CT BASS FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES
click here for pdf version or word version

CT BASS FEDERATION NATION
MEETING MINUTES
August 24, 2006


The meeting was called to order at 7:37 pm.

The following clubs were absent:

Bell City, Fairfield County, Hartford County, Litchfield County, Mansfield Hollow, Nor’ East, Pachaug,
Southern CT.

Excused Absences (previous month); None

Approval of previous month’s minutes: Accepted.

Correspondence:
By now you probably have heard about organizational changes at BASS this week. Specifically, Don Rucks, general manager of BASS, has left the company to pursue other opportunities.

Also Noreen Clough, BASS Conservation Director is going to retire.

Rhode Island Federation Nation president has contacted Bob and Paul about possibly moving the 2007 Regional from the CT River to Candlewood. More to follow.

Treasurer’s Report:

As of July 30, 2006 there were the following amounts in the accounts:

CBFN General Checking - $16,580.96
CBFN Money Market Account - $11, 375.36
CBFN Scholarship Checking - $79.52
CBFN Scholarship Money Market Account - $10,438.56

Scholarship Report:

Top Male Winner Larry Fabianski Jr.
Top Female Winner Amanda Thompson
2nd Award Winner Patrick Dulac
2nd Award Winner Greg Bergen
Book Award Winner Jen Roberge

Congratulations to all the Winners!!!

Conservation / Citizen Advisory / Environmental Report:
- The most ambitious effort in the history of fisheries management to enhance and protect fish habitat is now underway, thanks to a partnership announced by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. As the partnership evolves, it aims to protect and preserve fish habitat while putting more fish on the hooks of recreational anglers.
The National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) is the impetus for that objective, and the catalyst putting it into motion is the "More Fish Partnership Fund," a $500,000 grant program supported by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.
The Federation Nation's support of the partnership is considered vital as its nationwide network of volunteers spread across 47 states will provide the grass-roots manpower required to complete community-based projects spearheaded by state fish and wildlife agencies.
"BASS and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation conservation programs view this partnership as an opportunity to identify and implement grass-roots fish habitat programs on a variety of levels," said Noreen Clough, BASS conservation director. "As avid anglers, Federation Nation members are acutely aware of the need for restoration and conservation of declining reservoirs and other aquatic habitats."
NFWF's executive director, Jeff Trandahl, added, "As anglers and conservationists, we cannot stand by and accept the dramatic loss of our fish populations. Our nation's top biologists from state and federal agencies have developed a nonregulatory, science-based action plan to reverse the declines seen all over the country. The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and the NFWF will reach out to anglers, industry and conservation groups to join us in achieving the goals of the plan."
Since its inception, the NFHAP was created to cast a collective net over the nation's fisheries, from streams to rivers and lakes to the coastlines, and provide a means of coordinating a massive effort to protect, preserve and enhance fish habitats.
Everything comes with a price, the NFHAP concluded. And that is where the "More Fish Partnership Fund" comes into play. The fund will essentially serve as the bank for the plan, awarding the grant money necessary to roll out habitat enhancement and preservation projects across the nation.
With the grants in place, the only missing piece of this massive plan is the manpower required to help state agencies get the work done at the ground level. That is where the Federation Nation membership will help put the dollars to good use.
The fund will support Federation Nation clubs and other local conservation partners in community-based aquatic restoration projects that involve volunteers, youth, and other anglers in improving awareness about aquatic resources. That awareness will be fueled by the volunteers who come together to work on completing projects big and small.
Under the program, small grants of between $10,000 and $30,000, and leadership grants from $75,000 to $100,000 will be awarded competitively by the NFWF. Proposed activities eligible for funding will include aquatic habitat restoration, water quality improvement, aquatic vegetation management and watershed planning and management.
The program will provide what is seen as a significant opportunity to demonstrate on-the-ground commitment to improving conditions for sportfisheries nationwide. Priority will be given to projects that directly implement priorities under the NFHAP.
Matching funds will be required on a 1:1 basis or higher.
This joint public/private fund will serve as one of the first important vehicles through which federal and state agencies, foundations and corporations can provide financial support to projects aimed at fulfilling priority conservation objectives for sport fish habitat restoration with conservation-minded organizations like the Federation Nation. The BASS conservation program and the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation have been NFHAP partners since its inception.
The NFWF will announce and award the first grants at the CITGO Bassmaster Classic at Lay Lake in Birmingham, Ala., in February 2007.

Youth Committee:

Casting Kids – Bassmaster Casting Kids National Semifinals Completion will be held on January 18 – 19, 2007 in Gadsden, Alabama.

Tournament Committee: Frank Dowds

The mailing deadline for the State Championship Two Day is September 15th. As of this meeting only two applications have come in.

Pairings Meeting will be held the Tuesday before. More to come on the location and time.

Each Club that will be having members fishing the Two Day must send two checks to Frank prior to / or at the Pairings Meeting. Check #1 – retainer for worker fee. (to be used if worker does not show up). Check #2 – deposit for “No Show”. To be used if a member does not show up for both days of the event.

Three members of the 2007 State Team have been decided.

Winner of the Mr. Bass Tournament of Champions – Scott Janus

2006 Tournament Trail – 1st Place David Dziob
2nd Place Al Gambardella

Proposed 2007 Schedule:

May 13 Lillinonah
June 10 Candlewood
July 8 CT River
Aug 12 Candlewood
Aug 4 Mr. BASS
Sept 29 &30 State Championship Two Day
Oct 13th Classic

Fishing Advisory Report: David Santos

The next Advisory Board Meeting is in September.

The DEP Marine Fisheries Division is holding a public hearing to take public
Comment on proposed amendments to regulations described below. The
Proposed amendments affect recreational fisheries in the marine district. The
Proposals for summer flounder, scup and black sea bass are being
Implemented for consistency with fishery management plans of the Atlantic
States Marine Fisheries Commission, and were temporarily implemented last
spring under the authority of section 26-159a-22 of the Regulations of
Connecticut State Agencies.

Written comments will be accepted through September 21, 2006. Based on
the public comment received, the proposals may be revised. The public
hearing will be held at:

7:00 PM, Thursday, September 7, 2006
DEP Marine Headquarters (Boating ED. Building)
333 Ferry Rd, (I-95, Exit 70, Rt 156 southbound)
Old Lyme, CT 06371

The proposed regulations:

- Define the practice of “culling” or “high-grading”

- Clarify the regulations with regard to the practice of “culling” or “high-grading”
and authorize the commissioner to allow that activity within fishing tournaments
registered with the Commissioner.

- Increase the recreational minimum length for summer flounder.

- Eliminate the recreational closed season for black sea bass.

Further information or copies of the proposed regulations can be obtained by
Writing the DEP Marine Fisheries Division, PO Box 719, Old Lyme, CT 06371,
By calling 860-434-6043 between the hours of 8:30AM and 4:30 PM,
Monday through Friday or by emailing dep.marine.fisheries@po.state.ct.us.

Boating Advisory Report:

Meeting was held on August 2nd. It was attended by the Executive Board and our paid lobbyist, Mr. Bob Crook. We voiced our concerns about ramp access and parking issues. Our concerns were received well by the majority of the board. We where asked to put our concerns in writing and submit them before the next meeting in September. We had a meeting the next evening with our lobbyist, Mr. Bob Crook to discuss the letter and future plans of action on these this issue.

Proposed Boat Launch Renovation / Construction Priorities;

Major Renovations
Gardner Lake, Salem
Bayberry Lane, Groton
Bantam Lake, Morris
Lake Lillinonah, Bridgewater
Pond Brook, Newtown
Branford River, Branford
Eagle Landing, Haddam
Lattins Cove, Danbury
Quaddick Reservoir, Thompson
Niantic River, Waterford
Putnam Bridge, Wethersfield

If you witness violations or are a victim on the water, ramp or state property, REPORT IT!!
BASS fisherman get a lot of complaints against us, we don’t do enough complaining when we are wronged. Its time to stop this mess.

DEP ENCON Police
Director – Eric Nelson 860-424-3012
Law Enforcement Eastern District 860-295-9523
Law Enforcement Marine District 860-434-9840
Law Enforcement Western District 860-485-0226
Wildlife / Fishing Violations – Poachers Hotline 800-842-4357

The next Boating Advisory Meeting Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 7:30PM at the DEP Marine Headquarters Library. The address is 333 Ferry Road Old Lyme. Your attendance is encouraged.

State Team Report: Paul Carter

State Team will be having a meeting on August 26 at Paul Carter’s house. This meeting is mandatory.

There have been a number of Team members that have been able to obtain self sponsors to help defray the cost of attending the Regionals.

Sylvia and others have been able to obtain numerous donations from many sources in the form of funds and product donations. All these efforts will help keep the costs down for the Regionals.

Raffle Report: Armand Fortier

• 8,321 tickets sold
• $16,642.00 in ticket revenue
• 28 clubs out of 32 handed in their tickets accompanied by all checks, vice cash. This years checks totaled over $15,000 compared to last years “cash” which totaled over $15,000. A lot easier to handle.
• Last year’s ticket revenue totaled $18,768, decrease this year of $2,126.00
• Drawing was held on August 14th at the Polish American Club in Bristol.
• Prizes awarded to the following;
1st Prize Winner: Jack Vinyard
($3,000 travel voucher, redeemable at King Travelways)
2nd Prize Winner: Tom Floroski
($1000 gift card, redeemable at Sears)
3rd Prize Winner: Camille Jackson
($500 gift card, redeemable at Citgo gas stations)
4th Prize Winner: Dave Tardif
($250 gift card, redeemable at Stop & Stop supermarkets)
5th Prize Winner: Charlie Luzetsky
($250 gift card, redeemable at GiftCertificates.com)

• Most Tickets Sold – Individual. Kevin Lavender
• Most Tickets Sold – Club. Milford Black Bass

Candlewood Lake Authority Report:

No report. We are still looking for a volunteer to represent us at this meeting. If interested please contact Bob or Jack.

Candlewood Lake Authority News – August 2006.

http://www.ctbass.com/open_apps/CLANewsAugust2006.pdf

Lake Lillinonah Authority Report: Jim Ball

Lake Sell off
Northeast Generating Services is in the process of selling off its 15 power plants and various waterways including Candlewood Lake, Lake Lillinonah and Lake Zoar to New Jersey based Energy Capital Partners for $1.38 billion

Shoreline Management Plan
All agreements such as licensing with FERC would carry over to the new owners.

There was a meeting that Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and the President of Northeast Generating Services (NGS) attended and they disagree on the proposed Shoreline Management Plan. The President of NGS stated the plan approved by CT. DEP stands as submitted to FERC.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal plans to meet with the new proposed owners, Energy Capital Partners in the near future.

It was also noted that the Environmental Impact Survey by CCA Environmental Civil Engineering (CCA), prepared for the LLA, when submitted to FERC by NGS was not attached to the Shoreline Management Plan. NGS attached the Environmental Impact Survey to the Lateral Zone Plan.

319 Grant
Water Samples are being obtained as required.

Natural Resources Damage Fund (General Electric PCB Grant)
At that time the top choices for projects were #1 – Algae reduction and #2 – Removal of the Bleachery Dam.
A new motion was made and seconded and carried that the items below with respect to evaluating the four ideas with Cost Estimates are to be evaluated at the next meeting which would be September 5, 2006.
 Algae reduction.
 Removal of the Bleachery Dam
 Sediment removal (Removal of the sand bar south of Lovers Leap)
Sediment removal could be included in the removal of the Bleachery Dam if found to be practical.

A motion was made and seconded and carried to hire a consultant for up to $1950 to write a proposal for the removal of the Bleachery Dam to submit to the Natural Resources Damage Fund.

Oxygenation System
The oxygenation system installed in the lake basin of Lake Lillinonah is now operation in a test mode.

Copper Sulfate is in progress. Last treatment of the lake was on 8/14/06, with future tentative treatment on 8/31/06.

Financial Committee:

No report

Banquet Committee: Sylvia Morris

The 2006 Awards Banquet will be held on November 4th.

The Whiting House
(the old Jacquelines)
65 Whiting St
Plainville, CT
860-747-1744
Directions at www.thewhitinghouse.com

Time: 5:30 – 6:30 Appetizers
7:00 Dinner

Cost: $33.00 per person – Pay at the door. Reservations are required.

For Reservations: Call Sylvia Morris 203-877-0280 or Sue Weeks 860-345-8907. You may reserve seats by your Club and we will reserve tables in the Club’s name. Clubs will be responsible to pay for the total number seats reserved. Deadline for Reservations is October 26th

Guest Speaker will be Mr. Bob Crook

There will be Annual Awards, Raffles, Women’s Prizes and new this year, “The Spirit Award”. This will be given to the club with the most “people” in attendance and will be passed on year to year.

Menu

A Buffet of carved Ham & Roast Beef,
Oven roasted Chicken w/ oven roasted potatoes,
Mixed vegetables, Penne Marinara,
Penne with Broccoli & Sausage (white),
House Salad,
Dessert – Ice Cream and Cake

http://www.ctbass.com/news.htm#CBFN_2006_Awards_Banquet

A motion was made and 2nd to accept all reports as given. Approved

Old Business:

CLUB BIOS – Each Rep was handed a sheet requesting information on his/her club at the April meeting. This info will be added to the website. It will also provide the Executive Board a point of contact and email address for each club. This will enable us to get important, time sensitive notifications / news to each club faster. Missing – Bass Attack, Bell City, CT Bassmen, CT Valley, Hartford County, Heart of CT, Mansfield Hollow, Nor’East, North Eastern, and X-Treme.

Fishing Derby Reports – The following clubs owe reports on their Fishing Derbies: Talcott Mountain Bassmasters and Pauchaug Area Bassmasters.

By Laws – By Laws Committee review in process.

Meeting Place – Still researching and looking for ideas. Ideas and suggestions are welcome. To be continued.

New Business

Elections for 2007 Tournament Director.

Frank is running unopposed. Vote was unanimous.

2007 Dues - Reminder that BASS Federation Nation (Ma BASS) 2007dues are due in to BASS by January 1st. Each club is responsible for sending BASS Federation Nation dues to BASS. (Amount is $20.00 per member) CBFN State Dues are due January 31st,

New BASS Federation Nation sponsors – “Toyota”, “Keel shield” and “Mustang Life Preservers” are coming on board. We will put out more info as it comes available.

Louisiana Federation Nation has asked for donations to help fight the legal battle over water rights access. They are fighting land owners over water rights access. Motion to donate $100.00 to help fund the fight. Seconded, Motion passed.

Conservation - Looking for ideas for conservation projects. These could be club level projects or state level. Bob and Paul are trying to set up a trip to UCONN to visit with some graduate students that might have an interest in conservation.

T-shirts We are able to purchase T-shirts with the Connecticut / BASS Federation logo (in color) on them for $6.00 each. It was proposed that we purchase these shirts and sell them for $10.00 each. This motion was seconded and passed. Each Club Rep will take orders from their clubs so we can order the correct sizes. The shirts are Gray and the logo will be over the right breast w/ no pocket. The logo is in color.

Storage Locker Bob and Al made a visit to the storage locker. It is full of many items that can be taken to the dump. It needs to be cleaned out and inventoried / organized. All the historical items, pictures and valuables will be placed in a safe deposit box. There where several volunteers that will take on this project in the coming weeks.

BASS Magazine Each state has a section in the Bassmaster magazine. We are looking for articles to send them. If you have any ideas let one of the executive board members know. Or email them to ctbassfed@sbcglobal.net 

A motion was made and second to adjourn the meeting at 9:42 pm

Respectfully submitted, Jack Vinyard, CBFN Secretary

 

July Minutes
June Minutes
May minutes
April minutes
March minutes
February minutes
January minutes