GRAND RIVER TAILWATER FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN

Dear FOGR members,

Future management of the tailwater trout fishery on the Grand River below Belwood Lake will be directed by the Grand River Tailwater Fisheries Management Plan.  The plan is supposed to take into account public input from meetings held over the past few years, as well as input from stakeholder groups (anglers, landowners, local governments, guides, conservation groups and fishing clubs, etc.).   FOGR members and directors have been involved at both public meetings and at the committee level.

Notice of a draft of the plan has been posted on the Ontario Government Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) website for final public comment.  The comment period is a maximum of 30 days from 05 August, 2004, by which time written comments must be received by MNR in Guelph.  Email comments are not acceptable.   A decision on the draft plan will be made based upon public comment received during this period only. The EBR registry entry and guidelines for comment may be viewed at: <http://204.40.253.254/envregistry/023464ep.htm>

A copy of the plan may be downloaded as a .pdf file at: < http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/mnr/Ebr/grand_river/index.html >

Note that the .pdf file is confusing to read, as it is formatted for printing a bound version, rather than for reading as is shown.  This is one of the problems with the EBR listing that has been identified by some FOGR board.  Additionally, there is concern by some board members that the document does not adequately incorporate public opinion from the meetings.

The FOGR executive encourages all members to provide feedback individually through the EBR process using the format below which provides the mailing address and the EBR number which must be quoted in any comments.  Please be sure to follow the submission guidelines exactly, and allow sufficient time for mailing to Guelph.  Also, please send feedback by email to President Larry McGratton (Larry McGratton <mcgratton.mcgratton@sympatico.ca>) or vice-President Ian Martin (Ian Martin <idmartin@golden.net>) so that the FOGR board can draft a group response to the EBR listing within the 30-day limit on behalf of all FOGR members.  We'll be having a board meeting Thurs. 26 August to formulate a response and would appreciate any guidance from the membership at large.

The FOGR executive encourages all members to provide feedback individually through the EBR process using this form (MS Word document):

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Ian D. Martin, Ph.D.