LJRA meeting minutes April 23rd, 2010

LJRA Meeting Minutes for April 20, 2010

7 pm at Tyrone Public Library

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Bill Anderson.  This was a regular meeting with 12 members and guests present.

1. Annual Little Juniata Riverbank Clean Up- Bill Anderson discussed the April 10 river clean up organized by the LJRA.  We had over 100 volunteers and the event went very well.  
   1. Several improvements were suggested for the next clean up.  They included:  having tougher plastic or reinforced paper bags for broken glass and metal.  Perhaps super sacks from the Altoona Water Authority. It was also recommended that we have facilities available for volunteers to wash their hands before lunch.
   2. There were a lot of new volunteers this year.  The 8 scouts from Holidaysburg Troop 32 did an excellent job of cleaning up between Nadine’s and the junkyard.
   3. The Spruce Creek United Methodist Church ladies group did a great job of providing hot drinks in the morning and lunch in the afternoon.  A motion was made and seconded to donate $100.00 to the church in appreciation of all their work.  The motion was carried by unanimous vote.
2. Old Business
   1. Bill indicated that $200,000 is still available to purchase stream access rights for the River as well as tributaries such as Spruce Creek, Little Bald Eagle, Tipton Run and even the Frankstown Branch. We have spent $12,000 to date.  The arrangement with the PFBC is due to expire by the end of 2010.  Consideration will be given to rewriting the agreement to include 10-year arrangements with owners as well as extending the agreement past 2010.  Money has been paid to the Dobb’s family for the fishing rights easement to the 1,000 feet on their property.
   2. The purchase of 52 acres of Sandy Run may only be weeks away. Ownership of the furnace on the property has been resolved.  This is quite exciting news as this would be the first program for the PFBC to work with an organization to create a spawning ground.  The LJRA is planning to work with the commission to work on the hatchery renovation as soon as the transaction is complete.  Money and volunteers will be needed for this project in the near future.  The LJRA currently has $5,700.
   3. New memberships in the LJRA are being sought.  An ad was run in the Pennsylvania Outdoor Journal and resulted in 12 new members.  Existing members are encouraged to promote the organization with friends and from people fishing the River.  
   4. Stocking of 30,000 brown trout fingerlings will take place on May 20.  Adipose fins will be clipped again this year to differentiate stocked from wild trout.  Volunteers should meet at the Methodist Church in Spruce Creek at 10 AM.
3. New Business
   1. Bill indicated there are signs of a good sulfur hatch coming up.  Lots of nymphs everywhere on the river.
   2.  Work needs to be done on getting the section of the River upstream from the current limit by the Tyrone water treatment plant from TSF to CWF. It is likely that the entire river could now qualify for CWF since we find many wild brown trout throughout. It is also likely that the 14 miles now designated as CWF could and should be HQCWF. These designations are very important when it comes to defending the river against pollution/degrading activities.
   3. Bill discussed the potential for the LJRA to participate in the Blair County Water Sampling Program.  There are currently 3 active sections conducting tests at Bells Gap, Shaw Run, Tipton and Sinking Valley.  We could include Sandy Run.

This led to a discussion of stream erosion.  It appears that installations from Penelec, where trees and shrubs are being cut, are causing serious erosion issues on stream banks.  Bill is attempting to contact management of First Energy and/or Penelec. 

1. There was a reported spill of diesel fuel on Bell’s Gap Run over the weekend. Fire response was there but it is believed that a substantial amount of fuel oil leaked into the stream.
2. It was reported by John Loyd that the Tyrone Library lost some funding and is in need of money.  The potential of a C&R fishing derby to help raise funds was discussed.  A motion was made to let the Library board know that the LJRA is interested in providing support and will act in an advisory capacity if they entertain thoughts of such an event.  The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous vote.  Bill will meet with the Library when they are ready to discuss.
3.  
4. IV.               Adjournment and Next Meeting The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.  The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7 PM Tuesday, May 11 at the Tyrone Public Library.