The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1917-01-20

vERMoNT's FISH AND GAME
Recommendations in Report of Com
missioner Titcomb.

HtsoiOUCT itSStbbsi
The following are the recofnrnenda-
tions made by the state fish and game
commissioner, J. w. Titcomb, in his
annual report:
Attention has been called to the i'm
portant asset which the state possess
es in its ponds and lakes. The de-
partment is endeavoring to establish
permanent policy as to the kinds Of
fish which are to be encouraged in
each and all of them. The fish are
state property. Every resident of
Vermont has an interest in these fish.
The legislature tells the people how,
when. by what methods and in what
quantity the fish may be caught.
A power plant is established at the
outlet OF some lakes where the fish
are thus protected. The water is res
ervoired for use when most needed
usually when the young fish are con-
gregated around the shore and at the
outlet in shallow water The flood
gates are opened and with the rush. of
water many fish are drawn from the
lake. Natures balance is upset. The
remedy is a screen fine enough to pre-
vent the escape of fish and of suffici-
emily large surface are to permit the
escape of water even when partially
clogged Who is to bear the expense
and. maintenance of these construc-
tions? Should it be the people of Yer
mont, the property owners about u
lake, or the power company which is
profting by the use of the water?
The recent progress in hydroelec-
trio development by corporations of
large capital which are rapidly acquir
ing control of the outlets of all ponds
and lakes which offer power facilit
has prompted these remarks. The de-
velopment of water power is much
be desired but the peoples rights
should have due consideration at the
same time and remedial measures
should be taken to conserve the fish so
fas as possible to do so against any
abnormal conditions created by such
development. Furthermore, there is
tendency in connection with some of
this power development to treat cer-
tain ponds and lakes as mill ponds
TO raise them above normal high
tificial construction to draw them far
below natural low water level Such
abnormal changes in the natural con-
ditions of lakes seriously impair the
fisheries. Experience has proved that
this statement is true. Here again,
the peoples property rights in the fish
are entitled TO consideration
There Is another factor entering in
10 this discussion which is beyond the
jurisdiction of this department but TO
which the attention of the commission
er has been frequently drawn. Refer
ence is made to the owners of sum
mer camps on the shores OF lakes
where at times the water is abnormal
ly high and at other times so low that
the summer dweller who has been in
vited TO spend his vacation and money
in Vermont, is unable to get his boat
into the water or has mud fiat in
front of his residence. To be sure if
the law is on his side he may have an
Injunction served upon the power
company but he comes to Vermont for
rest and in such cases he leaves in
disgust.
To remedy these conditions. it is
suggested that the legislature provide
for the construction of suitable
screens at the outlets of lakes where
the natural conditions have been
changed and that the persons or cor
porations beneftting by the changed
conditions pay for the construction
and maintenance of such screens;
that the outlets of all lakes and ponds
on which power development is in
progress or contemplated, be sur
veyed by a competent engineer under
the supervision of the Public Service
Commission; that, in some manner ap
proved by said Public Service Com
mission, the maximum natural high
and low water marks be established
by suitable bench marks and that the
companies using the water so regu-
late its flow that at no time shall II be
at higher or lower level than the
maximum and minimum levels thus
established.
IL is further recommended that the |
reciprocal fishing license law of 1912, |
repealed in 1915, be re-enacted; that |
the commissioner be empowered to |
establish zones in certain towns or |
portions of towns where deer may be |
killed at such times and under such |
regulations as he may describe, the |
object being to eXterminate animals |
which are a detriment to agriculture; |
that provision be made whereby the
governor may select and appoint as
state fish and game commissioner a
man especially qualified for the duties
of the Office whether or not he be a
resident of Vermont or some other
state and at a salary sufficient to be
an inducement to an expert to accept
the responsibilities of and devote his
time to the duties of the Office.
The total receipts for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1915 amount to
$30,21S.94, of which $6,520.02 reprei
sents the balance carried over from
the previous term; s22,297G7 were re-
ceived from license fees and the bal
ance (S1399.25) represents the sale of
deer carcasses, fry, fngerlings and
miscellaneous.
For the fiscal year ending June so,
1916, the total receipts amount to
$47,5S093, of which $47,0O612 repre-.
sents the return from hunting and
fishing licenses and the balance