Smith Lake Clean Up, October 5-6

Greetings, WCSLAINC members, Smith Lake Stake Holders and friends of Smith Lake,

   I hope this finds you all well. Another season has come and gone and hopefully you got to spend some quality time with family and friends here on the lake. While on the lake I bet you noticed the scarcity of any beaded styrofoam floating or lodged on the bank.  This didn't happen by accident, it was through the hard work of the many volunteers associated with WCSLAINC, SLEPC and The Smith Lake Civic Association that this eyesore, navigation hazard and threat to fish and wildlife was removed.  To all those that volunteered or supported us in anyway, we, WCSLAINC would like to thank you.

   The officers and board members of WCSLA feel that with the removal of most beaded styrofoam it is time to direct out attention to the smaller trash that accumulates in sloughs and pockets around the lake.  The type of trash I refer to is plastic bottles, smaller pieces of foam, glass etc..While riding the lake recently I must admit the lake looks great.  It is in the spring when the water levels rise that the debris I referred to floats out of the woods and thickets and negatively impacts beautiful Smith Lake.

  That being said, WCSLAINC is having a Lake Cleanup Friday Oct. 5 th and Saturday Oct. 6 th from 8:00 am till 2:00pm. The central meeting place is at King Boat Docks on Rock Creek. The start time will be 8:00 am.  Jim King Boat Docks is located at 202 Co. Rd. 4007 Crane Hill or GPS location 34 degrees 02' 11"N,   87 degrees 07' 43" W.  This is just north of Rock Creek Marina .This year we will concentrate our efforts in Rock Creek, White Oak, Crooked Creek and Little Crooked Creek.  We will have dumpsters at Jim Kings and the boat launch at Sway Back (Helican) Bridge and a utility trailer just upstream from Silver Rock Cove at a private boat ramp.  You can obtain trash bags from any of these locations. 

  Participants will be eligible for a drawing for some prizes that will be held after the cleanup on Saturday! Volunteer either or both days and your eligible.

  We invite everyone to participate young and old alike. If you don't have a boat we can transport you to a site.  Wear proper footwear bring a life jacket, a lunch or snacks, we can furnish drinks.  Come out and spend a beautiful Autumn day on the Lake!!

  For more information about the cleanup contact me , David Brown,  e-mail dwbrown35053@gmail.com  phone : 256-747-2109 or Sammy Boggan phone : 205-215-4401


                                                                                    Sincerely

                                                                                    David Brown

                                                                                    President WCSLAINC

WCNRC Chosen as 2012 Council of the Year

Johnna Franks nominated the Winston County Natural Resources Council for the Council of the Year Award, and the nomination was successful!  She received a call last week notifying her of the award.  The award also comes with a monetary contribution to the council.

The award and check will be presented at the North Region Forestry Field Day to be held in Blount County on Thursday, October 18.  All council members are invited to come accept the award.  Click here for a printable copy of the flyer for the field day.

When Chad Fell, Senior Reporter with the Northwest Alabamian, heard about the award, he said that he would like to do an article for the newspaper.  Chad and I set up an appointment at 9:00 a.m., on Wednesday, September 26, at the Winston County Extension Office to do an interview with council members.  If your schedule permits, please come by for that meeting with Chad.

 

This award is a tremendous honor for our council’s hard work of the past year.  Thanks to Johnna for taking the time to nominate the WCNRC.

September Council Meeting

EMA Director, James Burnett, describes function of EOC.

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the Winston County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on September 20, 2012.  The following persons were present:  Allison Cochran, Andy Baril, Bill Snoddy, LaVerne Matheson, John Creed, Chris Wright,Tim Webb, Johnna Franks, Jim Hughes, James Burnett, Jeremy McDonald, Carl Godsey, Tripp Gaskins, and Mike Henshaw. 

James Burnett gave the WCNRC a tour of the EOC.  The EOC will be a site where all government officials can gather during an emergency.  The EOC is operational, and ready to be used, if needed.  Further improvements are planned when resources become available.  Computer improvements, a projector, emergency generator, are just some of the improvements that are needed when funding becomes available.  The EOC also has sleeping quarters, a full kitchen, and showers in case operations must be conducted around the clock.  Tim Webb, Winston County 911 Director, mentioned some of the capabilities of 911 that could be used at the EOC.  He also gave an overview of planned improvements to the 911 system.

Other busisness included:

• Yellow Dot Program
• FAWN Program Planning
• Rural Secure Schools Grants Applications to the Winston County Commission
• Friends of Clear Creek, Alabama Waterwatch, Water monitor training
• Junior Ranger Program
• Introduction of Tripp Gaskins-District Silviculturalist on the Bankhead National Forest
• Andy Baril mentioned West Alabama Birding Trail, Walker PLM Training on Oct. 25, Feral Hog Class-Gardendale on Oct. 4, PLM Class Pickensville-Oct 5, American Chestnut Seminar in Jasper-Oct. 17, North Region Forestry Tour-Oct 18, in Blountsville, GPS 101-Jasper, on Oct. 30.
• Hunter Education Training on October 22, 23, and 25, at District Headquarters, Bankhead National Forest.
• Slough Clean-Up, Rock Creek, October 5-6, for more information contact LaVerne Matheson.

Johnna Franks reported that the balance in the treasury was $4,481.06.

Mike Henshaw, Secretary

September Meeting To Be Held At Emergency Operations Center

The September Meeting of the WCNRC will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 20th, at the Double Springs Municipal Building, located at 23415 Highway 195.

James Burnett, Director of the Winston County Emergency Management Agency, will give us a tour of the newly constructed Emergency Operations Center (EOC). 

Also, mark your calendar for the 2012 FAWN program on October 9-10. 

Friends of Clear Creek Meeting Wednesday in Double Springs

Dr. Bill Deutsch and Mona Dominguez for Alabama Water Watch will share some of the history of Clear Creek, a plan for the future of the creek and a grant proposal that has been submitted in order to fund the project.

Everyone is invited.

 

 

What:   Friends of Clear Creek meeting

When:  September 12^th at 5:30

Where: Buena Vista Mexican Restaurant

               14940 Hwy 278

               Double Springs, AL 35553

                205-489-5949

RSVP: pc@campmcdowell.com or 205.910.1585

Fire Ant Control Program

Fire ants are one of the biggest pests of Alabama lawns and gardens. On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, a Fire Ant Control Program will be held at the Alabama Power Building, 2001 13th Avenue, in Haleyville. This program is free to the public and will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Several topics will be covered including the life cycle of fire ants, control measures such as mound treatments and baits, and there will be an equipment demonstration. Preregistration is not required. Charles Pinkston, Regional Extension Agent, and Mike Henshaw, County Extension Coordinator, will be on hand to answer questions about fire ants. If you need any additional information please contact the Winston County Extension Office at (205) 489-5376.

Save the Date: FAWN-October 9th and 10th

Sixth graders from Haleyville learn about watersheds at FAWN.

Johnna Franks has contacted the Winston County schools and scheduled FAWN.  The 2012 FAWN dates are Tuesday, October 9, for Meek, Double Springs, and Addison Schools, and Wednesday, October 10, for Lynn and Haleyville Schools.  The rain dates are the following week on October 16-17.  FAWN will be held at the Houston Recreation Area again this year.  An agenda for FAWN and other details will be sent out soon.