Requesting the Department on Natural Resources to Assign more Conservation Officers to St. Joseph River Area in St. Joseph County

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Resolution No. 19 q Q - Q a A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BENDo INDIANA, REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO ASSIGN MORE CONSERVATION OFFICERS TO THE ST. JOSEPH RIVER AREA IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, is appreciative and supportive of the anadromous fish program introduced by the Department of Natural Resources to the St. Joseph River; and WHEREAS, for the past two (2) years governmental agencies and individuals participated in a study as part of a joint committee for the purpose of identifying problems and evaluating the impact of the salmon program on and along the St. Joseph River; and WHEREAS, as the result of this study, numerous steps have been taken by local governmental agencies to minimize as many negative impacts of the program as possible, such as: establishing uniform laws and regulations, preparing brochures, maps, and signage indicating where all legal fishing sites and public access sites are located, and providing many new facilities and improvements necessary to accommodate the increased public use generated by the salmon program; and WHEREAS, there is, however, an increasing need to provide adequate public protection and the enforcement of fish and game laws on the St. Joseph River by the Department of Natural Resources through its enforcement officer programs; and WHEREAS, it is believed that the current 3 -1/2 officers assigned to this management area will not be sufficient to provide adequate protection and enforcement once the salmon program is in full operation; and WHEREAS, based on our studies, it is believed that at least another 1 -1/2 conservation officer units will be required. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, as follows: SECTION I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana, hereby petitions and requests the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Indiana, to do all within its power and authority to insure adequate protection and enforcement of fish and game laws on the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph County. SECTION II. The Council further recommends that the Department of Natural Resources consider increasing the number of conservation officers assigned to the St. Joseph River in St. Joseph County in light of the increased public use to be generated by the upcoming salmon program.