Crippled Caddis Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Davy wrote: <We all know that AGFC are well aware of the situation here, and they do make public the fact that there is a decline with fish growth in this system. As a State organised body as such, why do they themselves not seek via the legal channels to enforce EPCC to do something.> Simple answer: Political reality. Our biologists tread a very fine line indeed between doing the job they were trained for and losing that job. Should they speak up and tell the full truth they would soon find that their services are no longer needed. I tried to discover why the legal department of AGFC chose not to join the ADEQ/TU suit of Overlook Estates. I was stonewalled and dismissed by the attorney who was involved for AGFC. From the answers I did recieve it was obvious that he had instructions to reveal nothing. So the AGFC legal staff wears the same handcuffs of political reality as do the biologists. Just as Stinnetti says above: < This is strictly politics and politics is a dirty business. The one who threatens, spends, votes and manipulates Wins.> Another 'bottom line'. "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
taxidermist Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 People there are already movements to limit the amounts of fertilizer applies within the White River Drainage. This includes the farmers too. There has been several meetings in Boone County AR concerning this and teaching farmers about application on sloops. Next thing to come is looking like only commercial licensed applicators in the next five years. My brother has a lawn care business and 1 of only 2 licensed in Boone County for commercial weed control, he is in the thick of what is going on. Boone County AR is the largest producre of BEEF in the state of ARKANSS!! So yes, things are moving. Its slow because we all know what happens when you try to force people to immediatly do something. As to looking more outside the typical White River drainage, look at where I live in Newton County AR, I can see thousands of acres of land that have been cleared for cattle pasture. This is Buffalo River Drainage that as we all know drains into the White at Buffalo City. The Buffalo is not the same Buffalo I grew up fishing. I dont think the retirement dollar produces as much as other think. It produces some gas sales, some tackle sales and some boat sales, but not all those retired folks fish even weekly. and they certainly dont spend near the dollars one reason is these folks are on a restricted income. They dont have unlimited income as many would think. Thier expense go up just like the other we all endure. 2 stroke motors, again you cannot just outlaw something, it takes time to get things working. i.e. noone makes 2 stroke motors any more so yes they are being phased out. Like the CARB rules in California, someone has yet to make a 4 stroke that will do the samethings Mr Wotton pointed this out. Look at the 2 strokes lining the dock at Gastons,, maybe that would be where to start??? Then maybe as the White River ages we should look at different species, the water warms and the species change and maybe someday trout will be a thing of the past. Who knows someday Northern Pike and Musky may be the hot species in White River. The Brookies were all killed out after the first two stockings and its just been this last try that Brookies have made it. I know in Germany the Grayling are tuffer than the American Grayling, maybe someone should look at that?? Who knows someday White River maybe the hot spot for smallies. I did catch a pure old largemouth bass between gastons and the dam last week!!! So is the water warming up enough to support these again? Also look at how Branson has grown, look how Harrison has grown, look at how the area around BSD has and is grwoing, then Mt Home area. I can remember just a few years back when noone would buy land around Peel!! I have seen the Overlook above the Norfork, I agree it sucks but just how long ago did Braircliff happen. Gads hwy 5 was a desolute place back 20 years ago. Things change some we can control, some we can place blame on and somethings are going to happen no matter what we do. We are lucky to have the ability to go gishing anytime and almost anywhere here in the Ozarks, we are lucky to say the lest.
Members Davy Wotton Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 OK, guys, where do we go from here. Tom, Dano and myself have had some previous discussions so far as holding a inaugural meeting, and that is still something l would like to pursue. We had intended to do that this past year. For those of you interested to pursue this endeavor, l would ask of you this. Make a list of who you think should be invited to a meeting. Those individuals or organisations that you believe will join us in a positive way. That should also include persons of some political standing. Lawyers and so on. I will then arrange a date for a meeting, with all invited to attend and see where we can go from there. Before a general meeting as such that the public at large would be invited too. This is the only way l can see at this time such a movement can be in some way come together with a common interest. Unless any of you have a further idea. Send to my personal e-mail address your list, l will compile those and from then on get together with a number of you to get the ball rolling. Consider also your thoughts so far as what we should be known as. Such a organisation that generates funds will have to be 501c3 registered. If we are in any way soliciting funds and donations to the cause. As some of you know, l have already been through much of this organising the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. While this organisation is to a large extent a advocate for the hatchery, only so far as membership and generating funds for the community at large to benefit from additional educational activity, a visitor center, improvements to dry run creek and so on, we still have the means through this organisation to bring to the attention the issues of water quality, as that is also directly related to the hatchery, as they also suffer mortality due to that factor. I came here to AR from Wales in the UK, and the main reason why l chose to do so was because of the fishery. In the time l have been here l have seen it decline rapidly, and many of you out there have seen like wise. Above all apathy is not going to bring this to the attention of the community at large. We can only try, at least those of us who have a interest can make a attempt to do so. my e-mail address is. davyfly@ozarkmountains.com Look forward to hear from you. Davy.
Danoinark Posted February 16, 2007 Author Posted February 16, 2007 It is certainly going to be interesting to see what happens when the first hearing concerning Outlook Estates is heard in Baxter County Circuit Court on March 16th. Its a preliminary hearing but all sides will begin to issue their briefs as to the lawsuit. Trout Unlimited was successful in becoming a party to the lawsuit although they were not allowed to be the lead plaintiff since ADEQ sued. With that I am hoping since the Branson TU chapter has been reignited, there is now a chapter in Mountain Home and also a new chapter in Heber Springs along the Little Red that these groups become more proactive and are able to tap into the National TU's funding base. There are so many agencies that need to become a collaborative group. I am dissapointed in some of them such as the Friends of the Norfork and White, the Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Wildlife Federation in that these groups should have taken the lead the day the first shovel of dirt and gravel was moved at the development site. John Gierach in one of his books said in effect, we are getting what we deserve by allowing this to occur as we are an apethetic society. He was speaking of course about global warming and its effect on our enviornment in relation to our rivers, lakes and streams. His contention is that after the devastation it will finally kick in that it's NOW time to do something if our planet is to survive. Dano Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
Members tippett Posted February 16, 2007 Members Posted February 16, 2007 Fox, I think you and I are saying the same thing?? Agricultural is Chicken growers. As I said they have their act together and the politicians in their hip pocket. I never mentioned about suing somebody or any agency. My comment was "become a group, hire a lobbyist and play the game with $$$". That is the only way to compete. W/o that our waters will never be clean!!!!! Tippett steve "Stinnetti" stinnett Spring Creek Outfitters www.stinnettispringcreekoutfitters.com
RiverRunner Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Davy has the right idea; its time for action along with words. I think a good place to start would be with the fly clubs in the area like the NEAFF, NAFF, AFF, MSFF and some of the others in MO and NW Arkansas, throw in the outfitters association and I think we can get a good start at an organization. Someone should also look at getting area bass clubs involved, they have an interest in this as well. One thing we have to remember is to include everyone in this process, which means bait & spin fishermen as well. They have the same stake in this as fly fishermen. We have to present a unified front for the sake of the resource. I would think that Sowbug would be a good time to have a prelimenary meeting on this. I'm pretty new to the world of fly fishing, but I love the White River and the Ozarks. I gave up a good job in another state so that I could be closer to the thing I love, and it pains me greatly to see that thing declining like it is. I may not have much to give but my time on this effort, but I can give that for sure.
Terry Beeson Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 Arkansas Wildlife Federation wants to be a part of this as well. TU FFF Guide & Outfitters Association Lodging Association AWF Friends of Norfork Hatchery BASS Pretty impressive group so far if you can get them all together in the same room and put some heat on the area Chambers of Commerce and elected officials. Missouri has the "Stream Team" that maybe some of the "natives" can expound on a bit. But this is right up their alley, I would think. Is there something similar/associated in Arkansas? TIGHT LINES, YA'LL "There he stands, draped in more equipment than a telephone lineman, trying to outwit an organism with a brain no bigger than a breadcrumb, and getting licked in the process." - Paul O’Neil
Danoinark Posted February 16, 2007 Author Posted February 16, 2007 Terry, Arkansas has the same Stream Team program. I remember when it was formed. A big push then, but I haven't seen much about it lately. Dano Group Name: Arkansas Stream Team Contact: Steve Filipek; Gregg Patterson Contact Address: 102 NE 2nd St. Bryant, Arkansas 72022- Contact Phone: 501 847-2987 Contact Email: sfilipek@agfc.state.ar.us Activity:Volunteer Monitoring Description:Arkansas Stream Team is made up of citizen groups working to conserve streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and springs in their natural state. Water quality or habitat monitoring is being conducted in almost every major watershed and county in Arkansas. Currently over 60 student teams and 70 citizen teams are operating. The student component is affiliated with the Water Education Team (W.E.T.) program. Number of Volunteers: 420 CLICK HERE Glass Has Class "from the laid back lane in the Arkansas Ozarks"
WebFreeman Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 The Branson Chamber used to have a Environmental Committee. When I worked at the Springfield chamber we worked with them to put on a day-long conference at the Chateau. That was probably 2000 and I don't know how active it is. If anyone is involved in the Branson Chamber, that would be a good place to start lobbying the business community. And there is the Upper White River Basin Foundation, but from the looks of their web site, they may have stalled a bit. http://www.whiteriverbasin.org/ “Many go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” — Henry David Thoreau Visit my web site @ webfreeman.com for information on freelance web design.
Crippled Caddis Posted February 16, 2007 Posted February 16, 2007 And there is the Upper White River Basin Foundation, but from the looks of their web site, they may have stalled a bit.> Thanks---I've posted an enquiry to the e-mail address found on the site you noted. We'll see. CC "You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in their struggle for independence." ---Charles Austin Beard
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now