The City of Montpelier has a solid precedent in being unbelievably difficult to deal with in their attacks on sportsmen's rights. See what is underlined below.
From: Sbmcvt@aol.com [mailto:Sbmcvt@aol.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 3:21 PM
To: info@vermonttraditions.org
Subject: PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON PROPOSED BERLIN POND FISHING RESTRICTIONS
Sent: Thursday, November 07, 2013 3:21 PM
To: info@vermonttraditions.org
Subject: PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON PROPOSED BERLIN POND FISHING RESTRICTIONS
Hello Everyone,
Sorry for the late notice but tonight's public hearing has not been advertised, at least to my knowledge, and Vermont Traditions Coalition got caught by surprise.
This public hearing will begin at 6 PM at the Berlin Elementary School Libarary. The Berlin School is located directly across the interstate access four corners opposite the Shaw's Grocery Plaza. The hearing is being held by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation on the City of Montpelier's proposal to ban motorized ice fishing augers and ice shanties on Berlin Pond.
The state's confirmation of this hearing just received this afternoon is below. It includes a copy of the Petition.
The Petition states that gasoline powered augers should be banned due to the potential to contaminate the Town of Montpelier's water which comes from Berlin Pond. The Petition states that ice shanties should be banned because of the ability to conceal illicit or terrorist activities. This justification is perhaps the most far fetched reason for a restriction that I've heard in my 13 years as Executive Director of Vermont Traditions Coalition.
Note that there is also an opportunity for Written Public Comment between now and November 30.
Here's the information VTC received from the state this afternoon:
Yes, there is a public meeting tonight to hear comments on the City of Montpelier's petition at 6pm at the Berlin Elementary School Library, 372 Paine Turnpike North, Berlin, Vermont. You can find the notice on our website here: http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/rulemaking/docs/petitions/pet_bp10012013_publicnotice.pdf.
You can find the petition itself on our website here: http://www.watershedmanagement.vt.gov/rulemaking/docs/petitions/pet_07252013berlinpond.pdf.
We will be receiving written comments until November 30, 2013 so there will be plenty of time to get us your comments if you have a conflict with tonight's meeting. Thanks for contacting me for clarification, Steve.
End State Statement
Steve McLeod, Executive Director
Vermont Traditions Coalition
434-3346
