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You don't want to earn these points The Department of Natural Resources has developed a new system for determining the length of license revocations and suspension of privileges, providing more uniformity in imposing sanctions against those who violate state and federal hunting, fishing and other natural resource protection laws and regulations in Illinois.
"This new system means that those who violate the law will have their privileges suspended and licenses revoked for a period commensurate with the seriousness of the offense," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "We are calling it a point system because each level of offense has a point value assigned to it, and the more serious the offense, the greater the points and tougher the penalty."
In addition to possible criminal penalties, those individuals convicted of violating state or federal natural resource protection laws and regulations may have their Illinois licenses and permits revoked and privileges suspended, based on the type of violation and classification of the offense. Point values assigned to each offense classification are:
• Petty offense 3 points
Violations are grouped by activity involving wildlife, aquatic life and plant life:
• Group A: Illinois Wildlife
Code, Endangered Species
Protection Act, federal wildlife
statutes and regulations;
"The points are cumulative, and the system makes clear the number of months violators will lose their privileges," Manning said. "A violator accumulating 13 or more points within a 36-month period within a single group will lose privileges in that wildlife, fish or plant activity group for a number of months equal to the number of points."
For example, an individual convicted in court of unlawfully taking deer (class A misdemeanor - 12 points) and of unlawfully taking quail (petty offense - 3 points) within a three-year period will have his or her hunting license revoked and will lose privileges for wildlife activity for 15 months from the date of notice (12 points plus 3 points equaling 15 months). If the individual is convicted of another wildlife offense during the suspension, 60 months would be added to the suspension.
All accumulated points will remain in place for 36 months from the date of arrest. Violators will be notified by the DNR of a revocation of a license and suspension of privileges and will have the right to appeal by petitioning for a hearing before an DNR hearing officer.
In addition to the new point system, DNR also may revoke a license or suspend privileges of an individual if a situation warrants by holding an administrative hearing even if that individual has not been prosecuted in court.
For more information on license and permit revocation and suspension of privileges, as well as the new point system, write: DNR Law Enforcement, 524 South Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1787 or phone (217)782-6431, Free Fishing Days slated June 8-11
Family fishing clinics, kids fishing derbies and other community events are planned throughout the state as part of the annual Illinois Free Fishing Days observance, June 8-11.
"Free Fishing Days events are becoming more popular every year as groups and organizations discover that fishing is a fun, family-oriented activity," said Department of Natural Resources Director Brent Manning. "We're asking local scout troops, recreation agencies, senior citizens groups, civic organizations, fishing clubs or anyone planning a special event for the free fishing weekend to let us know about it and to get the word out early."
Free Fishing Days is a four-day celebration of fishing in Illinois during which anglers can fish without purchasing an annual fishing license, salmon stamp or inland trout stamp. It is co-sponsored by Piano Molding Co., the world's largest manufacturer of fishing tackle boxes.
Organizations interested in receiving promotional and educational materials to be used in conjunction with a Free Fishing Days event, or those wanting more information, should contact Gary Watson, DNR Public Events and Promotions, 524 South Second St., Springfield, IL 62701, or phone (217) 782-9990. 20 OutdoorIllinois Illinois Fishing Guide now available
Anglers in Illinois can expect another good season of sport fishing in the state, with few changes in statewide and site-specific regulations. A detailed look at state fishing regulations is featured in the 2001 Illinois Fishing Information guide published by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
"Resident anglers and visitors to our state who love to fish should thoroughly enjoy their time on or near the water here in Illinois this year," DNR Director Brent Manning said. "Fishing opportunities abound in all parts of the state, and I urge anglers to get a copy of this year's fishing information guide to review the regulations for the new season. "
The free booklet is available wherever fishing licenses are sold, including bait shops, sporting goods stores and at DNR offices. New regulations for 2001 take effect on April 1 and are shaded in gray in the text of the booklet.
The fishing information guide also includes a review of fishing prospects, a list of places to fish, meal advice for eating fish caught in Illinois waters and details on North American and Illinois state record fish. One change in regulations, first announced last December, involves yellow perch in north-eastern Illinois. Continued restrictions on the harvest of yellow perch are necessary because of poor reproduction of the species. Beginning April 1, anglers will no longer have to release perch shorter than eight inches or longer than 10 inches. The daily catch limit will remain at 15 fish. Sport fishing for yellow perch will close entirely for the month of July, rather than the June closing which had been in place since 1995.
The yellow perch regulations apply to the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River—including its North Branch, South Branch and the North Shore Channel—and the Calumet River. Lake Michigan remains closed to commercial fishing for yellow perch, a restriction in effect since 1997.
Another new regulation taking effect April 1 on Coffeen Lake, Governor Bond Lake and Rend Lake requires that all jugs set in a body of water for jug fishing be under the immediate supervision of the fisherman. Jug fishing is used by some anglers for catching catfish. The new regulation requiring anglers to be on the water where their jug lines are set at all times on the three lakes is the result of problems with abandoned jugs found littering those lakes in recent years.
Anglers are required to have a valid Illinois fishing license in their possession at all times while fishing in the state. An annual resident sportfishing license is $13 ($6.75 for anglers age 65 and older). Those under 16 years of age, those who are blind or disabled and residents home on leave from active military service, do not need a fishing license. Non-residents may purchase an annual Illinois fishing license for $24.50 or a 10-day non-resident fishing license for $13. Residents and non-residents may purchase a 24-hour fishing license for $5.50. Fishing licenses and stamps may also be purchased on-line with a credit card through the DNR homepage at http://dnr.state.il.us.
For information on places to fish in Illinois, visit the Division of Fisheries website at http://dnr.state.il.us/fish/index.htm, phone 1-800-ASK-FISH (1-800-275-3474), or call the DNR Division of Fisheries at (217) 782-6424.
Teachers can
sign up for
ENTICE courses
Illinois school teachers are invited to sign-up for free summer workshops to help them enhance their teaching methods and bring nature into their classrooms.
The three-day seminars, offered through the Illinois ENTICE program (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education), are intended to enhance long-term, science-based natural resource education in Illinois classrooms.
"Illinois ENTICE has been wildly popular with the teachers who have attended," said DNR Director Brent Manning. "More than 2,000 teachers have asked to be included in the program since it began last summer."
Eight separate three-day Illinois ENTICE training sessions will be offered at Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria County on June 4-6, June 11-13, June 20-22, July 9-11, July 16-18, July 23-25, July 25-27 and July 30-Aug. 1. Last year's beginning course, "Biodiversity 101," will be offered at four of the sessions. Four new, more advanced sessions also will be presented. The new sessions include programs about urban wildlife, natural resources and the fine arts, natural resource management and incorporating natural resource themes into secondary education. Wildlife Prairie State Park is a unique 2,000-acre zoological park that is home to many Illinois native animals such as wolves, bison, black bear, elk, cougar and more. The park's spectacular natural settings offer wonderful hands-on experience with Illinois' natural resources. Workshops not only provide hands-on training, they assist teachers in meeting the Illinois State Board of Education's requirements for professional certification and certificate renewal. Registration for each of this summer's Illinois ENTICE training sessions is limited to 35 participating teachers. The free program includes three days of wide-ranging environmental education sessions, field trips, meals, on-site housing at Wildlife Prairie State Park and instructional materials for teachers to use in supplementing their classroom curriculum. Stipends and transportation reimbursements are available for Illinois ENTICE participants. In addition, the Department is working with Illinois State University so teachers who attend the "Biodiversity 101" workshop can earn 1 semester hour of credit from ISU.
For more information about this summer's Illinois ENTICE seminars or to register, contact the DNR Division of Education, 524 S. Second Street, Springfield, IL 62701-1787, phone (217) 557-6798, or e-mail illinoisentice@dnrmail.state.il.us. Additional information and an Illinois ENTICE application form are available on the web at www.illinoisentice.org.
May 2001 21 National fishing, hunting and wildlife survey
The U.S. Census Bureau has begun interviewing people for the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. At the request of state fish and wildlife agencies, the survey is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most information will be collected via telephone, but people who cannot be reached by phone will be interviewed in person.
The survey is paid for with funds from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux) programs. It is conducted every five years to update information about fish and wildlife-related recreation. Information gathered from the survey is used by fish and wildlife agencies to estimate demands for wildlife recreation and to analyze trends in participation and expenditures. It is the only comprehensive statistical data related to participation and expenditures on hunting, fishing, birdwatching and other wildlife-related recreation. As such, it is an indispensable resource for wildlife officials, journalists, corporations, conservation groups and others interested in wildlife.
Participation is voluntary, and all responses are confidential. Data collected is used for statistical purposes only. No participant can be identified from information released in the reports. Eighty-thousand households will be contacted during the survey, with representative samples chosen to include 30,000 anglers and hunters and 15,000 wildlife watchers. Follow-up interviews will be conducted in September and January 2002. Preliminary survey findings will be available in the summer of 2002, with the final report being issued in the fall of 2002.
Tree City USA honors bestowed
"Tree City USA" designation has been given to 161 Illinois Communities this year for their promotion of urban forestry. The award goes to communities promoting tree planting and care programs in urban areas, and calls attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits that trees offer.
To be eligible to participate, a community must designate someone to be responsible for its urban forest program, have a community tree ordinance, spend $2 per resident for its tree program, enact an Arbor Day proclamation and hold a public tree planting ceremony. Six communities are participating for the first time this year, including Davis, Forreston, Galesburg, Long Grove, New Barrington and New Lenox. This year, 43 Tree City USA communities also received a "growth" award to recognize additional efforts.
The program is sponsored annually by the National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources, the National Association of State Foresters and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service. The DNR provides communities with technical and financial assistance in urban forestry efforts.
The Morton Arboretum helps sponsor both events. Special sponsors this year include: the City of Elmhurst, Village of Lake Forest, Tree Care Council of Central Illinois and the Central Illinois Regional Urban Forestry Council. Southern Illinois University Department of Forestry and the Illinois Arborist Association will have a display at the conferences.
A complete list of communities indicating the number of years they have participated in the program is available on DNR's homepage at http://dnr.state.il.us.
The deadline for applying for next year's program is Dec. 31. For more information about the program, contact DNR's Forest Resources Division at (217)782-2361.
Foundation launches website
The Illinois Conservation Foundation has launched a new, user-friendly web site that focuses on the main accomplishments of the organization.
The Foundation, established by law in 1994, has raised nearly
22 OutdoorIllinois $10 million to support worthwhile projects and programs to benefit people both today and in the future. Included are youth outdoor recreation programs, hands-on habitat creation grants for school children, camping programs for disadvantaged youths, the planting of thousands of trees, wildlife restoration and habitat acquisition.
The new web site, www.ilcf.org, includes detailed information about the Foundation, its achievements, special events, its most recent biennial report, related merchandise, news releases and board members and staff. The site also provides a secure site for making monthly or onetime donations, via credit card, in support of Foundation programs.
The ICF is governed by a 13-member board of directors appointed by the Governor and the four legislative leaders and chaired by the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The role of the Illinois Conservation Foundation and its partners is to preserve and enhance our precious natural resources by supporting and fostering ecological, educational and recreational programs for the benefit of all people now and for generations to come.
For more information about the Foundation or to make a contribution, contact Schmitt at (312) 814-7237.
Prevent pollution and win
The Illinois Waste Management and Research Center is accepting entries for the 15th annual Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards, a program saluting Illinois companies and organizations for their innovative pollution prevention efforts.
Pollution prevention is any technique or technology that reduces or eliminates the amount or toxicity of pollutants that would otherwise enter the waste stream or be released into the environment. The program honors those firms and groups which are proving every day that preventing pollution makes sense for the environment and for business.
Those eligible for the awards include industrial and manufacturing concerns, vendors and suppliers, trade and service organizations, and educational institutions.
Pollution prevention efforts may include in-process recycling, raw material and solvent substitution, preventive maintenance, beneficial re-use of by-products, developing and marketing innovative products and practices that reduce waste flows, and implementing pollution prevention and environmental management systems.
The Innovative Illinois award—new this year—will include an independently funded monetary prize to the winner for illustrating an innovative new technology that will have long-term benefits for the environment.
Entries for all categories of the 2001 Governor's Pollution Prevention Awards must be submitted by May 18. Entry forms and more information are available by writing: Waste Management and Research Center, 1 E. Hazel wood Drive, Champaign, IL 62820, phoning (217) 244-5637, or online at www.wmrc.uiuc.edu.
The awards will be presented in Springfield on Oct. 25.
Arbor Day poster winners announced Katrina Mabborang, a fifth grade student at Cass Jr. High School in Darien, is the winner of the 2001 Arbor Day Poster Contest.
More than 1,750 students from 48 schools submitted entries this year. Katrina's entry best captured this year's theme, "Trees are Terrific...and forests are too!" The contest is sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources and National Arbor Day Foundation.
Mabborang, a student of Gail Larsen, competed against winners from other states in the national contest in April.
Mabborang's Illinois victory earned her a $100 U.S. Savings Bond, forest books and Smokey Bear items. The National Arbor Day Foundation provided a Trees Are Terrific curriculum kit to the winning school, and all winning teachers received a copy of "Forest Trees of Illinois," and a packet of tree-related materials.
The other Illinois contest finalists were: 2nd place - Brittany Johnson, a student of Marcia Meyer at Grand Ridge School; 3rd place - Cristina Nevins, a student of Erin Dunham at Little Flower School in Springfield; 4th place - Joe Bonokollie, a student of Roberta Zasandzinski at Kingswood Academy in Springfield; 5th place - Nichele Nebergall, a student of Daria Tiexzen at Ingersoll Middle School in Canton; 6th place - Kayla Onnersorge, a student of Mr. Benning at Altamont Lutheran Interparish School; 7th place - Erin Lyons, a student of Mary Havel at St. Raphael Catholic School in Naperville; 8th place - Joshua Brozek, a student of Darlene Gianotti at Our Lady of Peace School in Darien; 9th place - Zach Daniels, a student of Sue Monken at Highland Upper Elementary School; and Brant Elliott, a student of Donna Clem at Martinsville Elementary School.
First through third place winning entries are posted on DNR's homepage at: www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/classrm/poster.htm.
Students winning honorable mention were: Meghan Owen, Matteson; Alexandra Delia, Mundelien; Lauren Prohaska, Chicago; Paola Carrillo, Chicago; Andrea Brown, Chicago; Maria Bandall, Beecher City.
The Arbor Day Poster Contest is open to all public, private and home-schooled fifth graders. Individual schools are responsible for local poster contest judging, with winners of the school contests sent to DNR for state judging. Forty-eight posters qualified for the state judging this year.
In addition to the National Arbor Day Foundation and the DNR Divisions of Education and Forest Resources, the Illinois contest is sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, the Illinois Arborist Association, and Soil and Water Conservation Districts. May 2001 23 |
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