Action Alert: Protect Your Fishing Rights on the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Protect Your Fishing Rights on the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

The National Park Service will be accepting public comments concerning the management plan for the Chattahoochee River NRA until January 31. Send your comments and let them know that you would like to keep the area open to fishing.

Background

The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (NRA) was created in the 1970’s to protect a 48-mile segment of the Chattahoochee River stretching from Lake Lanier to Cobb County in North Atlanta. This stretch of the Chattahoochee River is popular with anglers and is inhabited with over 22 species of game fish including trout, bream and catfish. During the summer of 2004 the National Park Service (NPS) released a draft management plan for managing the NRA for the next 20 years.

The draft plan included 4 alternatives, A – D. During the public comment period boaters and anglers expressed major concerns about the limitations that these alternatives placed on fishing and boating in certain reaches of the river, as well as limited access to the river for fishermen. Because of concerns expressed by the Camo Coalition and the Georgia Wildlife Federation, the NPS, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, released a new “Alternative E”. The changes presented in Alternative E were improved but still fell short of what sportsmen wanted.

Just recently the NPS released “Alternative F” which provides expanded opportunities for recreational activities and facilities over current conditions, with access strategically placed throughout the length of the park. Under “Alternative F” fishing and power boating is appropriate throughout the park in accordance with State law and private property rights.

To view all the alternatives, go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov. Under the “Choose a Park” drop-down window find Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and click “Go”.

Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

Mr. David Libman

A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.

I Support "Alternative F" - Chattahoochee River NRA

Dear Mr. Libman, National Park Service
I appreciate the time and effort that the National Park Service has put into the development of the General Management Plan for the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The Chattahoochee River NRA is important for fishing and other forms of recreation. I am fully supportive of "Alternative F" which provides expanded opportunities for recreational activities and facilities over current conditions, with access strategically placed throughout the length of the park.

Thank you.
Your name and address here

This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.