Clinch River Chapter 662

Transcription

1 Clinch River Chapter Strategic Plan Mission: Conserve and protect the Clinch River tailwater trout fishery and its watershed. Strengths and Constraints: Strengths and constraints inherent to our chapter as they pertain to establishment of future projects are as follows: Strengths: Diversity of talent among members; high level of member interest in conservation and youth education; interest of members in natural resource conservation activities. Constraints: Limited number of members willing to take leadership positions; limited involvement of non-fly fishing persons; lack of broad public interest in fishing and in maintaining an enjoyable environment for fishing and non-fishing persons. Goal One: Protect and enhance the biological health of the Clinch River tailwater and its watershed. Separately, protect and enhance the biological health of our region by supporting study and re-establishment of the Appalachian brook trout in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Cherokee National Forest. Objective: Enhance shoreline and in-stream habitat. Project: Agency biomonitoring and generation schedules TVA now conducts fishery and aquatic invertebrate biomonitoring surveys every five years on the Clinch and periodic sampling of Cane Creek and Coal Creek; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) conducts annual quantitative sampling of trout on the Clinch; and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) conducts periodic aquatic invertebrate surveys on Cane and Coal creeks. Action: Verify agency commitment at semiannual coldwater meetings Managers: Dick Geiger, Clayton Gist, John Thurman, Steve Brown, Bill Guinn Cooperators: TVA, TWRA and TDEC 1

2 Project: Annual in-river cleanup Trash accumulates in the Clinch, endangering wildlife and detracting from a quality fishing experience. We have conducted at least one in-river cleanup annually since 2000, removing tons of trash and more than 6,800 tires; in 2010 and 2011 we concentrated on removing nearly 500 tires from the area just upstream of Highway 61 bridge. In 2013 we want to return to the full-river cleanup, investigating ways to make it a communitywide event involving public participation and a post-cleanup celebration. Action: Conduct in-river cleanup Manager: Buzz Buffington Schedule: Summer 2013 Cooperators: Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Anderson County Tourism Council, City of Clinton, City of Norris, Keep Anderson County Beautiful, Lower Clinch Watershed Council, Museum of Appalachia, Scenic TN Anti- Litter Project, TVA Project: Adopt-a-Highway and shoreline cleanups As a member of TNDOT s program, we remove roadside trash along Highway 441 from West Norris Road to Norris Dam and along River Road from Highway 441 to Massengill Bridge. This work is done on Saturdays, approximately every four months. Also, each spring we collect trash from the Highway 61 bridge access area, Peach Orchard access area, Miller Island access area and the shoreline from Massengill Bridge to Norris Dam. Since April 2010 the highway cleanup has been combined with the shoreline cleanup to coincide with TU National s Stream Clean-Up Days, usually scheduled in mid-april and again in mid-june. Action: Conduct roadside and shoreline cleanups Managers: Denny McMahan Schedule: Shoreline cleanup, mid-april; highway cleanups, mid- April, July and November (check with Gary Long, county road superintendent, to get timing of the first spring mowing) Cooperators: Keep Anderson County Beautiful, Scenic TN Anti- Litter Project, TNDOT, TVA Project: Appalachian brook trout Support the efforts to study environmental impacts on and re-establish Appalachian brook trout in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and Cherokee National Forest (CNF). Action: Assist in acid deposition monitoring and re-establishment of Appalachian brook trout into identified streams in the Smokies and Cherokee National Forest. Managers: Buzz Buffington, Dick Geiger 2

3 Cooperators: National Park Service/GSMNP, Charlie Chmielewski, other TU Chapters, U.S. Forest Service/CNF, TWRA Goal Two: Attract new members, increase level of member activity and conduct funding activities. Objective One: Attract new members and increase involvement of members in chapter activities. Project: Fishing instruction An on-river fishing seminar held in May will be repeated annually as long as it continues to meet its goal of adding new members or increasing the level of member activity. Chapter members also support Orvis Fly Fishing 201 class with in-river instruction. Action: Conduct in-river fishing (spin and fly) instruction Managers: Jerry Van Fossen, Jim Ferguson, Clayton Gist Schedule: May 2013 and as requested by Orvis Cooperators: Orvis, Second Baptist Church of Clinton Project: Make monthly programs attractive to members and the general public Members have recommended a number of ideas including a program on advanced fly tying and a more structured and entertaining session for the annual November swap and/or sell program, possibly including representatives and merchandise from fly shops including CR Outfitters, Little River Outfitters and 3 Rivers Angler. We could encourage partnership with the businesses by creating links from their websites to ours. Action: Develop an attractive, varied program menu for Managers: Jim Reynolds, John Thurman Cooperators: Fly shops Project: CRCTU apparel and fly tying manuals To publicize the chapter s work and to create a more positive experience for newcomers, make available clothes, hats and fly boxes carrying the chapter name and logo for use during public activities and for presentation to guest speakers and new members. For , we will investigate adding T- shirts. Also included could be orange safety vests with the chapter name, to be worn during highway and shoreline cleanups. A market has been developed for beginner fly tying manuals which has resulted in additional income to the chapter. Action: Provide and/or sell logo apparel and fly tying manuals Managers: John Thurman, Buzz Buffington Cooperators: N/A 3

4 Objective Two: Conduct fundraising activities. Project: Annual beginners fly tying class Since 2000, we ve conducted a beginners fly tying class each January/February. The class is limited to 10 or 12 students. The $125 fee includes a TU introductory membership, a step-by-step manual with color photos for seven flies, materials and loan of tools. Chapter members serve as instructors. Action: Conduct beginners fly tying class Manager: Buzz Buffington Schedule: January and February 2013 Cooperators: CRCTU instructors, Little River Outfitters Goal Three: Support outreach programs regarding aquatic biology and increase public awareness of the economic and ecological significance of the Clinch River tailwater. Objective One: Provide aquatic natural resources educational opportunities for area youth. Project: Trout in the Classroom This is a conservation teaching tool designed for students in grades K-12; we are now working with three middle schools. Students set up a classroom aquarium environment and raise trout fry from eggs to fingerlings; trout fingerlings are released into Clear Creek. Current TIC programs are at Norris Middle School, Lake City Middle School and the Christian Academy of Campbell County. In , all three schools successfully raised fingerling trout from eggs. Teachers monitored the systems and involved students in the care of the systems and fish. The teachers also incorporated lessons learned from raising trout into their lesson plans. On the day each school released its fingerlings into Clear Creek, students also participated in an aquatic field study headed by John Thurman, Terry Douglas, Steve Brown and TWRA and TVA aquatic biologists. Frances Oates photographed the events. Action: Continue the three TIC programs Managers: Terry Douglas, Jim Ferguson, Harry Wood school year Cooperators: Christian Academy of Campbell County, Lake City Middle School, Norris Middle School, TWRA and TVA Project: Coal Creek Health Day Each October our chapter joins with the Coal Creek Watershed Foundation to hold a daylong environmental health day at Briceville Elementary School. Kids work with TVA biologists and chapter members in conducting a biological monitoring survey of Coal Creek. They also participate in fly tying and casting. Action: Participate in Coal Creek Health Day 4

5 Managers: Carol Moore, Barry Thacker Schedule: October 2013 Cooperators: Coal Creek Watershed Foundation, TVA, University of Tennessee Project: Kids Fish Free Day Since 2003, our chapter has conducted this popular event in June on the Saturday designated by TWRA as fish free day. Kids fish, tie flies, take boat rides and learn about the river. We provide equipment, instructors, refreshments and door prizes. Action: Conduct Kids Fish Free Day Managers: Dick Geiger, Beth Van Fossen Schedule: June 8, 2013 Cooperators: TVA, TWRA Project: Work with Boy Scouts The chapter supports local Boy Scout troops as the scouts satisfy certain merit badge requirements; several members have become certified merit badge counselors. Action: Help Boy Scouts complete fishing and fly fishing merit badge requirements Manager: Terry Douglas, Tom Whitson, Derek Wilson Cooperators: Boy Scouts, Big Ridge State Park Project: Work with Girl Scouts Investigate ways to work with Girl Scouts on aquatic biology and fly/spin fishing. Action: Conduct aquatic biology and fly/spin fishing activities for Girl Scouts Manager: Frances Oates Cooperators: Girl Scouts Project: Great Smoky Mountains Trout Adventure Camp The Tennessee Council s first trout camp was held in June 2011 at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; the 2013 camp will be June In 2013, the Tennessee Council is teaming with the Bluegrass Chapter in Kentucky to operate the camp. Boys and girls 12 to 15 years old will be accepted; they need not be from either Tennessee or Kentucky. Trout Unlimited volunteers will serve as chaperones, as mentors to teach fly tying and as guides for campers in fly fishing. Action: Recruit campers and TU volunteers Manager: John Thurman Schedule: June 17-22, 2013 Cooperators: Tennessee TU chapters and council; Bluegrass Chapter in Kentucky; GSMIT 5

6 Project: Webb School In support of our work with youngsters, chapter member Stan Atkins has started a program with students at Webb School of Knoxville. The students learn fly tying and fly casting, and have spent time on the Clinch perfecting their skills. Action: Support the Webb School project in class and on the river Manager: Stan Atkins Cooperators: Webb School of Knoxville Project: Boys and Girls Club Field Day In 2012, we had our first field day with the Boys and Girls Club of Oak Ridge. It turned out to be a great success and the club staff encouraged us to do it again, perhaps more than once per year. Action: Conduct a field day with members of the Oak Ridge Boys and Girls Club, with fly casting and fly tying at the club, bug hunts and electroshocking at a nearby stream Manager: Steve Brown Schedule: Spring/summer 2013 afternoon Cooperators: Boys and Girls Club, TVA Objective Two: Support education and opportunities for focus groups. Project: Liaison with Casting for Recovery Chapter members support Casting for Recovery (CFR) as river helpers. We have developed an aquatic invertebrate collection for the program ( Norton Creek Bugs ). Chapter members tie flies for the CFR retreat and a chapter member speaks to the participants about our chapter. Several CFR attendees have become active chapter members. Action: Contact CFR for participants names and invite those from our area to join the chapter Managers: Lindsay Long, Buzz Buffington Cooperators: CFR Project: Veterans program Working with Trout Unlimited s Veterans Service Program, we developed a chapter program using members expertise in fly tying, fishing and conservation activities to support area military veterans. Chapter member Steve Thompson has coordinated this project, teaming with Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing (PHWFF). We entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with PHWFF and have invited the Great Smoky Mountains Chapter as a partner in the program. A fly tying class has been completed, using the chapter s beginning fly tying manual. Action: Investigate additional opportunities to expand the program (such as a rod building project) 6

7 Manager: Steve Thompson Cooperators: Alan Folger, national coordinator of the TU Veterans Service Program; PHWFF Objective Three: Increase public awareness of the economic and ecological significance of the Clinch tailwater, and of the chapter s work to conserve, protect and sustain the tailwater. Project: Develop improved communication strategy In 2001, the chapter developed a 20-minute video to educate the general public about the significance of the Clinch. Several members have expressed an interest in updating informational media to inform the public about the Clinch and the Clinch River Chapter. Suggestions have included a prepared presentation, a new CD or video and updating the tabletop display. A Communications Committee was established in 2011, with responsibilities including the newsletter, s broadcast to members and press, and development of a new website (below) and new video. Action: Continue refining a communication strategy for board review, including the newsletter, broadcast s, tabletop display and possibly a video and prepared public presentations Managers: Frances Oates, Communications Committee and Board Cooperators: Chapter members, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Keep Anderson County Beautiful Project: New website The chapter needs to replace our current website, currently hosted by Barry Thacker s firm, Geo/Environmental Associates. This effort will incorporate some new features that were not available when the original website was developed. It will also remove the burden of maintaining the site from Carol Moore at Geo/Environmental Associates. Action: Develop the new site, Managers: Frances Oates, Larry Allen, Ron Wollard, Steve Brown Cooperators: Chapter members 7

8 Projects to be considered in 2014 or later: Project: Shoreline survey Several years ago, the chapter conducted a shoreline survey of the entire tailwater to determine stabilization needs. Several severely eroded sections were noted, but no landowners would agree to work with us on projects. This survey needs updating. Action: Conduct shoreline survey from Norris Dam to Highway 61 bridge Manager: Schedule: 2014 Cooperators: Natural Resources Conservation Service Project: Clinch River shoreline stabilization Chapter members Barry Thacker and Steve Stout own riverfront properties just below Massengill Bridge on the south descending bank. Both want to do bank stabilization and restoration work on their properties similar to the bank stabilization project on the Happney-Scruggs farm in They have offered to pay for materials and equipment. In fall 2009 they met with Jim Hagerman and Tiffany Foster from TVA; Hagerman suggested installing more rip-rap and refraining from excavating. Barry will revise the permit applications and resubmit them to TVA. Action: Complete Stout/Thacker bank stabilization and restoration projects Manager: Barry Thacker Schedule: 2014 Cooperators: TVA, TDEC, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Project: Conservation easements Conservation easements are a tool that could protect the tailwater and its shoreline for the enjoyment of future generations. During , chapter members working with The Land Trust for Tennessee contacted Clinch River landowners to assess interest in donating conservation easements. While some interest was found, no easements were acquired. Action: Consider holding a public meeting with a presentation by Bill Clabough, executive director of Foothills Land Conservancy Managers: Jim Ferguson, Buzz Buffington Schedule: 2014 Cooperators: Foothills Land Conservancy, TN Parks and Greenways Foundation Project: Intermediate fly tying program Clayton Gist has drafted step-by-step instructions for fly patterns for an intermediate fly tying 8

9 course. The drafts are being edited and an intermediate book will be developed similar to the beginners manual. Action: Develop an intermediate fly tying class or program with an illustrated manual Manager: Clayton Gist Schedule: 2014 Cooperators: CRCTU instructors, Little River Outfitters 9