TIME:  7:00 PM

WHERE:  UNITED COMMUNITY BANK - CLARKESVILLE

PROGRAM:  UPDATE ON CHATTOOGA RIVER BOATING ISSUE

SPEAKERS:  DOUG ADAMS, JEFF DURNIAK & JIMMY HARRIS

Within the past week, a lot a movement has taken place on the
Chattooga boating issue.  On June 26th, Sumter National Forest
announced that no decision would be forthcoming before December 31,
2008.  This delay was the second time they have postponed announcing
their final ruling and it was the longest delay since they had
determined their original target of Spring of this year would not be
possible.  Word was that they were determined to withhold making an
announcement until they were confident their decision would hold up in
court should another interest group sue them as American Whitewater
had three years ago.

On June 2nd, Doug Adams received a call from the Forest Service with
word that they had made a decision from the alternatives arrived at
through the series of public meetings over the past couple of years.
Doug has been the unofficial liaison between Trout Unlimited and
Sumter National Forest on the issue of allowing boating in the
backcountry angling sections of the Chattooga.  Doug stated, "I just
received a phone call from the Forest Service.  The preferred
alternative will allow limited winter boating (Dec 1 to March 1),
limited from above the Bull Pen Bridge (County Line Road) to Burrell's
Ford Bridge, with a minimum flow level restriction (as measured at the
Burrell’s Ford Bridge staff gauge), and limited to 16 boats/day
maximum (4 groups of 4 boats – self registration). The forest Service
is aware that additional Law Enforcement and River Management
personnel are required for protection of the Chattooga North
Fork ORVs.  The Forest Service will post the EA and Preferred
Alternative on their website today."

For the full press release, go to the Forest Service website at: 
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/fms/ and look on the right hand side of the
page for the link to the announcement.  The Forest Service will be
accepting public comments on their decision between now and August
1st.

With this important topic coming to the forefront, we thought the
Foothills members would like to know more about what to expect and
what the Forest Service decision may mean to Chattooga anglers.  We
have also been asked to show the episode of Trout Unlimited's "On The
Rise" television show which was filmed on the Chattooga River and
recently aired on "The Outdoor Channel".  That show was an attempt by
Trout Unlimited to highlight the Chattooga as a national resource,
explain the history of how the Chattooga has developed as a trout
fishery over the past few decades and also to note the potential
conflict between backcountry anglers and boaters.  We hope you will
join us for this important meeting.

CHAPTER WORK DAY

This could be your opportunity to give something back to the
government agencies that work so diligently to provide us with some
great trout fishing opportunities here in Georgia.  On July 26th, the
Foothills Chapter in conjunction with the Oconee River TU Chapter will
have a work day from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM with the Chattahoochee
National Forest and Ga. DNR on the upper Chattahoochee River above
Helen.  This project will involve installing stream structures on that
section of the river which supports a wild brook trout population.
Oconee River TU is planning to provide lunch for all volunteers and
DNR/USFS workers.  We hope you will consider volunteering for this
project and we are most grateful to Oconee River TU for offering to
provide lunch for everyone.  If you can participate, plan on being at
the USFS campground on the upper Chattahoochee River (also known as
Horse Trough Campground) no later than 9:00 AM on July 26th.  The best
way to get to this area is to take Hwy. 75 north out of Helen to
Unicoi Gap.  At the top of the mountain, turn left where the sign
identifies the Mark Trail Wilderness.  Stay on the Forest Service road
until you reach Horse Trough Campground and the river.

CHAPTER CASTING TEAM

Rocket Roy Lowe is looking for at least one more participant to
complete the Foothills TU team that will enter the Golf/Casting
Tournament at the Atlanta Fly Fishing School in Alpharetta on August
16th.  For more information on the tournament, which hopes to raise
money to help sponsor kids at the annual Trout Camp next summer, go to
this link:
http://www.unicoioutfitters.com/castgolf.pdf

SEE YOU AT THE MEETING NEXT TUESDAY!!!