MEETING MINUTES   

NOVEMBER 14, 2002

The Allegheny County Sportsmen's League held their December meeting at the Courthouse Gold Rooms President Lewellen called the meeting to order tit 7.30 p.m.

Guest Roger Mason, Police Rod & Gun Club was introduced.

The November minutes were approved as mailed.

Twenty-five clubs and agencies where in attendance:

Allegheny Country Rifle, Bakerstown Beagle, Bethel Park Sportsmen Bethel Park Outdoorsmen, Braddock District Sportsmen, Carrick Sportsmen Central Beagle, Clairton Sportsmen, Coraopolis District Sportsmen, Dormont-Mt. Lebanon, Elizabeth Twp. Forest Grove, Greater Pgh Gun Club, McKeesport Sportsmen, MSCI, Mt. Nebo Sporstsmen, Pitcarin-Monroeville Police R & G Club, Renton R & G Club, Tri County Trout, TCWA, W Deer, W PA Taxidermists.

WCO Larry Furlong reminded those present of the mandatory boater education program effecting those born after 1/1/82.

PGC personnel not present.

C O M M I T T E E S

SAIC/Legislation - Mike Slavonic reported the Goods for Guns BuyBack is on again. The Goods for Guns of Allegheny County is a private not-for-profit organization similar to the ACSL. Like the ACSL, they have no authority to transfer guns unless the transfer takes place on the premise of a dealer. In short, the gun buyback is violating the law, and those who are transferring those firearms are also violating the law. The SAIC has spoken with Attorney General Fisher and he has agreed to review this.

The state of Georgia has added PA to the list of states entitled to Georgia's Firearm Permit Reciprocity. Effective 12/15/02

FOAC - Kim Stolfer cited an incident where Robert Nagle, stopped for a traffic violation admitted possession of a gun he had just had fitted with a scope at a gunsmith and had locked it in his glove box; was arrested. The gun buyback participants are in violation but not being apprehended.

Jack Walters presented his report. The PA House joined the Senate to send the bipartisan Water Resources Planning Act to

Gov. Schweiker's desk, ending a more than 20 year effort to adopt water resources legislation in PA. "This legislation will allow the Common­wealth to measure how much water we are using and where water resources are in jeopardy stated Gov. Schweiker.

The Governor released the final report on Abandoned Mine Voids and Mine Safety, which contains 48 recommended changes to prevent future mining accidents in PA. He rejected one recommendation that he reverse his decis­ion to require bituminous mine operators to drill ahead or submit hard information on the location of mine voids when they believe they are within 500 feet of a water-filled abandoned mine.

Gov. Schweiker also called for legislation that would make three key changes in PA mine-safety laws, making coal operators, as well as individuals responsible for mine safety; giving DEP the authority to adopt updated mine-safety requirements by regulation; and directing individuals and companies with mine maps to either turn in the original or a true and correct copy to the state repository in Uniontown.

Mike Maranche stated that Rep. Richard Pombo has been recommended to chair the State House Resources Committee. He is a staunch supporter of private property rights and has challenged environmental extremists­ just lately, he fought the U.S. Forest Service and won in their attempt to bully cabin owners to remove the American flag from their properties.

The ACSL Game Committee has drafted a letter in support of Pombo.

Rendell's transition team for PFBC­

Ed Grasavage-VP Susquehanna Branch-Quality Deer Mgmt.

Dan Hill-Treasurer, PA Trout; Ben Moyer-PG Outdoors Writer Caren Glatfelty-Environmental Programs Director - Heinz Endowment.

A Board of Directors meeting will be held sometimes in January to put in place a budget.

Banquet will be held on 3/08/03 - DINNER 6 p.m. ticket deadline 1/9/03, Contact Joe Cersosimo (412-331-3412) for tickets. WE NEED SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR FROM THE CLUBS. Speaker - Jack Bogut-WJAS 6-10 a.m. weekdays.

NONE

Joe Connors presented his report, which was accepted without question.

7:30 p.m. Gold Room - Courthouse

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