The March monthly meeting will be hosted by Greg Schoby an ISU grad student doing a telemetry study. Greg will share his experiences and what he has learned tagging Bull Trout, Westslope Cutthroat, and Rainbow Trout. Mr. Prange has arranged a blurb in the Idaho Statesman accompanied by photos to promote this meeting.

Jim Cook has been working with the Big Easy concert hall with regard to preparations for the up coming chapter event there. Mr. Cook has created tickets and posters to promote this event. Mr. Cook spoke of getting posters up around Boise in area outdoor shops and other establishments. The board will hold the April board meeting on March 31^st to have a chance to prepare for the event the following Tuesday (most likely at Chicago Connection – arrangement there seems to be working). Mr. Cook is also setting up a time for a few of the board members to survey the Big Easy layout and talk about how TU would like to set up for the event. (He has been working with John Toft of the Big Easy.) Currently the chapter is waiting to hear whether the TU TV show host will be able to attend the event. The chapter is planning to have appetizers available; door prizes and raffle items. The chapter is working to identify raffle and silent auction items. Idaho Angler has offered some merchandise, and Chris Jones spoke of getting a signed book from Mike Lawson. Mr. Brunelle suggested contacting Channel 2’s Dan Barth to cover this event and also help cover other conservation events the chapter participates in.

Harris Ranch – Mr. Brunelle reported working with Chris Jones and Steve Sweet to survey the Harris Ranch area for heavy equipment work. Idaho Fish and Game heavy equipment will not be available to move any dirt this year, so Mr. Brunelle is working to get bids to private contractors to do the work. Mr. Brunelle is also moving on getting the easement in place with the Harris Ranch family and representatives – he also suggested we get some local coverage when we get the easement in place to shed some positive light on TU work.

Lower Dead Wood Bull Trout Tagging Project – Doug Bradley has been working on a Bull Trout project on the Lower Dead Wood River. Mr. Bradley has proposed a fishing derby to catch and tag Bull Trout in this system. Mr. Bradley would like fisherman June 17^th, 2004 be available to catch and tag 10 fish.

Fir Creek Fencing Project – Mr. Bradley has also been working with the USFS Lowman district of the BNF. Mr. Bradley has received some Embrace-A-Stream grant funds to work at the Fir Creek and Bear Valley Campgrounds. This is a project to most likely happen in July to put in fencing near the campgrounds and work on bank stabilization. (1k E-a-S, 1k RAC, 1k NMFS?)

Boise River Side Channel near Park Center Blvd – Richard Prange has been working with the Parks and Recreation Department and the Idaho Fish and Game to receive approval and the required permits to place gravel in said side channel as well as move gravel up and down the green belt. Mr. Prange noted that this project could not happen without the chapter’s involvement. Mr. Prange and Chris Jones have identified a location to stock pile the gravel – from there the chapter will move the gravel up the green belt to the placement location. Gravel size will be one inch or less, and the project is planned for August/September.

Mr. Brunelle will contact the volunteers who were interested in working on the News Letter. The board mainly discussed work to complete the website and provide ways for volunteers and the public to easily contact the chapter. Mr. Brunelle suggested that once our chapter site issues are taken care of we provide some help to the state TU council webpage.

Mr. Prange spoke to the board about looking at the by-laws about the up coming elections for many of the board/officer positions. The May program will be hosted by John Wolters of the Orvis Anglers shop here in Boise. Mr. Wolters teaches fly-fishing at BSU and will design a show for the TU Chapter. Mr. Prange also mentioned he is working to get Clark Lewis to come prior to Mr. Wolters and tie a few flies for the attendees.

Mr. Prange and Mr. Brunelle reported to the board that an Idaho level caucus is being organized that will be similar to the National Caucus in our Congress. (Crapo is chair or co-chair of the National Caucus with about 150 bipartisan membership.) The board agreed to keep an eye on what the Idaho caucus does and discuss participation at a later date. Currently the Idaho Caucus is a moderate group; one item on their agenda is to place hunting rights in the Idaho Constitution.

Darryl Kuhrt and Shigeru Yokoyama reported having issues with updating new material on our website. They are working to take dead links to live links and create a place for volunteers and the public a way to contact the chapter reliably and find out what the chapter is currently working on.

Jeff Barney reported that TU National employee Chris Wood is working to oppose BLM grazing rules that compromise work TU has done in the past and plans to do in the future.

Mr. Prange reported on receiving insurance coverage from TU National when we host projects and events for the public and our members. He advised that if we give National a heads up on up coming events they would help us get the proper coverage.

Mr. Prange reminded the board of the May 1 TU State Council Meeting here in Boise. He suggested the board have a presence with the TU State Council members and be good hosts.