LOCAL BASS CLUB COMMITS TO CLEANUP EFFORT

LOCAL BASS CLUB COMMITS TO CLEANUP EFFORT FOR NEW YORK BOAT RAMPS AND FISHING ACCESS SITES

May 18, 2010, Calcium, NY… The Good Ole Boys Bassmasters an affiliate club of the NY BASS Chapter Federation has committed to improving the outdoor experience for all users that frequent public access sites to waterways in central NY.  Their goal is to maintain these access sites free of trash and debris through weekly cleanups.

The club’s project coordinator, Mr. Connell Raate designed a program to target 12 access sites owned by the NY Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and another eight sites owned by local municipalities of Auburn, Baldwinsville, Clay, Fulton, Union Springs and Onondaga County. The club membership provides the real sweat equity for this effort and they’ve partnered with area businesses to procure required supplies in support of this clean up that include trash bags, gloves, and other necessary items.

LOWES allowed them to take their cleanup efforts a step further by providing materials at cost in support of creating used fishing line recycle bins.  The club acquired the materials, assembled

and installed these line recycle containers at select access sites with the approval of the servicing Regional DEC office. They’re hopeful all patrons of these facilities will use these line recycle bins instead of just dropping used fishing line on the ground where birds and other small animals could get entangled in it.

When asked what the driving force was behind the project, Raate said, “NY is experiencing budget cuts across the state resulting in staff and service level reductions in all agencies.  This cleanup project is one small thing we can do to help out our community, but we believe it will make a big difference and we’re glad to do it”.

The clubs efforts were immediately recognized by Mr. William J Harris, Head Operator, Oak Orchard Water Waste Treatment Plant in Clay NY.  Harris observed the club in action on Earth Day and sent a letter of thanks.  Harris stated "When a group such as yours takes the bull by the horns to make things right, the rest of us reap the benefits of your help in keeping the outdoors a better place for everyone."

The Good Ole Boys have also involved their junior chapter comprised of youth between the ages of 10 to 18 years old. “A very important part of this project is getting our youth involved because they’re our legacy and the real life blood that will sustain this project for years to come” explained Raate.

To learn more about other conservation projects the NY BASS Chapter Federation clubs participate in go to http://www.nybassfed.com/Data/Conservation/Index.htm .