Minutes for 5/17/08 MAC Meeting (North Point State Park)
Call to order: 12:00 PM
New Business:
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Status of Didymo in the Gunpowder (Susan Rivers/DNR, Noel, Allan Dale)
MDTU is intensifying efforts and will meet with the Gunpowder State Park staff to develop signs about the issue and how to clean equipment to minimize the risk of spreading the algae.
Susan Rivers (DNR fisheries staff) mentioned that an algae problem in the GP had been noted since January and was confirmed as Didymo about three weeks ago. The highest concentration has been found above Falls Road, with some as far downriver as Glencoe Rd. DNR will expand its website coverage of Didymo and is developing saltwater washing stations for use in GP State Park.. In other areas, the main impact of the algae has been on invertebrates, diminishing concentrations of e.g., mayfly, caddis fly and stonefly in favor of midges, much like the response to increased pollution.
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Establish a conservation subcommittee to review and update MAC on an ongoing basis about significant diseases and invasive species that pose a potential threat to MD coldwater fisheries. The subcommittee also would be charged with monitoring state and local actions on these threats and recommending appropriate actions for MAC to take. (Neil Jacobs)
A motion was passed to form a subcommittee under the aegis of the Vice Chair for Resources to deal with the issue of invasives.
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Discussion of Trout in the Classroom (Bob Dietz)
Bob Dietz encouraged MAC to support TIC through other chapters. The program is heavily dependant on volunteers, but PPTU has only needed two to run the program in nine schools. Tom Gamper (MDTU) volunteered to explore establishing a pilot TIC program in the Roland Park Elementary and Middle Schools.
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MD DNR has established the MD Civic Justice Corps to work in partnership with the MD Dept of Juvenile Services to provide paid conservation services opportunities for Baltimore City Youth in MD State Parks. The hands-on outdoor conservation programs are scheduled in Gunpowder State Park on Fridays July 11, 18 and 25 and Aug 1; and in Swallow Falls July 9-11, 14-16, 16-18, 21-23, 23-25, and Aug 4-6. A graduation picnic will be held on Friday August 8. Adult volunteers are needed. Contact Jim Gracie for further information (jgracie@brightwaterinc.com; 410-303-3829).
Old Business:
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Update the three issues the abbreviated Bylaws Committee is charged with clarifying (as noted in 2/16/08 minutes) (Jim Greco).
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Quorum: Current Bylaws consider a quorum to be half of the “currently” active chapters. That is a soft definition. The objective is to provide an environment that enables representative governance. In our large chapters to smaller chapter world, is the current statement an adequate specification? Should the quorum be both chapter numbers and voting power by any one chapter (say a single chapter be limited to casting no more than 50% of the total votes on any given issue)? This issue is complicated by the proxy decision, where a single chapter can specify multiple votes on an issue.
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Delegates: Can any chapter replace a delegate who is a MAC officer and member of that chapter from its MAC delegate list?
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Proxies: What constitutes a valid proxy and should the future use of proxies be eliminated?
George reported on the preliminary recommendations for bylaws revisions that he and Jim Greco developed. They will consider the feedback from this meeting in a revision to be circulated for vote at the annual MAC meeting on July 26.
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Update from Fund Raising Committee on banquet progress (Jim Gracie).
A Banquet is planned for October, probably in the Columbia to Wash DC area. Emphasis will be on selling tables. Large TU chapters were encouraged to buy at least one per chapter and smaller chapters to buy one together. All chapters were encouraged to approach corporations and others for table sponsorship.
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Update and discussion of Fish Commission/License Fee issues (Noel Gollehon/Jim Gracie)
The Fisheries Monitoring Task Force is under represented on fresh water fisheries issues and needs volunteers for the Task Force subcommittees. Volunteers should contact either Noel Gollehon or Jim Gracie.
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Update on conservation issues (Ken Pavol and others) See Ken’s Jay’s reports attached
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Windpower project
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Hoyes Run proposal (Neil Jacobs)
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Savage River dam repair
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Wolf Den Branch mining proposal
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Whirling Disease (MD longer term plans)
Remediation is proceeding successfully at the Bear Creek facility, with potential for future rearing of stocked trout.
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Gunpowder (Canoe Club and Quarry) (Allan Dale) MDTU and BCC are now working together to prevent future habitat destruction. Efforts will be made to have BGE assist with in-stream tree placement to establish new habitat.
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Jones Falls (Allan Dale) MDTU is planning to meet with all involved parties.
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North Branch nitrogen issue. A motion was passed to have MAC inform elected officials about the problem of entrapped nitrogen fish kills caused by Corps of Engineers high flow releases in the North Branch.
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Terrapin Run in Allegheny County is proceeding to develop 10% of the planned units, but the remaining 90% are unlikely to move forward without meeting new restrictive conditions.
Reports and Information
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Minutes of February meeting (Martin) Approved as submitted
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Treasurer’s report (Jason) Approved as submitted
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President’s report (Noel) MAC received a letter from the Governor about the decision to reject wind power on public land. The Save our Wild Salmon Coalition will be in Baltimore June 17
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NLC report (Jason/Bruce): National TU will run a Leader’s Only training program on May 21, 8 PM.
A motion passed to pay $625 for two tickets to the upcoming Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus banquet. A draft strategic plan will be available soon.
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Chapter reports: Seneca Valley is having its BBQ/Auction/Fundraiser on May 31 at the Lois Green-Sligo Isaac Walton League Pavilion in Gaithersburg. Check the SVTU website for additional information. MDTU held its City Catch and Jones Falls stream walk recently. The YTU chapter will be monitoring stream temperatures on the Savage River this summer. NCCTU had its annual angling show and has set next years date at the same location: Georgetown Prep, Saturday, March 14. Planning for the annual fishing camp is going well, with over 95% of previous volunteers returning. MDTU and PPTU were asked to help with local camper recruitment. George will post a notice on the MAC website. PPTU recently held a kid’s fishing day.
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Next meeting: July 26 at Cunningham Falls State Park
Adjournment 4:00 PM
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.