 |
TCTU SPONSOR
|
|
|
|
| President's Corner |
11/28/2005 |
|
| |
Happy Holidays!
As I gaze out my office window watching snow gently falling (finally) my thoughts are drawn to how peaceful things look with this dusting. An image forms in my mind of the solitude of a trout stream. I wonder, do they miss us? Probably not! However, without the efforts of the volunteers of TU in combination with other organizations just how many would be there 'not missing us'?
This year has been a full and successful one for TCTU. All of you should be proud of your contributions towards stream conservation and habitat improvement. When thinking of things I am 'thankful' for, one is the incredibly hard working board members that are serving your chapter. Their dedication and innovation has been a real credit to the chapter name and the membership should be fully confident in their capabilities.
After starting the year with a bit of a bang on the Vermillion, I am thrilled to give you a mini-. On November 16 I was privileged to attend a meeting in Farmington, MN where the Regional Director of the EPA presented a check to Dakota County and the Vermillion River JPO in the amount of $675,000, along with another $275,000 in matching funds the JPO now has $950,000 in funding for watershed management. Combined with prior grants from the USDA the Vermillion river watershed now has approximately $2.8 million in funding available for programs involving storm water management, infiltration ponds, soil conservation and pollution control. In addition the MN DNR recently purchased and closed on several hundred acres along the river. Currently this involves approximately 1 mile of stream, however, this section is also eligible for a $500,000 'in stream' grant from the Army Corps of Engineers which will replace meanders and repair bank destabilization and in effect turn one mile of marginal trout stream into two miles of fishable water on public land.
I would like to acknowledge the efforts of a number of people and organizations. First, John Jaschke, Dakota County Water Resources manager and the Vermillion JPO have been very supportive in the development of strategies and policy, prioritizing preservation of trout habitat within the watershed. Congressman John Kline's office working with TCTU led an effort in which he had the other members of Minnesota's Congressional Delegation sign on to a letter that was sent directly to the EPA supporting the ion of the Vermillion river for the pending grant. EPA grant candidates for impaired water funding are ed by state's Governor's. On Oct 28, TCTU met with Governor Pawlwenty's chief policy advisor to discuss a number of issues. With the pending Nov 10 deadline TCTU emphasized the importance of this grant and asked for additional last minute support from the governor influencing the EPA's decision. The Vermillion River was one of 12 grants awarded in 2005 out of 145 applicants.
Last but not least, I wish to acknowledge one of our own. Bill Scherck who is a chapter member also works for Ron Schara Enterprises. He stepped up, filmed, edited and produced an incredible conservation segment for 'Minnesota Bound' which brought public attention to development threatening to de-stabilize trout habitat in Dakota County (Thanks, Bill!). Representatives of the MN Pollution Control Agency and the EPA directly cite the publicity and the dramatic photographs of the exceptional brown trout as being a primary and hard to ignore influence for the funding and also for the change in attitude towards the Vermillion River. While TCTU received it's share of criticism the fall census results demonstrated that the big trout are very much alive. People have begun to realize that our 'PR' efforts did not 'hot spot' and while yes there was increased angling pressure in 2005, angling conditions did not lend to a wholesale slaughter of fish as a result of publishing of photos. Also, with the decision still pending as of this date it appears that the Vermillion River browns will be protected with 'Catch and Release', 'Artificials Only' fishing starting in the 2006 season.
Thanks to everyone for your help on this project. We're far from done though and actually this is just the beginning for the Vermillion. If you get a chance say thanks to any of your elected officials who were involved in this development.
The year is drawing to a close now and all of us are getting into the holiday mode of friends and family, shopping and eating. Changing directions momentarily, PLEASE take a moment to remember in your prayers or thoughts those serving overseas and their families here anxiously awaiting their safe return home. If you know of a family with a loved one overseas take a moment to express the purpose of the Season by doing something nice for them or at least saying 'Thank You'. As chapter president my favorite Christmas Charity is the U.S. Marine Corps, 'Toys for Tots', they will be getting a Rod n Reel starter kit from me for a youngster somewhere. In 2006, if you know of a youngin' who has a parent overseas perhaps you can take them fishing. A day on the stream or lake or pond just might mean the world to them! It's just another way that all of us doing what seems like something small is in turn part of a big picture.
Kevin Biegler is the Chapter President of Twin Cities Trout Unlimited
|
« Back to Previous Page
|
|
