ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC.
MEETING MINUTES JUNE 13, 2002
Opening
	1st Vice President Henry Hoffman called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison. The following agencies and sportsmen's clubs were present: Bakerstown Beagle-Bucek, Helch National W.Turkey/Alle.Valley-Shick Bethel Park Sportsmen-Walters North Boros-Baker Carrick Sportsmen-Slavonic PAGun Collectors-Savage Clairton Sportsmen-Maranche Pitcairn-Monroeville/Hoffman Coraopolis Sportsmen-Vennero Renton Rod & Gun-Girdich Forest Grove Sportsmen-Cersosimo Tri County Trout-Sparrow Millvale Sportsmen-Fitzgerald TCWA-Connors PFBC-Bob Wheeler PA Game Commission-Beth Fife The minutes of the May 9 meeting were approved as mailed.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
	TCWA newsletter, CCRKBA bulletin survey on U.S. Senate performance, GOA letter on Gun Show Loophole, PSFTD thank you, proclamation Rivers Month June 2002.
Pennsylvania Fish &Boating Commission
	WCO Bob Wheeler stated the fishing license sales at 574,000 compared to 602,000 in 2001. In-7 season trout stocking is complete, with warm water/cool water species channel cat stocked in Canonsburg and North Park Lakes. 7 million walleye-fry in the three rivers and paddlefish restoration program of 3-4 thousand at the point. The access area on the Ohio River inKilbuck Twp. will soon be complete with double-ramp boat launch, parking for twenty-six cars and trailers and handicap ramp. This is the only public access on this stretch of the Ohio.
Pennsylvania Game Commission
	WCO Beth Fife reported the Commissioner mtg. scheduled for July 21 in Huntingdon, 12:30 p.m. beginning with a public comment period limited to 90 minutes. The Board will consider final action on: (1) allowing the use of any muzzleloading long gun in the Oct. muzzleloader antlerless deer season; (2) allow the use of crossbows during all firearms seasons for deer, bear and elk, as well as in special regulations areas during archery seasons; (3) require unsold antlerless deer licenses to be used on private lands only or public lands with an approved deer management plan; (4) instruct hunters who mistakenly kill a buck with antlers that don't meet the new antler point requirements on what they should do to properly report such a mistake; (5) clarify the definition of "accompanying a junior hunter". If the Board approves any of these regulatory changes scheduled for final adoption, the changes will take effect for the 2002-2003 seasons. PGC Internet info: www.pgc.pa.us - "Getting the Point on Antler Restrictions" and "Consider Letting that Button Buck Walk Away". Four peregrine falcons have hatched on the Cathedral of Learning and four on the Gulf Building.
FISH AND CLEAN STREAMS
	LTV bankruptcy deal endangers Deer Creek. DEP officials are concerned over a court-approved change that would allow LTV Steel to discontinue underwater pumping at the Russellton Mine. Failure to clean the waste coal piles means rain falls onto the old coal and the acid it contains seeps into the soil and nearby waterways. Pollution from mine pools would eventually hit the Allegheny River, where the Valley gets much of its drinking water. SAFE BOATING-Henry Hoffman reminds to wear the PFD's .
C O M M I T T E E S

Sporting Arms and Information & Legislation
	The NRA Firearms Civil Rights Legal Defense Fund has agreed to pay the legal fees on our law suit from this point forward up to $8000.00. Hopefully this will provide all of the funds needed to bring this matter to its' conclusion. The City of Pittsburgh has agreed to provide lockers by July 1, 2002 for persons who choose to carry a firearm concealed. The City of Pittsburgh is attempting to prohibit the lawful establishment of a firearm dealership where they have no authority to do so. This is in violation of section 6120 of the Pennsylvania Uniform Firearms Act. Yet the District Attorneys office will not enforce the law that regulates the transfer of firearms. The ACSL's Legislative Committee Vice Chairman, Kim Stolfer, contacted Sen. Jane Orie's office in the concern that the Allegheny County Sheriff's department is not following state law in regards to issuance of license to carry. Following an inquiry from Senator Orie's office, Sheriff Peter DeFazio has agreed to speed up the process and will issue the licenses to applicants when they appear at the division office. Why Was Rendell Successful? Ed Rendell concentrated on those counties where his support was the strongest and was out front on the issues from the very beginning. Bob Casey won 57 counties out of 67, but because he remained silent on the issues, not enough Democrats choose to vote in those counties on May 21. What do Gun Owners need to do to win in November? ? Reciprocity of license to carry; ? PA State Police Gun Registry; ? PA Game Commission-Deer management Program; ? Appointment of Game Commissioners; ? One Gun-a-Month. Gun owners must begin questioning candidates and finding out where they stand on the important issues. FOAC will provide all of the information to prepare you to get involved. The freedoms we enjoy do not come free. Some have paid with their lives; all we have to do is pay with our time.
CONSERVATION
	Chairman Jack Walters reported on the 2002 Ozone Action Season-forecasting that this years season runs through September 30. Through the DEP and Ozone Action Partnership of businesses, community groups and educated individuals about the dangers of ground-level ozone, residents can be educated about days when the air is expected to be unhealthy to breathe. Visit www.ozoneaction.org To ensure PA citizens safe drinking water, the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and DEP in its' final rulemaking, requires immediate public notification if water supplies are contaminated and threaten public health Within one hour of discovering a serious violation, public water suppliers will report to DEP. PA industries have reduced releases of chemicals to the environment by more than 17 million pounds, or almost 10 percent in 2000; because of the commitment and hard work being done by PA industries in the area of pollution prevention, the volume of chemicals being released into the environment today is less than it was two years ago, states the DEP. Recycling business in PA create more than 81,000 jobs and contribute 23.4 billion dollars to the states economy OHIO RIVER SWEEP - SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2002. More information forthcoming.
GAME COMMITTEE
	GAME-Chairman Mike Maranche gave a Biodiversity Update. A new organization "Bio-diversity Partnership" out of the 21st century Environmental Commission with headquarters in Pgh. Objectives-"translate science into policy"; they have a state-wide plan to be completed in 2002. Another group called, Environmental Grant Makers Assn.; 180 foundations planning the importance of programs and funding for same; among those giving monies-ARCO, Ford Foundation, Heinz Endowments, Hershey Foundation, Rockefeller Family, Turner Foundation. This has been described as an "Eco-money Cartell". Deer Management - Penn State Ag-news reports acid rain more so the problem than deer devastation. Calcium and magnesium leached from the soil needs to be restored for trees to grow. The Audubon website features birth control for deer information. CWD(Chronic Waste Disease) is a huge problem in Wisconsin. WCO Beth Fife interjected that the PGC is testing stomach contents, blood, bone marrow etc. for CWD and Madcow's disease. The import of game and all animals across state lands is illegal and is being scrutinized intensely. Commonwealth Court's decision has declared Sect. 904 of the Game Code unconstitutional. (refusal to produce identification upon request of a game officer.) Letter to Rep. Samuel Smith regarding HB2500 "tipping fee"with Levdansky's bill allocating .25 each to PGC and PBBC. Godshall has attached an amendment stating that after infrastructure needs are met, provided that any land or waters acquired for public hunting, trapping or access thereto shall be open to the public on a year-round basis for all types of recreation uses. This goes hand in hand with HB2181 "gamelands usage bill". This will decimate the gamelands Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact Act - violation in another state would impact a license in PA (reciprocity) This needs and will be investigated further.
BANQUET
	A reminder to all clubs to provide photos of all activities for the banquet program.
ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR SHOW
	Henry Hoffman had no report.
Youth Day Saturday July 27, 2002
	YOUTHDAY 7/27/02-Chairman Frank Sparrow reported supplies taken care of and prizes will be ordered. Advertising is set up with several newspapers. Raffle tickets on the "Foxtail Pheasants" print from the PGC were distributed to club delegates in attendance. Clubs who were not present need contact Frank @ 724-444-6569 or Sara at 412-793-4437 for their tickets. Stubs must be turned in by the July 11 ACSL meeting. Club donations toward Youth Day gifts etc will be greatly appreciated. Many, many thanks to the National Wild Turkey Federation/Allegheny Valley Chapter for their donation of $350.00. Senator Jane C. Orie's office also gave gifts. 2003 ASTOS is looking for five volunteers to handle tickets at the ExpoMart. Call Henry 412-829-2386.
New Business
	Motion made and seconded (Sparrow/Bucek) to allocate $290 to purchase Shakespeare items for Youth Day. MOTION CARRIED. Motion made and seconded (Sparrow/Baker) to allocate $315 to the purchase of supplies for Youth Day. MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer's Report
	Treasurer's Report was given by Joe Connors and accepted without question. Door prize was won by Mike Maranche, Game Committee Chair and delegate of Clairton Sportsmen.
Adjournment
	Adjournment was called for at 9:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sara Barnett, Exec. Secretary
Special Meeting Notes
	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. Thanks to the Forest Grove Sportsmen's Club's donation of $250.00 to the legal defense fund
Next Regular Meeting
	Next meeting Thursday, July 11, 2002 GOLD ROOM - COURTHOUSE 7:30 P.M. SEE YOU THERE!
* ANNOUNCEMENTS*
	Treasurer Joe Connors requests that all clubs hand in their requests for membership cards before the July 11, 2002 ACSL meeting. If there is no response, clubs will be issued the same amount. A letter from ACSL President Harry T. Lewellen is enclosed herewith - please take the time to read it and pass on the information to your clubs, etc. Please emphasize the importance of club participation in all the events sponsored by the ACSL. The success of these programs depends on the dedication of all member clubs, league officers and directors in their commitment of time and manpower. The Turtle Creek Watershed Association reported in their newsletter the success of their 2002 Spring Clean-up and Trout Stocking. The April 6th Clean Up and the April 24 Trout Stocking with the PA Fish and Boat Commission were well attended and very successful. Eighteen volunteers cleaned up several thousand feet of middle Turtle Creek near Saunders Station Road and Abers Creek. Shopping carts, folding tables, tires and various other forms of debris were gathered into the refuse truck provided by Dave McMasters of the Municipality of Monroeville. The PFBC, TCWA, Pitcairn-Monroeville, Braddock, and Trafford Sportsmen's Clubs stocked 2,300 brown and rainbow trout in the creek. GOOD JOB!