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Toledo Bend Bi-State Alliance
Minutes July 27, 2009
Maurice Patterson, TBBSA Co-Chairman for TX, called the meeting to order and gave the opening prayer. Stan Verret presented the flag and joined Maurice in leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
Janna Lehman, TBBSA Treasurer, introduced tonight's special guests:
Preston Hutson, Bowfishing Association of America (BAA), and with him, Jason Burr & Chris Porterfield, Bow Fishermen from Louisiana.
Captain Tom Jenkins, Texas Parks & Wildlife, Law Enforcement Division, from San Augustine, and with him, Chad Gartman, Local Game Warden
Charles Watson, Sabine County Judge
Mike Carr, Sabine River Authority, Louisiana representative in charge of tournaments at Cypress Bend Park, and his wife.
Bonnie and Billy Finley, guests
Chris and Larry Garry, Toledo Bend Lake Association members
Phil Yoakim, ToledoChronicle.com
Janna also introduced Steve McMahon, TBBSA-LA Co-chairman
New Business:
AIRBOAT NOISE: Maurice invited Preston Hutson, Director for the '2009 BAA World Championship Bowfishing Tournament', to tell about the association and what they do. Preston said he is a local resident with a camp on Circle Drive, Toledo Bend. They enjoy Toledo Bend because it is great for bow fishing, and have been having local tournaments here for 4 or 5 years, without ever having any complaints. None of these tournaments were on the scale of the World Championship Bowfishing Tournament. Thirteen states were represented with 40 boats and 120 participants. He went on to say these teams were from out of state and didn't know the lake or the shoreline, and therefore had to spend time learning where to fish, and didn't always know where the residential areas were located. Preston feels this is part of the reason for the issues.
Preston went on to say he and the other tournament director felt this tournament would be good for the present economy because they would be bringing in $130,000 to $150,000 for the tournament. The teams fish at night for 'rough' fish that can be seen in concentration in shallow water under bright halogen lights on the grassy flats. They are not allowed to fish for 'game fish', but take the 'rough fish' such as gar, carp, shad, buffalo, and grindle. In that 14 hr. period, 5,128 'rough' fish were taken. The Winning Team came out of South Carolina. Preston says they have never had a tournament of this caliber on this lake, and in the normal course of scheduling, this tournament would not return to Toledo Bend for 5 years.
Preston said they drove around the lake and put tournament flyers out on both sides of the lake, but several members on the Texas side said they had not seen anything about the tournament.
Discussion continued about the bright lights and airboat noise that woke residents in the middle of the night, causing loss of sleep that was needed for the next day's work.
When asked about rules concerning specific distances from residences, Preston said they do have 'Red Zones' where participants can be disqualified if caught fishing in those areas. One area designated was Cypress Bend Resort. Janna noted those areas are for marinas, not residences.
Maurice Patterson said it seemed one of the problems was lack of publicity to residents about the tournament, and noted ToledoChronicle.com didn't have the information. Some asked why the airboats have to be so loud? Preston said some have to 'rev' up to get off stumps. Chad Gartman, Local Game Warden asked if BAA rules could include guidelines for keeping the noise level under 85 decibels. He said anyone operating in a public place is required to operate under 85 decibels or they can be cited for disorderly conduct. Most of the 10 to 15 complaints generated Saturday night were for the noise.
There were several who had good comments to make about the tournament bringing in money to our area, and invited the tournaments. Steve McMahon said this is a public lake and anyone can come here to the Louisiana or Texas side and fish as long as they follow the rules.
Capt. Tom Jenkins, TP&WD Game Warden from San Augustine, said these are public waters and just like on public roads, are open to anyone as long as they obey the rules. He also thought the lack of publicity was a problem. He said TP& WD will post tournaments on their website. More discussion and questions followed on the legal noise level of 85 decibels. Capt. Jenkins encouraged folks to call anytime they had questions or complaints, and they will try to help.
Mike Carr, SRA-LA member said the state has no laws restricting airboats or bow fishing , but can be cited for violating noise levels. His job and the mission of SRA-LA is to bring tournaments to this lake, and they invited the BAA to Toledo Bend. In the future he will make sure the tournaments are posted on the www.srala-toledo.com. Mike said he did have 4 or 5 complaints, but had more calls about appreciating the tournament being held on Toledo Bend.
He talked with the other tournament director in Shreveport about the complaints, and wondered if BAA could include in their rules about respect for adjacent property owners. Mike said SRA-LA does want the BAA back to Toledo Bend and will work with the directors until told otherwise, and thanked Preston for coming. Also, thanks for working with the conflicts of a bass tournament and wedding at Cypress Bend.
Judge Charles Watson addressed members and commended them for the way the meeting has been conducted. He said he knows how hard each one in the room fought to keep the lake level up so we could get tournaments to come here. We need to market this lake and not drive anyone away with too many regulations. He said this lake is very important to the economy of Sabine County, and we may be inconvenienced at times but we need to work with these people.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes of the July 27, 2009 Meeting of the TBBSA were approved as written.
Approval of Treasurer's Report:
Janna Lehman reported all bills have been paid. We have $6,260.99 total funds available.
Treasurer's Report was approved as given.
Old Business:
SALVINIA/WEEVILS/SPRAYING: Maurice announced Ronnie Greer brought a great number of the new TP&WD Fishing & Hunting books for 2009-2010, and may be picked up outside the auditorium.
Maurice said he contacted the SRA-La several times last week and 'the weevils are coming'. Using a suggestion by Jerry Lehman, we are going get them ourselves, in containers we will purchase with money from our treasury. Using a couple trucks and trailers, we will go to Lafayette, LA to pick them up and bring them back. Coordinating with TP&WD's Howard Elder, we will learn where to put them. This distribution will be highly publicized on ToledoChronicle.com, on the radio, and in the Sabine Reporter. Maurice said they will need the help of members to distribute these weevils. Those who signed in tonight will be contacted.
Maurice has obtained a permit to transport the salvinia on which the weevils live. Discussion followed on how the weevils work. Maurice acknowledged Jim Pratt, Executive Director of the SRA-LA, has been extremely helpful in making it possible for Texas side to obtain the weevils.
Mid-August is the target time to distribute the weevils. Spraying is also effective, and is contracted out, but obviously can't be used together.
REGION I WATER PLANNING BOARD: Bill Huegel, TBBSA representative said unfortunately he was not at the last meeting, however, he did gather some information about what was discussed. The group is in the process of gathering drafts for the next water plan that will be sent to the state legislature. Estimates about population, water usage, and water availability and such are being gathered. The Water Planning Meetings are open to the public, and the next meeting will be October 14th. One subject discussed that Bill thought might be of interest was the Future of Reservoirs. The board has been asked to identify or designate sites for future reservoirs. One such area is State Line Lake about 5 miles north of the head of Toledo Bend. There are two sites below Toledo Bend, one at Bon Wier and the other near the border. These are places to look should we need water in 2060. There are two areas already designated as reservoirs, Lake Columbia near Jacksonville and Fastrill Reservoir, highlighted by Dallas. There are so many environmental issues, regulations, and things to go through it is difficult to get reservoirs built. For those who having been asking about when Dallas is going to get water from Toledo Bend, it has been determined it is too expensive to move it, so that is way down on plans.
Bill said there are many states having problems with droughts and water availability and Texas has been recognized as having the top plan.
Remaining New Business:
2009 EXPO/DEERFEST BOOTH for $35: After some discussion the decision was to not participate this year. The Board of Directors can make a different decision should circumstances change.
DO WE WANT A MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE PRINTED?: Steve McMahon would like the Board to discuss that with members from Louisiana before a decision is made.
Announcements:
Maurice thanked everyone for all they have done.
RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY:
Janna Lehman announced the resignation of TBBSA Secretary Betty Griffin and thanked her for many years she has served as secretary. Maurice and other members also extended their thanks.
Next Meeting Date: October 26, 2009 @ 6:30 P.M.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:10 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Betty Griffin, Secretary
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