Minutes Mid-Atlantic Council (MAC) of Trout Unlimited Gunpowder State Park – Host MDTU October 31, 2010
Present: Charles August
Minutes, last MAC Meeting (were emailed, but no hardcopies available at meeting) – Nick Weber · Nick briefly reviewed last meeting, including: presentation on brook trout by Matt Sell; George Gaines-budget and Tri-state fishing camp; and Bruce Eberle’s summary on youth education and outreach and Environmental Fund of Maryland (and possibility of having MAC join EarthShare instead). · Nick Weber: Motion to accept minutes from last meeting. Vote: Motion carried, minutes accepted.
Confirmation of Officers – Nick Weber · Nick Weber reported that George Gaines agreed to come on as (MAC) treasurer and Jane Gracie stepped up to take Secretary's position. These new officers need to be approved by the Council. · Nick Weber: Motion to accept recommendation of Executive Committee for George Gaines and Jane Gracie in these positions; seconded by Jay Sheppard. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous).
Treasurer’s Report & Budget Review – George Gaines (Two handouts: Two-page Treasurer’s Report and MAC FY 2011 Budget Recommendation to Council) · George reported that there are some outstanding checks, so the balance will change. The COD matures today; George posed the question as to whether we should be kept the funds in a CD or roll over. One person suggested put ting into a Money Market. Brief discussion about merits of each and asking for a better CD rate. Noel Gollehan: Motion to roll over into CD, while asking for better rate. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous). · Second page Treasurer’s report includes updates since the last MAC meeting – what we’ve expended since then--through September 30--and then based on what we spent last year, the budget for this year. · George explained the handout with recommendations for MAC budget for Fiscal Year 2011 as the Budget Committee’s recommendations and that of the executive committee as well. · Jay Sheppard questioned the basis for the following cost: (1) Newsletter – Jim Gracie responded that it is based on two printed/mailed issues plus four online issues. (2) Youth Outreach – Tom Gamper responded that while there are no specific costs in mind, he will report on plans later on the agenda at today’s meeting. · Jay Sheppard: Motion that the budget be approved. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous).
Resource Report – Jay Sheppard (Handouts: Letter to James Grace, MDE Hearing Officer; Conservation Report) · Jay reviewed his report. · Expects to know more about Hoyes Run permit applications in January when permit decisions come out from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). · George Gaines added that Pennsylvania TU is very active in this fracking issue and they are training volunteers across the state to monitor. · Jim Gracie said that (Attorney General) Gansler’s office told him that Maryland’s environmental law applies to ground water discharge permits, although exempt from the Federal Clean Water Act. Discussion ensued. George Gaines said that the companies are not listing all the chemicals because they are proprietary. Nick Weber said MAC needs to find out what laws are concerning chemicals used in fracking, e.g., Wyoming is requiring notification to their state agency as to what chemicals are being used. Bruce Eberle asked if we have to keep water samples, if we take them. Jim Gracie responded that EPA’s quality standards for water requires that samples be refrigerated and that there is also have a maximum holding time before analysis. Jim Gracie: Motion that MAC requests a meeting with the Maryland Attorney General and the Secretary of MDE as to how to respond to fracking applications. Jim suggested that Nick Weber and Jay Sheppard put together a list of questions. Tom Gamper asked who else could be other stakeholders--e.g., dairy farmers, people affected by water supply, etc., who we could partner with? Short discussion suggested that MAC stand on its own on this for the time being. Bruce Eberle called the question. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous). · Jim suggested that we meet with David Sewak, Pennsylvania TU, about what kind of questions we should be asking in our meeting (with Attorney General and MDE). Brief discussion about possibly bringing David Sewak to our next meeting. · Large Woody Debris – MAC’s draft policy is slowly drifting through Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) policymakers. Jim Gracie said he heard they are currently at a restatement of the procedure for cutting with an introduction about woody debris. · White Hall Dam – A permit application submitted last spring apparently got lost and by time it was processed, it was in the October closure period for trout, so it will be done in the spring. However, one of the grants (Chesapeake Bay Trust) has expired, so the project leaders are going to reapply and hope to get approved again. They hope to start the project in May. Jim Gracie said that DNR would like us to write a letter of support for their grant and that MAC will still go to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for $5,000. Jim said he asked the construction company for a sequence of the construction. Jim suggested that we go ahead and apply for the grant and also he volunteered to draft a letter of support for Nick Weber’s signature. · Letter to MDE – Hoyes Run water appropriation. This is a small stream for which two permits have been applied: one a few years ago for a 2,500 houses on the edge of the hill/mountain in the Deep Creek watershed; now, in addition Wisp Adventure Sports has applied for a permit for water withdrawal to water their golf course. o Nick Weber said that John Grace showed him a letter from November 23, 2009, which sounded like MDE intended to approve the Wisp permit last year. o Jim Gracie said a hydrograph of Hoyes Run just upstream of the quarry showed that numbers from golf course alone is almost the same as the base flow in a normal year. The other (permit for the houses) is for even more. Jim explained that a new Maryland law for two-tier watersheds requires that water quality not be affected and that this law should apply to these permits. o Noel Gollehan: Motion that Jay Sheppard submit the letter opposing both permits to extract water from Hoyes Run to MAC delegates and then finalize after no more than 3 days to allow editing/comments (because it is due Friday). A final draft of the letter for Nick Weber’s signature will then be prepared. Jim Gracie said the name “James” Grace (referenced in letter) needs to be changed to “John” Grace. Jim added that TU member Monroe Mizel has agreed to provide pro bono legal assistance if we decide to pursue legal action, and Bill Carrier, MDTU, said that he would help. Noel Gollehan: Amended Motion that MAC authorizes pro bono court action with this issue, if necessary. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous). Noel said, implicit in that is to engage national TU because of the relatively short window. Jay Sheppard to email latest version of letter this afternoon to MAC representatives with some of the comments he received today incorporated.
TU Insurance – Nick Weber · Nick reported that MAC signed up for the insurance. George Gaines said that National Capital Chapter (NCCTU) also signed up. Jay Sheppard said the Potomac Patuxent chapter of TU (PPTU) signed up; they want to try for it for a year. Seneca Valley (SVTU) reported that they also signed up. Bruce Eberle reported from the national meeting about this. It stemmed from TU having liability coverage, but not accident coverage. Discussion ensued about double coverage with MAC and chapters having coverage. Consensus that it is not mandatory for the chapters but those wanting the coverage are encouraged to sign up for it.
National Leadership Committee (NLC) Report – Bruce Eberle (Handout: National Leadership Representative’s Report) (Bruce to make edits, correct misspellings and resend this report.) · Bruce reviewed his handout. · Discussion about our current chapter by laws will be sent to Bruce to submit to national TU. Conservation Success Index (CSI) Jim Gracie said this was not helpful for Maryland. Energy/Resource Extraction Noel Gollehan asked if they were not making progress on one issue, why they would move on to another issue. Jim Gracie suggested setting up an NLC committee to meet with folks working on this in other states so national TU will see the movement and assign someone to devote to it. NLC Representative We will need to have a new representative to NLC for next year. These are 1-year terms for up to 5 years. Jim Gracie said Bruce had a break in service so he may serve out the 5 years. Nick Weber said that we need to look into that rule from national TU and see where Bruce stands. Embrace-A-Stream Grants Bruce Eberle asked if MAC will have any Embrace-A-Stream grant applications. Final applications for Embrace-A-Stream grants get submitted in December.
Strategic Plan Update – George Gaines (Handout, MAC Strategic Planning Committee First Concept Draft – 10-31-10) George delivered PowerPoint presentation on MAC Strategic Planning Committee. Background: National TU’s “One TU.” MAC wants to find out what it is doing and where it is going. George will send the presentation and First Concept Draft electronically to MAC representatives so people can provide comments. He needs responses in a timely manner—in next couple weeks.
Chapter Bylaws – George Gaines · George Gaines read some of national TUs new sample bylaws that may be problematic for MAC chapters, for example: o Check for over $200, must be co-signed by the Chapter president. o Chapters may not charge additional fees (e.g., for mailings)
Nick Weber suggested that the chapters/chapter presidents read and discuss these bylaws and bring comments back by next MAC meeting. Bruce Eberle said he thinks that some of these may be mandated by the state of Michigan, where TU was founded. Also, IRS laws have requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Chapter Reports · Seneca Valley Chapter – Noel Gollehan o Thanked MAC for donation and volunteers for help with the tree planting on a tributary to Beaver Creek; road 200-300 streets upstream of private water trees. o SVTU received a special award from national TU for reporting that they held two stream cleanups when national TU wanted people to do one. National TU sent SVTU a box of hats and DVDs. · Maryland Chapter – Tom Gamper o Elected new president (Brenda Foster) and some new Board members (introduced Ben Legg as one of them). o Held meeting with stakeholders of Jones Fall Project (State Highway Administration, Baltimore County). o Moving ahead with brook trout effort—need to raise funds; one way is with a 5k race in two weeks. Hope to have 200-300 participants; already have some sponsors. Have found that it is an incredible public relations initiative. o Carnegie Institution for Science contacted us about BioEYES program. Council now involved – MAC supporting grant applications to fund schools in Baltimore having Trout In the Classroom (TIC) and BioEYES. Extending TIC will need volunteers (Jim Greene has been active in his recognition of the need to train more people and holding training sessions.) o Along with BioEYES, TIC will be part of “Your Watershed, Your Backyard,” one component of the Carnegie Institution’s BioEYES program. o Jim Gracie said that he had asked the woman from the DNR Aquatic Resource Education program to make a presentation to the Maryland Sport Fish Advisory Commission and she did. He then asked her if she would help to promote more interest in fishing. A meeting has been scheduled for November 15 in Tawes State Office Building (Annapolis) about this—suggested Tom Gamper attend this meeting. · Potomac Patuxent Chapter – Bob Dietz o Keeping up with their TIC commitment. o Boy Scouts, as part of an Eagle Scout project, built a bridge over a gully that feeds into the Patuxent River this weekend. The gully has been difficult for anglers to traverse. · National Capital Chapter – George Gaines o Working on their show – it will be Saturday, March 12, 2011. Will give any MAC chapter a free booth at the show. o Currently developing their (NCC) chapter’s strategic plan.
Bruce Eberle said LL Bean makes some fly fishing outfits available to chapters every year through national TU. They have guidelines, so Bruce suggests chapters check into it. National TU usually communicates this to chapter presidents. Stan Oaks, SVTU, said that they have requested and received outfits in two separate years.
Nick mentioned that TIC is increasing in Frederick County Schools and wanted to know if SVTU can lend a hand. Noel said no volunteers have stepped forward, but to send him the details (e.g., Do they want someone to start a program in their schools, or do they just need volunteers, or do they have a program and want assistance?) and he will pass the information on. Nick said that he would ask Jim Greene of PPTU to contact Noel about the issue.
Committee Chair Reports Jim Gracie · (1) Fundraising o Nothing started on banquet committee; will start in November. · (2) Chapter Support o Jim, Nick Weber, Tom Starrs, and Jay Sheppard attended a meeting with Carroll County government representative regarding brook trout interest in Upper Gunpowder watershed. Jim Gracie thought that this issue may be of interest to members of the Patapsco Valley Chapter and might initiate a meeting. About 15 or 16 members of Patapsco Valley Chapter responded that they are interested in such a project. o Besides Patapsco Valley, we have no point of contact for the Delaware chapter. o A short discussion as to whether there was a need for a chapter between Nemacolin and SVTU. After discussion, consensus that an effort of this kind was not thought to be a good use of time.
Noel Gollehan asked for date of MAC banquet. Jim Gracie responded that it will be the last Saturday in March 2011. Noel said our banquet often conflicts with the Antietam Fly Anglers banquet (which some MAC members like to attend).
George Gaines said that DNR has two new websites: Maryland Anglers Log and Keep Fishing (Handout with URL addresses). George encouraged people to visit websites, especially chapters that reach out for new members.
Bruce Eberle said that national TU does not want us to use their membership pamphlets. Apparently, a percentage of mailed applications did not make it to the national office. They have a new brochure that tells you how to go online, but does not include an application. Noel Gollehan asked if chapters can make up their own applications if they contain all the information on it that national TU needs. George Gaines said that he thinks they may. George thinks they are going to have a new website for signing up, but he does not know what it is. Discussion about why this prevents us from getting new members. Bruce Eberle said that he will look into this.
Jay Sheppard said that every September on the Gunpowder, the city of Baltimore seems to need more water for a week or three, so they release a lot of water from Prettyboy Reservoir. He talked with Theaux LeGardeur and some others about this. Jay thinks some of us need to meet with Baltimore City about the problem. Jim Gracie thinks someone should talk to Charlie Gougeon and Gene Scarpula first to see what their reasons are for this and then to see if something can be done to accommodate fisherman. Jim said he will bring up at next MDTU board meeting for chapter president to assign this action to someone.
Jay Sheppard said changes to MAC meeting date should be approved by the MAC Executive Committee. We should stick to meeting dates that are set.
Nick Weber recommends the following dates for remainder of MAC meetings: Saturday, January 8, 2011, Saturday, April 2, July 9 (SVTU host), and Saturday, October 1. Bob Dietz: Motion to accept the recommended MAC meeting dates. Jim Gracie requested Amendment: to change January 8 scheduled meeting to January 9. Vote on amendment: 5 for, 2 against; amendment passes. Motion for all other meeting dates carries. Nick mentioned that Nemacolin was the scheduled host for January, but was concerned about weather in getting to a venue in the Cumberland area. Noel said that Seneca Valley could host it, if needed. Nick said he would get back to Noel.
New Business · Environmental Fund for Maryland (EFM) – Bruce Eberle · Fund has been approached by EarthShare and they have been approaching the organizations that are part of the EFM, such as MAC TU. Bruce found out that other TU councils that are part of EarthShare said that EarthShare will want us to go out and find other campaigns. Discussion about whether we will have an easy way of getting out of EFM. Bruce said that EFM is having a board meeting the middle of November and they want to know if MAC wants to go to EarthShare. Bruce has EarthShare contract that he needs to get Nick Weber to sign and someone else to witness. Jim Gracie: Motion that MAC join EarthShare. Vote: Motion carried. · George Gaines reminded everyone that TU camp is June 26 – July1, 2011. He reported that there are three children signed up so far and that the camp usually fills up by April.
Bob Dietz: Motion to conclude meeting. Vote: Motion carried (unanimous). Mission Statement: "To conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds." Our Vision: By the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters. Page last updated
11 June 2008 © Mid-Atlantic Council of Trout Unlimited, All Rights Reserved email: admin@mac-tu.org Mid-Atlantic Council Conservation Concerns
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