Vermont Traditions Coalition
 



 

Working to protect our cultural heritage.
 

What’s it worth to you?

In 2002 there was virtually no timber management on state
lands. Walleye restoration was under funded. The state was
doing little to promote hunting as part of Vermont’s culture.
Champion style land grabs looked like they may take over many more of Vermont’s public lands driving out timber companies, jobs, and many rural recreational traditions. And, in general, it looked like we might lose the Vermont we grew up in. That’s when VTC went to work. This is what’s happened since:

2002-2008 Achievements

VTC led the fight that reversed many restrictions associated with state purchase of the Champion lands.

VTC works with Gov. Douglas to bring new leadership to Agency of Natural Resources.

VTC plays lead role in fighting restrictive federal “wilderness” designations on the 650 square mile Green Mt. National Forest.

VTC works with key legislators, and the Agency of Natural Resources to resurrect aggressive timber management on Vt’s 625 square miles of state lands. Thousands of acres of timber have been cut and other wildlife restoration actions have taken place.

From 2007-2010,VTC will play a lead role in fighting proposed abolition of the road network, snowmobile trails, and timber cutting on the vast federal portion of the Champion Lands know as Conte Refuge.

VTC plays important role in preventing closure of fish hatcheries, and in winning major appropriations for fish hatcheries and fishing access maintenance improvements.

VTC plays important role in winning about $177,500 for the Lake Champlain Walleye Assn.’s nationally recognized walleye restoration program conducted in a partnership with the F&W Dept.

In 2008,VTC plays lead role in averting closure of future recreational trails and restriction of fishing access by winning exemption of recreational trails and fishing access paths from restrictions associated with stream and lake shore lands.

VTC teams with other sporting groups to exempt lead ammunition and all shooting uses from a 2008 bill banning manufacture and use of lead products.

VTC, with others, takes lead role in winning unprecedented appropriations of:$140,000 to the Ruffed Grouse Society to accelerate timber management on state land;$77,500 for Vt. Outdoor Guide Assn., and $50,000 for the LCI Fishing Derbies..

VTC plays role in defeating railroad trespass legislation in 2003, 2004,2005, and 2008 which would have cut off public access to railroad right of ways for fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, ATVing and more.

VTC plays lead role to ensure that Willoughby State Forest Land Plan contains no Champion Lands style restrictions.

VTC also takes lead role in land planning for all State WMA’s, State Parks, and State Forests such as Groton State Forest, Green River State Park, Maquam WMA, and Coolidge State Forest.

In 2008,VTC and its member groups convince the Agency of Natural Resources to change a 2,500 acre restricted area in Groton State Park to allow general uses including a possible snowmobile connector route from the Barre area.

VTC helps broker bi-partisan extension of leases and sales rights for Champion Lands Camps.

VTC becomes lead public access advocate in 3 year debate over the “ancient roads bill ”dealing with potential closure of old public right-of-ways such as class 4 roads that aren’t plowed in the winter.

VTC works with HAT to pass legislation that provides an annual moose permit to a child with a life threatening disease for a “Hunt of a Lifetime.”

VTC works with other groups to oppose excessive pet regulation, and taxes on back yard dog breeders to fund the “doggie police”.

VTC successfully fights against efforts to de-emphasize the hunting, fishing, and trapping focus of the Fish &Wildlife Dept whenever this issue surfaces.

VTC creates statewide media campaign and grass roots uprising to successfully persuade Agency of Natural Resources to provide stronger lamprey treatment in Lake Champlain tributaries.


Most importantly, VTC prevents many bad initiatives from even being considered.

This is done by maintaining a daily presence at the Statehouse.

 



 

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“Champion woke me up. First, they took over the land, then they came for our jobs and then they came for our camps.

All of this left me wondering, when they come for me, will I be standing all by myself.”

ANONYMOUS,

Citizens Advisory Committee 01

Island Pond, VT

**

"If we could shut down all sport hunting in a moment, we would..."
"Our goal is to get sport hunting in the same category as cock fighting and dog fighting..."“We are going to use the ballot box and the democratic process to stop all hunting in the United States ... We will take it species by species until all hunting is stopped in California. Then we will take it state by state...”

The words of Wayne Pacelle, current Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

 


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True North brings a balanced view to today's pressing issues.

www.truenorthradio.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vermont Traditions Coalition, Steve McLeod, Executive Director, 127 Sports Club Dr. #123, Bolton, VT 05477

Phone: 802-434-3346  Fax: 802-434-3346

info@vermonttraditions.org
© 2008