Conservation
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19512
Laguna Drive — Gaithersburg, Maryland 20879-1824 — www.fishncbf.com |
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November 3, 2006
Chief,
Branch of Invasive Species
On
behalf of the Nation’s Capitol Bass Federation (NCBF) and its members in
Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia, I am writing to request your
continued support on the proposed ban of further imports and interstate
shipments of silver carp and large scale silver carp by adding them to the list
of “injurious animals” whose movement are restricted by the Lacey Act.
This
problem is of concern to the NCBF for three primary reasons.
First,
a 2004 study by the US Geological Survey (USGS) found that 80 percent of male
smallmouth bass in the upper reaches of the
Second, the
Third, silver and large scale silver carp pose an
unacceptable risk to native fish, mussels, and other wildlife; to critical
habitat; and to the structure of aquatic communities. The FWS should immediately
ban further import and interstate movement of all live forms of these fish, plus
each of their various hybrids before they do to us as the silver carp has done
to the
Sincerely
yours,
Chuck
Walker, President
Nation’s
Capitol Bass Federation
________________________________________________________________________________
April 15,
2006
Chairman, Charles H. Taylor
Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related
Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
House of Representatives
Room B-308 RHOB
Washington, D.C. 20515-6023
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The Nation’s Capitol Bass Federation (NCBF) is
pleased to offer the following comment on the proposed FY 2007 budget for the US
Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior.
Because the NCBF is committed to combating threats to
the Potomac River and its tributaries and protecting this national heritage for
the prosperity of current and future generations, we recommend that Congress act
favorably upon the following budgetary consideration.
The NCBF recommends + $150,000 ($.15 million) to expand
the study of chemical hormone pollution and inter sex condition of largemouth
bass in the mid and lower Potomac River.
During 2003 and 2004 the USGS sampled male smallmouth
bass from the South Fork of the Potomac River, 60 miles upstream of the
Nation’s Capitol to determine the frequency with which male bass exhibit
female sex characteristics. These
initial investigations provided shocking insight into a troubling new pollution
problem. Between 42 percent (2003)
and 80 percent (2004) of male smallmouth bass displayed this “intersex”
condition or the presence of female reproductive tissue.
Possible contaminants resulting in this condition could
include synthetic hormones from birth control pills contained in household
sewage, medical waste contained in municipal sewage, livestock hormones
contained in farm runoff and others. Regardless of the source, chemicals exist
in sufficient quantity to alter the normal functioning of the fishes endocrine
system, tricking male fish into exhibiting female sex characteristics.
Results from the 2003 and 2004 studies are troubling
because the Potomac River provides 75
percent of the water supply for Washington, DC and
surrounding Maryland and Virginia suburbs. Whether
the problem identified in smallmouth bass upriver might ultimately affect humans
is not known. The results are also
troubling because the US Environmental Protection agency (EPA) has no standards
for monitoring and discharge of chemical pollutants categorized as endocrine
disruptors. In response to this lack
of national standards, few sewage treatment facilities test for this class of
pollutants and do little or nothing to remove them from drinking water. This
raises the question whether the contaminated smallmouth bass could well be
acting as the proverbial canary in the coal mine, alerting us to a potential
deadly threat to humans.
With the small increase in funding proposed, the USGS
could expand their work to include the study of intersex condition in largemouth
bass in the middle and lower reaches of the Potomac River. This will answer the
unknown of just how far downriver this problem extends and correspondingly how
many more people may be at risk. This funding level provides the wherewithal to
determine what water borne or sediment trapped chemicals may be correlated with
intersex conditions. The latter
information will be invaluable to municipalities, toxicologists and public
health officials as they debate the significance of this threat and design
wastewater treatment programs to remove these chemicals from drinking water and
treated effluent.
Annually, the NCBF conducts a number of organized catch
and release bass tournaments at various times during the year within the
potential research area. The NCBF
pledges its support in providing live fish samples for the research effort.
We will also provide GPS coordinates, mapped locations and other
environmental parameters within our capability to assist with the research
effort. These efforts will allow the
researchers to maximize the number of fish samples collected and minimize
collection and certain other data collection costs.
The NCBF is pleased to offer these comments and
suggestion for the proposed FY 2007 US Geological Survey Budget.
Sincerely,
Chuck Walker
President, Nation’s Capitol Bass Federation
The Nation's Capitol Bass Federation is proud to have Ken Penrod of Life outdoors Unlimited on Board as our conservation director. Ken's track record in the conservation arena is second to none. He currently writes articles for magazines and newspapers and is the author of several books. He has accepted three "Conservation" awards, three "Youth" and the "Man of the Year" award from B.A.S.S.
2003 Projects
April 26, 2003: Anacostia River Cleanup- Once again the members turned out for this cleanup in big numbers. Over twenty adults, kids from our youth clubs, and kids that we are about to sign up from the Fishing School even came out to help. We cleaned the park, shoreline and had boats in the water picking up trash. The Sea Farers Yacht Club across the Anacostia from the park feed everyone that attended. A good time was had by all even in the rain. The Mayor of Washington, Anthony Williams, even came out and thanked each member for their work on the river. Pictures to follow soon.
The following projects for the year 2002 is proposed pending approval of the elected board in January. The exact date and location will be determined at that time.
NCBF Project # 1- Anacostia Watershed Society Earth Day - April 20th (see this site)
This was a get down, get dirty project, and all still had fun. Nations Capital Bass Federation collected over thirty bags of trash piled on the ramps, left there by the tide, before we could launch a boat. The boats were than launched of NCBF members, to join others from D.C. Fisheries and Wildlife, the Anacostia Watershed Society, and many other volunteers. Nation Park Service trash trucks and barges hauled the trash away. (click to see pictures)
NCBF Project # 2 - National Fishing Week - Washington DC - June 1-9 on the Mall
Members of Nations Capitol Bass Federation along with many others helped hundreds of kids as they learned fishing tactics in the Constitution Gardens pond on June 3rd. Kids were bused in from all over the metropolitan area to have a chance to catch a fish, many for the first time. Kevin Miller was seen on TV getting a rod out of the pond that one kid was told to let go of as it came over his head. After retrieving the rod, Kevin explained it was the button on the real he was to let go of, not the whole rod and reel. (pictures will be posted soon)
NCBF Project # 3 - Washington DC - Anacostia Park – September 22nd.
This project went off better than anyone could have imagined. Over twenty of our adult members showed up and several of our youth. We picked up trash along the shoreline and throughout the park for over a mile. What a great group we have at Nations Capitol Bass Federation. Please take the time to view our pictures on this site.
Click on picture for more photos.
Mayor
Williams joins NCBF members and others for the Anacostia Cleanup
on April 26th. The Mayor made a point of thanking and shaking the hand
of all the NCBF members.