More on Mille Lacs.......

[Lee Borgersen]

    Mille Lacs Lake: Lone tribal rep resigns from advisory committee.

      Oct 14, 2016


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The Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee is down another key member after the group received a resignation letter Thursday night from the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe representative Jamie Edwards.

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One year after the group was appointed to offer guidance to the Minnesota DNR on how to improve the Mille Lacs Lake fishery, the resignation was seen as a major loss to some in the group. It's the second resignation for the group following the resignation of Dr. Paul Venturelli, who represented the academics. Both former members said the majority of the committee members were not willing to listen to science-based evidence.

Minnesota DNR fisheries section chief Don Pereira shared the news and looked for comments on what the committee would like to see moving forward.

"Hopefully ... will the band replace him?" committee member Cheryl Larson, Wahkon, asked Pereira.

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"We are not sure. It would be nice to know what the committee would like," Pereira said. "Should we go out and find another person to represent the tribes here in this committee?"

One of the thoughts Pereira had was to ask a tribal biologist to sit in as a representative. He felt the past information provided by the tribal biologists was helpful to discussions.

Committee member Steven Besser, Litchfield, and other members made it clear a tribal presence is key to the process.

"I don't see how we can continue without a tribal presence," Besser said. "They are a vested interest in the fishery, they are a big component in the harvest, not as big as our proportions but I think it's vitally important that they know what we are up to and we know what they are up to."

Committee member Tony Roach agreed transparency was necessary between the groups.

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In the resignation letter, addressed to DNR commissioner Tom Landwehr, Edwards delves into the reasons behind his resignation noting the group's focus is largely opinion based instead of science and data driven, noting, "MLFAC has devolved into an anti-science, anti-treaty rights forum  subsidized by state resources."

"To say that I am a minority on this committee is an understatement," the letter reads. "Rather than representing a diversity of interests and perspectives, the overwhelming majority of MLFAC members are persons who own businesses dependent upon walleye fishing. MLFAC does not include conservationists, owners of businesses dependent upon other species of fish, representatives of other types of businesses, or any of the myriad stakeholders of Mille Lacs Fisheries."

The original appointment made by the commissioner Landwehr Oct. 6, 2015, was 17 Minnesotans including six fishing representatives; six business representatives; three area county commissioners; one Mille Lacs band representative; and one academic representative. The academic representative, Venturelli, resigned from the group in May.

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According to a press release from the DNR last year, the appointees "will represent diverse perspectives and interests and provide us with valuable understanding and advice about Mille Lacs Lake," Landwehr stated. "We are pleased at the pool of applicants and believe the people on this committee will give solid and meaningful input."

Edwards writes in his letter that the DNR and tribal natural resources officials gather data using an array of scientific tools to determine harvestable surplus levels for Mille Lacs Lake.

"If MLFAC is to provide the state with meaningful input, science and conservation should be at the forefront of MLFAC discussions; however, MLFAC members actively ignore such considerations and dismisses MN DNR's biological studies and findings.

"MLFAC members intently focus their discussions on disparaging tribal treaty rights, harvest practices, and the court-mandated protocols."

Edwards noted other reasons for concern, including MLFAC committee members "revealing an inherent bias against tribal members exercising their treaty rights," and "hostility directed at MN DNR staff is appalling, with a nearly complete disregard for sound science."

Edwards wrote this bias and hostility was the same reason former committee member Venturelli of the fisheries program at the University of Minnesota resigned. Venturelli was the lone academic representative on the committee. Venturelli also shared his resignation with the Brainerd Dispatch, noting the "fishery needs a people expert more than it needs a fisheries expert."

Venturelli called on the committee and the DNR to "combat trust, jealousy, prejudice (more   )and damaged relations through a careful plan that includes conflict resolution and structured decision-making."

"I am stepping down because my input as a scientist is not needed on this committee. The DNR is effective at communicating the science, but the majority of the committee is steadfast in the belief that the science is inherently flawed," Venturelli wrote.

He added, "The draft letter below also portrays a community that is frustrated and struggling to come to grips with a changing system. I am not trained in this area. If my place on the committee is to be filled, I recommend someone with a background in sociology, conflict resolution, structured decision-making, and/or human dimensions."

The draft letter Venturelli noted was his recommendation to close the walleye season in order to bring back fish numbers on Mille Lacs Lake. His recommendation was not the majority opinion of the committee, who recommended instead to keep the season open for socioeconomic reasons.

"Unless MLFAC is restructured, or reconstituted to include a truly diverse set of perspectives, its role of effectively advising state officials on the best ways to improve economic conditions around Mille Lacs Lake for everyone will remain out of reach," Edwards continued in his letter. "This haphazard approach is not only failing in its stated goal; it is creating more animosity between stakeholders and jeopardizing what should be a good working relationship between the state of Minnesota and the tribes to make decisions regarding Mille Lacs fisheries based on sound conservation and science, as required by order of federal court."

In closing Edwards wrote, "The Mille Lacs Band will continue to provide you and Governor Dayton with the Band's advice on issues related to Mille Lacs fisheries through the (Fisheries Technical Committee) and on a government-to-government basis through our Commissioner of Natural Resources and our Chief Executive."

Dean Hanson of Agate Bay Resort said at the meeting he was hopeful, if another tribal representative did become a part of the committee again, for more involvement from the tribe in general. He said when Edwards did attend, he was not as helpful to discussions as he would have liked.

"If we want a representative of the band ... we need somebody that wants to be an active part of the committee, give us some of their perspectives," Hanson said. "They obviously have a different perspective than us, we need to get that perspective and we didn't get that with Jamie."

Katie Clower policy and planning coordinator with the DNR said that they may not have any input on who is selected as a representative but she asked the group to share input on that topic with her or Pereira. Clower then quickly moved discussions to the fall assessments.

Fall assessments:

Also during Thursday night's meeting the group got a glimpse into the fall assessment of Mille Lacs Lake. Melissa Treml, DNR fisheries research manager, explained the assessment did not have any surprises. It included 52 gill nets from Sept. 18-27, as well as three electrofishing stations in August. It included such highlights as: The 2013 year class, fish 13-16 inches, are the dominant class. Those 2013 females are expected to reach spawning maturity by 2018. The 2013 class males will be ready to spawn next spring. The DNR staff noted the future growth of Mille Lacs walleye fishery is dependent on that class growing to maturity.

The total spawning biomass is similar to last year with males increasing and females decreasing slightly.

The assessment noted the condition of the walleye, all sizes and year classes, is down about 5-10 percent, similar to the condition of walleye in 2001 or 2007. That was a surprise to fishing guide Tony Roach, who noted he is not only catching many large walleye, but they are looking very healthy, not nearly comparable to the skinny fish he saw in 2001-2002.

"I'm seeing really healthy fish out there," Roach said. "I just really don't see the conditions dropping that much."

Treml and DNR regional fisheries treaty coordinator Tom Jones reiterated that based on the average curve, they are skinnier, below average fish. They also noted the timing of the netting may have shown skinnier fish than are now being caught.

Forage for the predators was also assessed. Yellow perch forage was fairly low in numbers but large in size. Shiners were present in good numbers. Cisco showed average numbers in young of the year, while those over 1 year old were low.

Walleye numbers in the 2014 and 2015 year classes appeared to be below average while the 2016 class was strong.

The benchmark for spawning females is 10 pounds per net. The average for this assessment showed around 12 pounds. The most recent high was in 2006, where nets showed 31.4 pounds per net. The age-3 benchmark is set at 2.1 pounds per net, but this falls total is at the highest in recent years at 5.6 pounds per net, showing that strong 2013 year class.

[Lee Borgersen]

  Tribal walleye netting dominates Mille Lacs dispute:

10/18/16

The lone American Indian member of a Mille Lacs advisory panel has resigned, accusing the majority of anti-science, anti-tribal sentiments.

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What was supposed to be a fresh beginning to the challenges surrounding the Lake Mille Lacs walleye fishery has degraded into feuding over the same old issues of American Indian treaty rights and mistrust toward state and tribal biologists.
The tensions were thrust to the fore this week with the resignation of the only American Indian tribal member from a state advisory panel, saying it had “devolved into an anti-science, anti-treaty rights forum subsidized by the state.”

The words are those of Jamie Edwards, director of government affairs for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, in his Sept. 23 resignation letter from the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee, which was formed a year ago by the Department of Natural Resources at the behest of Gov. Mark Dayton.


Dayton wanted the panel, which replaced a previous advisory group, to provide an open forum where biologists and state stakeholders, tribes with treaty rights to the lake and leaders from the area’s fishing-based tourist economy could chart a path forward while grappling with the central Minnesota lake’s legendary walleye population, which has been in long-term decline.

According to Edwards, the majority of panel members were primarily interested in an agenda that seeks to blame tribal netting for depleting the walleye population.

  Edwards’ resignation letter

Scientists from Minnesota, the tribes and a blue-ribbon panel of North American walleye experts have concluded that tribal netting, which is allowed under court-upheld treaty law, is not the cause of the walleye’s decline. Rather, a combination of factors relating to improved water quality and clarity are the most likely drivers of the phenomenon, which scientists admit they don’t fully understand.

Nonetheless, the practice of tribal netting during the spring walleye spawning period remains the flashpoint for nontribal members, many of whom remain convinced it’s the cause.

Edwards’ sentiments drew a lengthy response from 15 of the 16 the remaining committee members, who on Monday penned a letter that both disputed Edwards’ accusation and clung to criticism of tribal netting.

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“Our members welcomed Mr. Edwards to the Committee and looked forward to his participation in group discussions,” reads the letter, which, like Edwards’ letter, was sent to DNR Commissioner Tom Landwehr and Dayton. “We were looking forward to getting the Bands’ perspectives and priorities on a variety of subjects. No one failed to respect the sovereign status of American Indian tribes. We were all aware of the Courts’ decisions that the rights to hunt and fish remain with the Bands.”

However, the letter also defended the idea that tribal netting during the spawn is “culturally offensive” to nontribal members.

“The culture of Minnesota sportsmen, and in particular, Mille Lacs fishermen, has been to protect game fish during their spawning activities,” the letter reads. “This custom has gone on for over 100 years and has been supported by DNR regulations for decades. It is thought that the fish are more vulnerable during that time because they are concentrated in certain areas. It is also believed that disturbing fish at that time limits reproduction and will harm the lake’s future. Whether you agree with those beliefs or not, no one can disagree that they are a part of Minnesota sportsmen’s culture and that many find the Bands’ activities during that time offensive.”

  the response from the advisory committee

In fact, while protecting natural reproduction is a general philosophy of wildlife management, it’s hardly a universal practice across the continent, including Minnesota. In any given year, in various parts of the state — depending on how the spring has progressed — walleye are often still in some stage of spawning when targeted by anglers during opening weekend in May. The same can be said for bass, perch, crappie, sunfish and potentially northern pike, depending on water temperatures.

Wild turkey are hunted during the spring mating season, and whitetail deer, the state’s most popular game animal, is hunted before, during and after its fall mating season.

Edwards isn’t the first to walk away from the panel with similar accusations against the majority of its members, who include guides, resort owners and local political and civic leaders.

In May, Paul Venturelli, a walleye expert and faculty member at the University of Minnesota, resigned, saying “the fishery needs a people expert more than it needs a fisheries expert.”

Venturelli suggested a conflict-resolution process with a sociologist would be more helpful than his scientific insight, which included coordinating the blue ribbon panel that examined decades of DNR data on the lake and reached the same overall conclusions as the agency.

“The majority opinions of the committee show a community that is frustrated and struggling to adjust to a changing system,” Venturelli wrote in a letter to the committee. “The malignment of the tribal fishery is particularly alarming because it is inconsistent with the evidence and should not be tolerated.”

  Venturelli’s resignation letter

With Venturelli’s departure, the committee was left without an academic. That role has since been filled by Donn Branstrator , an associate professor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. With Edwards’ departure, it’s left without tribal representation.

The advisory committee’s letter says remaining committee members would welcome a new tribal representative.

[dew2]

  I read this longer version about a week or so ago.Kinda depressing that the citizens committee is mostly profiteers on the lake 6 resorters/ 3 guides One native, one fisheries expert thats 11. I wonder who the other 6 are?

Mille Lacs advisory panel member resigns, calling group 'anti-treaty rights'

Environment Dan Kraker · Duluth · Oct 17, 2016
LISTEN Story audio
4min 26sec
A key member of a group that advises state regulators on walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake has resigned, contending the committee has "devolved into an anti-science, anti-treaty rights forum subsidized by state resources."

Jamie Edwards, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's director of government affairs, made the claim in a letter to Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Landwehr announcing his resignation from the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee.

Edwards was the only tribal representative on the 17-member panel. The DNR formed the group a year ago to help guide management decisions on the lake, after the state took the unprecedented step of closing the Mille Lacs walleye fishery early. The shutdown came after anglers exceeded the agreed upon quota for the non-tribal harvest.

The state was again forced to close the walleye season early this year, as state fisheries managers continue to grapple with a declining walleye population in one of the state's preeminent fishing destinations.

Edwards did not respond to interview requests. His letter further accused committee members of devoting "their meetings to discussing agenda items that dismiss scientific findings" and said they "do not respect the sovereign status of American Indian tribes."

"The hostility directed at Minnesota DNR staff is appalling," the letter continued, "with a nearly complete disregard for sound science."

DNR fisheries chief Don Pereira called Edwards' resignation disappointing, and that he hopes to replace him with another tribal representative.

But he said the committee is not "anti-science" or "anti-treaty rights." Pereira acknowledged some committee members are critical of the bands' use of nets to harvest walleye during the spawning season.

He said the DNR has consistently asserted tribal netting is not what has caused the drop in the lake's walleye population.

"They want us to look closely at that, to see if there's an issue, and we're very, very certain there's not, he said. "That's a tension point that still continues today."

Pereira also said the DNR assembled a committee that represents diverse interests, including resort owners, fishing guides, and public officials — although he acknowledged the six business owners are often the loudest voices.

"That's not too surprising," he said, since "they have a bigger stake in the game than some of the other representatives."

Committee member Steve Kulifaj, owner of the Red Door Resort in Aitkin, also said the committee is not anti-science. But he said resort owners and others have questioned the DNR's methods, because what they see on the lake every day often differs from what the agency reports.

"What we're doing is saying, here's what we're seeing, here's what you're stating from a biological standpoint, and it doesn't seem to add up," he said. "So how can we further test this. What else can be done. Can we put test nets in different areas? Can we do these different things."

Kulifaj also said Edwards did not attend several meetings, listened to others by telephone, and rarely participated, although a spokesman for the Mille Lacs Band said Edwards did participate in a vast majority of meetings.

Edwards is not the first committee member to resign over concerns about how science is viewed by the committee.

University of Minnesota fisheries biologist Paul Venturelli stepped down in May. He was the committee's sole academic representative.

In his resignation letter he wrote "the DNR is effective at communicating the science, but the majority of the committee is steadfast in the belief that the science is inherently flawed."

After eight months of trying to communicate research being done on the lake to the committee, Venturelli said he told the DNR to fill his position with someone trained in conflict resolution.

"I had one member tell me, 'thanks for sharing your opinion, but I prefer to listen to people whose hands smell like fish,'" he recounted. "The implication that person was trying to get across was that I'm in an ivory tower, crunching numbers, and it's really people who are on the water who know what's going on, on that lake."

Edwards' stepping down further diminishes the voice of those on the committee who are more open to evidence-based science, Venturelli added.

The next management decision the committee can weigh in on is coming up later this fall, when the DNR decides what kind of walleye harvest to allow — if any — during the upcoming ice fishing season.

"Those are the really valuable dialogues that we have" with the advisory committee, said the DNR's Don Pereira, "that really help the state biologists try to make the best decision moving forward."

[cookie]

WOW  What a fiasco "A complete failure" Or boar auguring a hole for pike   

[glenn57]

WOW  What a fiasco "A complete failure" Or boar auguring a hole for pike

ouch!!!!!!!!!!! cookie takes a pot shot at boar!!!!!!!!!!! dats worth an applaud!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boar]

cookie....aaaawwwww never mind...

[cookie]

LOL I'm sorry boar I was thinking word of the day fiasco. Your my good friend