Action Alert: Speak up to include hunting and fishing in the Flat Creek Master Plan

Sunday, September 05, 2010

Speak up to include hunting and fishing in the Flat Creek Master Plan You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom. Providing input in the development of a master plan for Flat Creek State Park & Public Fishing Area (PFA) to provide hunting and fishing opportunities. Background: In 2001, 850 acres of land was purchased in Houston County by the state to build a State Park & Public Fishing Area (PFA). The area was named Flat Creek. Developing this area has been slow due to lack of funding but some progress has been made. A 106 acre lake has been constructed and is presently filling with water. It was stocked with bass, bream and catfish this year (2007) and may open for fishing during the fall of 2008 if the fish experience good growth, the bass have a good spawn and the lake fills sufficiently. Hunting for small game, dove, turkey and deer (archery only) is currently allowed. Dove fields were planted this year and dove hunting is available this season. For more details review the hunting regulations on page 40 in the 2007-2008 Georgia Hunting Seasons & Regulations booklet. A public meeting was held in Perry on September 20 to develop a master plan for the Park/PFA. Approximately 80 people attended but sportsmen were in short supply so little interest was expressed about hunting or shooting on the property. Other groups showed up to ask for horseback riding trails, jogging trails and etc. The area is suitable and can be managed for the types of hunting that is currently allowed. In addition to the hunting and fishing opportunities, an archery range would certainly be appropriate for this property. More ranges are needed and hopefully it could host tournaments in the future. It would also be a great area to develop an outdoor education facility for youth. There is a huge need to get more children introduced to outdoor recreations like hunting, fishing and nature study. This would be an ideal location to establish such a facility. In order for the master plan to include the current opportunities, the archery range and outdoor education facility for youth, lots of people need to express an interest in those type outdoor recreational activities. For those activities to be included in the master plan we must make a strong statement to the consultant who is preparing the master plan, Mary Karwoski, by expressing your opinion on the use of this property by October 1, 2007 which is Monday. Two other public meetings are scheduled for public input on the master plan The dates are October 25 and November 29. The October 25 meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the Houston County Board of Education, 1100 Main Street, in Perry, Georgia. The time and place has not been posted for the November 29 meeting. To find out the time and place of the November meeting and to confirm the October 25 meeting contact Mary Karwoski at 404-872-2494 or mjkarwoski@dkiatlanta.com. If you live close by please try to attend one of the meetings and voice your opinion for these recreational uses. Those who show up and speak up usually get their interests seriously considered. There are two ways to send your comments. You can fill out a questionnaire provided by Ms Karwoski that will only take a few minutes. If you do complete the questionnaire use number 1 Project Goal to include your comments concerning hunting and fishing. Or click on the message we provided which you can edit and change any way you like. Completing her questionnaire might be more effective but she said she would accept comments like we prepared. Either one works. To fill out the questionnaire, click on the MORE button. This is a .pdf file that you can print and fax or mail. To send your comments through the camo system, see the sample message below. Your message will be sent to each of the following targets: Mary Karwoski A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending. Include hunting and fishing in the Flat Creek Master Plan Dear Ms. Karwoski I would like to provide my comments concerning the Master Planning Project for the Flat Creek State Park & PFA. I am excited about having an opportunity to enjoy fishing in a well managed PFA and I would like to see the PFA managed by the Wildlife Resources Division so that quality fishing will always be a priority for the lake. Also, I would like to see the current hunting continued on the property, where safe and compatible with other recreational uses. Public dove hunting areas are in high demand and I sure hope that dove hunting will continue. I certainly hope that archery hunting for deer/wild hogs will be continued in the future. This would be a great area to develop an archery range that could hopefully host archery tournaments in the future. And finally, there is a tremendous need for outdoor education facilities for youth. Georgia is doing a poor job in getting kids outside and introduced to outdoor activities like hunting, fishing and nature study. An outdoor facility for young people should be included in this master plan. Your name and address here This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.

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