Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia

Park Superintendent Bob Krumenaker informed the Friends Board about this fish virus, and the Parks efforts to deal with it, in our last meeting.

Since then an announcement has been made that the four units of the National Park System on Lake Superior (Isle Royale National Park, Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, and Grand Portage National Monument) and the Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa have approved a plan to protect park and tribal fishery resources from viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS.

Friends Members can learn more about VHS and what is being done to deal with it by following the link below.

http://www.nps.gov/apis/parkmgmt/vhs.htm

Update – Bear Boxes Matching Project

In the last newsletter we mentioned that kayakers and wilderness campers have a special interest in bear boxes being located at National Lakeshore campgrounds.

The total cost of a bear box (including installation) is $1,000.00

The link to the blog below explains why kayak clubs have been busy raising money for bear boxes.

http://gitcheegumeeguy.blogspot.com/2007/07/bear-box-on-every-island.html

Update – Boulder Removal Selected As Matching Project

Removing boulders at the Devils Island South Landing and at Outer Island to improve access for boaters at those locations was selected as a matching project at the last Board meeting.

Removing boulders at both locations is estimated to cost $9,000 and the Friends will match Designated Donations from boaters.

We are still working on how we will spread the word on this project.

Expect more details in the next newsletter.

Legacy Projects Discussion

Discussions will begin on two Legacy Projects at the April Board meeting, one on Sand Island and another on Raspberry Island.

These deliberations require a huge amount of Board time and considerable assistance from Park Service staff.

We will keep all Friends “in the loop!”