Vermont Ski Areas Association has a good roundup of lift ticket deals at ski areas throughout the state.
See the full list of deals here.
With the weekend upon us and some snow finally starting to cover some of the mountains, this weekend could be a good chance to hit the slopes -- whether it's for the first time of the year, or just a chance to try something new and save a few bucks along the way.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Batten Kill Management to Focus on Habitat
After a public outcry against the idea of stocking sterile trout in the Batten Kill, it looks like the Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife is dropping the idea.
In a press release, the department says the new six-year Batten Kill Trout Management Plan calls for an emphasis on habitat restoration and managing wild trout populations without stocking.
The nationally known river has seen a decline in habitat quality for brown trout in particular. Last June the department wrote a draft management plan that called for habitat improvement and limited stocking of sterile trout as a "put-and-take" fishing opportunity.
But the public overwhelmingly rejected the stocking idea while supporting the habitat restoration plans. The final management plan approved by Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche dropped the stocking plan during the six-year plan.
"Over the past half dozen years, the department and other agencies have conducted numerous studies to identify likely causes for the reduced abundance of wild brown in the Batten Kill," said department fisheries biologist, Ken Cox in a news release. "Results from these investigations point to habitat deficiencies that have been in the making for many years and more recently reached a critical tipping point."
Studies show the river habitat quality, water temperature, refuge habitat and other physical changes in the river have reduced the Batten Kill's capacity to maintain the quantitites of fish the river once supported, according to the release. Efforts to restore trout cover habitat began last year and will continue.
"Habitat restoration will be directed at making in-stream improvements, reforesting stream banks, reducing erosion, restoring overall river channel and riparian functions, and informing the public of the importance of wise river corridor stewardship to habitat and trout," Cox said. "In order to be successful, this effort must be long term and involve the combined energies and resources of stakeholders and interest groups."
The plan will keep the river under a no-kill regulation from the base of Dufresne Pond dam in Manchester downstream to the New York state line. All trout caught must be immediately released.
The plan also recommends the closure of two important spawning tributaries -- the Green River in Arlington and Sandgate, and the Roaring Branch in Arlington and Sunderland -- from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31.
The new regulations will go into effect April 14
The Batten Kill Trout Management Plan can be found on the Fish & Wildlife Department's Web site at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
In a press release, the department says the new six-year Batten Kill Trout Management Plan calls for an emphasis on habitat restoration and managing wild trout populations without stocking.
The nationally known river has seen a decline in habitat quality for brown trout in particular. Last June the department wrote a draft management plan that called for habitat improvement and limited stocking of sterile trout as a "put-and-take" fishing opportunity.
But the public overwhelmingly rejected the stocking idea while supporting the habitat restoration plans. The final management plan approved by Fish & Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche dropped the stocking plan during the six-year plan.
"Over the past half dozen years, the department and other agencies have conducted numerous studies to identify likely causes for the reduced abundance of wild brown in the Batten Kill," said department fisheries biologist, Ken Cox in a news release. "Results from these investigations point to habitat deficiencies that have been in the making for many years and more recently reached a critical tipping point."
Studies show the river habitat quality, water temperature, refuge habitat and other physical changes in the river have reduced the Batten Kill's capacity to maintain the quantitites of fish the river once supported, according to the release. Efforts to restore trout cover habitat began last year and will continue.
"Habitat restoration will be directed at making in-stream improvements, reforesting stream banks, reducing erosion, restoring overall river channel and riparian functions, and informing the public of the importance of wise river corridor stewardship to habitat and trout," Cox said. "In order to be successful, this effort must be long term and involve the combined energies and resources of stakeholders and interest groups."
The plan will keep the river under a no-kill regulation from the base of Dufresne Pond dam in Manchester downstream to the New York state line. All trout caught must be immediately released.
The plan also recommends the closure of two important spawning tributaries -- the Green River in Arlington and Sandgate, and the Roaring Branch in Arlington and Sunderland -- from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31.
The new regulations will go into effect April 14
The Batten Kill Trout Management Plan can be found on the Fish & Wildlife Department's Web site at: www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
How To Increase Fish and Wildlife Funding?
A task force will be seeking comment from the public on a list of proposed recommendations on how to increase revenues for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department.
It's no secret that wildlife management agencies are under increasing pressure to carry out their missions as funding sources shrink and departments are asked to do more. Two or three decades ago, wildlife management agencies focused primarily on hunting and fishing. But with increased nongame responsibilities, not to mention law enforcement, search and rescue and education chores being added to their plates, money flowing simply doesn't go as far as it used to.
Almost every state wildlife management agency is looking for ways to increase revenue without simply raising hunting and fishing license fees since hunters and anglers are already carrying more than their share of the cost of wildlife management.
Toward that end, the Vermont Legislature created the Wildlife Funding Task Force with the job of finding alternative ways of increasing funding for the department. The task force must submit a report to the Legislature by mid-January.
With a list of eight funding ideas, the task force wants to know what the public thinks of their ideas to improve their final report to the Legislature and the governor. The "listening session" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Pavilion Theater in Montpelier.
According to the legislation establishing the task force, the group has been told to "develop recommendations for comprehensive, sustainable funding mechanisms for the operations of the department of fish and wildlife which complement existing funding sources."
The legislation further states "the task force shall, among other things, consider whether costs of work carried out by fish and wildlife department personnel in providing technical services to permitting bodies and in enforcing laws and regulations other than fish and wildlife laws and regulations, should be paid for from other agency and department funds, as appropriate."
The eight recommendations the task force has come up with are:
It's no secret that wildlife management agencies are under increasing pressure to carry out their missions as funding sources shrink and departments are asked to do more. Two or three decades ago, wildlife management agencies focused primarily on hunting and fishing. But with increased nongame responsibilities, not to mention law enforcement, search and rescue and education chores being added to their plates, money flowing simply doesn't go as far as it used to.
Almost every state wildlife management agency is looking for ways to increase revenue without simply raising hunting and fishing license fees since hunters and anglers are already carrying more than their share of the cost of wildlife management.
Toward that end, the Vermont Legislature created the Wildlife Funding Task Force with the job of finding alternative ways of increasing funding for the department. The task force must submit a report to the Legislature by mid-January.
With a list of eight funding ideas, the task force wants to know what the public thinks of their ideas to improve their final report to the Legislature and the governor. The "listening session" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 18 in the Pavilion Theater in Montpelier.
According to the legislation establishing the task force, the group has been told to "develop recommendations for comprehensive, sustainable funding mechanisms for the operations of the department of fish and wildlife which complement existing funding sources."
The legislation further states "the task force shall, among other things, consider whether costs of work carried out by fish and wildlife department personnel in providing technical services to permitting bodies and in enforcing laws and regulations other than fish and wildlife laws and regulations, should be paid for from other agency and department funds, as appropriate."
The eight recommendations the task force has come up with are:
- Dedicate 1/8 of one percent of Sales Tax. Should be a $6 million revenue source.
- Dedicate 1/8 of one percent of Rooms and Meals Tax. A $1.5 million revenue source.
- Create a five-year fishing license. That is expected to be a $224,000 revenue source per year.
- Create a five-year trapping license. Revenue amount unknown.
- Explore a five-year hunting license. Logistical hurdles remain with this idea.
- Create a lottery ticket. This has an anticipated revenue of $300,000.
- Dedicate General Fund money specifically to offset law enforcement expenses. Current law enforcement budget is $4.2 million. This source could be relieved if Rooms and Meals Tax revenue exceeds expectations.
- Create a user-fee permit for Fish & Wildlife Access Areas. Require that nonmotorized vessels have a permit to utilize access. Projected revenues of $1 million based on a $10 fee spread over 100,00 canoes, kayaks and sailboats.
Each of these ideas has potential, although many also have a downside. Several of these ideas would likely see opposition as nobody is going to want to give up tax revenue and user groups will likely balk at any additional tax or fees levied.
In my opinion, that's just tough. It's time nonconsumptive outdoor enthusiasts help foot the bill for the wildlife we all enjoy.
I would love to see several, if not most, of these suggested implemented.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Youth Conservation Camps Slated
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department is looking for kids 12 to 14 years of age for this coming summer's Green Mountain Conservation Camps to be held June 17 to Aug. 17.
What an opportunity these camps provide for youth who are interested in the outdoors.
Kids who want to learn about wildlife and learn outdoor skills might want to consider these camps, which are located at Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury.
Kids can learn about wildlife conservation, fishing, canoeing, gun safety, map and compass usage and forestry among other skills. Classes are taught by natural resource professionals in an outdoor setting and take campers for field activities.
Cost for the week-long camps is $175 and includes food, lodging and equipment.
Anyone interested in attending can download an application from the department's Web site at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
For more information about the camps contact: Jessica Plouffe at (802) 241-3768 or jessica.plouffe@state.vt.us.
What an opportunity these camps provide for youth who are interested in the outdoors.
Kids who want to learn about wildlife and learn outdoor skills might want to consider these camps, which are located at Lake Bomoseen in Castleton and Buck Lake in Woodbury.
Kids can learn about wildlife conservation, fishing, canoeing, gun safety, map and compass usage and forestry among other skills. Classes are taught by natural resource professionals in an outdoor setting and take campers for field activities.
Cost for the week-long camps is $175 and includes food, lodging and equipment.
Anyone interested in attending can download an application from the department's Web site at www.vtfishandwildlife.com.
For more information about the camps contact: Jessica Plouffe at (802) 241-3768 or jessica.plouffe@state.vt.us.
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