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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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