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SMLA Mission Statement

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.

Recent Announcements

  • Governor McDonnell Establishes Uranium Working Group  ... As you know, the General Assembly may take up various legislation regarding uranium mining in Virginia. I have asked them not to take any action this session to allow us ...
    Posted Jan 24, 2012 7:45 AM by William Brush
  • Association Supports Gangplank Dock Owners Fight with FERC Smith Mountain Lake Association requests the Shoreline Management Plan arbitrary limitation of structure maintenance to 50% or less, at one time, be eliminated as it conflicts with license Article 415 ...
    Posted Sep 23, 2011 11:30 AM by William Brush
  • Next SMLA Board Meeting February 24, 2012 at SMLA Offices
    Posted Jan 31, 2012 9:51 AM by William Brush
Showing posts 1 - 3 of 3. View more »
 
 

View Current Documents

  • Feb_2012_SMLA_Newsletter_online final.pdf   6161k - Jan 25, 2012 6:58 AM by William Brush (v2)
  • Oct_2011_SMLA_Newsletter_final_online.pdf   7195k - Jan 25, 2012 6:58 AM by William Brush (v2)
    ‎The latest SMLA News Letter‎
  • GovMcDonnell.pdf   325k - Sep 24, 2011 5:02 AM by William Brush (v1)
    ‎Governor McDonnell Backs SMLA in Support of Gangplank Pointe Docks‎
  • July_2011_SMLA_Newsletter_final.pdf   1473k - Jul 5, 2011 11:03 AM by William Brush (v2)
    ‎July 2011 SMLA Newsletter‎
  • Domenech_20110415-5297(25457583).pdf   84k - Apr 16, 2011 8:48 AM by William Brush (v1)
    ‎Sec_Natural_Resources letter supporting TCRC‎
Showing 5 files from page SMLA Documents.
 

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2012 SMLA Board of Directors


Standing L to R: Charlie Marshall, Patricia Dade, Bob Camicia, John Lindsey, Stan Smith, Randy Stow, Michael McEvoy, Terry Naylor, Doris Neudorfer, Jim Buchanan, Bill Brush, Lucy Bailey, Pete Lewis, Jim Pilversack, Lee Borgman, Rusty MacMullan.  Seated L to R: Russ Johnson, Gale Taylor, Kristina Mize, Tom Hofelich. Not Pictured: Larry Iceman, Tim Tingler.
 

Brookneal Striper Hatchery

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

PROTECTING THE INVESTMENT OF SML RESIDENTS

January 24, 2012

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

File







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