Friends of the Prairie River Newsletter
April, 1999
Our Landowners meeting held on April 7th was informative and productive. There were approximately 30 people present. The purpose of this meeting was to inform the landowners along the Prairie River all of the options available to them for stream improvement projects and where to get the funding needed, if they desire to do so. At this meeting the Friends of the Prairie River, local DNR fish managers, local DNR land managers and a local Trout Unlimited representative educated the landowners about stream improvement and answered any questions that they may have. After the meeting there was a sign-up list for anyone that was interested in stream improvements or anyone that just wanted to be a member of our organization. There was some interest shown in stream improvement projects and we will be in touch with these people in the near future. We thank everyone that took the time to attend.
On Saturday April 24th, we will be having our first annual spring clean up. We plan to cover the river from Parrish to Deer Trail Rd at all the public access points. We will pick up cans, litter and junk from along roadsides, canoe landings and anglers' parking lots. I will have a list made up of the clean up sites, so we can break up into groups of 2-3 people for site assignment. At this time we will also check our signs and replace any that have disappeared since last year. If you have a canoe or waders, bring them along. This will help us cover more ground and allow us to remove any trash in the river. There should be trucks and cars available with canoe racks to aid in the transportation of the canoes from different bridges and access points. Also bring 2-3 garbage bags. If you forget, some will be provided. For those interested in helping out, we will be meeting at the Hay Meadow County Park between 8:30 & 9:00 a.m. The park is located on Hwy. 17 approximately 6 miles north of Hwy. 64. Work will be completed by noon and volunteers will be provided a lunch to be served at the Hay Meadow county park. It takes just a few hours and, with enough volunteers, it will make a big difference in making the Prairie River clean and beautiful.
Along the same lines there will be an Adopt-A-Highway sign sponsored by the Friends of the Prairie River posted on Hwy. 17 near Dudley.I will try to have our Friends of the Prairie River decals available by the end of May. I have been busy lately (fishing of course!!!). Hopefully I will have a cost available for everyone to see at the spring clean-up.
The Prairie River Area Map has been put on hold due to the high cost of producing it. We will try to come up with an alternative way of doing it. Possibly using a scanner and a computer to put something together. If anyone has any good ideas on doing this contact Pat at 848-3783 or Joe at 539-3863.
The Friends of the Prairie River did not take a position on the Early Trout Season. For those of you interested, the statewide totals were Yes: 2,417; No: 2,145. 39 counties yes, 32 counties no. Written comments still to be tallied.
It is now up to the DNR to make the final decision.If you want to be added to the Friends of the Prairie River e-mail list send it to joe820@aol.com
Hope to see you at the Clean-Up!!!!!!!!
The Friends of the Prairie River organization was formed in January 1998 to help maintain its cold, clean waters and esthetic beauty and to benefit Prairie River trout populations and habitat. The Friends\rquote represent those who use the river for recreational purposes, those who live near its banks and all citizens interested in the preservation of the river as a natural resource. The Friends primary purposes are to promote the continued improvement of water quality in the river and to maintain and restore existing habitat and wildlife in the river.