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?