National Fish Habitat Action Plan

[Hamilton Reef]

National Fish Habitat Action Plan

I got my March 2007 Muskie magazine today and noticed page 24 "A Framework for Assessing the Nation's Fish Habitat" by Steve Budnik, M.I. Research Committee Chair. I've been following the National Fish Habitat Action Plan for several months. The MNDR is deeply involved with this plan and the MMA should also take note. Once this plan is completed there will be funding sources to help carry out projects.

At our MMA dinner I talked with Martha W. about what we should be doing while we are waiting for the GLS program, VHS, and culture funding challenges to work out. The MMA is doing their part seeking funding and promoting education. I noted that the local communities can also be active by having their plans in place and be working on projects such as fishery habitat. We owe the GLS the best fishery habitats we can provide. Those projects can precede and parallel the GLS program for the future spawning years. Natural muskie spawning is the highlight of a successful muskie program and fishery habitats may take years to protect and restore for best results. The strategy is to keep busy in the background and have all the management plans in place so when the big breaks arrive we are ready to take the money and run with the muskie programs.

Muskegon Lake and White Lake are two good examples of local communities working with the MDNR, GVSU, MSU, UM, NOAA, MRWA, WRWP, GLFT, etc. to have all the plans in place and fishery habitat projects underway....ready for the GLS muskie future.

Check out National Fish Habitat Action Plan http://www.fishhabitat.org/default.htm
Check out Partner coalition to Conservation groups to Partner sign-on (Should MMA sign on?)

Check out the numerous links in these tow sites.
Muskegon Lake Public Advisory Council http://www.muskegonlake.org/
White Lake Public Advisory Council http://www.muskegoncd.org/White%20Lake%20PAC.htm

The White Lake example:
White Lake Community Action Plan
http://www.muskegoncd.org/RAP%202005.pdf

White Lake Shoreline Habitat Management Plan
http://www.muskegoncd.org/WL%20Habitat% ... 20Plan.pdf

White Lake Fish and Waterfowl Aquatic Habitat Assessment
http://www.muskegoncd.org/White%20Lake% ... ssment.pdf

We are fortunate to have dedicated and very talented resource folks in Muskegon County working hard for the GLS fishery in both Muskegon and White Lakes. We have made sure that the GLS muskie is included with the other native specie programs. The GLS is included in the RAPs, fishery management plans, and watershed management plans ready when the GLS program gets back on track.