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3/21/08 - NMMA Action Alert: Help Stop Federal Boat Permitting

Urge Your Senators to Cosponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008
March 17, 2008

The Threat to Recreational Boating. Unless Congress acts soon, every recreational boater in the country will have to obtain a federal or state permit in order to operate their boat. This means yearly fees, bureaucratic red tape, confusing and potentially state-by-state regulations, citizen suits and $32,000 per day penalties for non-compliance. These permits would apply to deck run-off, bilge water, engine cooling water and any other water-based, operational discharge from a recreational boat. The Environmental Protection Agency, due to a sweeping court order, is already writing this unprecedented new regulation on boaters.

The Clean Boating Act of 2008. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) have just introduced S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008. S. 2766 would fully and permanently restore a 35-year permit exemption for recreational boat incidental discharges, such as weather deck run-off and engine coolant water, and works to protect the health of the nation's waterways by pursuing whether or not reasonable and practicable best management practices need to be put into place for some incidental discharges. This important bill preserves recreational boating and the boating industry, taking a balanced approached that recognizes that pleasure boat discharges are completely different from land-based industrial facilities and commercial ships.

What You Can Do Today to Protect Boating. NMMA strongly urges all its members and all boating industry employees to contact their Senators and tell them to co-sponsor S. 2766, the Clean Boating Act of 2008. You can quickly and easily send a letter to your Senators by visiting www.boatblue.org. Once, there, simply type in your zip code and click send. This is the most significant threat facing the boating industry today, and we need your help to solve it. Take 5 minutes to tell Congress to support S. 2766.

CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS!

Contact Mat Dunn (mdunn@nmma.org; 202-737-9760) or Dylan Jones (djones@nmma.org; 202-737-9776) so we can follow up with your Senators.

Supporting Documents:

NMMA Action Alert
Sample Letter to Your Senator
CBA Policy Brief
DEC08102
Comittee Members
Cosponsors

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2/12/08 - Conservation News: Read the summary of the Amistad Tube Study and it's affect on the fishery.

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3/7/07 - Texas BASS Federation Nation Conservation and Seven Coves Bass Club on Lake Conroe, receive a $34K grant from B.A.S.S. Read More.

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The Lake Conroe Hydrilla Management Plan is a topic that fishermen in all areas of the state should be acutely interested in. It will set a precedent for hydrilla and vegetation management on lakes across Texas. Click here to get the latest updates, press releases, meeting schedules and downloadable documents.

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8/24/06 - CALL TO ACTION!!!	Letter to Senator Robert Nichols

Ed Parten TBBU President, Bud Wright President of TABC, and Tim Cook Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Conservation Director,  spoke to the commissioners yesterday and expressed their support for the inland fisheries Lake Conroe Hydrilla Management Plan and asked that the commissioners not be influenced by political pressure. Allow the plan to proceed based on science and not emotion. ONLY Dana Richardson spoke on the issue representing homeowners. Phil Durocher says that he does not feel any pressure from the commissioners to modify the plan at this time. Mike Bleier, the LCA president has said that despite their request for the additional 17,000 fish to be added, they have been told NO and the plan would continue to be influenced ONLY by the vegetation surveys. GREAT news! TPWD feels confident in their position in part because of the strong support from the angling community for the science based management approach that has been taken. The angling community needs to be vigilant as political pressure could increase at any time. We have contacted our legislative partners in the Texas Sportsman's Caucus and are planning to meet with them shortly.

CALL TO ACTION!!! IT IS IMPERATIVE that all anglers contact Senator Elect Robert Nichols by phone AND mail immediately. Please convey this message:

1. Homeowner association members and angling community representatives have been working together with SJRA and TPWD for the last year and have endorsed The Lake Conroe Hydrilla Management Plan. The objective of the plan reflect the needs of all users of Lake Conroe and the 2 year time frame has been agreed to by all involved stakeholders including the Lake Conroe Association, Bentwater Association, Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Texas Black Bass Unlimited, and Texas Association of Bass Clubs.

2.  The desire by some radical homeowners to have their problem solved in a quick and reckless manner does not take priority over protecting the essential habitat required by wildlife. There are no quick and easy solutions to complex problems. The position you have taken threatens our natural resources and makes us question your leadership and dedication to wildlife and the sportsman of Texas.

3. We ask that you educate yourself on the Lake Conroe plan, support TPWD with the resources they need to manage our natural resources, and represent your constituents in a responsible manner."

Letter to Senator Robert Nichols

Here is his contact info.

Senator Robert Nichols
Post Office Box 2347
217 E. Commerce St., Ste. D
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
Phone 903-586-1200
Toll Free: 800-721-2755
Fax 903-586-7877
www.nicholsforsenate.com

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8/19/06 - The Lake Conroe Vegetation Management issue is gaining mementum in the Southeast Region. We need volunteers who would like to be a part of the effort to maintain acceptabel levels of vegetation in Lake Conroe that will promote fish habitat and add to the local economy. Please contact Russ Clark.

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7/28/06 - The Panhandle Region teams up with TPWD, Boy Scouts and the City of Amarillo to improve fishing on Lake McDonald.

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7/25/06 - Federation Members,

It is with great enthuesiasm that I announce to you today that BASS/ESPN has made good on their promise to begin funding on the ground conservation projects to help US make fishing better in Texas. Through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, BASS will offer $500,000.00 in conservation grant dollars to be used to support the National Fish Habitat Initiative in 2007. In 2008, we expect this fund to grow to over $1,000,000.00.
What does this mean for the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation? I will be seeking a minimum of 3-4 bass clubs or regions willing to take on habitat related projects which will request $5,000- $30,000 in grant money. I will help ANY club or region do the necessary paperwork to apply for these grants, and the more the better. These projects must be conducted in partnership with TPWD district biologists.
Our State Conservation Program has become one of the most highly regarded programs in the country which in tern has helped to make the Texas B.A.S.S. Federation one of the best Federations in the country. This puts us in perfect position to successfully be awarded a large portion of that grant money. I am depending you all to help me make that happen. Thank you for everything you do for our sport, and for our Federation. Please contact me with your project idea, or to get involved with an ongoing project.
Tim Cook
State Conservation Director
Texas BASS Federation Nation
tim@cookssharpening.com
http://www.texas-bass.com/cons


BASS FEDERATION NATION & NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
“MORE FISH” PARTNERSHIP FUND
BASS, ESPN Outdoors and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation have developed a grant partnership to spearhead on-the-ground implementation of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP). This More Fish Partnership will encourage B.A.S.S Federation Nation clubs to apply for funding to support grassroots capacity building projects and large-scale conservation projects that support NFHAP goals.
Projects currently undertaken by BASS Federation Nation conservation programs and clubs are ideal for funding that provides a few large grants in the $75,000 to $100,000 range, and a new pool of funding to support numerous grants in the $ 5,000 to $30,000 range. Funding for these grants will be a combination of federal, corporate and foundation support. A 1:1 minimum match will be required.
The More Fish Partnership will support community-based restoration projects that involve volunteers, youth, and other anglers with a goal of supporting their conservation and recreation interests and improving awareness about stewardship opportunities. Fueling grassroots involvement in conservation and sport fishing is essential to reaching the goals and objectives of National Fish Habitat Action Plan. BASS and the BASS Federation Nation have been partners in NFHAP since its inception.
The More Fish Partnership Fund will be a vehicle through which federal and state agencies, foundations, corporations and nonprofits can provide financial support for projects with priority conservation objectives for sport fish habitat restoration. The program will provide significant opportunity for on-the-ground commitments to improving conditions for sport fisheries nationwide. The program was developed specifically to attract new donors in support of the work of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and BASS clubs, and other local conservation and community groups. The More Fish Partnership will highly value the volunteer support and in-kind support of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and BASS clubs.
The More Fish Partnership will include:
· A Foundation’s commitment of $500,000 in federal and philanthropic funds to support the Partnership.
· Working with ESPN Outdoors/BASS to develop criteria for the program and an outreach plan to announce the “Request for Proposals” by September 2006.
· A proposal review team to include a representative(s) of BASS and funders of the program.
· Under the first year, small grants of between $5,000 and $30,000 and leadership grants of $75,000 to $100,000 to be awarded competitively. Matching funds will be required on a 1:1 basis with preference to projects that leverage grants with contributed cash and in-kind services at a higher level.
· Eligibility limited to BASS chapters and other non-profit fishing or community-based organizations proposing to undertake projects for fish habitat improvement. Proposed activities eligible for funding can include things such as habitat restoration, water quality improvement, and watershed planning. Projects that include youth, education, training or community outreach will be encouraged. Priority will be given to projects directly implementing priorities of NFHAP or any regional NFHAP partnerships.
Proposals solicited this September, with selection by the end of the year, and grant awards announced at 2007 Bassmaster Classic. At a minimum, the $500,000 Foundation commitment will roll into a $1 million in conservation action to announce at the 2007 Bassmaster Classic.


Tim Cook
State Conservation Director
Texas BASS Federation
tim@cookssharpening.com
http://www.texas-bass.com/cons

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7/24/06 - Updates have been added to the Lake Conroe Vegetation Management Plan.

"Your Texas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Conservation Department has been very involved with The Lake Conroe Vegetation plan issue. The Conroe homeowners are extremely upset with the rapid increase in hydrilla and they are applying lots of pressure in the media. The July survey reported 739.31 acres of hydrilla which is up from 473 acres earlier in the year. The objective of this plan is NOT to eliminate aquatic vegetation in Lake Conroe. We are attempting to get control of the hydrilla just enough that it does not cause access problems for the lake residence. The plan that is being implemented mirrors that of the one used on Lake Austin. Several years after fish were stocked in Lake Austin, we still have hydrilla and over 30% coverage of aquatic vegetation. I firmly believe that we will be successful on Conroe as well. TPWD and SJRA have both affirmed their commitment to maintaining the existing native aquatic vegetation program and monitoring of the fish population. If anyone has further questions or would like to get involved with our conservation efforts, please send me an email."

Tim Cook
State Conservation Director
Texas BASS Federation Nation
tim@cookssharpening.com