Council News

Charlie Breithaupt, Council Chairman

Click the Pictures Above for Representative Information

FOR ANGLERS WHO NEED SPECIAL ACCESS TO STREAMS CLICK www.georgiawildlife.com/documentdetail.aspx?docid=34&pageid=3&categor

Status Update – Chattooga North Fork Visitor Use Capacity Analysis http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/

The draft EA public comment period closed on August 18^th. Almost 3000 public comments on the draft EA were received, about 500 on the last day. Two-thirds of the comments called for protecting the values of solitude and remoteness of the upper Chattooga and one-third of the comments were for unrestricted year-round, any water level boating access on the upper Chattooga. The E-mailed comments can be read by clicking HERE . The final decision will be released in early 2009


	For a comprehensive list of bills of interest to TU members that were voted on or introduced by the Georgia Legislature, click GA TU 2009 GA Legislative Wrap-up.

	SPAWNING TROUT IN TRIBUTARY STREAMS (STITS Study by DNR), CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER There have been sightings on a tributary of the Chattahoochee (Cabin Creek) of spawning trout. The Georgia DNR has now authorized a study of naturally reproducing trout on the Hooch. Four Ga TU Chapters will monitor approximately twenty streams along the river corridor beginning in February. If it can be shown that more streams have the ability to support reproduction, there are possibilities for enhanced fisheries management. Bruce Ricky coordinated the STITS training, and people from four Georgia TU Chapters are now able to train Chapters volunteers for this survey. Some of our members fish the corridor (especially around Delayed Harvest season). If you can help, you will contibute to enhancing the fishery- AND see where you can catch some fish. Bruce Ricky has ordered some necessary equipment and is contemplating holding a training session Jan 19 and 20. If you would like to participate, contact him at bruceandjulie@comcast.net . He can give you the names of the other “trainers”. TU can be a valuable assest to this study.

Please go to www.stopi3.org and see what is going on. You should consider having your chapter or state council join as a supporting member. The Georgia Council of Trout Unlimited, along with the Rabun Chapter, are members. We all have "a dog in this fight" as the proposed route could greatly damage trout water. The Stop I-3 Coalition is working hard and needs our support. Your questions can best be answered by the website or direct contact with the coalition. For one Legislator’s thoughts click here.

Georgia Trout Unlimited Forms Partnership with
Georgia Wildlife Federation's Camouflage Coalition

I am excited to announce our groundbreaking partnership with Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Camouflage Coalition! We join thousands of conservationists, anglers and hunters throughout Georgia.

The Camo Coalition is a program of the Georgia Wildlife Federation formed to protect Georgia's wildlife resources and fishing and hunting heritage. Approaching conservation issues from a scientific viewpoint, guided by research, experience and sound management principles, the Coalition has made a commitment to arm the public with facts so it can do its part to direct the future of Georgia’s natural resources.

As important issues arise, Georgia Trout Unlimited will partner on those that correspond to our mission to conserve, protect and restore North America’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. The Camo Coalition will send you a Camo Alert email. You will see the TU logo clearly displayed when you receive these partnered alerts. An editable message, which Georgia Trout Unlimited has reviewed, along with a list of recipients is provided by the alert system. After you approve the message with the click of a button, it is emailed to the appropriate decision-makers to let them know what you think. This is an easy, convenient way for you to support positions that Georgia Trout Unlimited feels are important. You can also unsubscribe to the alerts if you desire.

The Camo Coallition also sends out alerts that do not affect Trout Unlimited’s mission. We will not be partners on these alerts that cover hunting, warm and salt water angling and other conservation issues. If you are not already a member of the Camouflage Coallition, I encourage you to join independent of Georgia Trout Unlimited in order to receive alerts about those issues not covered by TU’s mission that you may have an interest. Click the Take Action button to receive Camo Coalition alerts in addition to those sent in partnership with Georgia Trout Unlimited.

Charlie Breithaupt, Georgia Trout Unlimited Jerry McCollum, Chairman President and CEO Camouflage Coalition

David Waller, Georgia Wildlife Federation Georgia Wildlife Federation

Join Now and Test Out the System:

By clicking on the take action link, you can sign up to receive additional alerts, test out the system, and find out more about Georgia Wildlife Federation and the Camo Coalition. Please take action. The Georgia Wildlife Federation and its Camo Coalition provides powerful leadership and advocacy for the enhancement of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit of Georgia’s hunters, fishermen, and others interested in wildlife conservation. Georgia Wildlife Federation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. Visit the Coalition website for more information on our Privacy Policy or to unsubscribe.