Volume 8
Issue 4
 
THE HELP STOP POACHING TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 1-800-831-1174.  CALL BETWEEN 7am and midnight, 7 days per week.

When: April 10, 2003
Where: Cams Catering, 203 Highpoint Drive, Johnson City
Program: Southern Appalachians by Danny Sells
Program: 7pm program

OVERMOUNTAIN CALENDER OF EVENTS
 Check events on OMTU.org

Minutes of Overmountain Chapter of TU on March 31, 2003

1. Treasurers report--general fund $1437.99, embrace-a-stream project grant $7165, stream clean-up fund $250, and Tom Carson memorial fund $1100.

2. Bob Viers reviewed several changes to the proposed chapter position paper to provide further protection for South Holston spawn beds and start a project to review in conjunction with TVA and TWRA. The current South Holston weir dam operation and cleaning schedule for potential improved water flow for fish and bugs. The board approved the changes and the position paper will be sent to TWRA and TVA from Ken Chase requesting a meeting to start the project.

3. Plans for the Fort Patrick Henry tailwater clean- up scheduled for April 26th were finalized.

4. Bill Beazell reviewed the information available regarding river watch team history, make-up and responsibilities. Gary Barrigar volunteered to offer a clinic for river watch team members on how to perform a "bug survey on their assigned rivers. Bill Beazell will arrange for a river watch team leader to present a 5 minute program at the May chapter on what is happening on their assigned stream.

5. Bill Beazell briefly reviewed the current status of the concerns raised from the changes made in the Watauga trophy trout section. No decision has been made yet by the TWRA board. Members should express their opinions to their local state legislators.

6. The City of Elizabethton voted to provide $6500 to do the stream stabilization project at Lions Field. This will be added to TU embrace-a-stream funds and funds provided by the Boone Watershed Partnership to complete this project.

7. New chapter hats will be available for sale at the April 10th chapter meeting.

8. Bob Sherrill was asked to study possible "TU give-a-ways" and make a recommendation at the next board meeting.

9. Bill Beazell was asked to provide a roll of raffle tickets at the April 10th meeting and to locate the raffle prizes which the chapter had.

10. Ken Chase will ask Don Kreh to provide to the board, members that have attended at least 3 meetings and have the potential to be leaders in the chapter

11. The next board meeting was set for 7 p.m. May 5th at the Eastman Credit Union downtown office at 200 East Main Street in Kingsport.

 RIVER AND STREAM PRIORITIES

Watauga Tailwater—Margie Stratton and John McKee—Boat access in Elizabethton

South Holston Tailwater—Bob Viers—Weir Dam flow and silt

Patrick Henry Tailwater—John Krutak and Andy Hale—Pollution

Doe River—Bob Bierbaum—Cleanup

Hampton Creek—Bob Bierbaum—Protection of fishery

N. and S. Indian Creek—Elaine Walker and Foster Levy

Doe Creek—To be filled

Laurel Fork Creek—Gary Barrigar

Beaverdam Creek—To be filled