Minutes of June LJRA meeting

LJRA Meeting Minutes for June 10, 2010

7 pm at Tyrone Public Library

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Bill Anderson.  This was a regular meeting with 14 members and guests present.

1. Old Business
   1. Sandy Run- Progress toward the purchase of 52 acres of Sandy Run continues. Ownership of the furnace on the property has been resolved.    The LJRA is planning to work with the commission to work on the hatchery renovation as soon as the transaction is complete.  Money and volunteers will be needed for this project in the near future.  The LJRA currently has $5,700.
   2. Easement Program- Money remains available to purchase fishing access rights to the Little Juniata and all tributaries.   Anyone with contacts to property owners who could be interested in the program are urged to bring their names forward.
   3. Fingerling stocking- There was a huge turnout of volunteers for the stocking of 30,000 brown trout fingerlings on May 20.  Adipose fins were clipped again this year to differentiate stocked from wild trout.  Electro shocking of the stocking points will take place in August to help determine survival rates.  There are concerns that the expense of the stocking estimated at $36,000 could be better utilized if there is a high mortality rate of the stocked fingerlings.
   4. Marcellus Shale Fracking- While the Shale does not extend to the Little Juniata River, several of its tributaries like Spring Run, Homer’s Gap, Regal Gap and Bells Gap could be.  The Altoona Water Authority can sell water for frachking from the tributaries and this could affect the quality of the Little Juniata.  All streams in PA have a determined water flow. No more than 22,000 gallons per day can be removed without permits from the SRBC.  This will warrant monitoring in the future.
2. New Business
   1. Maximum Total Daily Limits (MTDL))- Getting the highest stream designation possible for the Little Juniata is important as the designation is used to determine the level of pollutants and water temperatures allowed.  It takes 3 years for the EPA make determinations so work needs to start soon on getting the Little “j” upgraded to High Quality Cold Water.  Special meeting to address this procedure will be held in the near future.  
   2. Wild Rainbow Trout Potential- Bill Anderson discussed the potential for wild trout in the Little “j”.  Once the purchase of Sandy Run is complete, fertile eggs could be introduced at this location allowing the wild trout to enter the River.  Wild rainbows and browns in the same river are compatible as the rainbows spawn in the spring and the browns in the fall.
   3. Low-water August Cleanup- A motion was made and seconded to coordinate a low-water cleanup of the River with the Boy Scouts for the first week of September.  The motion was carried with a unanimous vote.  Bill Anderson will contact the Scouts to see if this date fits with their schedule.

1. Adjournment and Next Meeting The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.  The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7 PM Tuesday, July 13 at the Tyrone Public Library.

Submitted by LJRA Secretary – Jim Letrun