CONSERVATION PLEDGE

"I give my pledge as an American, to save and faithfully defend from waste, the natural resources of my country; the soil, the water, the air, the minerals, the plant life and the wildlife. This is my Pledge,"

The following clubs and agencies were in attendance:

Bakerstown Beagle Dormont-Mt. Lebanon, National Wild Turkey Fed., Bethel Park Outdoorsmen, East Monongahela,  North Boros Bethel Park Sportsmen , Forest Grove Pitcairn/Monroeville,  Braddock District Homestead Police Rod & Gun Carrick Logans,  Ferry Sportsmen Tri County,  Trout Clairton Millvale TCWA Coraopolis Mt. Nebo W PA Taxidermy.

President Lewellen called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison. January meeting minutes were approved as mailed.

Dennis Felice, delegate of the Police Rod and Gun Club, was introduced and sworn into membership.

Fish salvage operations are being planned and help is needed -814-445-8974 - tentative draining and salvaging will take place in Mid-may.

House Resolution 15 - combining the PGC and PFBC - contact your representatives if you approve or disapprove. Petitions are not really effective - letters are. CLUBS - YOUR OPINIONS ARE NEEDED!

Guest WCO gave a report on his attendance to several sportsmen's associations. Doug is a WCO in Washington County but also covers Allegheny, Beaver and Greene counties. Gamelands 203 is one of his projects. The West Penn Power property recently acquired by the PGC is pristine land. More geese and ducks are moving in on land acquired by the PGC. Turkey and rabbit populations have increased tremendously.

Mike gave a brief over-view of the oral arguments of the PSP lawsuit. The outcome is in the hands of the justices - the Brady and Cease-fire campaigns tried to file a motion to bring in their attorneys argue the case. The court said no to this; the State Police would have to stand on their own two feet.

CeaseFire PA announced their support for -One-Gun-A-Month. The mother of the two-year-old murdered in a crossfire has given a passionate plea for legislation - likely leading to gun registration.

Mike presented a resolution on the One-gun-a-Month; RESOLVING that the delegates of the ACSL, meeting this 13th day of March 2003, hereby declares that the ACSL opposes any legislation that will limit the right of any law-abiding citizens of PA to purchase any number of firearms, provided that such purposed of such purchase shall be in compliance of state and federal law; THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the delegates of the ACSL direct the Legislative Committee Chairman to notify all members of the PA General Assembly and the PA Congressional Delegation the ACSL's opposition to legislation that would limit the purchase of any handgun to more than one per any 30 day period. PASSAGE WAS UNANIMOUS.

HR1036 - would put an end to predatory lawsuits on gun manufacturers, etc. Fourteen PA congressmen have endorsed this bill (15 out of 19), closing the door to HCI's agenda of circumventing the legislative process withoppressive lawsuits.

A 2003/2004 Legislative Agenda was presented to those present. Items such as CCW permit exception to the Background Check, Concealed Carry Permit Reciprocity; other potential anti-gun legislative issues.

Accepting this agenda would give the committee approval to act on the authority of the ACSL. Funds will be appropriated accordingly upon approval by the ACSL. Kim Stolfer added to the agenda a concern given from StateSenator Jane Orie's office (Susan Kimberlin) in that the requirement in the law on concealed carry permits that they must include the Social Security number. Susan is willing to introduce legislation to remove this

requirement. The Legislative Agenda was APPROVED/ACCEPTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Stagnant water on construction sites needs to be addressed. Newer gas cans will reduce the amount of gasoline vapor that is released into the air.

Experimental fiber optic cables are being tested to give gas pipeline companies a remote method for detecting encroaching construction activity and help prevent potentially harmful accidents.

PGC website draft on deer management - 50 pages without data. Safety zones for bow hunters - 50 yards; keep in mind whether we should endorse this legislation.

PA Bio-diversity Partnership- land acquisition, easements, wildlife corridors supported by the Heinz Endowment, Nature Conservancy, Penn State. Wildlands Project - Audubon, Sierra Clubs behind it. HR15 merging Game and Boat Commissions under investigation. - Should the ACSL support this merger? How will it benefit sportsmen? A series of meetings will be held in Harrisburg on March 25..

Section 301 - Game Code appointing game commissioners:

Amendment-re-establish staggered terms to prevent the governor from removing commissioners at will; take the soul appointing power away from the governor, giving him the ability to appoint two members, two by the President pro-tem Senate, two by the Speaker/House, one by the Minority Leader/Senate and one by the Minority Leader/House. Redistribute the appointing power to prevent any city governor from establishing an agenda for the game commission; also provides a legal basis for dismissal of a commissioner. Provides for an independent commission by establishing conflict of interest guidelines. Submitted to the league for following up the pursuit to incorporating it in the game code, this to be proposed by a legislator.

Deer Creek Mall Project - things looking good. Hearing postponed until September 30. TIF being re-examined/tax payers will likely have to pay more.

Rumors are that Orix-Woodmont is looking elsewhere. Frazer Mall - Bass Pro Shops may be coming into this mall. Tawny Run - possible $250,000 grant money for work in this area.

Henry Hoffman reported water quality will be dramatically improved for six miles of the Upper Turtle Creek sub-watershed due to the construction of settling ponds and an anoxic limestone drain. The PFBC can return that section to the list of approved trout waters.

Deer Creek Watershed Association will be joining the ACSL, likely next month. Interested people for water quality work are needed. 12 people will be trained and certified. Call Frank Sparrow at 724-444-6569.

Motion was made and seconded (Sparrow/Baker) to amend the agenda to have the treasurer's report presented before the communications. Also, an updated agenda will be available at the April meeting.

Motion to adjourn 10 p.m.

ACSL NEXT MEETING - APRIL 10, 2003 - 7:30 P.M. COURTHOUSE

REMINDERS! ! !

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. or Sara Barnett at  salbarnett@nb.net 

GOLD ROOM-ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURTHOUSE

April 10, 2003, meeting begins at 7:30 PM

Everyone is welcome! ! !

ACSL on the Internet  http://www/acslpa.org