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Walleye restoration and conservation in the Lake Champlain Basin
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As many of you know by know the Agency of Natural Resources recently issued a permit for lampricide treatment of the Poultney and Hubberton Rivers. Many of us felt the permit was flawed because it allowed for a TFM concentration rate lower than what VT. Fish & Wildlife had applied for. A copy of the press release that LCWA, HAT and VTC issued jointly is below. With this information in hand, the Lake Champlain Walleye Assoc., Hunters Angler and Trappers of Vermont and Vermont Traditions Coalition led the charge to try and correct this grievous error by ANR. New York Dec and the USF&W Service said they would not take part in an ineffective treatment and that the ANR levels were to low to be effective.. Thanks goes out to them. ANR agreed to re-open the permit and they did. The new permit conditions will allow VTF&W to treat at the effective level they had asked for. November 8, 2007 - We are told that treatment of the Poultney River is underway. November 8, 2007 late afternoon - the latest report is; Staging began early this morning and treatment on the Hubbardton began at about 10 a.m. and treatment on the Poultney began at about 12 a.m. I’m told the times are staggered to allow for the chemical flow to reach the confluence of the two streams at the same time. We’re anticipating that the treatment will conclude around midnight. This report is directly out of Gov. Douglas' Office We will keep you up to date as information develops.
VERMONT AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES PRESS RELEASE Lake Champlain Water Use Advisory Lifted between Cedar Mountain and the Ticonderoga Ferry Crossing
Waterbury, VT -- The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department announces that temporary water use restrictions associated with the recent sea lamprey control treatment of the Poultney and Hubbardton Rivers have been lifted for Vermont lake water users located between Cedar Mountain in Benson and the Ticonderoga ferry crossing, effective at noon Friday, November 30th. “Final assessment of treatment effectiveness is not yet complete, but preliminary data suggest that levels were sufficient for a good sea lamprey kill,” said State Fisheries Biologist Brian Chipman. “We won’t have information on the extent of sea lamprey population reduction in the Poultney and Hubbardton rivers until after the follow-up lamprey population assessment is conducted next summer.” Monitoring indicates that the chemical has dissipated in Lake Champlain and that normal uses may be resumed. The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department thanks affected water users for their cooperation. For further information, please call the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department at 1-800-640-3714.
Lamprey Hit on a Walleye
Press Release VERMONT
TRADITIONS COALITION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 12, 2007 The Vermont Traditions Coalition, and two of its member sporting groups, the Hunter, Angler, Trapper Assn. of Vermont (HAT) and the Lake Champlain Walleye Association blasted the decision of the Agency of Natural Resources to reduce lamprey treatment chemical dosages on the Poultney River today. The Department of Fish & Wildlife had requested treatment at a 1.3 x Minimum Lethal Concentration (MLC) level as the minimum treatment level necessary to kill effective numbers of lamprey on the Poultney River. In the Endangered Species Permit signed by Agency of Natural Resources Secretary George Crombie and the Aquatic Nuisance Control Permit signed by Department of Environmental Conservation representative Peter Laflamme, the Agency reduced the dosage level to 1.1 x MLC. Lamprey are a blood sucking parasite that are taking over Lake Champlain and decimating game fish populations. Hundreds of anglers and lake users submitted Public Comments in support of the Fish & Wildlife Department’s 1.3 dosage level, and less than 20 opposed it. “The decision of Secretary Crombie and the Department of Environmental Conservation won’t effectively reduce the Poultney River lamprey population and is a slap in the face to Vermont’s angling community,” said Frank Stanley, Lamprey Project Director for the Vermont Traditions Coalition. “I feel betrayed,” said Dan Mitchell of the Walleye Association. “It only makes us assume that science has no place in the decisions of ANR. Between Vermont and the Great Lakes there is enough documentation supporting the safe treatment of Lamprey to fill a railroad car. Yet, year after year we face the same unfounded arguments not based on science. A poor way to manage our resources.” “The agency decision disregarded the information of the lamprecide chemical manufacturer, the Vt. Fish & Wildlife Dept. Fish Biologists, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation Biologists, and the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Biologists,” stated Sam Lang, President of HAT. The Vermont Traditions Coalition is aware that New York biologists have indicated that they will not participate in a lamprey treatment that they consider to be scientifically ineffective, and New York biologists consider the 1.1 level to be ineffective. Sec. Crombie is the first Agency Secretary in the Douglas administration to preside over a reduction in a requested lamprey treatment dosage from the Fish & Wildlife Department. The Vermont fishing industry is a $205 million industry that is a critical component of the Lake Champlain region economy and recreation. Contact Info: Frank Stanley 238-0364; Dan Mitchell 524-4392; cell-355-5471; Sam Lang 626-3023; cell-316-2878
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