ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN

ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC.
MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2002
Opening
	The regular monthly meeting was called to order by President Lewellen at 7:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge were given in unison. TWENTY CLUBS AND TWO AGENCIES WERE IN ATTENDANCE: Allegheny Country Rifle Clairton Sportsmen Mt.Nebo Sportsmen Bakerstown Beagle Dormont-Mt.Lebanon Nat. Wild Turkey Fed. Bethel Park Sportsmen Elizabeth Sportsmen North Boros Sportsmen Braddock District Sportsmen East Monongahela Renton Rod & Gun Club Carrick Sportsmen Forest Grove Sportsmen Tri County Trout Central Beagle Club Logans Ferry Sportsmen Turtle Creek Watershed McKeesport Sportsmen West Deer Sportsmen PA GAME COMMISSION PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION The August minutes were approved as mailed.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
	GOA stating Sen. Bob Smith (R-N.H.) and Congressman John Hostettler (R-IN) have introduced bills in both chambers to allow citizens the ability to carry concealed weapons outside of their home state (S514/HR950); thank you letters from Travis Reich, who attended Conservation School through the support of the Forest Grove Sportsmen and the ACSL;Travis was grateful for the opportunity; Don Pritchard family, McCandless Ambulance Service and TCWA. Resignation letters from Tom Vennero, a dedicated ACSL Director and Banquet Chairman, who has been given advice by his physician to curtail many activities because of health reasons. We certainly appreciate and Thank Tom (and his wife Chris) for their help in the past and do wish them the best. NEW CLUBS The Central Beagle Club Inc.of Bakerstown, delegate D.J. Emanuelson, was sworn in to membership in the ACSL.
Pennsylvania Fish &Boating Commission
	WCO Mike Wheale gave his report, stating officer Larry Furlong, a native of McKeesport, will be coming to Southern Allegheny County upon graduation. September 28, 2002 if fish-for-free-day, just obey the rules. The Boating Advisory Board has rearranged the slow-no-wake zone around the point and took what the city of PGH requested (24hrs7days a week). This is still pending approval by the commissioners. BUI arrests have totaled 16 in the South West Region; opposed to 10 in 2001.
Pennsylvania Game Commission
	WCO Beth Fife reported she had just successfully tranquilized and relocated a 140lb male bear wandering around in Springdale. Forty-nine counties are sold out of doe licenses-check the internet www.pgc.state.pa.us, licenses can be obtained here. Migratory Game Birds Guide is now in circulation. A surplus of doves is evident - seasons 9-2 to 10-5; 11-2 to 11/30 and 12-26 to 1/1/03. Bobcat hunting season 10/19 to 2/22/03; trapping season 10/20-2/22/03. Rabies baiting completed. Distemper and brainworm is more prominent; cool nights and warm days activates distemper; drunken animals sure sign.
FISH AND CLEAN STREAMS
	Frank Sparrow stated a suit against the Economic Development Committee and the TIF. Since the Deer Creek Mall project has changed so much, a new TIF should be applied for. The degradation of PA streams is credited to our local and state officials; they have let us down by allowing big business to prevail.
C O M M I T T E E S

Sporting Arms and Information & Legislation
	Chairman Mike Slavonic commented that articles by Demitri Vassilaros in the PGH TRIBUNE REVIEW are excellent reading. The PSP Registry of Firearm Ownership law suit will most likely be heard in Pgh some time in March. The ACSL has been working with the AG office; Sen.Bob Robbins and the NRA to draft a Senate Bill similar to HB2386 to reform our Reciprocity Statute. The bill is completed and all parties have signed off on the language. AG Mike Fisher has signed a reciprocity agreement with the state of Wyoming. The ACSL Legislative Committee has been in contact with Officer Russ Hamilton of the AZ Dept. of Public Safety, the dept. responsible with securing AZ reciprocity agreement with other states. GUNS BUY-BACK/Allegheny County-after receiving a phone call from a House Judiciary Committee staffer regarding the city of Pgh passing an ordinance governing the placement of firearms dealership in Pgh, interest was shown in our effort to bring this program in line with state law. ACSL received a call from D.A. Zappala's office requesting we re-file our complaint with their office because they seem to have lost the original. This has been done and we are awaiting response. Keep watching FOAC's website www.foac.pac.org for further info on this year' s elections. Discussion of Mike Fisher's authority over the PSP was brought to the floor by EMSC delegate Bob Bragano. Chairman Mike Slavonic assured those present that the governor's office has authority over the PSP and that AG Fisher is the attorney to enforce the laws of the state. The AG was requested to defend the PSP in the lawsuit but refused.
CONSERVATION
	Chairman Jack Walters touched briefly in his report on the Deer Creek Mall Project, stating, after 2 previous proposals by the developer Orix-Woodmont being denied, the final proposal approved by the DEP were: one bridge and one 330 ft. stream enclosure over Deer Creek. In addition, it would construct replacement wetlands on 5.4 acres onsite and 1.75 acres offsite. LTV's bankruptcy is the most complex ever by a deep coalmine operator in PA. DEP ordered LTV to make arrangements for perpetual care of their mines to prevent millions of gallons of untreated mine drainage that would be released into the environment if treatment is stopped. $2 million is currently in the Clean Streams Foundation to be used; but $30m is needed. DEP is negotiating with LTV for the transfer of additional funds from the bankruptcy estate. Six environmental protection agencies in PA, Ohio, NY, In and Il have joined forces to require LTV to set aside funds to address their obligations. DEP(DEPT.of Environmental Protection) has announced the proposal to fill existing dredging trenches in the ALLE with material dredged from the Mon River dam project. Each load of dredged material would have to be tested to assure the quality of the material. Apparently this would be costly, therefore the Corp of Engineers and DEP are seeking additional beneficial-use locations. More info.-DEP.PA PowerPort @ www.state.pa (water quality) A new website to provide faster ways to get info.on mine subsidence insurance - use DEP.PA PowerPort "subsidence insurance" or call 1-800-922-1678.
GAME COMMITTEE
	Committee Chairman Mike Maranche stated that the PA Habitat Alliance, the Audubon Society Heinz Endowment, the McClean Foundation; many foundations support the Gary Alt deer studies.
BANQUET
	MARCH 8, 2003, FOX CHAPEL YACHT CLUB. The guest speaker will be Jack Bogut, radio personality and story-teller on WJAS, 1320 AM. Volunteers are requested for the committee. Motion to ratify the decision of the president and secretary to contract speaker Bogut was carried unanimously.
Unfinished Business
	Dave Collura, Del. Elizabeth Sportsmen's Assn. stated his nomination to the Allegheny County Conservation District representing the ACSL as Farm Director is now in the hands of Council for approval.
For the Good of the Organization
	Jim Liberto advised those present of a Constitution Seminar given by Brett Johnson on 9/21 in Butler. Cost is $65.00 per person, time 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone 1-888-385-3733 for more information.
ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL AND OUTDOOR SHOW
	Dates of the Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show are February 12-16, 2003. Exhibitors are needed - contact Henry Hoffman, Chairman, at 412-829-2386. East Monongahela Sportsmen's Club is interested in obtaining a booth for the "Hunt of a Lifetime" event.
Youth Day Saturday July 27, 2002
	Chairman Frank Sparrow commented on expenses incurred and requested that more people volunteer for the committee as this event is a year-long project. A print donated by the National Wild Turkey Federation is being raffled to raise funds for next years' YouthDay. Raffle is December 21 on the 3-digit lottery. Tickets will be available at the October andNovember meetings. NEXT YEAR'S DATE IS JULY 26, 2003 AT MSCI. Contact Frank at 724-444-6569. Clubs belonging to the ACSL are asked to sell these tickets to help defray the costs of YouthDay.
New Business
	A motion was made and seconded (Liberto/McWilliams) to approve expenses in the amount of $250.00 for Pres. Lewellen to attend the PF&BC Trout Summit in Harrisburg (Sept. 28) representing the ACSL. MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY. A letter will be drafted to Albert H. Rogalla, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pittsburgh District, Moorehead Federal Building, 1000 Liberty Ave., Pgh. PA 15222-4186 stating the ACSL's opposition to the dredging of sand and gravel in the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. Everyone is encouraged to write their comments regarding this matter before November 7, 2002. Dave McGregor, delegate of Central Beagle Club, presented gun raffle tickets to benefit their rabbit feeding, etc. programs at their club. Prize can be a gun or other choice at Dick's Sporting Goods.
Treasurer's Report
	Joe Connors report was accepted without question.
Adjournment
	Adjournment was called for at 9:45 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.
Next Regular Meeting
	ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTSMEN'S LEAGUE, INC. NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2002 7:30 P.M.
* ANNOUNCEMENTS*
	REMINDERS: ALLEGHENY SPORT, TRAVEL, OUTDOOR SHOW-FEB.12-16, 2003 SPORTSMEN OF THE YEAR BANQUET - MARCH 8, 2003 (SUBMIT PHOTOS OF CLUB YOUTHDAYS, ACTIVITIES AND CLUB HOUSE, ETC. TO BE USED AT THE BANQUET) YOUTHDAY-JULY 26, 2003 MILLVALE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB, INC. We need your involvement at all these events!
Nominating Committee
	By unanimous consent of those present, Harry T. Lewellen will run as president; the slate of officers presented by the committee was accepted; with the addition of two people nominated from the floor running for director position; i.e. Leon Fischer, del. Mt. Nebo Sportsmen, and Charlie McWilliams, del. McKeesport Sportsmen's Assn. Additional nominations will be accepted at the October meeting, previous to the election.