ILLINOIS STATE REPORT JUNE 2013

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1 ILLINOIS STATE REPORT JUNE 2013 Marc Miller, Director Illinois Department of Natural Resources One Natural Resources Way Springfield, IL IDNR Sustainability Bill Passes In November 2012, the Illinois legislature passed SB1566 the IDNR Sustainability Bill. The bill was designed with input from more than three dozen agency user groups which agreed upon increased or new charges for services provided by the Department. The bill will generate new revenue streams that will help the Department fix aging infrastructure and other facilities at our state parks, hire staff to continue important Department programs and speed up the agency s vast regulatory functions. The bulk of the revenue will come from a $2 dollar increase on the Illinois Motor Vehicle Registration fee which is paid annually on every registered vehicle in Illinois. In addition, the bill increased or created several other specific user fees which are paid solely by those individuals and groups who use particular services or programs administered or provided by the Department. Revenues generated by the Illinois Motor Vehicle Registration Fee are projected to generate $18-20 million dollars annually. Combined with other specific user fees in the bill, the total new funding for the Department is projected to generate $30-33 million dollars per year. Funds generated from the Motor Vehicle Registration fee will be used solely in state parks and other Department sites in two ways; to hire more staff to maintain our parks properly and to fix aging infrastructure. The Illinois State Parks System faces over $750 million in deferred maintenance and capital needs, including deteriorating bath and shower facilities, outdated and dangerous electrical systems, concerns with potable water systems because of well failures and testing issues, failure of sewage treatment facilities, and repair work on roads, bridges, and trails damaged because of storms and age related deterioration. Governor Quinn signed SB1566 into law in December 2012 Fish and Wildlife Highlights Illinois Asian Carp Actions in Northeastern Illinois The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), as a partner in the Asian Carp Regional Coordinating Committee, continued work above and below the Corps of Engineers electric barrier to monitor and prevent the upstream migration of Asian carp on the Illinois River and in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). Contracted commercial fishing crews and IDNR biologists in the upper Illinois Waterway netted a total of 44,658 bighead carp, 47,474 silver carp, and 496 grass carp. The total weight of Asian carp removed in 2011 and 2012 was tons. Winter sampling accounted for an additional 8,200 Asian carp removed (56.5 tons). The farthest upstream collection of Asian carp in 2012 was approximately 50 river miles downstream from Lake Michigan, with no indication of reproduction seen above the Starved Rock Dam, 100 miles from Lake Michigan. Above the electric barrier, 76 miles of the CAWS has been sampled

2 since June 2010, collecting 292,006 fish of 67 species. No bighead or silver carp have been collected above Brandon Road Lock and Dam on the Des Plaines River or in the CAWS during Additionally, in 2012 alone, nearly 30,000 more fish were surveyed during five intense response actions, during focused and intense deployment of additional electrofishing, trammel/gill netting, and use of commercial seine hauls, two trap nets, 10 6-ft-hoop nets, and two Great Lakes pound nets. To date only one bighead carp has been collected in the CAWS upstream of the electric barrier (Lake Calumet in spring 2010), and one bighead carp collected within 6 miles of the electric barrier in a 2009 rotenone event. Surveillance of 19 urban ponds where Asian carp may have been stocked unintentionally nearly years ago continues. Bighead carp have been found in other Midwest states in lakes that receive stocking. IDNR staff and researchers from the University of Illinois, Illinois Natural History Survey, Southern Illinois University, and other ACRCC participants continue to evaluate and monitor Asian carp populations throughout Illinois Deer Season Harvest Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 180,811 deer during the seasons, including all methods and special hunts. Male to female sex ratio was a favorable 51:49 in the total harvest. The prior year s harvest was 181,451 (also 51:49 male to female ratio), and the Illinois record harvest of 201,209 occurred in Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) The number of CWD-positive deer identified in Illinois was 36 during , matching the number of cases in More than 8,000 deer samples were submitted for testing statewide. Kendall and DuPage counties have been added to the list of CWD counties, stemming from a suspect deer and one removed through deer population control efforts, respectively. Hunterharvested deer accounted for 20 positives, while deer taken by IDNR sharpshooters accounted for 11 positives. The cumulative number of CWD cases in Illinois is 408, with 85% of those found in the original four counties: Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, and DeKalb. However, Winnebago, Boone, and portions of Ogle County (bordering Winnebago and DeKalb) were restricted from agency sharpshooting this year, likely reducing total positives removed by sharpshooters. Urban Deer Population Control A total of 32 Deer Population Control Permits (DPCPs), not including permit extensions for additional time and/or deer, were issued to 12 natural resource management agencies, municipalities, arboretums/botanic gardens, Federal research facilities, and homeowner associations in six northern Illinois counties during winter Permittees were authorized to remove 1,772 white-tailed deer via sharpshooting and live-capture followed by mechanical euthanization; 1,341 (76%) deer were actually collected over the five month period (November 2012-March 2013). All usable deer carcasses were processed and donated to charity. Deer Removal Permit (DRP) A total of 307 permits were issued in 57 counties in 2012, up from the 260 issued in 58 counties in The increase in permits was not unexpected as drought conditions result in more damage complaints. A total of 306 kill permits authorized the removal of 2,495 deer, and

3 resulted in the collection of 1,503 animals causing excessive damage. Almost 79% of the DRPs issued during 2012 were due to damage to corn and soybeans. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) A significant Midwest outbreak of EHD occurred during Agency staff had contact with citizens resulting in 976 observations of 2,925 dead deer in 87 counties. EHDV-6 was isolated from several deer, and one with bluetongue virus BTV-13, from samples submitted for testing Spring Turkey Harvest Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 14,133 wild turkeys during the 2013 spring turkey season, compared with a total harvest of 15,941 in the spring of 2012 and a previous fiveyear average of 15,509. The youth season total was 923, the second highest harvest on record, but well below the record of 1,300 set in the youth season in A cold and rainy start to the season was followed by other rain or snow events, many of which fell on weekends. April was the fourth-wettest on record for Illinois. Four additional counties were added for spring turkey hunting, with 100 of Illinois 102 counties now open Waterfowl Season Harvest Summer 2012 was very dry, but this weather created excellent conditions for management of food sources for migrating waterfowl in the fall. Similarly, fall 2012 was very warm and significant ice did not form in many areas until late in the duck season, allowing a longer ice-free season than in many years. Aerial inventories of ducks around the state were consistently above the 10-year average; however, the warm temperatures and lack of snow cover prevented a significant migration of Canada geese into Illinois, especially southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Duck harvest on 26 state-managed hunting areas was nearly 4% higher than in 2011 and 39% above the five-year average. Hunters at these sites made 73,349 trips, and averaged 1.03 ducks per trip, slightly below the 2011 average, but within the five-year average. Statewide, Canada goose harvest was likely reduced due to low abundance throughout much of the season Upland Harvest Managers and researchers suspected that hunters were reporting game farm birds when they were asked to report their harvest of wild quail and pheasants. To test those concerns, hunters were asked to report both their wild and non-wild harvest in the hunter questionnaire. It appears that non-wild birds, especially pheasants, may have been reported as wild birds in past surveys. The survey estimated that 24,213 hunters bagged 64,451 pheasants, compared to a total of 12,301 pheasant hunters bagging 27,539 wild birds in this year s survey. An estimated 24,785 hunters harvested 211,867 non-wild pheasants. Some misreporting is suspected. The quail survey estimated that 14,110 hunters harvested 99,812 quail in , compared to 12,668 quail hunters harvesting 46,633 wild quail in the survey. An estimated 6,242 hunters took 106,117 non-wild quail. Estimates indicate that 29,742 hunters harvested 492,765 doves (down 26%) and 32,863 hunters took 145,773 rabbits (down 6%). Living With Wildlife in Illinois Website The IDNR Division of Wildlife and University of Illinois Extension developed a website for Illinoisans: providing the public a way to identify

4 problem animals, solve problems, and contact appropriate IDNR staff. In 2012, there were 340,000 page views (1.3 million since the website was launched in 2008). Living with White-tailed Deer in Illinois The IDNR and UI Extension also developed a website for Illinoisans interested in deer and/or deer management: It gives the public a chance to learn about deer in Illinois, how they can participate in healthy herd management, and answers frequently asked questions. This website had 30,000 views during 2012 (85,000 views since it began in 2010). Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) Utilizing a grant from the USDA Farm Service Agency, the IDNR created the Illinois Recreational Access Program (IRAP) so that outdoor enthusiasts will have more places to go. IRAP is leasing nearly 11,000 acres in 24 counties, creating 290 opportunities for youth turkey hunting during spring youth season and two segments of the regular season. In addition, there are 53 daily access permits for pond and riverbank fishing, several boat launch sites, and more than 1,800 acres for birding, hiking, and outdoor photography activities. IRAP has written habitat management plans, in cooperation with IDNR, USDA and SWCDs, on qualified leased private property. These plans are specifically written to provide a diverse habitat to improve Wildlife Action Plan targeted species. Fish Illinois Website The IDNR Division of Fisheries and Illinois Natural History Survey manage a user-friendly web site, providing recreational anglers and boaters with important updated fishing information, such as the publication of new lake fact sheets. The site received 15.5 million hits in Illinois Fish Hatchery System The Hatchery Section produced and stocked into state and public waters a total of 24,232,131 fish of 17 species. These were 54,680 blue catfish, 32,458 black crappie, 595,066 bluegill, 104,570 brown trout, 419,059 channel catfish, 301,745 coho salmon, 253,244 chinook salmon, 2,862,785 largemouth bass, 301,865 muskellunge, 163,364 northern pike, 93,951 rainbow trout, 202,056 redear sunfish, 14,970,000 sauger, 176,645 striped bass hybrid, 1368,403 smallmouth bass, 2,644,083 walleye, and 653,036 walleye-sauger hybrid. Illinois Urban Fishing Program The Illinois Urban Fishing Program teaches non-anglers and children to fish through free clinics that include on-site fishing in stocked ponds. In addition, hundreds of school programs were presented throughout the state. Because of coordinator retirements, the numbers of programs and participants were down, but the remaining coordinators, volunteers and summer help sponsored 1,482 programs with more than 66,000 participants. Lake Michigan Program Recreational anglers expended nearly 465,000 angler-hours to harvest 102,730 yellow perch and 77,100 trout and salmon from the Illinois waters of Lake Michigan last year.

5 White Nose Syndrome Confirmed in Illinois In February 2013, IDNR and conservation partners confirmed the presence of White Nose Syndrome, a disease fatal to several bat species, in four counties across Illinois. Illinois Habitat Team The Illinois Habitat Team Program provides technical assistance, seed, plants, equipment and labor to private landowners for wildlife habitat establishment and improvement. In 2012, the team seeded acres of native grasses and forbs; acres of cool season grasses and legumes; sprayed acres for site preparation, weed and invasive plant control; mowed acres for weed control, fire break maintenance and seed bed preparation; and, conducted prescribed burns on grassland acres. The program assisted 125 private landowners during the 2012 calendar year. Illinois Wildlife Action Plan IDNR has been preparing for a full review and revision of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan. IDNR engaged Vital Lands and the Prairie State Conservation Coalition in setting the direction for the revision. Farmland and Prairie Campaign seeks to expand and improve grassland, shrub and wetland habitats in agricultural landscapes. More than 6,100 acres have been enrolled in the CRP SAFE program in these priority areas, and monitoring has showed positive responses by grassland birds and mammals. Forest and Woodlands Campaign has identified forest and woodland management areas primarily directed toward oak savanna, open oak woodland, and oak regeneration. Management efforts and pre- and post-management monitoring are being implemented at a number of state and federal lands. Sixteen bird species are currently being monitored on these areas on previously established survey plots, with expansion of monitoring using additional techniques and species planned. Green Cities Campaign is continuing concentration in metropolitan centers containing high occurrences of Illinois state-listed species and Natural Area Inventory sites. Green Infrastructure (GI) mapping in conjunction with the Conservation Fund has been completed for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) seven-county area and has been adopted into the CMAP GoTo 2040 Plan. Invasive Species Campaign has worked with the University of Illinois to coordinate the establishment of a training program on new invasive species in forests. The campaign has also joined efforts to develop draft legislation for the regulation of feral hogs in Illinois. Streams Campaign focused on mapping past and current fish distributions and reevaluating listing criteria for fish. Reviews of mussel and non-mollusk invertebrates were initiated. More than 200 additional stream sites were sampled for mussel communities and basin survey reports. Wetlands Campaign The campaign has assembled a group of partners from around the state with various backgrounds in wetlands conservation, research, and management to guide the planning process and identify wetland conservation strategies, priority species and focus regions.

6 Agency Highlights Hackmatack NWR The USFWS has established the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in northeast Illinois and southeast Wisconsin. The final concept would link and expand upon existing conservation areas to benefit migratory birds and endangered species. IDNR and Ill. Nature Preserves Commission staffs are participants in the Hackmatack Planning Coordination Team. IDNR Nursery Program The IDNR Nursery Program produced 1,500,600 bare root seedlings of native trees and shrubs and 22,450 greenhouse plugs, 1,194 potted trees and shrubs, 3,300 potted prairie plants and grasses, 1,094 pounds of cleaned prairie forb seed, and 2,754 pounds of cleaned prairie grass seed in Illinois Forestry Development Act (IFDA) forest management program IFDA requires landowners have current IDNR-approved forest management plans. Illinois has approximately 625,000 enrolled acres engaging 11,200 forest landowners.. Illinois Nature Preserve System (INPC) During FY13, legal protection for 18 tracts of land totaling 4, acres was approved by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, Governor and landowners. These lands were permanently protected through dedication as a nature preserve or registration as a land and water reserve. There are now 371 nature preserves in 84 counties (56, acres) and 170 land and water reserves in 66 counties (48, acres). Feral Swine USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and IDNR have removed 211 feral swine from Illinois landscape in one year. One population is down to less than 10 individuals, and significant progress has been made on the other population. APHIS has primarily used trapping to remove swine, and have recently begun utilizing a helicopter with infrared technology to locate swine. Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Illinois CREP is a voluntary landowner conservation incentive program designed to retire marginal crop ground and protect environmentally sensitive areas. CREP provides long term environmental benefits by allowing 232,000 acres of eligible environmentally sensitive lands within the Illinois and Kaskaskia River Watersheds to be restored, enhanced and protected. Landowners have voluntarily enrolled 81, acres in conservation practices. In 2013, USDA started accepting all CRP Continuous signups including CREP, which should provide opportunity for landowners in the newly opened Kaskaskia River watershed to join the conservation effort.