FRESH STARTS AT FISH CREEK & DNR
Robert E. Carter, Jr.
November/December 2007
The Indiana DNR, along with several partners, recently finished restoring Fish Creek in northeast Indiana and northwest Ohio. This was a major accomplishment as the cooperative restoration project saved the last known refuge of the federally endangered white cat’s paw pearly mussel.
The St. Joseph River tributary was damaged by a 1993 diesel fuel spill. The resulting $2.5 million Natural Resource Damage Assessment settlement funded the Fish Creek restoration partners’ efforts in this 1,500-acre watershed.
Mussel surveys and stream-flow analyses were conducted, walking trails with interpretive signs were built, and best management practices were taught to local landowners.
Fish Creek Trustees include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and Ohio and Indiana DNRs. Partners included The Nature Conservancy, town of Hamilton and private landowners.
A positive development of a different sort is the welcome arrival of our new DNR communications director, Phil Bloom. Phil joins the DNR team after 33 years in the newspaper business, the last 28 at The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, where his various duties included editing an award-winning outdoors page.
As Hoosier as they come, Phil grew up in Fort Wayne, attended Wawasee Preparatory School and graduated from IU in 1975. His outdoor experiences started early, with family trips to Salamonie and Indiana Dunes, and continued through years of Scouting.
He’s proud to say he’s visited every state park but one, camped at most, and spent at least one night in every state park inn.
Gov. Daniels with conservation officers and the director (far right) at the new boat ramp on the Ohio River at Charlestown State Park. The DNR opened seven new ramps in 2007 (above).
