March 2008

March 2008

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Komputer Kapers	The new FOWL computer is online. I finally sprang for DSL and don't know how I limped along without it. It makes the web a whole new world: opening, replying to, and composing emails and handling addresses happens in a flash and without crashing so that it now takes about 10 minutes to process a day or two of material, instead of an hour and a half. My stomach no longer churns queasily at the process of dealing with them. I'm still working out a few kinks with things, but the wireless router seems to be functional for both the FOWL computer and for Patricia's. This process ended up taking about 5 eight-hour days and left me pye-eyed for awhile. I'm still (September 12) working on getting signal to the back yard for the laptop and getting networked. I do want to say that Monseigneur Russ Whatley has been beatified by the FOWL Vatican for his saintly patience and miraculous expertise in setting this computer up. It was awesome to watch him burrowing deep into the system bowels and coming up with cinfiguratory riches beyond my imagination. Thanks, Russ!
Mailings Notification	If you would like to help with a FOWL newsletter mailing, email me and I will include your email address in a notification group. If you haven't got email, send a note and will try to contact you via phone. August's newsletter (mailed on September 12) was handled by three stalwarts: Helen Kopp, Bob Weigl, and Marge Diamond, who supped on some fine fresh pesto from the garden. A few more hands would have made their work go by more quickly, and the conversation during the collating, folding, fastening, and labeling is always scintillating. Why not add your name to the pool of mailers and join in the fun? Why not do it now? Email: john@fowl.org.
FOWL Art Shows at the Library	The month of February at the West River Branch of the Elyria Public Library hosted an astonishing collection of art by Friends of Wetlands. Patricia Cook and Sandi Morse planned and coordinated the show, and the generous help of Skip Morse,John Katko, Kathleen Bradley, Alan Tomko, and Marge Diamond made it all possible. The art show, which featured media from clothing to linoleum prints to photography to tempera, oil, and acrylic paintings, was well received by out community. There were works by Natasha Hart, Patricia Cook, Marge Diamond, Alan Tomko, Sandi Morse, Kate Pilacky, and yours truly. Patricia is already planning the next exhibit at the library, which will be a children's show in August. Mr. butt-dragged doofus apologizes for not getting a newsletter out in time to notify people about the February show; interested participants can contact Patricia at 440) 324-7522 or at lightningbug54@yahoo.com about entries in the fall show. The art on display through the end of February was spectacular. With improved planning the young persons' August show will be even more wonderful.
A Fair Fair	Over the 14 years or so FOWL has been at the Lorain County Fair we grew accustomed to 70 or so renewals or new memberships. Last year was off quite a bit, with perhaps 30, and this year there was down as well, with 36 sign-ups/renewals. More...
Thank You to Sandy Pecora	I got to the Lorain County Fair a bit late on Friday morning, and was just drawing the tent cover aside when two ladies wearing sunglasses came up and the one wearing one of Patricia's turtle shirts said, "I've been waiting to write you a check." "I guess I'm just in time! " sez I. This lady writes out a very generous donation to FOWL and then I see the name on it: it's Dr. Pecora's wife!Sandy's family has a hundred acres of marsh, prairie, and forest paradise at which they made me feel most welcome. Al suddenly left us in the spring of 2003, and this kind, generous lover of wild places is most sorely missed. He was always a very generous supporter of FOWL, and was very encouraging, saying how much he loved the newsletter ("poetry," he called it). He and Sandy attended the celebratory dinner when I was honored with a Clean Water Network "National Water Hero" award. It is a great and humbling honor that Sandy remembers Al's support of FOWL, and I look forward to some strolls with her through the fields and woods that Al - and I - have loved so much. Thank you, Sandy!
Report Suspicious Activities!	I have heard estimates from reliable seasoned field workers that *50% or more of vernal pool destruction may be the result of unpermitted, illegal activity.* Thus, if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood don't hesitate to call the Ohio EPA field officer (in our area that's currently Dan Osterfeld, ph (614) 644-2152, and make sure that you mention that you're calling on my advise. You may have to pester; the OEPA, in their 2002 isolated wetland permitting report, stated the agency "received thirty-eight illegal fill complaints during [20]02. However, due to staffing levels, budget constraints and statutory review time requirements, the program was unable to follow up on the majority of these complaints." The program received thirty-eight illegal fill complaints during SFY 02. However, due to staffing levels, budget constraints and statutory review time requirements, the program was unable to follow up on the majority of these complaints. More...
A Tough Winter	This issue of the FOWL newsletter is long overdue, I know. The reason is that in the Middle of December I had to undergo emergency surgery for a very nasty abscess that developed in, shall we say, a tender area. While recovery will be complete and no lasting harm is done, the recovery has been extremely slow and quite painful, with one of the conditions being I haven't been able to stand still or sit for very long. It is nearing the middle of Febrauary now, and I'm comfortable enough to piece this issue together, there being some urgent issues to announce. I apologize for the hiatus and am looking forward to normal activities.
Vernal Pool Workshop on February 23	The Ohio Environmental Council presented another vernal pool training and monitoring workshop at New Albany High School near Columbus on Saturday, February 23. In his description of the OEC's Vernal Pool Project, David Celebrezze outlined the need and opportunities to monitor Ohio's vernal pools. More...
Super Spring Vernal Pool Walks Start March 16th	Ray has lined up some spectacular walks for us this spring. All are spectacular sties on private land. Any of these walks will allow for considerable hiking for those up to it. Rubber boots are a good idea (wetlands, you see...). We hope lots of FOWL members take advantage of these rare opportunities. See details at Fowl.org/events More...
Ohio EPA: Mitigation Not Working	In the August 12, 2007 issue of the Akron Beacon Journal Bob Downing wrote an article titled "Man-made Wetlands Fail to Make the Grade." For the article Downing interviewed a number of Ohio EPA officials, including ecologists John Mack and Mick Miccachion and spokespersons Michael Smith and Linda Oros. More...
Comment on the Ohio EPA's 401 permit	Dear Mr. Bournique, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Ohio EPA’s proposed 401 rules. The Ohio EPA’s 401 permit program is a vital part in protecting and minimizing impacts to the state’s remaining 10% (or less) of wetlands. More...
Thriving Hybrid Salamanders Contradict Common Wisdom	- adapted from a news release issued by University of California, Davis. A new UC Davis study not only has important findings for the future of California tiger salamanders, but also contradicts prevailing scientific thought about what happens when animal species interbreed. More...
Ohio EPA Denies Coal Slurry Permit	On November 14 the Ohio EPA announced, "After careful consideration, ODNR and Ohio EPA believe that the water quality concerns that have been identified relative to locating a slurry impoundment on Casey Run and its tributaries are insurmountable, and it is our opinion that the Ohio EPA Section 401 application (Ohio EPA ID# 073138) and ODNR mining application (DMRM# D360-14) cannot be approved. Consequently, we recommend that these applications be formally withdrawn. More...
Federal Court Helps Wetlands in United States v. Lucas	(5th Cir. February 1, 2008) - email from Jim Murphy of the National Wildlife Federation This case involved criminal charges brought under the Clean Water Act and other statutes against developers and a consultant for selling housing lots with septic systems illegally installed in wetlands. The septic systems failed, discharging waste into the wetlands. More...
Sealing Off the Shores of Lake Erie	It's hard to get to the shore of Lake Erie by land; only 13 percent of the Ohio coast has public access. Most of the time a motorist driving parallel to the shoreline and within a few hundred yards of it may not even realize the lake is there, let alone be able to appreciate the view. More...
Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity for Wetlands	While the following information is assuredly of torturous character, it is the arduous distillation of much more torturous material. In April of 2002, Ohio EPA's Mick Micacchion (whom I warmly thank for his review and corrections for this article) published a strategy for determining the character of community attributes as it relates to amphibian communities. This instrument is the Amphibian Index of Biotic Integrity, or AmphIBI. More...
What is ORAM?	The Ohio EPA's Rapid Assessment Method (ORAM) is an instrument for assessing the quality of a wetland. It consists of a 1 page form where the assessor gives points for six measurements, or metrics, four of which have submetrics. More...