What's Happening

Monthly report from Conservation Committee
"Raising The Hackle"

November 2007 TGF Conservation Committee Report
Terry McCartney & Mark Thompson
Committee Co-Chairpersons

Committee Members:
John Happersett
Richard Machin
Stephen Lieb,
John Barone
Joe Ceballos
Mark Romero
Misako Ishimura
Glenn Erikson
 

Recently some of TGF’s successes have gained media attention; however, much of the committee’s work is done behind closed doors. The workload never seems to diminish, as soon as one mega development is dealt with, another looms on the horizon, invasive species and diseases are on the rise, pollution, environmental deregulation and many other issues continue to threaten our coldwater fisheries. The following report is a broad overview of some of the efforts we are currently involved in, if you feel that can help in anyway or wish to join the committee please email conservation@tgf.org.

Catskill Casinos


TGF’s position in opposition to casinos on the Neversink and on the Shawangunk Ridge has been preemptively expressed by letters to Secretary of the Interior Kempthorne and Governor Spitzer. Prior to such letters TGF has expressed opinions in public comment meetings and has submitted comment letters concerning the Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concerning the Stockbridge-Munsee Proposed Casino. Further, TGF objects to the current decision of Secretary Kempthorne to allow the Monticello Raceway Casino project to proceed without the requirement of an EIS. Waiving the EIS will set poor precedence for development policy in the Catskills and therefore, TGF urges Secretary Kempthorne to deny the controversial Monticello Raceway Casino application in the absence of a full environmental review as required under federal law. We continue to monitor the proposed casino builds in the Catskill region.

Delaware Flows

The Delaware River Basin Commission has adopted a new Flexible Flow Management Program (FFMP). The plan went into effect on October 1 on an interim basis. A public comment period begins December 3 with public information sessions on December 18 in Matamoras, PA and on January 9 in Philadelphia. There will be a public hearing on January 16th at the DRBC office in West Trenton, New Jersey. The period for public comments close January 19th.

FFMP incorporates adaptive release principles developed by a coalition of conservation organization including TGF. It provides consistent flow from the three New York City Reservoirs that feed the rivers of the upper Delaware basin. Those flows are determined by the season and by the amount of water available in the reservoirs. We believe FFMP is a step in the right direction, but there is more that can be done to improve flows to benefit the fishery. The coalition is examining FFMP and running it through computer models that will show how FFMP, as it is currently implemented, compares with other approaches and will propose modifications during the public comment period. The coalition’s proposed modifications would improve summer flows into the West Branch and Delaware mainstem and better modulate changes in flow rate to provide more natural fluctuations in flow. These modifications are consistent with TGF’s mission to protect and improve the fishery.

Horse Brook

Horse Brook, a tributary of the Beaverkill has a culvert which needs to be replaced. TGF has undertaken a project to carry this out. Initial surveys have been completed, other groups are looking at this project also and discussions are ongoing to determine the best way forward.

Belleayre Development

This has been one of our recent successes which have had significant media coverage. After several years of intense negotiations the coalition of environmental organizations won a massive decrease in the size of the development slated for Belleayre Mountain. The east side of the mountain has been completely protected and development on the west side has been reduced. John L. Barone has been the TGF spearhead on this project. You can read the summary agreement and the letter from the Governor congratulating TGF and John L. Barone in this Quill. As the NYSDEC environmental review process continues, TGF will continue to review plans for the project and will enforce the terms of the settlement agreement between the coalition and the developer.

Hunter Mountain

Shanty Hollow Corporation, the operators of Hunter Mountain Ski Center have applied for a permit to draw additional water from Schoharie Creek as part of a plan to expand its snowmaking capability. After studying the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, comments have been submitted highlighting some deficiencies and omissions. TGF will be monitoring this proposed project with great interest to protect this historically important, unique and ecologically sensitive river. TGF Directors, Mark Thompson and John L. Barone are leading this effort.

Beaverkill Rock-rolling, Clean-up and Willow days

We continue to have our spring and fall clean-up days. At these events rock rolling is carried out to enhance fish passage to the spawning tributaries and willows are planted to aid bank stabilization and provide shade. Mark Thompson reports that the willows planted in October appear healthy and are taking root.

Clearwater Junction 2008 and Conservation Fund Dinner June 6th and 7th, 2008.

Preparations continue apace. Many fine tyers have committed to appear at the show and we anticipate a larger more successful event than CJ2007. More are being added every day. Check www.clearwaterjunction.com for details. Planning is underway for the 2008 Conservation Fund Dinner, reserve June 7th, 2008 in your diary now!

Didymo AKA Rock Snot

The invasive algae Didymo has been identified in the East Branch of the Delaware and possibly the West. TGF is working with DEC to roll out educational literature to aid identification and prevention. If you move gear between waterways, you must: Check, Clean, and Dry

CHECK:

Before you leave a river or lake, check gear for clumps of algae or sediment; leave it at the site. Do not wash debris down the drain later!

CLEAN:

Choose the treatment best suited for your gear and situation: Detergent: soak in dish detergent or antiseptic soap for at least 1 minute. Use _ cup soap per gallon of hot water (140o); OR Bleach: soak for at least one minute in 2% household bleach (one cup added to 2.5 gallons of water); Absorbent items: Felt-soled waders, for example, require longer soaking times (40 minutes) to be completely disinfected.

DRY:

Items must be completely dry to the touch, inside and out, then left to dry for another 48 hours. Absorbent items require longer drying times. Slightly moist didymo can survive for months. Freezing an item solid will also kill didymo. These are just some of the efforts the TGF Conservation Committee is involved in; others include habitat restoration, tributary rehabilitation and investigations into expansion and establishment of wild trout and no-kill zones. There is much work to be done--will you get involved?

 

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