The regular monthly meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Pledges were given in unison. The following clubs and agencies were represented:

BETHEL PARK SPORTSMEN FOREST GROVE POLICE R & G BRADDOCK DISTRICT GREATER PGH. PITCAIRN/MONROEVILLE CARRICK SPORTSMEN LFSC RENTON R & G CLAIRTON MILLVALE TCWA

COLLIER MT. NEBO TRI COUNTY TROUT DORMONT/MT.LEBANON PGCA WEST DEER W PA TAXIDERMY

PFBC-JACOBS, WHEELER, MACKEY PGC-JUSTIN KLUGH

letter from State Senator Jane Clare Orie's office extending the invitation to the ACSL to participate in her 2nd annual

Sportsmen's Expo on Saturday, March 27, 2004 at the N.Side Sportsmen's Club grounds at Warrendale; letter from

PFBC - WCO's Bob Wheeler and Martha Mackey reported: Fall stocking is finished. A

Deputy class of 14-15 has graduated - two have been placed in Allegheny County

PFBC - continued - license sales decreased 4% from 886,000 in 2002 to 852,500 in '03.

New fee proposal - Resident - $20.00; 1-day resident after May 1 only - $10.00;

Unpowered boat registration $24.00

PGC/WCO JUSTIN KLUGH reported the elk drawing resulted in 1 person for antlered bull and 4 persons antlerless in Allegheny County. Mentor turkey hunt information at PGC website www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Hunter education program has been changed: option (1) two night classes 3-4 hours

option (2) internet 12-14 hours with Saturdays skills at designated sportsmen's clubs.

Fluorescent orange changes are minor; with 1 hour before starting to 1 hour

after quitting; consult your digest.

Roadkills are consuming WCO's time when Penndot should be taking care of this. Moneys paid for the hours the WCO's spend picking up roadkills comes out of hunting license fees, and would be better spent elsewhere. Contact

your state representatives to register complaints about this. Specify HB441 and ask them to support this bill and hold Penndot responsible.

The PGC has gone on record against the merger of the agencies.

Mike Maranche was commended for his testimony on HR15 by Justin, in WCO Gary Fujak"s absence.

Mike Slavonic - report of Center for Disease Control 10/3/03 no evidence that gun control laws are effective in preventing violence with firearms.

Tennessee will recognize a PA permit but no reciprocity yet. AG Fisher is awaiting Delaware's definition of necessary procedure to process reciprocity.

State Rep. Tom Stevenson is scheduled to introduce a bill written in collaboration with the ACSL to amend the PA Election Code and require the Secretary of the Commonwealth to furnish lists of all nominated candidates

in both primary and general elections to the public no later than 30 days following the last day to file. Access available via internet or request of the Dept. of State. Motion made and seconded (Fitzgerald/Baker) that the

ACSL support this bill. MOTION CARRIED

Jack Walters reporting that in five years, Growing Greener has supplied more than $148 million in grant money for 1,290 projects in all 67 counties of PA - creating or restoring wetlands, stream buffer zones, reclaim abandoned mine lands etc. For more info. visit www.dep.state.pa.us.

West Nile virus cases continue to climb in PA. Cooler temperatures should stop this.

House Resolution 15 - testimony given by Mike Maranche speaking for the ACSL in opposition of the merger of agencies. Chairman Bruce Smith thanked Mike and the ACSL for their efforts in testifying and traveling to

Bradford.

State House Bills 2037, 2038 amending the Game and Fish Codes and referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee, changing the terms of office for Commissioners. The proposed language changes the codes reading from, the

members "shall hold office" to "may hold office". The ACSL opinion is this wording places the independence of the Commissioners at risk. Motion made and seconded (Slavonic/Stolfer) to oppose these two bills. MOTION CARRIED.

State House Bill 501 amended provides that the first $12.5 million collected each year in "tipping fees" be deposited in the Conservation Heritage Account;

45% - Fish Commission 45% Game Commission

10% Wild Resource Conservation Fund

ACSL is currently evaluating this amendment.

The Isaac Walton League (contact Mr. Lee Brown) is interested in working with the ACSL and has spoken with Mike Maranche. They will be joining the NRA in a Shoot April 15, 2004 1 P.M. at the Pitcairn/Monroeville Sportsmen's Club. 120 shooters maximum.

Mike Slavonic stated that on September 22, 2003 Governor Rendell signed executive order establishing the Governor's advisor for Hunting, Fishing, Conservation and the governor's youth council for Hunting, Fishing,

Conservation. Rob Miller, formerly executive director of the House Game and Fisheries Committee on the Democratic side, was elevated to this position. Twelve (12) to twenty one (21) slots are open to this council and Mike

Frank Sparrow reported on the Cold Water Heritage Partner-ship; a new program of watershed groups, conservation districts, municipalities, now accepting applications by December 15, 2003 for grants up to $5,000.00. Trout streams are the main objective of this program. The PFBC website has more information.

Deer Creek Mall hearings are continuing - possibly three to four weeks before the decision is rendered to rescind the permits and the "TIF". Question was asked by Henry Hoffman of the PFBC as to the status of the former J & L Steel Mill coalmines in Greene and Fayette County and the drainage threatening the Mon River. Supervisor Jacobs stated the PFBC is opposing the pumping operation but the DEP has the final say

Henry Hoffman stated there are a few booths left. Mike requested some information for the ACSL website and

3/20/2004 Hotel Radisson, Greentree - Radisson/Pgh-Greentree; Chairman Joe Cersosimo reported

that the initial meeting went well and a speaker is being considered, with several committee members contacting possibilities. Karl Power is available. Tickets will be $30.00 and will be distributed at the November ACSL meeting.

No Report

Motion was made and seconded (Hoffman/Stolfer) to accept the invitation from State Senator Jane Clare Orie to participate in the Sportsmen's Expo and to send a deposit of $10.00. MOTION CARRIED

Motion was made and seconded Hoffman/Liberto to suspend Article 6 Section 6 of the by-laws. This ratifies the decision of the officers/directors in their meeting prior to the regular meeting (10/9/03). Nominations can be

taken from the floor. RESULTS OF THE ELECTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(no opposing candidates for these four offices)

PRESIDENT: MIKE MARANCHE 1st VICE PRESIDENT: HENRY HOFFMAN

2nd V.PRESIDENT: JACK WALTERS TREASURER: JOE CONNORS

DIRECTORS - VOTES - NINE ELECTED *INDICATES MAJORITY

DOUG BAKER (19) * DAVE BAGELEY (18)* JOE CERSOSIMO (16)*

LEON FISCHER (14) HARRY LEWELLEN (16)* JIM LIBERTO (14)

BUDDY SAVAGE (18)* BOB SHICK (18)* MIKE SLAVONIC (15)*

The doorprize was won by Bob Bragano, delegate of East Monongahela Sportsmen.

To read the testimony of Mike Maranche, go to www.acslpa.org/testimony

Motion to adjourn (Hoffman/Girdich) 10 p.m.

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 

next meeting THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 13, 2003

7:30 P.M.

4TH FLOOR

GOLD ROOM - COURTHOUSE

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

PETERS CREEK WATERSHED

DEER SURVEY 9-20-03 9 A.M.

MEET AT PETERS CREEK & WATERMAN RD. JEFFERSON

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT DAVE COLLURA:412-384-0823