Massanutten Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Harrisonburg, VA

Board Minutes

YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A VIRGINIA COUNCIL!

Report from the September 25, 2010 VCTU annual meeting.

Newly elected Massanutten TU President Graham Simmerman and Director Kemper Eagle traveled over the Blue Ridge to represent MTU at the 2010 Annual Virginia Council Trout Unlimited (VCTU). The meeting was held in Ruckersville on Saturday, September 25, with former MTU member Bill Pierce, now Council Chairman, presiding. Below are highlights:

Bill announced that all members will soon receive a Fall newsletter to supplement the news provided on VCTU's reenergized website.

VTSSS Interim Report for 2010: U.Va.'s Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study (VTSSS) leader Rick Webb, of the University of Virginia (U.Va.) Environmental Department, provided a detailed presentation of the interim results. Rick told us that U.VA./TU organized the week-long sampling in late April with Marcia Woolman serving as the TU volunteer organizer.

Water samples of 384 trout streams statewide were iced for preservation and taken to U.Va. for analysis. The U.Va. Environmental Department is analyzing several chemical parameters from 68 streams that are sampled quarterly and 6 streams in Shenandoah National Park that are sampled weekly, making a total of 458 sample sites. This data is being correlated with VTSSS samplings in 1987 and 2000. A comprehensive report is targeted for release late spring, 2011.

These data, expressed as acid neutralizing capacity (ANC), best show trends in reduction of sulfate and nitrate air pollution which has acidified our mountain trout streams. Reduction has been much improved between the 2000 and 2010 surveys, from the much lower rate of reduction between 1987 and 2000. The 1990 Clean Air Act seems to finally be affecting VA streams' acidity positively.

A 2011 budget was tentatively approved by those present. A quorum of chapter delegates was not present, so no votes could be taken. Chapter presidents, be sure your chapter is represented at the November Awards Banquet.

Marcia Woolman gave a report on the National Leadership Council, where Sharon Lance, former Colorado Council chair, gave some great ideas to empower new members to become workers and leaders for TU. How? Don't group with your buddies before a meeting. Instead, draw in new members by talking with them and engaging them in conversations about chapter activities!

Seth Coffman, director of the Shenandoah Headwaters Initiative, submitted a written report . His absence was excusable, since he welcomed a baby 2 weeks before the meeting. Seth has been very effective laying groundwork for stream management with many agencies.

Tom Benzing, Conservation chair, explained initiatives for obtaining Embrace-a-Stream money for your stream restoration efforts. Each chapter needs to file its financial report to National TU by October 1. The deadlines for EAS: your outlined plan is due Nov. 15, the final plan is due Dec. 13. Tom stated use of CSI guidelines in your plan helps to get grants.

Graham Simmerman, Membership chair, counseled chapters to phone members up for TU dues renewal to remind them to renew. (Here’s a suggestion: sign up for a Life Membership and you won't be bothered!)

The Education chair is vacant, but John Ross is acting. He reports that we are near agreement on hiring a combined Council Executive coordinator/ Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Coordinator. Under current plans VCTU pays his/her salary and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) pays for a car, computer, and office space. Chapters present are doing multi TIC programs. The Roanoke chapter mentioned problems they have had with the chillers and suggested solutions.

George Gaines, executive director of our Conservation and Fishing Camp, reported on the 2010 camp. Virginia campers made up 17 of the 25 campers attending. They enjoyed camping at Graves Mountain Lodge and catching trout at Rose River Farm, courtesy of Douglas Dear. This the camp’s 6th year.

Communications/Publicity chair Jason McGarvey told us to look for VCTU on its newly redesigned website, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

Urbie Nash reported that South River trout are growing well and he anticipates a January 1, 2011 opening for permit fishing. Details to come.

Kemper Eagle reported on Camp Unali. For the sixth year, Massanutten TU treated seven kids recovering from cancer at Camp Unali. Those campers were treated to an afternoon of spin fishing with Powerbait (orange more effective than green). They caught 20 trout at Hemlock Springs Trout Farm which were taken back to camp for their feast finale. There is a place for Hook and Cook!

Summary of March 18, 2010 Board Meeting

Guest, Gary Heschl, spoke to the Board about how the local Ruritan clubs work, when they prepare budget’s and how they determine various projects to support. It was very informative and provided insights on how we might improve our relationship with a number of clubs in seeking to mutually accomplish environmental goals. We definitely need to let the West Rockingham Ruritan Club know how we used or plan to use the $200. donation they gave to us in February.

We briefly updated everyone on the current status of the Embrace-A-Stream Grant. Seth Coffman, Graham Simmerman and Bill Conlin will be getting together to discuss and develop an action plan to implement the Chapter’s responsibility under the grant. We also discussed the need to develop and maintain a photo documentation component of the grant. Reference was made to check out Ecotones web-site.

Fish With A Member program. We discussed a change in the model for identifying and leading the FWAM outings. In stead of having one person responsible for the overall coordination and specific locations, dates and trip details we decided to ask for volunteers to lead specific FWAM outings. They would be responsible for identifying the location and date of the trip and leading the group. We would have someone act as overall coordinator that could assist the volunteers with any questions or specific details they might not be familiar with.

    We have the following Trips being planned by the associated Lead Volunteers.

    April (Date??), Susie Q - Michael Wong
           May 8th, River Bend, Graham Simmerman
           June 12th, Smoke Hole (or another location if this is too far). Bill Conlin
           July (Date??) , Greenbrier, W. VA., Need to stay overnight at camp, Henry (Do Not Advertise).

     We will ask for volunteers from the general membership for August, Sept and October.

VTSSS Status. All Sampling points have been assigned and plans are being finalized for distribution of the sampling kits at the Chapter Meeting on April, 13th.

Chapter table at Mossy Creek Fly Fishing Open house. We agreed to setup and man a table at the open house on saturday, March 20th. Bill will assemble a schedule for those who indicated that they could assist.

Other items; Jeff Peake asked if anyone could assist on the Trout-in-the-Classroom release being made on Friday the 19th A few individuals indicated that they could help. they will meet at Riven Rock Park around 12:00pm

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Harrisonburg, VA