May Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs on Thursday, May 16, 2013.  The following members were present:  LaVerne Matheson, James Burnett, Carl Godsey, Allison Cochran, Matt Brock, Elrand Denson, Jeremy McDonald, Mike Henshaw, and Eugene Brooks.  Items discussed included:

• Fishing Derby will be held Saturday, June 1st.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will include a casting contest, and the National Wild Turkey Federation inflatable shooting gallery.
• June 19-20 are the dates for the Renew Our Rivers Cleanup that is tentatively planned to cleanup tornado debris in the Yellow Creek area of Smith Lake.
• Jeremy McDonald said approximately 200 youth and adults took part in the Junior Ranger Program at the Payne Creek Demonstration Area on May 15.  The WCNRC sponsors this event by providing bus transportation for the youth at a cost of $208.80.
• Bankhead Liaison Panel Meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at First National Bank in Double Springs.
• Johnna Franks, Treasurer, emailed the balance in our account which is $15,489.23
• Checks are needed for Fishing Derby and Junior Ranger Program, John Creed will see about getting the checks.
• False alarm on hemlock woolly adelgids at Camp McDowell, the insect turned out to be Indian Wax Scale, a relatively harmless insect that feeds on hemlock.
• Update on grants from the Winston County Commission for natural resource programs.
• Herbicide Workshop to be held on August 3rd or 10th.  Program will be open to the public.
• James Burnett, Winston County EMA Director, said that signs are needed on the Sipsey Fork to help stranded canoeists access nearby roads to get help.
• LaVerne gave a report on Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. activities including a public meeting and roadside clean-up.  He also noted that help is available for the clean-up of illegal dumps from ADEM.
• Matt Brock, Black Warrior WMA manager, stated that summer food plot plantings were underway on the management area.  He said that only 24 wild turkeys were harvested on the management area, largely due to the unusually cool weather this year.  
• There will be a Trophy Scoring Session at the Tanner District Office on July 11.
• Matt noted that Hunter Education is moving to an online system, with fewer field days.  One traditional hunter ed class will be held in Winston County this year.
• A youth dove hunt is scheduled for this year in East Lawrence, more information later on this event.
• Rush Creek Culvert Replacement Project has started and will cause road closure at some point during construction. 

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC