Phil Lilley

Do you still have an aol email address? Not sure what's going on with the bulk email thing on this system. Not a fan of bulk emails.

Got an answer. You can't make modifications or add slips changing the footprint while under the moratorium. That's reasonable. You couldn't do any of that without permission or an amended permit without the moratorium.

What this means is, if you purchased a home or land in this area with the hopes of putting in a dock, you can no longer do so. If you already have a dock and it needs to be updated, you can't even update it. @Jeremy Rasnick is this right? Can't update an existing dock?

At the end of title I, insert the following: SEC. __. TABLE ROCK LAKE, ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI. (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary-- (1) shall include a 60-day public comment period for a Table Rock Lake Master Plan and Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan revision; and (2) shall not finalize a revision for the Table Rock Lake Master Plan and Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. (b) Shoreline Use Permits.--During the period described in subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall lift or suspend the moratorium on the issuance of new, and modifications to existing, shoreline use permits based on the existing Table Rock Lake Master Plan and Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan. (c) Study.-- (1) In general.--The Secretary shall-- (A) carry out a study on the need to revise permit fees relating to Table Rock Lake to better reflect the cost of issuing those fees and achieve cost savings; and (B) submit to Congress a report on the results of the study described in subparagraph (A). (2) Requirement.--The Secretary shall complete the study under paragraph (1)(A) before adopting any revision to the Table Rock Lake Shoreline Management Plan. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 892, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Long) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri. Mr. LONG. Mr. Chairman, Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Missouri, is one of the premier destinations in the Ozarks, especially for my constituents in the Seventh Congressional District. The Army Corps of Engineers is currently undertaking a revision of the lake's Shoreline Management Plan and has in place a moratorium on dock permits to halt development around the lake. What this means is, if you purchased a home or land in this area with the hopes of putting in a dock, you can no longer do so. If you already have a dock and it needs to be updated, you can't even update it. I have met with the Corps and the lake community throughout this process, and the overwhelming consensus from my constituents is that their voices are not being heard on this issue that will have far- reaching effects for those living on the lake and for its economy. My amendment would extend the public comment period to ensure that those directly impacted by the shoreline plan will have a say in it. My amendment also lifts the moratorium on dock permits and extends the timeframe of the final plan to ensure that the Corps has enough time to incorporate the community's concerns into its updated plan. I am proud to work with Senator Blunt and Chairman Shuster on this commonsense issue. I urge my colleagues to support my amendment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Long). The amendment was agreed to. The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 14 printed in House Report 114-790.

Nice. Can't believe it's not any more crowded as it's been.

You're dead on... 5 years of unlimited, unrestricted dock permits. One year would be devastating I'd think.

You can start by sending a letter or email. It seems that the amendment got going because of "800 emails". We should be able to beat that.

I'm actually surprised a lot of the usual TR patrons have not rung in on this. They must be out fishing...

@dougdean Existing dock permits ARE being renewed during the moratorium process.

I'll find out.

Had someone reply to their email and it showed the link to this topic wasn't in the email... not sure what happened with that. But at least it will make people aware of the issue and look into it. One reason you may not get an email from OAF is that your setting is set to block emails from the admin. Or your email address in your settings is incorrect.

I sent out a bulk email to all OAF members. Last email I sent out was 9/2014.

ashley.sivils@mail.house.gov This is a good email address for Billy Long.

Does anyone have an email address for Blunt and Long? Their online contact forms limit the length of emails and these letters are being rejected.

This is in the letter: This amendment would also completely circumvent and undermine the ongoing Table Rock Lake SMP revision process. You are contending that this amendment is your response to public input generated by the “Save Table Rock Lake” website. That website provided a prefabricated email which was sent en masse by special interests (developers, realtors, and dock builders). That was their skewed attempt to sway your influence and was not an accurate reflection of the overall interests or concerns of the general public.

Blunt and Long said they acted because of over 800 emails they received from their constituents but most if not all of the emails came from developers. Seems to me if OAF has over 10,000 members, we could send them more emails and get them to resend their bills. All we'd be asking for is that they (Long and Blunt) not step in and circumvent the process. Let the process continue and then see how it comes out at the end.

Some points Gary sent me: Table Rock Lake is already inundated with more personal docks than over 90% of all Corps of Engineers Lakes in the United States, and is the only COE lake with the community dock program (minimum 12 stall docks/maximum 20 stalls). The current policy of allowing numerous large community docks has led to many problems: Private docks - 13,214 boat slips! Resorts and Marinas – 7,132 boat slips o More boating density in the areas that these large docks are present o Encouraged and facilitated the opportunity for more “big” boats which would not normally be as prevalent on a COE lake, because those types of boats are much more difficult to trailer and launch. Those boats still exist on other COE lakes, but they are moored at major marinas. That means that they exist on a much more limited basis than on Table Rock Lake with the higher availability of dock slips that can accommodate those larger boats. The prevalence of these bigger runabout boats has led to much choppier water and adverse effect on the quality of the boating experience for the general public not able to afford a bigger boat. o Each of these larger 12 or 20 slip docks cover up a lot more of the lake surface, limiting usage for fishermen and recreational boating. Every time another dock is approved and placed on Table Rock Lake, another fishing spot is covered up by that dock. o These large docks often create “funnels” in narrow coves, which limits navigation by virtue of Missouri State Law (idle speed required within 100’ of any dock). In some cases, those funnels effectively converts entire coves to idle speed. o It is inappropriate that the placement of private docks is allowed on a Corps of Engineers lake that is owned by the general public, especially when those docks have a negative effect on navigation and public safety.

Gary Haupt is a retired Missouri Water Patrolman. He called me last night and we visited about this issue, one that I had not paid much attention to honestly. But I know there are a lot of you readers and members who frequent Table Rock Lake that should be interested and may want to act on this information. Shoreline Management Project revision process As you know, the USCAE has been holding workshops for about a year and a half regarding the shoreline plan for Table Rock. There's been a moratorium on new dock permits until the plan is finalized but there's legislation pending that would lift this moratorium. Gary explained to me that developers have lobbied Long and Blunt and succeeded to convince them that there was good reason to open up the lake to more community docks. He points out that these docks will put more boats on the lake, especially large boats. He believes Table Rock will become like Lake of the Ozarks very fast if this happens. Even if dock permits are allowed for a year or two, developers will flood the permit process and acquire as many dock permits as possible before it is closed again.... that is my understanding. Some of you guys may be able to expound on this subject better than I... I've attached a couple of letters Gary crafted to send to Long and Blunt so that they will withdraw their bills and let the process proceed as planned. Gary has no personal gain in this. He's an avid angler and loves the lake and doesn't want it to become overrun by big boats and big docks like LOZ. Letter to Representative Long_ Oct. 2016.pdf Letter to Senator Blunt_ Oct. 2016.pdf

I waded Sunday evening at the boar ramp. Water was dropping out. Lots of leaves in the water so tough doing anything. Nothing on a scud or zebra midge. Tied on a soft hackle and caught 2 nice rainbows and hooked 4 others. Best strip was no strip. Talking to a friend in a boat, I held my rod with line straight down current not moving. A fish slammed it- felt big too. Pulled out. So I copied that and caught 2 and missed one more. Crazy fish. #16 soft hackle, several colors (cause I kept breaking off on the grass on the bank).

I guess you can ride with me...

He may be having knee replacement surgery about that time... at least he's hoping to. We'll see.

HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY for a part time job. Missouri Department of Conservation Job Opportunity Creel Clerk –Lake Taneycomo Southwest Fisheries Region WAGE: $8.58 per hour plus limited mileage reimbursement CLOSING DATE: November 31, 2016 LOCATION: Lake Taneycomo, Branson, Missouri Duration: January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2018, 25-40 hours per week. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Conduct angler interviews on Lake Taneycomo by boat and on foot. Count anglers in creel area twice per shift. Record and compile creel data, check and report results to supervisor. Work approximately 10-20 randomly selected 6-8 hour shifts throughout the month on both weekdays and weekends, including early morning and late evening shifts and holidays. QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from high school or G.E.D. equivalent. College courses are desirable, but not required. Must possess a valid driver’s license and if born after January 1, 1984, possess a Missouri Boater Education Card. SPECIAL ABILITY REQUIREMENTS: · Must have the ability to operate a 17 foot boat, trolling motor, and outboard motor. · Must have the ability to traverse rough terrain, including wading in Lake Taneycomo and walking on slippery surfaces. · Must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to work closely with the public on a daily basis. · Must have the ability to handle and identify freshwater fish found in Lake Taneycomo. · Must have a flexible work schedule. · Must be able to accurately record data using both paper data sheets and an Apple IPad and complete other paperwork. Candidates must submit to a drug screen following offer of position. HOW TO APPLY: Submit a standard MDC application for employment or resume to Shane Bush, Missouri Department of Conservation, 610 Hatchery Rd. Branson, MO 65616 or Shane.Bush@mdc.mo.gov (417-334-4859).

So is this Richard's new label for his white and black jigs? I think I'd wait till after the election and see who wins before making it permanent.

OK... what's "Equal Chances"? Is that like, "we don't take any responsibility for our forecast so, whatever"?