CELEBRATING 76 YEARS OF ENHANCING THE CONSERVATION OF THE OUTDOOR RESOURCES OF PENNSYLVANIA
THE VOICE OF 200,000 LICENSED HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Website: www.acslpa.org
MEMBER: NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION
NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION
APRIL 12, 2007
The ACSL monthly meeting in the Gold Room of the Courthouse, was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by President Mike Maranche. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison.
Agencies and Sportsmen’s Clubs in attendance:
BAKERSTOWN BEAGLE EAST MONONGAHELA PMSC YOUTH
BETHEL PARK S. FOREST GROVE PHR&G CLUB
BRADDOCK DISTRICT LFSC POLICE R & G
CLAIRTON MCDONALD SAFE
COLLIER MCKEESPORT SAFE YOUTH
DORMONT-MT.LEB. MT NEBO TCWA
ELIZABETH PMSC WPA TAXIDERMY PFBC – Bob Wheeler
President Maranche introduced Ed Kress, Candidate for Sheriff, Allegheny County.
Mr. Kress expressed his interest in a more oriented service to gun owners and the people of Allegheny County. The possibility of a mobile van to serve as the source to get gun permits; and the election of the sheriff, not an appointed position.
Sky Bank Mortgage Consultant Gregory Stark was present to offer information to those interested in “no closing costs mortgages” for purchasing a home, club improvements or
Purchasing property. Further information can be received by contacting the league secretary.
PFBC – WCO Bob Wheeler reporting the “residency of trout study”; the vast majority of waters hatchery trout distribute themselves within proximity of the stocking site. 3.4 million trout, 30% larger than in recent years, will be stocked in 1,040 stream sections and 128 lakes.
Creel limits: 5 combined species in regular season; in extended season Jan. 1-Feb. 28 and after Labor day, 3 combined species.
An 8 minute streaming video is available to promote “Why a Youth License?”
WCO’s are visiting clubs explaining the junior license
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PFBC continued The Spring Commission Meeting April 15 – 17th will allow discussion of acquisition of two fishing easements in Erie County. Crooked Creek and Walnut Creek Marina.
Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Connors report was approved without question.
(Fischer/Stolfer)
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE – Kim Stolfer and Mike Christeson
Pro-gun News Conference to be held in Harrisburg April 24 – Travel information is on the ACSL website (www.acslpa.org/ Departures are from Parkway Center/Greentree and Lowes in Monroeville. Contact Sara Barnett at (412.793.4437) or e-mail at
Gunowners beware mandatory registration of “ALL” firearms – annual fee of $10 for EACH firearm, fingerprinting and mandatory liability insurance. There are twenty directly anti-gun bills now in the House; there are five more in the PA Senate. The very same legislators who supported these bills last year in the Committee of the Whole and lost are determined to win this time.
The ACSL and PA Sheriffs Assn. stopped the proposed change in the Sheriff Office to be appointed and will be an elected office.
Philadelphia Chief of Detectives Joseph Fox spoke out saying “put the blame where it lies: THE KILLERS” “Refusing to hold people accountable for their actions and constantly making excuses for their behavior must be stopped”, until we are ready to strictly enforce the current laws, there is no reason for tougher ones.” Judges need to hold the criminals accountable.
Conservation – Jack Walters reported white-tailed deer populations show habitat damage the heaviest in the north central and Pocono Mountains area. Details on the 2006 state forest deer browse study and DCNR’s aerial surveys on deer can be found online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us.select “State Forests”
Beginning March, truck and trailer mfg. are offering customers 2007 models certified by EPA’s SmartWay program to improve fuel efficiency, providing triple benefit of saving operators money while reducing greenhouse-gas emission and air pollutants. Participating in the program are well-known truck brands including Freightliner, International, Kenworth, Mack, Peterbilt and Volvo. For more info. about joining the program, see epa.gov/smartway
Signing of a “Record of Decision” by the Dept. of Energy clears the path for construction of a $569 million, 285 megawatt coal-fired power plant near Orlando; making it one of the cleanest, most efficient plants of its kind in the world.
$5 million will help counties monitor and control West Nile Virus. Public is urged to eliminate breeding areas at home.
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Game – Mike Maranche reported on high corn prices in response to the growing demand for ethanol. The USDA’s decision to suspend general enrollment opportunities for the CRP
(Conservation Reserve Program) does not bode well for wildlife, according to Wildlife Mgmt.
Institute.
HR61 (2005) the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee/Mountain Top Technologies study to determine the safety of shotguns verses rifles for hunting in PA; in certain situations a shotgun can be more risky than a rifle. Some politicians are thinking about new or special regulation areas.
Governor’s Conference Mike attended: results of the two days:
Premise is- people do not do outdoor activities due to:
* Lack of time, too many other commitments
* Cultural limitations: lack of diversity, role models
* Fear of the unknown: what is out there, comfort zone
* Lack of awareness: how to, where to get outdoors
* Funding for program and publicity
* Negativity, particularly relating to hunting
* Competition with technology: TVs, gaming systems, computers
* Passive nature of society: youth used to things coming to them
A speaker at the conference Richard Louv, has written a book titled “Last Child in the Woods” which is pertinent to today.
Erin Barnes, youth member of Governor’s Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, spoke of how kids see the outdoors: as a cultural issue, need hunter education in schools, kids don’t have a political agenda, adults need to listen more.
There is anti-gun-bias in the schools. Paul Hinds (Family Ties) expressed the barriers in the school to outdoor activities.
One of the biggest conflicts expressed by all at managing competing land uses was the use of ATV’s.
Mike’s deduction: Most problems are an outcome of the public school system, solutions should be addressed in the schools.
Global warming is continually blamed as a major problem in life, in society.
SB 266 – An Act to study the impact of global warming, greenhouse gases and for a climate change action plan in Pennsylvania.
PA has the worst carbon emissions of all the states according to Penn Environment.
NOTE: The theory that CO2 drives global warming is not settled science.
Fish and Clean Streams – Frank Sparrow reporting that the Deer Creek Mall project is dead.
Fifty acres being used for Target, etc. 80% of public stocked waters is on public land.
YouthDay – July 21, 2007 Millvale Sportsmen’s Club. 40 applications in so far.
Banquet – President Maranche appointed Ron Bachy as Chairman of the Banquet Committee.
Joe Cersosimo presented his final report – the banquet was a success.
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Unfinished Business – Alan Bachy thanked the ACSL for recognizing him as a first-time youth delegate and the plaque he received. (sorry it was late Alan)
New Business – Dave Collura, Chair of the ACCD, stated they are in desperate need of 2 public and one farm director. Clubs are to ask their members.
As delegate from Tri Community Anglers, Dave submitted a list re-nominating the present directors. All nominations will be submitted to Executive Director Dan Onorato.
Director is a volunteer position, however, travel expenses are paid.
The ACCD meets the 3rd Wednesday. The Board of Directors of the ACCD does all the hiring/firing of the ACCD; oversees the erosion/sediment control of Allegheny County, farmland preservation for the county, administers the Growing Greener Grant, full-time watershed specialists and a full-time Agriculture specialist.
Nominations for directors to the ACCD should be sent to the ACSL, Secretary, 1028
Hulton Road, Verona, PA 15147
Monthly door prize was won by Dave Collura, Elizabeth Twp. Sportsmen.
Motion to adjourn (Mike Christeson/Audrey Pritchard) 10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett
ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S LEAGUE, INC.
Next meeting
MAY 10, 2007
6:30 p.m. Officers & Directors
7:30 p.m. open meeting
Gold Room (409) Allegheny County Courthouse