The Association will represent its members on issues that affect Smith Mountain Lake and its watershed. Members’ interests will be advocated throughout the watershed and the Commonwealth, using education and information as the means to influence constructive outcomes.

Call Us at 540-719-0690 or  email TheOffice@SMLAssociation.org 

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SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE ASSOCIATION
400 Scruggs Road, Suite 2100 - Moneta, VA 24121

PROTECTING THE INVESTMENT OF SML RESIDENTS


Governor Bob McDonnell
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, Virginia 23218


Dear Governor McDonnell:

The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) represents 1323 member families and property owners around Smith Mountain Lake. We are a non-governmental, citizen organization representing our association’s members’ interests. We respectfully request your assistance to reopen the Vic Thomas Hatchery, formerly the Brookneal Hatchery, this year.

The Vic Thomas Hatchery annually spawns and hatches millions of striped bass and stocks Smith Mountain Lake with striped bass fingerlings. The economy of the lake community is heavily dependent upon tourism drawn to Smith Mountain Lake by the lake’s reputation as a premier destination for striper fishing. Fishing guides, marinas and all other lake area businesses stand to lose a large percentage of their annual revenue without striper fry being stocked to maintain striper levels. In addition to the important role stocked striper fry play in the local economy, they are essential to maintain a balance of species in Smith Mountain Lake.

The fingerling from other hatcheries proposed to be stocked in Smith Mountain Lake are hatched and raised using different methods than used at Brookneal and may have a higher mortality rate when introduced into Smith Mountain Lake. Additionally fingerlings from Vic Thomas Hatchery were sold to other states and the loss of this revenue may impact Virginia’s budget.

SMLA is also concerned that there are not adequate plans to maintain stocking levels in the future. Though the existing population of striped bass in Smith Mountain Lake will help maintain a balance for 2012, stocking levels beyond 2012 are of critical concern.

We understand there is an exception policy for rehiring which would enable the position at Brookneal Hatchery, vacated due to retirement, to be filled. Knowing that this is not a new position and that funding for hatcheries comes primarily from licenses and fees from boating and fishing, we urge you to fill this open position and reopen the hatchery this year. Additionally the temporary positions to run the hatchery prior to stocking need to be filled.

We appreciate your consideration of this matter and look forward to your response.


Sincerely,


Kristina Mize, President

Smith Mountain Lake Association

Copy:

Mr. Robert W. Duncan, Executive Director, DGIF

Mr. Doug Domenech, Secretary of Natural Resources

Senator Mark Warner

Senator Jim Webb

Congressman Robert Hurt

Delegate Charles Poindexter

Delegate Kathy Byron

Delegate Lacey Putney

Senator Steve Newman

Senator Ralph Smith

Senator Bill Stanley

Senator Frank Ruff

Delegate Lacey Putney

Ms.Kathleen Guzi, Administrator, Bedford County

Mr.Rick Huff, Administrator, Franklin County

Mr.Dan Sleeper, Administrator, Pittsylvania County

Mr. R. David Laurrell, Administrator, Campbell County

Mr. Frank Simms, APCO

Ms. Pam Dinkle, TLAC

Mrs. Vicki Gardner, SML Chamber of Commerce

Smith Mountain Stripers Club

Mr. Doug Hughes, Lake Gaston Association

Mr. Sherwood Zimmerman, Leesville Lake Association

Mr.David Ferraro, Claytor Lake Association

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