DEAR EDITOR:

An open letter to Trumbull county Commissioners Denny Malloy, Rick Hernandez, Tony Bernard:

As an avid sportsman who has been fishing Mosquito Lake since I relocated here in 1995, I feel strongly that I can no longer watch the hypocrisy that I have been viewing through various media outlets through the sidelines and keep quiet.

To understand the growth of the Hydrilla, and various other aquatic plants you must first understand the very basics of an aquatic ecosystem from the beginning and continued sustainability. Over the years, we have witnessed Mosquito Lake greatly improve in water clarity. This can be contributed as a result of two major factors:

The “accidental” transplanting of zebra mussels from Lake Erie, who feed on microscopic organisms at the bottom of reservoirs, and the septic system ordinance, which through improvement of septic systems has astronomically reduced septic waste flowing into the reservoir.

This water clarity promotes light penetration with oxygen in the water promoting a phenomenon known as photosynthesis; the basic elements for plant growth to occur, and as a result promotes increased plant growth, increased oxygen growth, increased fishing habitat and promotes sustainability.

As a result of these changes the fishery has greatly improved, and I’m concerned as a result by measures taken by the commissioners to attempt to remove this vegetation, that they may in fact take steps backward and damage the progress that has taken years to build.

The Wildlife Sportsmen’s restoration fund, which began in 1950 by Rep. John Dingell of Michigan and Sen. Edwin Johnson of Colorado leading to the Dingell-Johnson Act is a program in which an excise tax of 10% is placed on all manufacturing items in the fishing industry, including but not limited to sinkers, hooks, flies, bobbers, fishing line, rods and reels, etc. In 1984, Rep. Jean Breaux of Louisiana, and Sen. Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming expanded upon the program known as the Wallop-Breaux Act, which now includes marine items such as outboards, fuel, etc. These funds are utilized for conservation programs throughout the United States. There are parameters to prevent inequities such as New Jersey being denied certain funds as to Alaska getting much larger portions etc.

Everyone who purchases these items funds their own conservation — this includes man, woman or child. Not any branch of government, and title of office, but the hardworking taxpayer who sees the enjoyment in various forms of fulfillment of these great resources.

In conclusion, any effort made by the Trumbull County commissioners to reduce this vegetation would be counterproductive to the efforts and sacrifices made by an effort to entertain an elite list. Respectfully I ask on behalf of outdoorsmen that Denny Malloy, Rick Hernandez, Tony Bernard ” Stay in your lane” and LEAVE THIS ALONE!!!!

DAVID PLATT

Burghill