LINKS
Flushable Wipes Are Not So Flushable
SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- Flushable wipes are really popular – but are they causing an even bigger mess?
Concerns have gotten so bad in parts of Michiana folks are actually trying to get them banned. Why is this happening? That question has even sparked a few national lawsuits. ...
Indiana Late Goose Hunting
Welcome to the permitting site for the Light Goose Conservation Order in Indiana. The Light Goose Conservation Order is open from Feb. 13 – March 31, 2017 statewide. Please read the following information.
This conservation order is open statewide Feb. 13 – March 31, 2017.
​
If you have a goose problem http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/files/fw-Nuisance-Goose-Solutions-Sheet.pdf
​
Legal species include snow geese and Ross’ geese (white and blue phases of both species are legal).
You must have an Indiana hunting license and an Indiana waterfowl stamp to participate. Neither a federal waterfowl stamp nor a HIP number is required.
You must also have a special free permit to participate. These permits will be available beginning in early January at Indiana Fish and Wildlife Areas, or via this web page beginning in December.
Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
It is legal to take light geese during the conservation order using electronic callers and/or shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.
There is no bag or possession limit for light geese during the conservation order.
Please report any banded geese taken. You may report these bands by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND, or online at http://www.reportband.gov/
​
I have read the above information and would like to apply for a free permit to hunt light geese during one or more of the late seasons in 2017.
https://goosepermit.dnr.in.gov/goosepermits.aspx

Phosphates
Phosphates are chemical compounds containing phosphorus. Man-made sources of phosphate: human sewage, agricultural run-off from crops, sewage from animal feedlots, pulp and paper industry, vegetable and fruit processing, chemical and fertilizer manufacturing, detergents.
Phosphorous is needed by all plant life. It lets plants grow.
So, companies put a lot of phosphorous in plant fertilizers. Too often, phosphorous is applied to the land in too large doses; more than plants can use. Water easily dissolves phosphorous and washes it into lakes, rivers, streams, and at the end into Earth's oceans.

Clean Water Program
The Indiana Clean Lakes Program was created in 1989 as a program within the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM) Office of Water Management. The program is administered through a grant to Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) in Bloomington.

Indiana Lakes Management
The Indiana Lakes Management Society promotes the understanding and comprehensive management of Indiana lakes and reservoirs and their watershed ecosystems. ILMS provides a forum and technical assistance network for information sharing; assists with development of lake restoration and protection programs, policies, and legislation; and encourages local and statewide organization cooperation.

Zebra Mussels
What are they?
Zebra mussels are a type of mollusk, which also include a wide variety of organisms such as squids, octopuses, snails, oysters, scallops, and clams.
What impact are they having on the ecosystem?
One of the most well documented impacts is on our native mussels. Zebra mussels are anchoring themselves by the thousands to native mussels making it impossible for the native mussel to function. As many as 10,000 zebra mussels have attached to a single native mussel. Our natives have all but disappeared in Lake St. Clair and the western basin of Lake Erie. Zebra mussels also are filtering the Great Lakes at an amazing rate, making the lake very clear. Most people assume that this increased visibility in the water must mean the water is "cleaner". Not true. All they have done is filter out all the algae which normally would be food for native microscopic organisms.