Illegal Dumping Stinks for Everyone

Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of waste at any location other than where permitted, such as the forests of the Menominee Nation.  This dumping is not only against the law (Tribal Ordinance) but poses a threat to human health, the environment, and wildlife. 

The health risks associated with illegal dumping are significant.  Areas used for illegal dumping may by easily accessible to people, especially children, who are vulnerable to the physical (protruding nails or sharp edges) and chemical (harmful fluids or dust) hazards posed by wastes.  Rodents, insects, and even other vermin attracted to dump sites may also pose health risks.  Dump sites with scrap tires provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus.  In addition property damage and forest fires have been caused because of dump sites that have caught fire, either by spontaneous combustion or arson.  Finally, runoff from dump sites containing chemicals may contaminate wells used for drinking and surface water used for fishing, or gathering of native plants.

What can you do?  First of all take all you garbage and waste to the transfer station in Keshena, or use the household collection service available.  Secondly if you see someone dumping in the forest copy down their license number and report the illegal activity to the Conservation Department at 715-799-5116 or call 911.  Working together we can keep our forests clean.

Winter Awareness Week

This week is winter awareness week, Nov 8-12 and though it’s been mild the snow and cold is just around the corner.  Now is the time to make our winter preparations and be prepared to be snowed in or without power for an extended period of time. 

Everyone should be prepared with a basic kit at home with three days of supplies for everyone.  A checklist of supplies can be found here.  http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/media/pdf/checklist.pdf

It is suggested that a few of the items be purchased at a time to defray costs until the kit is completed.  Also remember to check expiration dates on supplies and change them as they near expiration.

Your car should be prepared for winter and equipped with an emergency kit.  The following is the suggested list of winter car preparations and emergency supplies.

Prepare your car

• Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car:
• Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing.
• Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean.
• Brakes - check for wear and fluid levels.
• Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning.
• Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas.
• Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly.
• Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability.
• Oil - check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well.
• Thermostat - ensure it works properly.
• Windshield wiper equipment - repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level.
• Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
• Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.

Get A Kit

• Place a winter emergency kit in each car that includes:
• a shovel
• windshield scraper and small broom
• flashlight
• battery powered radio
• extra batteries
• water
• snack food
• matches
• extra hats, socks and mittens
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Necessary medications
• blanket(s)
• tow chain or rope
• road salt and sand
• booster cables
• emergency flares
• fluorescent distress flag

You can be ready when the snow flies by preparing now.

Register to win a Winter Survival kit and find more information at

http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/default.asp 

http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/Informed/Informed.asp?maintab=1&subtab1=5

Is That a Trout?

Kick nets were used to collect invertebrates

The ESD staff recently went out on a field trip with the Menominee Indian High School Bio II class.  The class visited two local streams to sample for water quality and look and the fish and bug communities.  They will be using the information they gathered to make comparisons between the two streams which look similar but have some various differences.  Jeremy and Jonathan from ESD assisted the class with an electrofishing demonstration and captured the fish species present for the students to photograph and measure for their class logs.  The students also took substrate samples and collected the various macro invertebrates in the samples.  The macro invertebrates can be used to determine the water quality based on the species found and the abundance.  Finally, the class collected some water samples to determine the pH and measure the dissolved oxygen.  Overall, the students had a great time and learned about some the fish and bugs that inhabit our local streams.

A water sampled is prepared for measuring dissolved oxygen

A brook trout is measured and photographed

Invertebrates were sorted into trays according to species

The northern hog sucker is a common fish in reservation streams