PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON PROPOSED BERLIN POND FISHING RESTRICTIONS (You have to read this)

 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

 

    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

Hunters Spend $292 Million in Vermont

                                     VERMONT FISH and WILDLIFE

Press Release

 

For Immediate Release:  November 6, 2013

Media Contact:  Commissioner Patrick Berry, 802-828-1000

 

Hunters Spend $292 Million in Vermont

 

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department reports that hunters contribute significantly to the state's economy and spend more than $292 million in Vermont annually, according to a recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census Bureau.

 

"More than $39 million is spent on travel, such as dining, lodging, transportation, and similar expenses," says Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Patrick Berry.  "Another $190 million is spent on equipment, and more than $62 million is spent on other items."

 

"Hunting is economically important not just because of its total economic impact," said Berry, "but also because so much of it occurs after foliage season and before skiing, and the spending takes place throughout the state, including in our most rural areas."

 

In 2012, more than 74,000 people purchased Vermont hunting licenses, including 64,589 residents and 9,428 nonresidents.  Deer are the most important species sought by hunters in Vermont, with close to 90 percent of license buyers planning to pursue deer according to the Fish & Wildlife Department. 

 

The federal survey also shows that Vermont ranks first among the lower 48 states in participation of its residents in wildlife-related recreation, including hunting, fishing and wildlife watching, with 62 percent of our residents enjoying these resources.  Residents and nonresidents spend $744 million annually in Vermont in pursuit of these activities.

 

"Vermont isn't Vermont without wildlife and fish. These resources are important to all of us recreationally, socially and economically," said Berry.  "They also contribute greatly to our quality of life.  As hunters continue to enjoy excellent opportunities here in the state, it's good to know that local communities benefit as well."

-30-

 

Editors:  Here is a link to the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation -- http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/fhw11-vt.pdf

 

Caption for attached photo:

VTF&W photo by John Hall

Hunters spend $292 million annually in Vermont, including in our more rural areas, and they do so after foliage tourism ends and before skiing starts. 

 

 

 

 

John Hall, Outreach Division

[phone]      802-828-1000      [fax]      802-828-1250

[email]    john.hall@state.vt.us

[website]    www.vtfishandwildlife.com

 

Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

1 National Life Drive, Davis 2

Montpelier VT 05620