Thread: PVC Legality

With the donated man-hours going to COE, and the MANY compliments COE, ODNR and Ohio Dept of Parks has gotten as a result of the past efforts they are actually eager to see the numbers of attractors and fish population in CJ further increase. Most of the cover is used by juvenile fish, but NO fish is 10" long when they hatch. And while perch and crappie free range as fry, the juvenilles of many species of fish use that cover extensively all year long as cover and to find food. This means that predators visit it frequently, also looking for food...with the bonanza of lower life forms that inhabit and eventually consume it they actually significantly "boost" the overall biodiversity of the area they go into. Snails, insect larvae, minnows, aquatic worms, and a smorgas board of bacteria, algae, funguses, all use them. A single set of 5 in the spring can influence an area 5X the attractors` actual volume...strategically littering the lake with dozens and dozens (our most common number in sets) of sites ensures #1: not ALL of them can be fished down at once. It would be almost impossible for ALL of them to be fished even on a busy day. #2: Even though the COE initially insisted we make them `public knowledge" (or NOT be allowed to do this at all), Sir Intimidator almost single handedly successfully convinced the "Powers that Be" to allow us since that point to be able to place them stealthily. The known 1s while reduced by over fishing and age are now largely easy targets, helping to hide the almost unknown newer sets being added, helping to ensure that the newer 1s see little to almost no fishing pressure, and we as a group are GRATEFUL for that ! #3: We have successfully last summer placed our 1st "CC", rubble, block and 10 hole red brick pile we hope will last 50 yrs...the 1st results from it were `significant` ! (Ask Sir Intimidator...) We hope to place at least 2 more of them this summer...#4: We seem to have inspired several spin off groups of like wise minded individuals whom have also approached COE, ODNR and the Ohio Dept of Parks for permission to (within various restrictions ) "splash" their own well planned `projects` in other lakes. If in fact imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we are grateful that several key persons spoke to the "Powers that Be' within 3 different State and Federal Agencies, some with their own agendas, and gave our volunteer amature privately funded group of "interesting" individuals OFFICIAL permission to place 700 of them into CJ Brown Reservoir 7 yrs ago. Would like to think those "Powers that Be" have not regretted it...have a solid plan, and SHOW them examples of WHAT you want to "splash", what, how many, where,how deep, ect. OBEY their restrictions. The RESULTS will say more than you can imagine...

I'm in Illinois and each lake and each state is different. You need to contact the lake biologist and more often than not they are more than happy to let you put in attractors. I worked last year on a local small lake and had already reaped dividends. Plan to put out more this year. Communication is key. I notify when I am going out. Who will be with me. How many pieces and what I'm putting in. They also have me fill out a "time sheet" that gets submitted. He said if enough work is done it equates to additional grant dollars. As sportsmen you should try to give back a little of what you take.

As have said, COE and other state agencies benefit by submitting your donated man-hours and expenses which draw matching funds toward their local efforts towards habitat enhancement for various types of endangered wild life...in the end it also makes saying "YES !" to well planned out efforts more ATTRACTIVE to them...

As mentioned above, our experience has been on a office to office basis. It all comes down to the people in charge of your area. Personal opinion has been the determining factor up to now and most likely won't change in governnment anytime soon.

The good news is this: as many of us know, PVC works and is safe and accepted all across the US. In the five years I've been involved with this industry, changes in the biologists thinking have shifted towards PVC and it's long lasting effects at a extremely fast rate. This, coupled with the now obvious need our Nation has to improve our waters that have been neglected, have never been more in the news.

All three major PVC habitat companies have come onto market in the last five years. One company sat on the shelves for many years before the three of us filed for patents and began sales. This industry and understanding of the benefits of PVC are still in their infant stages.

We have seen how the older biologists and a "set way" of thinking regarding materials for habitat is being pushed aside by the younger generation of fisheries Professionals. This open minded generation of biologists and lake/pond management companies are striving to utilize more long term and cost effective habitat strategies.

If you run into an agency that gives you a hard time about PVC, send them to me and we have had 100% win rate with convincing them otherwise. Countless agencies and respected professionals are available to support the use of PVC and many are willing to get involved to defend our request. You need not look far to read about huge cash being spent to add PVC habitat, from Florida fish and game to TEXAS, which has always insisted on natural materials, now are installing PVC.

PA is still 100% natural and a leader in the Nation when it comes to habitat restoration. The difference in their work is large scale, large wood, that they have been installing for many years. While all the other states were wathching and talking, PA was kicking butt and saw the problems before it was to late. They have been adding tens of thousands of large units, light years ahead of the rest. Their sytem "ain't broke", so they really have no need to fix it.

First, a sincere thank you for all the replies.

As I review the discussion it appears that most are in agreement that PVC placement legality changes from state to state and from lake to lake within the state. Most seem to feel the answer you get depends on how the state/federal officials are approached. IMO, that most likely means biologists and COE reps are interpreting rules differently or just making them up as they go about their day.

For me, I'm going to keep placing PVC trees anchored with concrete blocks. It will be done at night. It will be out of the navigable river channel and I'm going to tell all my friends where I "found" them.

Hope you all catch loads of fish this spring.

Before dropping any structure, please contact the Controlling Water Authority for each impoundment and double-check it is allowed before doing so. Is it worth the money it could cost you in fines if it is NOT allowed on the water body you wish to sink structure in? And is it worth having such funds diverted from your family which could have been avoided with a few simple phone calls? Sounds to me you are only wanting to do as you wish regardless of the rules or regulations if you are only going to do so at night. Game Wardens and Lake Patrol do their activities at night also just to let you know.

You are going with "Plan `B`" 1st. TRY "Plan `A`" ie talk with the "Powers that Be". IF you have a SOLID plan and agree to honor their restrictions, would bet they LET you. If NOT, there is still always "Plan `B`"...btw, IF you go with "Plan "B", ENSURE you carefully wipe the attractors free of fingerprints 1st...

I spoke with the TWRA (TN) they said as long as it is secured good there is no problem.