April 7, 2010
The Coquille STEP Board meeting of April 6, 2010 was called to order at 6:30PM. Board Members in attendance were: Steve Pennington, Toby Hatzenpillar, Frank Watkins, Paul Mertz, Larry Richey and Rich Fish.
President Steve Pennington called the meeting to order. Steve asked for input from the board members regarding what they thought of the changes to the dues he proposes are. Hi suggestion is to have the new dues to be $15 annual ($30 with a hat thrown in) regardless of type of membership. Paul Mertz made a motion to approve, seconded by Larry Richey. Motion passed. Steve then next suggested that we obtain better interest on the money in our checking account. Suggestion is to move the money into a CD. Rich made a motion to place $10,000 into a 12 month CD, best available rate, Larry seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Next a suggestion was made to have the treasurer write all checks but those checks over $100 must be signed by two separate board members. Rich Fish made the motion, seconded by Larry Richey. Motion passed with no objections.
General Meeting was called to order at 7:00PM.
Members present besides board members were Frank Watkins, Leo Granmontgne, Don Geisler, Sid Marley, Loyce Parrish, Bob Taylor, Gary Vonderohe ODFW and Bob Taylor.
Steve suggested that we sponsor a free fish day by closing off the neck of Dutch John Creek and have ODFW release trout into the holding pond for kids to catch. Paul Merze made a motion to pay $100 to Powers for their fishing free day, Bob Taylor seconded the motion, motion Passed.
Steve introduced Kelly Miles, director of CWSA. Kelly opened with the question about who might have a fast boat to be used to harass the cormorants. The state of Oregon is interested in having an organized harassment of the birds very soon.
Next Steve asked Gary to speak regarding recent activity of ODFW. Gary says that recent work is around the acclimation sites. All of the brood stock for steelhead was collected although he is uncertain regarding the percent of natives. Next Steve spoke regarding the goals and history of Steelhead in our area. He cited information that was available from 1992 and mentioned that he was not certain if we had any more current information. He cited the need to gather current information regarding steelhead levels vs Chinook levels. Steve cited the mandate of supplying a 50/50 ratio of natives to hatchery. He believes that we are headed for disaster due to the high probability that there is a significant number of native steelhead that are instead 1st or 2nd generation hatchery fish. Significant means better that 90%.
Gary recognized that there are a lot of uncertainties regarding steelhead, very difficult fish to monitor. Paul was next asked to add to the program. Paul wanted to clarify the 50% rule that was cited earlier. He said that the STEP organization agreed upon this rule in 1996. Paul suggested that we need to bear down and stop talking over and over again about using a trap. He has built 9 traps in this area and knows that there are 8 in service at this time. The only one not in use was built to be used on the (?) ladder on the ? Stream.
Paul next went into the discussion of parasites and worms that infect and kill the fish on the Shasta and Klamath rivers in California. These two rivers are essentially dead due to the dams and lack of turbulent water moving gravel and sediment to the lower parts of the river.
Historically the Klamath River used to be a dry stream during the summer months. The Dams have held water in the stream and due to the Coho being listed; the water flow has been kept at a higher level than it was historically. Quite possibly the dry river led to the death of the tube worms and now that the Coho have to be protected with constant water flow, the worms are now surviving and infecting, thus killing the Coho. Vicious circle.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.
Rich Fish
Secretary