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Dingell discusses Hunting, fishing impacts at Town Hall
Speaking to sportsmen during a town hall at Cabela’s in Dundee, Michigan, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) detailed what Congress is doing to combat the threat climate change poses to animals and natural habitats around Michigan. Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Becky Humphries, Michigan United Conservation Clubs Executive Director Dennis Muchmore, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Manager Dr. John Hartig and Ducks Unlimited Director of Public Policy Gildo Tori also took part in the discussion.
“There is no debate on the science anymore, global warming is real and it is harming our way of life,” Dingell said. “According to the recent ‘Seasons’ End’ study on the threat climate change poses to hunting and fishing, by 2030 water levels in the Upper Great Lakes could drop nearly eight feet, leading to a regional decline of as much as 39 percent in the number of ducks in the region. If we allow the current trends to continue, the prairie pothole region could lose up to 90 percent of its wetlands, reducing the number of breeding ducks by as much as 69 percent. Nationally, up to 42 percent of our trout and salmon habitat could be lost before the end of the century. As a legislator and a sportsman myself, I find this unacceptable.”
Congressman Dingell plays a key role in the climate change debate. As Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Dingell pushed the Energy Independence and Security Act through the House of Representatives. The bill, which was signed into law last December, takes significant steps to reduce the emissions that harm the environment and it includes energy saving provisions will remove 10 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2030. Congressman Dingell told the sportsmen of his plans for the future, “I intend to move legislation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions 60 to 80 percent by 2050.”
Director Humphries added: “Our hunters and fisherman are providing information to us – and that information is troubling. We are seeing later hunting dates and notable shifts in the animal populations everywhere from Southeastern Michigan to the UP. While we do see troubling changes in the animal population, we also see some positive adaptations from citizens, and especially sportsmen, that will make an important difference.”
Dr. John Hartig said: “Those of us who spend time on and near Lake Erie and the Detroit River see the changes all around us - the lower water levels in the Great Lakes, the less ice cover, the timing of migration patterns, and the changes in certain bird species. The International Wildlife Refuge is a good example of monitoring such changes and working in partnerships to practice adaptive management. Our refuge is using innovative public-private partnerships to protect wildlife habitat. No one appreciates the benefits of the Refuge like our State’s hunters, anglers, and fellow conservationists. They are part of the solution here.”
Gildo Tori said: “We at Ducks Unlimited want to provide a resource for all of those who want to do something about this problem. The ‘Seasons’ End’ report carefully documents the damaging trends we are faced with right now. We care for this land wildlife to keep it safe and productive so future generations can enjoy it the way we have.”
Dingell told the audience they had an important role to play in the policy debate ahead.
“Sportsmen were among the first conservationists in our history,” Dingell said. “They have been leaders in creating national forests and parks and have been instrumental in protecting our fish and wildlife habitat. I encourage America’s sportsmen to continue on this course. Their involvement and contributions to the climate change debate is critical for reaching consensus on what must be done to protect and preserve our nation’s wilderness for the next generation of sportsmen and beyond.”
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