September 2025 President's Report

 

Welcome Back! I hope everyone enjoyed the summer. This should be another good year for the chapter as we celebrate our 55-year anniversary. There are lots of events and happenings planned for the upcoming year along with plenty of volunteer opportunities. Please consider helping.

As many of you are aware of the tragic and sad environmental disaster that took place on Ischua Creek down below Franklinville this past August I just want to provide everyone with an update on how WNYTU has addressed the issue. Letters were sent to NYDEC Region 9 directors, the Fisheries Bureau Chief and the DEC Commissioner expressing our outrage and concern about what we feel was a preventable event. The chapter asked for an expedited response on what caused this to occur, how to prevent something like this happening again and a reclamation/remediation plan to help restore the 8 to 10 miles of creek that were affected. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide updates. I would like to ask everyone to please be vigilant and observant about any issues or potential water quality problems (strange colored water, excessive algae- particularly sewage fungus) or substantial numbers of dead fish (not just one or two along a section of creek) in all Western New York waters and contact NYDEC at the numbers below in the following order:

Law Enforcement in Buffalo – 716-851-7050

DEC Tip Line – 844-332-3267

DEC Spill Response – 716-851-7220

Division of Water – 716 -851-7070

Jim Markham, Region 9 Fish Manager – 716 -379-6383

Scott Cornett – 716-379-6390

I would like to emphasize that you call all of these numbers to increase the likelihood there will be a quick response. You can also reach out to WNYTU. If you see something, please say something. The fish and environment thank you.

The chapter also developed a Stream Watch program using an App that some of you may already be aware of called the Rivers App to help identify problems and concerns. This application from TU National is a great tool to document problem areas along any of WNY streams. The App allows you to enter information along with pictures and download them to Trout Unlimited’s national database. The chapter is then able to review these entries and act accordingly. There are instructions and a video link below in the newsletter that will help you get started. There will also be a workshop demonstrating the App at the one of our general meetings this fall.

Thanks to chapter member Tom Olzowy for donating a battery powered 4-gallon sprayer to use where needed on stream projects.

Our first General meeting of the year will be September 30 at 6:00 PM at the Orvis Store at the Eastern Hills Mall. The topic will be State of Lake Erie Steelhead. Hope you can join us. Bring a friend.

Joe Morgan