CLEARWATER'S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2006

Clearwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited mission is to conserve, protect and restore the Capital Region’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds.

Clearwater will accomplish this mission by participating in local, state and national initiatives. We fund these efforts by raising conservation funds through our Banquet, our Classes, our member fees, and donations, combining our funds with grant funds and partnerships where possible.

Locally, we are the first line of defense for our home waters, which are threatened by loss and degradation of habitat.  Our members visit these home waters and in the process become knowledgeable about the threats and opportunities.  We partner with other organizations and individuals to protect and restore a long list of local streams:  The Battenkill, the Kayderosseras, the Onesthequaw-Coeymans, Catskill Creek, White Creek, Dwaas Kill, Indian Kill, Schoharie, Fox, Patroon Creek and others.  We provide education like the Trout-in-the Classroom project and Kids Fishing in Schenectady to ensure future generations of fishermen and women will work to preserve our resources. 

Statewide, we participate in efforts with other chapters and with the New York State Council of Trout Unlimited to protect reaches of the Battenkill, Delaware, Adirondack waters, Finger Lake Waters  We support the DEC in its efforts to protect and preserve our Heritage strains of Brook Trout, with the Greater Adirondack Resource and Development Council, the Battenkill Alliance, and other organizations. This support has taken the form of funding,, informative letters to lawmakers, education, and other activities requested by the NYS Council of Trout Unlimited.

Natiionally, our efforts mirror State activities, working primarily through the TU Natiional organization.  This allows us to help protect waters like the Yellowstone, Madison , and help anadromous fish populations survive.

Coldwater fisheries have both threats and opportunities at local, state, and National levels. 

Local threats include development, pollution, streams needing rehabilitation languishing, unwise stocking plans, pollution, and loss of riparian buffers.  Opportunities include local government Open Space plans, conservation easements, increased appreciation of the value of streams like the Kayderosseras by residents, governments, and commercial interests.  While loss of green belting is happening through development, there are efforts to preserve and protect riparian buffers.

Statewide threats include those faced locally, including extreme pressure for huge developments that can affect whole watersheds, and actions by those ignorant of their impact on cold water fisheries.  Unwise stocking adversely affects established stream residents and threatens introduction of diseases like whirling disease.  Statewide opportunities have included recent land acquisitions in the Adirondacks and the expansion of Public Fishing Rights programs.  The Department of Environmental Conservation continues to learn about and protect our unique heritage strain fish and other stream projects.  River and watershed organizations are popping up to protect your home waters now.

Nationwide threats include acid rain/deposition, pressure from mining, drilling, and grazing interests that lobby for short-sighted exploitation of our Children’s resources.  Global warming will affect the Cold Water resource distribution, whether or not we try to influence the rate of warming.

    -  Clearwater Chapter of Trout Unlimited will maintain or improve it’s communication with chapter members.  The tools to provide this communication are Clearwater Currents, the web page and e-mail communication.  We will continue to provide community outreach through shows and education.  This will include teaching and demonstrations.  New members will be encouraged to increase participation through trips, cleanups and conservation initiatives.

    -  Conservation efforts will continue on the Batten Kill, the Onesquethaw, Catskill Creek and Schoharie watersheds.

Clearwater ’s Chapter Strengths:

    -  Relatively large membership

    -  Good meeting attendance relative to the membership

    -  Stable, dedicated board of directors

    -  Financial stability

    -  Quality teaching programs

    -  Community outreach

    -  Strong conservation initiatives

    -  Well attended trips

    -  Strong consistent newsletter

    -  E-mail communication

    -  Web page

    -  Strong presentations at meetings

    -  Rosgen trained members

    -  Participation in the White Creek restoration

    - A new commitment to welcome new members