BAKERSTOWN FOREST GROVE POLICE R & G

BRADDOCK HOMESTEAD PITCAIRN/MNRVL

CARRICK LFSC RENTON R & G

CLAIRTON MILLVALE TCWA

DORMONT-MT.LEB. MT. NEBO TRI COUNTY TROUT

ELIZABETH NAT.WILD TURKEY-A.C. WEST DEER

ESMC NORTH BOROS

PFBC - MARTHA MACKEY, EMIL SVETAHOR

President Lewellen called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. The Pledge of

Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison. The July

meeting minutes were approved as mailed.

Joe Connors presented his report which was approved by a motion made by Henry Hoffman and seconded by Joe Cersosimo. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Mr. Malino was given the opportunity to explain to those present the

financial status of the league; stating that we are now on the calendar year

from January to December. A time of questions and answers followed,

resulting in league members being made fully aware of investments, earnings

COMMUNICATIONS - were read by the secretary. Senator Jane Orie expressed her

appreciation for the league's involvement in her Sportsmen's Day, and

announced that MARCH 27, 2004 will be the next expo at the North Side

WCO MARTHA MACKEY thanked the Tri County Trout Club for their

assistance that enabled Martha to successfully prosecute and individual for

unlawful fishing. A new Waterways Conservation Class is underway and

information is on the PFBC and Civil Service website. Walleye catch will

increase from 15 to" 18" and creel limit is reduced from 6 to 4.

River conditions are still high and full of debris. Markers are out of place

and cannot be adjusted until waters recede. Several officers are picking up

the slack since Mike Wheale's retirement. A replacement is being considered

and should be assigned some time in September.

PFBC Emil Svetahor stated that there were 18 BUI's in the Southwest Region

with a few in Somerset and Armstrong counties but most in Allegheny.

Pittsburgh and the Three Rivers has kept the PFBC very busy.

The PFSC hosted a meeting of sportsmen's groups on August 4 and came up with

a license and boat registration proposal.They were joined by Chairman Bruce

Smith and Minority Chair Ed Staback of the House Game and Fisheries

Committee and other staff members. The PFBC was not invited. Now is the time

for sportsmen to voice their opinions on these proposals - write your

legislators. An outline of fee concepts is available - phone 412-793-4437.

Emil stated that fishing has leveled off but boating has increased

A nationwide search for an Executive Director for the PFBC is in process.

Application deadline is September 22, 2003

PGC not present. 2003 Bow Weekend is September 19-21. at Camp Saginaw, in

Oxford, PA. Deadline for registration is August 22. If more info is

Chairman Frank Sparrow informed those present of the

possibility the PFBC will purchase trout from Tellico Enterprises from North

Carolina for lake stocking this fall. Two PA hatcheries, out of 27, bid at

$2 per fish; Tellico's bid came in at $1 per fish. Had our legislators

provided the revenue necessary to repair our hatcheries, there would be no

need to go into the open market for trout.

Deer Creek Mall Project is off the agenda for now with new plans by the

developer and issuance of grading permits in question.

Frazer Mall - Rt. 28 is in progress.

Chairman Mike Slavonic reported on the "MarketPlace

of Ideas" gathering. The Million Mom March, Goods for Guns Buyback and Pennsylvanians against

Handgun Violence as well as CeaseFire PA were among the groups who joined

the Socialist Workers Party denouncing American and Senator Rick Santorum.

CeaseFire PA shared a table with the League of Women Voters. Anti-gunner

Nathaniel Glosser began his talk about bashing the NRA; stating that the NRA

has racist and violent policies. There were more manning the booths than

visiting.

An amendment is out there prohibiting the government from maintaining a

record on firearm background checks. This amendment has passed the house

and if it passes the senate it will be interesting to see how

that would impact our situation with the suit against the PSP.

The Legislative Committee has met with candidates for the Attorney General

position.

A fundraiser for David Brightbill, Majority Leader of the PA Senate is being

planned. It is said the way to get things through is to go to the top. Mike

requested an advance of $250.00 for himself and some consultants to attend

this fundraiser. Approval for this advance was proposed by John Fitzgerald

Chairman Jack Walters was not present. His report was given

by the secretary.

Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty urged everyone to

eliminate standing water wherever possible. Mosquitoes will start to breed

in standing water after four or five days. BTI, the naturally occurring

bacteria that state and counties have used to kill the larvae, is now

available at outdoor supplies and various other stores. Bti is not harmful

to people, pets, aquatic animals or plants. It is sold under several brand

names. For more information, visit the PA PowerPort at www.state.pa.us. PA

Keyword "DEP West Nile."

A funding shortfall is the threat to land recycling efforts. PA brownfields

program is a national model, having rehabilitated more than 1,350 sites and

created or saved more than 30,000 jobs. Growing greener has drawn about $30

million from HSCA, Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act, which also supports some 300

department personnel who spend some or all of their time working in the land

recycling and hazardous sites cleanup programs. Priority is to extend the

benefits of the brownfields program to abandoned mine lands and other

incentives, McGinty has directed DEP staff to develop proposed changes to

Chairman Mike Maranche stated that the following State Forest

Districts are to participate in DMap: Bald Eagle, Delaware, Elk, Lackawana,

Michaux, Moshannon, Rothrock, Sproul, Susquehannock, Tiadaghton, Tioga and

Tuscarora.

HR-15 Merger issue: the July hearing was held at Towanda, PA where PFBC

Deputy Executive Director Dennis Guise testified against the merger as did representatives from

sportsmen's groups. However, Robert McKinstry, Penn State Forestry, recommends to the Rendell administration the

merger of the PFBC, PGC into DCNR for stewardship reasons.

In Nevada, due to the efforts of a group of dedicated sportsmen, the

Division of Wildlife (Fish & Game) has been separated from the Nevada DCNR,

into its own stand alone department, as it was before the early 1990's.

HB1512 has been introduced to provide for the right to hunt and fish in PA.

One clause reading "reasonable restrictions" appears to leave loopholes for future manipulation by

legislators and animal rights attorneys.

The ACSL has long advocated a constitutional amendment for the right to

hunt, trap and fish but is troubled by the language of HB1512. The ACSL is

recommending utilizing affirming language proposed by the U.S. Sportsmen's

Alliance stating: "hunting, trapping and fishing and the taking of wild

animals, birds and fish are a valued part of our heritage and will be

forever preserved for the people. Fish and wildlife shall be managed by laws

and regulations that provide persons with the continued opportunity to take,

by traditional means and methods, species traditionally pursued by hunters,

anglers and trappers. Fish and wildlife management, including taking, shall

be consistent with the State's duty to protect this heritage and its duty to

conserve wild animals, birds, and fish." Motion was made and seconded

BANQUET March 20, 2004, Hotel Radisson, Greentree - Chairman Joe Cersosimo

encourages clubs to start considering a donation of prizes. September 20,

2003 - 7 p.m. first meeting-Sally Barnett's home - come give your

suggestions! Follow the yellow belt off Frankstown Road to 1028 Hulton Road

President Lewellen has sent publicity to the newspapers and media but thusfar they have not published anything.

Dialogue with the North Side Sportsmen at the Orie Expo was encouraging.

Frank Sparrow, Chairman, thanked everyone for their dedication in

helping out. Attendance was about 83 youth. Everything went very well. The

MSCI are always great hosts.

Shirts are being considered for purchase bearing the

ACSL logo. Prices are approximately $18 for golf shirt (white with blue

lettering); $25 for oxford cloth shirt (royal blue with white lettering).

Further discussion will take place at the September 11 monthly meeting.

President Lewellen appointed members to the nominating committee. Motion

was made and seconded (Fischer/Hoffman) to accepted Joe Cersosimo, Doug

Baker and Frank Sparrow to the committee. Motion carried. Nominations are

Bob Schick stated that The National Wild Turkey Federation PA

Chapter has taken a stand against additional orange requirements for turkey

hunting (from 100 to 250 square inches) You are urged to write your

commissioner or email your opinion on this change. The next meeting will be

October 6, 2003.

Commissioners: Robert Gilford, Dist. 1; Roxane Palone Dist. 2; Russ

Schleiden, Dist. 3; Sam Dunkle, Dist. 4; Steve Mohr, Dist. 6 and John Riley, Dist. 7. Send comments to your

commissioner at PGC, 2001 Elmerton Ave. Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 or email pcgcomments@state.pa.us.

The monthly door prize was won by Dennis Felice, delegate of the Police Rod

& Gun Club, New Alexandria.

Call for adjournment at 10 p.m. (Slavonic/Hoffman)

Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Exec. Secretary

ACSL NEXT MEETING

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11 - 7:30 P.M.

GOLD ROOM / COURTHOUSE

PLEASE NOTE - if you have an E-mail address - and would like the minutes sent to your E-mail, send it to Mike Slavonic at acsl@nauticom.net.

Next ACSL meeting AUGUST 14, 2003

7:30 P.M. COURTHOUSE

CLUB NEWS

EAST MONONGAHELA SPORTSMENS CLUB

"HUNT OF A LIFETIME"

DATE: AUGUST 30 AND 31, 2003

9 A.M. SATURDAY, 8 A.M. SUNDAY

BOTH DAYS FULL BARBEQUE

CHICKEN, RIBS, CHOPS

WWW.DP.NET/EMSC

BOB @ 412-469-9733

ROB @ 412-818-4307

FOAC MEMBERS MEETING SEPTEMBER 21, 10 A.M.

WHITEHALL BOROUGH BLDG. (OFF RT. 51)