2000 Consent Decree

Description:

The 2000 Consent Decree is an agreement that governs allocation, management, and regulation of State and Tribal fisheries in the 1836 Treaty waters of the Great Lakes. It was signed in August of 2000 by Bay Mills Indian Community, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the State of Michigan, and the United States and will be in place through 2020. The Decree outlines management of numerous species, but puts particular emphasis on lake trout and lake whitefish. It established a Technical Fisheries Committee (TFC), which is an inter-governmental body comprised of biologists that seek to resolve issues using the best available science. The TFC strives for consensus in all matters brought before it; however, if consensus cannot be reached, the Consent Decree describes a dispute resolution process that is to be followed. When conditions in the lakes warrant a change from the management strategy than was agreed upon in the year 2000, the Decree can be amended by consensus among the parties.

2000 Consent Decree Amendments and Stipulations:

• Stipulation for entry into 2000 Consent Decree
• Lake Trout MM-123 and MM-4, January 2006
• Lake Trout MM-5, June 2006
• Bay Mills Small Boat Zone
• Lake Lake Trout MM-123, March 2007
• Lake Trout MH-1, August 2007
• Smelt Nets, September 2009
• Lake Trout MM-4 and MM-5, August 2009
• Lake Trout MH-1, August 2010