NORTH COAST NEWS – March 2006

 

 

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Our General Membership Meetings this year will be held at the ELKS CLUB at Peninsula Drive and 24th Street and will begin promptly at 7:00 PM

Thursday March 16

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Meeting Agenda

Banquet Update - Chris Niebauer

Key Stone Cold Water Conference - Karl Weixlmann

2006 Rivers Conservation Camp

Spring Picnic

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Key Stone Cold Water Conference

Submitted by Chris Niebauer

            On the weekend of February 23-24th, Karl Weixlmann and traveled to State College for the 2006 Keystone Coldwater Conference; Our Watersheds at Risk: Protecting Water Quality, Quantity and Stream Access. This Conference is held each year.

             The objective of the conference was to promote the sharing of ideas and concepts among diverse groups with common interests, such as watershed organizations and Trout Unlimited chapters, regarding the issues of water quantity and quality, and stream access.
            The keynote speakers were Dr. Doug Austen, executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and Cindy Dunn, bureau chief with Pennsylvania 's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, speaking about agency perspectives on protecting water quality and quantity, and stream access.

            Session topics included water navigability law, understanding the state water plan, dealing with in-stream flow issues, how to use pollution law at the local level, and implementing conservation easements and land acquisition for stream access and improved water quality.

            At the conference Karl and I attended 2 seminars (Protecting Public Access and Land Acquisition and Easements) networked with attendees, gathered information, and shared ideas on the pertinent issues facing the Northwestern Pennsylvania fisheries. Protecting Public Access addressed two factors that are at the for front in PA the legal perspective on protecting Public Access and the local land owner issues that effect stream access. The speakers were Dennis Guise and Len Lichvar. Guise served as deputy executive director and chief counsel for the Fish and Boat Commission prior to 2004. He spoke about legal precedents, the determination of whether a stream or other water body is public or private property and the reason why.

The other speaker was Len Lichvar of the Mountain Laurel Chapter of TU. He described the experiences of the Yellow Creek Coalition's activities in stream improvement and how public access issues that have arisen are being addressed. Key point: Land owners need to have open communication between both the agency and we, the sportsmen. This organization uses newsletters, meetings, and land owner appreciation dinners to keep these doors open two ways.

The second session they attended was Land Acquisition and easements witch discussed Conservation tools, tax incentives and standards. This session explained the different tools that can be used for access and how these tools are different and must be chosen correctly. Andy Loza, Executive Director of the PA Land Trust Association explained how to use acquiring land, conservation easements, public Access easements, or a combination of these can be used to provide conservation methods to property. The Central, PA Riparian Partnership's Executive director Todd Sampsell explained how he uses these tools to protect riparian buffers.

            With the contacts made and the information gathered it is felt that the PA Fish and Boat Commission are committed to establish access for fisherman through out the state. The model will be the program developed for the Northwest part of the state. The documentation and identification of lands is being done presently. Action will take place very soon and easements will be part of the program.

 

Chris Niebauer

 

 

A Summary of Up Coming Events

Details follow below

 

Wednesday March 15 – Fly Tying Classes – sponsored by Caldwell Creek TU Chapter & Erie Casting Club

 

Saturday March 18 – 2006 Conservation Banquet

 

Friday March 31 – Sportsmen’s Forum – sponsored by Northwest PA Sportsmen’s Coalition – Note, Erie Access is on the agenda.

 

Friday April 14 – Good Friday Outing on Oil Creek – Sponsored by the GEM City Fly Tiers

 

Thursday April 20 – Regular monthly TU meeting

 

Late April/Early May – Trout in the Classroom program to be show cased at an open house at Renovo Elementary School

 

Wednesday May 24 – Allegheny River Float Trip – sponsored by NWPATU

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Conservation Banquet - 2006

“Invite a Friend”

 

When - Saturday March 18^th - Doors open at 5:30 - Dinner at 7:00

Where - Shrine Club, W. 38th & Zuck Road Erie PA

Banquet Chairperson - Chris Niebauer 566-4988

 

Dinner Tickets are priced as follows:

$30 Adult

$20 Youth, 15 and Under

and will be available at our meeting and the following locations:

 

Cronk Insurance

2930 Peach St. Erie , PA

 

FishUSA
901 W. 12th Street Erie , PA

 

Folleys End Tackle

Rte 98 Fairview , PA

 

Lake Erie Ultimate Angler

2402 W. 8th Street Erie , PA

 

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Caldwell Creek Trout Unlimited

and

The Erie Casting Club

are jointly sponsoring Fly Tying Classes starting March 15 and continuing every Wed. for the next five weeks.  Guest speaker on the first night will be George Daniels with his topic "Underwater Nymphing".  There will also be a fly tying demonstration.

Classes will be held at the Presbyterian Church Union City, PA 7:00pm
Please bring your own materials & equipment.
Class length: Approx. 2hrs.
Cost: $10 for adults12 & under free

Information - 814-664-2124
E-mail - savko@velocity.net

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Sportsmen’s Forum

sponsored by

Northwest PA Sportsmen’s Coalition

Admission is Free

When – Friday March 31, 7:00-9:00 PM - Doors open at 6:30

Where - Northwestern High School

   200 Harthan Way , Albion , PA - 2 blocks off of Rt. 6N

Speakers & Topics of Discussion

PA Fish & Boat Commission:

            Dr. Douglas Austen, PhD – Executive Director

                        Youth Fishing License

                        Erie Access Improvement Program

PA Game Commission:

      Calvin DuBrock – Wildlife Management Director

                        Deer Management

      Roger Coup – Wild Life Management Supervisor

                        New Wild Life Projects in 2006

PA Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs:

      Melody Zullinger – Executive Director

                        Erie Bluffs State Park

A Question & Answer period will follow as time permits

 

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Good Friday Outing

Sponsored by

GEM City Fly Tiers

When – Friday April 14

Where – Oil Creek State Park – Petroleum Center

For details contact Jim Sharp at sharpefly@aol.com or 814-774-9651

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Trout in the Class Room

Renovo Elementary Open House

 

When – Late April or early May

 

This was highlighted in last month’s news letter and can be viewed on our web site by clicking on the icon "News Letters". 

We’ll keep you advised as plans are firmed up.

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Allegheny River Float Trip

When – Wednesday May 24

JT Davis will be coordinating the trip, so if you’re interested please contact me at jdavis5@ma.rr.com or 814-397-5673.

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Don’t forget to check out our WEB site

www.fisherie.com/nwpatu

 

Kevin has done a fine job, but he can’t do much more without the help of every TU member. 

 

“The pictures are not limited to just TU events.   I am also interested in members who have taking fishing trips to unique or interesting places and can provide pics with brief descriptions.  I am looking to put a bit more personality into the web site.  They can email the pics to the my email address: fourfritts@adelphia.net.” 

 

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Conservation Banquet

LOCAL BUSINESS DONORS

We encourage our membership to support these businesses to show our gratitude.   When you patronize these establishments, tell them you are a TU member & thank them for supporting our organization & cold water conservation.