On Monday, February 4, 2002, Al Kohutek, Jim Young, Tom Root, and Paul Poole traveled to Athens, Texas to attend a hearing on the double-crested cormorant. This meeting was held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and conducted by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. Al, Jim, Tom, and Paul represented the Vilbig Bass Club and testified on the impact of the cormorants on Lake Vilbig. The testimony was tape recorded and court reporter took notes for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. This was the fourth of ten hearings being held across the US as part of an environmental impact study. There were about 30 other concerned Texans in attendance. It addition the testimony, Al presented pictures of Lake Vilbig injured bass.
Anyone wanting to send written comments about the cormorants should send them to: Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 634, Arlington, Va. 22203.
All letters should be postmarked by February 28, 2002.