Common Merganser Control Policy and Procedures Resolution

The Wildlife Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been developing Common Merganser Control Policy and Procedures (Procedures) and a final approved draft is expected shortly. Along with the Wildlife Conservation Order (Order) recently approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, it will regulate common merganser control activities in Michigan including defining the procedure for obtaining permits. This note is intended to provide a brief summary of the key provisions of the Procedures document and explain the need for a Resolution from the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners to support a new three-year permit for common merganser control on Higgins Lake.

All of the permits covering common merganser control activities in Michigan expire next month. Control permits for common mergansers were historically very limited and typically involved the use of Scientific Collectors Permits obtained from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Michigan DNR. In 2017, five lakes in Michigan were granted permits to control common mergansers under a special procedure. To clarify, simplify and define the procedures for obtaining future permits, the Michigan DNR began working with the Michigan Swimmer's Itch Partnership (MISIP) of 24 Michigan lake associations in January of 2017 resulting in the aforementioned Order and Procedures documents.

Why are we here before the Roscommon County Commission? Among the new requirements for obtaining a permit for common merganser control activities in 2018 and beyond is the necessity of obtaining permission from private or public entities with ownership or responsibility for the involved body of water. One option is obtaining permission from lakefront property owners. Obtaining permission from 70% of lakefront property owners on a lake the size of Higgins Lake is not feasible. An alternative option is a Resolution from a County Commission. Most of Higgins Lake is within Roscommon County and the most efficient way to obtain the necessary permission is a Resolution from the Roscommon County Commission. The Procedures document states:

"Resolution

A county commission may issue a resolution of support that approves Common Merganser control

activities on a waterbody. A copy of the resolution must be offered to the WLD with the application for

a permit.

The resolution must specify what Common Merganser control activities are approved.

Resolutions will be considered valid for 6 years."

We are working with the DNR to determine what, if any, approval will be necessary for the small area of the lake which touches Crawford County.

We appreciate the opportunity to meet with the Roscommon County Commission on this important matter. We are informed by the Michigan DNR that our permit application must be submitted by March 31, 2018.

Sincerely,

Higgins Lake Swimmer's Itch Organization Board

Regarding Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Common Merganser Control Program (The Program), including capture and relocation and nest and egg destruction out of natural cavities

WHEREAS, the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners has knowledge of swimmer's itch in the County's inland lakes, coming from many of the County's Townships; and

WHEREAS, The Program has been shown to be an effective and environmentally conscious solution for the control of site specific swimmer's itch problems for our residents; and

WHEREAS, lake associations desiring to implement The Program are required to obtain a DNR Permit every three years, inform affected riparians of the planned activity, and adhere to the requirements of their permit;

NOW, THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that the Roscommon County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the property owners on Higgins Lake, (additional lakes if necessary) in Roscommon County, herby formally requests the assistance of the DNR in the implementation of The Program, capture and relocation and nest and egg destruction out of natural cavities, for a 6-year period from 2018 through 2024, provided that DNR permit requirements are adhered to, and with the understanding that there shall be no cost to the Roscommon County government for these programs.

Moved, by        Aye____ Nay____ Motion carried

______________ duly elected clerk of Roscommon County Board of Commissioners, certify that the forgoing is a true and complete copy of a Resolution adopted by the Roscommon County

Board of Commissioners of the State of Michigan at the meeting held on _____________________  

Signature