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CARA passes major landmark in U.S. Senate The bipartisan Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA, H.R. 701) passed a major milestone in late July when the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 13-7 to send this historic conservation legislation to the full Senate for consideration. This landmark legislation would provide the largest infusion of federal conservation funds in history, $40 billion over the next 15 years, most of which will go to various state and local conservation programs. CARA provides significant funding for America's natural treasures: its wildlife, parks, coasts, forests and wetlands. The bill dedicates revenue from offshore oil and gas leases to a broad range of conservation activities, including wildlife, land and water restoration, historic preservation, outdoor recreation and conservation education. The House of Representatives passed similar legislation in May by a strong bipartisan vote of 315-102.
More than 52 Senators are now co-sponsoring CARA or related legislation. In addition, all 50 governors have voiced support for these bills or their concepts and have worked to move this legislation through Congress. CARA is the most important wildlife conservation funding legislation in decades. CARA's Title III provides funds for a diverse array of fish and wildlife species, with an emphasis on preventing species from becoming endangered. This goal can be achieved by conserving important wildlife habitat, conducting field research to design wildlife management plans and working cooperatively with private landowners in a non-regulatory, incentive-based manner. This is especially important for non-game wildlife conservation efforts, which lack a permanent long-term funding source in most states. "Conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat goes hand in hand with meeting the rising demands for nature tourism, wildlife viewing, and more places close to home to enjoy nature," said Naomi Edelson of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. "CARA will help us ensure that our children stay connected to the outdoors and the nation maintains its strong conservation commitment. This is increasingly important as more and more people move to urban areas and have less connection with the outdoors." The Senate's version of the Conservation and Reinvestment Act would reinvest almost $3 billion annually in federal Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas revenue back into natural resources conservation through the following programs: $805 million—State Coastal Impact Assistance and Stewardship (Title I) ; $900 million—Land and Water Conservation Fund, state and federal formula (Title II); $350 million—State-Level Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Fund (Title III); $75 million—Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Fund (Title IV); $50 million—Urban and Community Forestry Fund; $150 million—Historic Preservation Fund (state and local grants) and Battlefield Protection Program (Title V); $125 million—National Park Service and Indian Land Restoration Programs (Title VI): $100 million—Conservation Easements to Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program and Forest Legacy Program (Title VII); $50 million—Rural Development Program and Rural Community Assistance Program; $60 million—Youth Conservation Corps;and $325 million—Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT).
There have been some changes made The Department of Natural Resources has made some changes in its online licensing site that hunters and anglers are sure to enjoy. The site still enables sportsmen the opportunity to purchase hunting and fishing licenses, stamps and permits online at DNR's homepage (http://dnr. state.il.us) and print them out instantly. However, some of the changes will benefit the buyer: • The buyer no longer will be charged a 50- or 75-cent issuing fee for a license or stamp. 20 OutdoorIllinois
• The buyer also can subscribe and renew a subscription to OutdoorIllinois magazine. • The buyer will get an automatic reminder to buy a new license as well as to renew OutdoorIllinois magazine. The advertising on the panel at the site pays for the operating system. These links enable license purchasers to go directly to these outdoor homepages where they can purchase equipment and books, or arrange for outdoor trips. As a bonus, DNR receives a small fee when buyers go to these sites, which should help offset the cost of other programs. Illinois wine meets Illinois art The first Illinois Wine Festival at Rend Lake will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop and Visitors Center. The event will feature tasting of Illinois wine, presentations by Illinois artists and entertainment by local musicians. Specialty foods will be provided by Seasons Restaurant. The wineries of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association will showcase and sell the fine wines of Illinois, while artists who are members of the Artisans Program demonstrate and sell their art. A variety of continuous musical entertainment will be featured on the grounds. The event is hosted by the wineries of the Rend Lake Wine Trail, the Rend Lake Conservancy District and the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop and Visitors Center. The Southern Illinois Artisans Shop is located on Route 154, just off the Interstate 57 exit. For more information, call 1-800-792-8266.
New hunting digest available
The new Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet now is available. The 38-page booklet lists hunting dates and limits, plus license, permit and stamp information. The booklet also includes hunting zones, definitions, sunrise/sunset tables and a list of public hunting areas. Copies are free by writing: DNR Clearinghouse, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, 111. 62701-1787; calling (217) 782-7498 (hearing impaired individuals should call: 217-782-9175); or emailing: clearing ©dnrmail. state.il.us. Festival of Arts, Education and Entertainment The Festival of Arts, Education and Entertainment for the institutionalized developmentally disabled will be held at the Southern Illinois Artisans Shop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 19. Ten area artists will provide demonstrations and teach hands-on activities. Interpretive programs will focus on nature and the environment. In addition, there will be kites, hot air balloons, a petting zoo and other activities. The Southern Illinois Artisans Shop is located on Route 154, just off the Interstate 57 exit. To volunteer or for more information, call the Rend Lake Conservancy District at (618) 439-4321. Lake Michigan CPOs receive award The Lake Michigan conservation police officer unit has received an award for its safety education efforts from the U.S. Coast Guard. The Meritorious Team Commendation was given to the officers for their part in planning and participating in the Chicago Maritime Day and Safe Boating Celebration, focusing on safety issues involving boating. An estimated 40,000 people participated in the event.
A long way from home A mountain lion was recently killed in southern Illinois. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office contacted DNR when they discovered a dead mountain lion that apparently had been hit by a train. The lion's body was spotted by a railroad crew near Fort Kaskaskia Historic Site. The carcass was taken to Southern Illinois University's Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory in Carbondale, where an analysis will be done of the 110-pound male animal to determine where the animal may have originated.
Mountain lions were native to Illinois but the last known record of a mountain lion came from Alexander County in 1862. There are no known wild populations currently in Illinois.
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Big boat grant
deadline
Local governments, privately-owned marinas, boatyards and yacht clubs have until Sept. 8 to apply for grants available to provide temporary docking facilities for large boats. Funds for the program come from federal excise taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat fuels through the Sport Fishing and Boating Safety program, and can provide up to 75 percent of an approved project's cost. The program is intended to enhance boating for transient, non-trailerable recreational boats-those 26 feet long or longer. The applicant must provide the other 25 percent of a project's cost. Projects could include boat slips, mooring buoys, navigational aids, safe harbors and initial dredging to provide transient boats with safe channel depths. Projects which are not eligible include routine maintenance, construction of boat slips for long-term rental, maintenance dredging, dry land storage or non-public facilities. All proposals must be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Department of Natural Resources. For additional information, call the Federal Aid/Special Funds Section at (217)782-2602.
National Hunting & Fishing Day events slated for September Two days of outdoor fun are scheduled at two sites as Illinois celebrates National Hunting and Fishing Day on Sept. 23-24. Activities at the free events range from fishing and shooting to canoe paddling and special events for women and children.
Northern Illinois Celebration
Sponsored by the not-for-profit Northern Illinois Hunting and Fishing Committee and DNR, visitors at the northern celebration can learn how to train a dog, paddle a canoe, plus shoot a bow, shotgun or BB gun. Hands-on activities include outdoor seminars for women, kids' casting competition, a children's fishing pond, fly tying for adults and children and fly casting for all ages. Other featured attractions include a historical re-enactors' encampment, tomahawk throwing, black-powder shooting demonstrations and a white-tailed deer antler contest.
This year's event also features the popular "Hawg Trough," a 5,000-gallon fish tank stocked with native Illinois fish that allows visitors to actually see the fish react to techniques demonstrated by fishing experts. Also on hand will be exhibits, food, rod and reel giveaways, Illinois Bass Federation bass boat raffle, merchandise and other attractions. More information is available by calling Silver Springs State Fish and Wildlife Area at (630) 553-6297, or by going online to: www.huntingandfishingdays.org.
Southern Illinois Celebration
Among the programs scheduled during the two-day celebration will be a wildlife and nature art show, taxidermy competition, fishing and hunt- 22 OutdoorIllinois ing seminars, dog demonstrations, a shooting area for adults and kids, ATV demonstrations, silent auctions, a climbing wall, a fishing simulator, the Bass Tub, plus organization and vendor booths. The event will also feature the Winchester calling contests for goose, duck and turkey. The kids area will include fishing, a BB gun range, an archery range, a shotgun shooting area and mammal, reptile and raptor programs.
For more information, call Gary Watson at (217) 782-9990, or go online to: www.sihfd.org.
You can become an outdoors woman
Women from throughout the state are invited to take part in a weekend full of adventurous outdoor activities during the Becoming an Outdoors Woman fall program Oct. 6-8 at Camp Piasa in Pere Marquette State Park, near Grafton.
"Try your hand at charting a course, calling a bird, shooting a bow, firing a gun, tying a fly, catching a fish, paddling a canoe, building a campfire or going on a photo safari, " said DNR Director Brent Manning. "Program instructors provide a supportive, safe, non-threatening and non-competitive learning environment. Most importantly, it is a weekend full of fun as well as learning."
The program is open to women 18 years of age or older. A $150 workshop fee covers all sessions, program materials, use of demonstration equipment, seven meals and lodging. Scholarships of $100, provided by donations from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, are available for first-time participants who qualify.
Sessions will be offered in basic fishing, pond fishing, fly fishing, fly tying, basic and advanced shotgun shooting, firearm safety, pheasant hunting, handguns, beginning and advanced archery, boating safety, canoeing, camping, plant identification, orienteering, wild edibles, outdoor cooking, nature crafts and photography.
Enrollment is limited to the first 75 applicants. A registration packet can be obtained by contacting the Department at (217) 524-4126 or visiting the web site at http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/bow/ index.htm. For more information, write: Department of Natural Resources, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, Division of Education, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, 111. 62701-1787, or call (217) 524-4126, or email: teachkids@dnrmail. state.il.us. Time's running out Have you entered your photo in the OutdoorIllinois photo contest yet? Check through those photos you've taken-the one of the kids fishing in April, or that one you took in the park in May, of the fawn following its mother in June, or of that spectacular sunrise you photographed in July. One of those photos could be worth a winter weekend vacation. The grand prize for Outdoor-Illinois' first photo contest is a weekend stay at beautiful Pere Marquette State Park Lodge, plus a custom-framed, limited edition print of "Winter Refuge" by artist John Eberhardt. There are three categories to enter: wildlife, scenic/flora or recreational activities, and you have until Oct. 31 to get your entry in. A complete set of the rules is available by writing to the address below, calling (217) 782-7454, or by sending an inquiry to: editor@dnrmail. state.il.us Send entries to: Photo Contest, OutdoorIllinois, 524 S. Second St., Springfield, Ill. 62701-1787.
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