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:

2002-2007 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.

VTC plays an 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 $150,000 for the Lake Champlain Walleye Assn.’s nationally recognized walleye restoration program conducted in a partnership with the F&W Dept.

VTC helps win passage of reciprocal fishing license bill that
expands Lake Champlain fishing rights.

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 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, Coolidge State Forest, and the federal portion of the Champion lands known as the Conte Refuge.”

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 the Hunter, Angler, Trapper Assn. (HAT), the
Fish & Wildlife Dept., and the Vt. Farm Bureau to pass legislation resolving the “Stannard deer slaughter” and ensuring that deer slaughters of that nature never happen again.

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 successfully opposes the efforts of the national anti-hunting group known as the “United States Humane Society” from abolishing coyote hunting tournaments.

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.

VTC and other sporting groups win passage of amendments to
legislation that would have banned lead ammunition. This legislation will be considered again in 2008!

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

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