed burning program for a number of years. Mike Melton, forest fire staff officer said, "Our prescribed fire program is just as important as our fire suppression program. We have used prescribed fire, not only as a cheap ecosystem management tool, but also as one of our best fire prevention tools."