|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
December 1, 2003PRESERVING MICHIGAN'S WATERSActivists try to interest hunters, anglers in wetland protectionBy JOHN FLESHERAssociated Press Writer Allan Puplis understands the ecological importance of wetlands, but has another reason for trying to preserve them: He's an avid duck hunter. Wetlands are essential breeding grounds and habitat for ducks. Fewer wetlands mean fewer ducks, and diminished hunting opportunities. Simple enough, but Puplis wishes more hunters would take the idea to heart. For nearly two decades, he has been trying to rally fellow sportsmen to the cause of wetland preservation. "They're so rich in wildlife, probably the most biologically diverse landscape there is," said Puplis, 56, of St. Joseph. "When you realize people are destroying them and all that life is being lost, that's kind of hard to take." Grouse, deer and turkeys are among the game animals that use wetlands, said Sam Washington, executive director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. MUCC supported enactment of the state's Wetland Protection Act a quarter-century ago. In 1997, it published a study that defended the state's administration of the law and challenged what it called a myth that the DEQ routinely denies property rights by withholding wetland development permits. The group works with local communities on wetland ordinances and sometimes gets involved in disputes over efforts to develop specific wetlands. Ducks Unlimited, another hunting organization, works for wetland preservation. In September, the group was awarded a $1 million grant to conserve 2,000 acres of wetlands in the 11-county Grand River watershed. Puplis has been involved with Ducks Unlimited and the Michigan Duck Hunters Association, and says he has tried to nudge both toward greater political activism for wetlands - with only limited success. He finally formed another group for that purpose: the Wetlands Conservation Association. During the late 1980s and 1990s, it monitored permit applications and fought development projects considered especially damaging, including a proposed highway extension through the Blue Creek Fen in Berrien County. Puplis says the association has been less active in recent years and membership has declined. But he still visits schools to talk about wetlands, and is always looking for ways to kindle interest among sportsmen. Many seem uncomfortable with wetland preservation because they associate it with hard-core environmentalists who oppose hunting, he said. "It's really a shame that we can't put our differences aside," Puplis said. "The hunter needs to realize he's not going to be able to enjoy his pastime if there's not any habitat left. And the environmentalist has to realize that probably 80 percent of hunters are very respectable. We need each other." |
|
