The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is not planning to close the boat ramps on Lake Manitou this year, something it’s done for portions of the boating season for the past four years.

The reason for the closures has been the presence of hydrilla, an exotic, highly invasive plant, and the need to contain the plant to one body of water. The plant was first confirmed as being in the lake in August 2006.

The reason for the change is the DNR’s four-year eradication program, which has reduced the hydrilla tuber population by approximately 99 percent, according to Doug Keller, aquatic invasive species specialist with the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. Even with the high degree of success, the DNR will continue its eradication efforts in order to eliminate the last of what remains of the plant.

“We’ve watched the plants very closely each year following the initial treatment, and we’ve seen young hydrilla plants are affected by the chemical very quickly resulting in the growth of hydrilla being stopped while the plants are still small,” Keller said.

Treatment strategy for the upcoming season is similar to the past: The chemical Sonar will be used. Sonar, with the active ingredient fluridone, is an aquatic herbicide produced by the SePRO Corp. of Carmel, Ind. Humans, fish and other aquatic life are not harmed by Sonar, especially at the extremely low rate being used at the lake, according to Keller.

He cautioned if the continued effort appears to not be as effective as before, the DNR will interrupt use of the ramps again. “We will place an immediate restriction if hydrilla plants don’t seem to be responding as they have in the past,” Keller explained, “and if it looks like the threat of escape via boats is possible.”

He said with fewer tubers of hydrilla in the water and the success in stopping the growth while the plants are still small, the risk of moving the plants from the lake to other water bodies by boaters is now extremely low, but still exists.
Boaters should continue to remove plants, mud and other debris from their watercraft when they remove it from the water, not only at Manitou but anywhere else in the state.

Headed outdoors? There’s an app for that, too

I remember my first multifunction cell phone given to me by my employer. Within only a few days, I was able to make calls, receive text messages and take pictures of the inside of my pocket.

When in camera mode, the phone made the sound of a shutter and the film auto-wind of a 35 mm camera. It was an unmistakable sound, starting with a very distinct click, followed by “ZZZZRVT.”

My phone had a habit of going into camera mode by itself at the most inopportune times. While walking, sitting or sometimes just standing still, people could sometimes hear a very disturbing sound come from my pants pocket. This made for some interesting formal meetings, and raised eyebrows on more than one occasion in a crowded elevator.

Phones have come a long way since my pocket clicker. Now we have all the benefits of a computer and a telephone at our fingertips.

In support of the evolving technology, Indiana’s DNR is offering a new “app” (application) for the outdoor lover. Owners of an iPhone who enjoy a wide variety of DNR properties now have information at their fingertips; the application can be downloaded at no cost to the user at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/indiana-dnr/id395591679?mt=8
The DNR iPhone app provides virtually all information needed when planning an outdoor activity at one of the sites. DNR properties include Fish and Wildlife Areas, forests, historic sites, state park inns and nature preserves, as well as 24 state parks and eight reservoirs.

“Indiana has a great wealth of natural and cultural resources, and we are always looking for new ways to connect Hoosiers to those resources,” said Dan Bortner, director of the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. “We’re glad to be a part of DNR’s efforts to use today’s technology.”
The Indiana DNR iPhone application features:

•Location mapping for state parks, where to hunt or fish and additional properties of interest
•Distances to park or fishing/hunting areas in relation to the user’s current location
•Fees and regulations for all state properties and outdoor recreation sites
•Links to camping or state park inn reservation sites
•Links to fishing or hunting license purchasing sites
•Reserved hunt registration
•Nature brochures and Indiana fishing species guide
•RSS feeds of Indiana DNR news
•Links to Indiana DNR websites

 DNR Director of Communications Phil Bloom said the new app is one more example of the many options of staying informed about DNR activities.
 “We live in an increasingly mobile society, in which people have a variety of ways to gather the information they need,” he said. “This continues DNR’s effort to stay connected with our customers and for our customers to stay connected to us.”

 The application was developed by the DNR Web team in the Division of Communications and Indiana Interactive. They welcome user feedback about the app, which should be sent to dnrwebmaster@dnr.IN.gov
Applications for BlackBerry and Android phones are under development.
Yes, technology is moving rapidly. Almost every emerging phone system now allows individuals to shoot movie clips. My company is going to provide a new phone with all the bells and whistles; with the new phone, I’ll have the apps and all the new stuff.

I just hope the movie camera function doesn’t make a whirring sound.

Remember wildlife at tax time

Income tax time gives everyone a chance to support the DNR’s Wildlife Diversity Program (WDP), which depends on donations to the DNR’s Non-game Fund. The program is responsible for the conservation and management of more than 750 species of Indiana’s non-game, endangered and threatened wildlife.
You may donate all or a portion of your state tax return by marking the appropriate box on your printed Indiana tax form or when you file electronically. On the printed form, look for the bald eagle logo, which represents one of the program’s biggest successes.

For details about the program’s other triumphs and plans, view the DNR’s Wildlife Diversity Annual Report, now available at www.endangeredwildlife.IN.gov – the site also includes information on direct-donation options.
Each project helps manage one or more of Indiana’s native species. Examples include Eastern box turtles, crawfish frogs, hellbender salamanders, lake sturgeon and redside dace, which are tiny, brightly colored, eye-catching, vulnerable fish.

In addition to donations, the WDP receives reimbursements for expenditures through the State Wildlife Grants program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.