Captina Creek

[Eugene]

I'd intended to bring this up at the last meeting, but I've been traveling so much and away from my office computer for so long, that it slipped my mind. Here is a letter I received from a very cordial Mr. Lipps:

Eugene,
Thank you for your time on the phone today.

I am hoping that I can recruit some anglers from Ohio to submit a Verified Complaint to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency concerning the recent coal slurry discharge into Captina Creek. The current investigation into this discharge seems to be stalled and will probably not go much further without such complaints. Ohio law requires that the complainant has been or will be directly "aggrieved or adversely affected" by the violation. This includes anglers who might fish on Captina Creek and are therefore affected by the loss of habitat that may have resulted from the increased siltation and general degradation of the habitat.

We have started a Captina Creek group and had our first meeting this past Friday. Over 30 people representing 12 agencies and local individuals participated. You can read more about this incredible creek at:
groups.google.com/group/Captina_Creek

Be sure to look at the page "facts and figures." Captina is a jewel! You can also read media reports about the slurry spill on the "in the news" page. Of course, this creek has a great crayfish population, and the predators to go along with them (Smallmouth Bass and Hellbenders).

Information on submitting a verified complaint can be found at the Ohio Environmental Council's website:
[url=http://www.theoec.org/PDFs/water/Formal%20Complaint%20fact%20sheetII.pdf
]http://www.theoec.org/PDFs/water/Formal%20Complaint%20fact%20sheetII.pdf

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I've also attached a template for submitting a complaint (also from the OEC). Note that the OEC is more than willing to help with this process, including help putting the letter together.

Thanks for your time and let me know if there is anything else I can do. Note that the Captina Creek google group is open to all, so if you or any of the members of the Smallmouth Bass Alliance would like to join we would love to have your involvement.

Greg

Gregory Lipps, LLC
[e-mail]

Coordinator
Ohio Salamander Monitoring Program
www.ohioamphibians.com

Co-chair, Midwest Regional Working Group
Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation
http://www.parcplace.org[/blockquote]

I don't fish Captina, and won't involve myself directly because of my job. However, feel free to drop Greg a line if you'd like a copy of his draft letter.

[ecoangler]

Eugene,
I have fished and floated Capinta before the slurry discharge. My buddy, JJ. fished it frequently over a 20 term. It was a great stream with a surprising smallie population.

It seem out of place to have such a beautiful stream in the heart of coal country.

JJ presented background on the stream in a conference with OEC and agencies immediately after the discharge.

I've been following it along to see where it go.

I will review the links and pass it along to JJ.

Thanks for sharing!

Rick