Stafford Pond Reservoir To Host 16 Fishing Tourneys In 2013
Town officials are worried motor oil from boats could contaminate drinking water in Stafford Pond.
Town officials are looking to work with the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to impose regulations on the boats that will be allowed on the Stafford Pond reservoir during the 16 scheduled bass fishing tournaments this year.
Between April 21 and Oct. 12, The Sakonnet Times reports 16 tournaments will bring large boats, with large motors onto Stafford Pond - which supplies drinking water to Tiverton residents who are part of the Stone Bridge water district.
The announcement comes at a time when the Town Council and Tiverton Conservation Commission are planning a meeting with DEM officials to create stricter regulations on the recreational use of the reservoir.
A tentative meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the DEM office located at 235 Promenade Street, Providence. The meeting will include representatives from DEM, the Stone Bridge Fire District, the Town Council and the Conservation Commission.
"In these tournaments you can now use very large boats, we are trying to figure out who picks that and how we can try to change that," said Thomas Ramotowski chairperson to the Conservation Commission during Monday's Town Council meeting.
Among other concerns of pollution from the tournament is the introduction of invasive species, oil contamination from boat engines, human waste, and trash.
DEM enforcement should be called (222-2284) if people are seen breaking any of these laws.
Mike
10:53 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Who organizes these tournaments? Are permits required to hold them? Who grants the permits? Are the bass native or is the pond stocked?
Erin Tiernan
2:09 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The tournaments are organized by DEM. The pond is stocked by DEM as well.
Joe Sousa
11:00 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
RIDEM/Division of Fish & Wildlife Home Page
www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/
DEM has control of the pond and activities.
bigmanny
10:51 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
This should really be more of a concerntothe town thanit is currently. Thos fish are nice stripers but did not come from Stafford Pond. joe you may know the answer to this, could dEM change the regs to a hunting area without asking the town anything about it.
Chris Christensen
11:03 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
In the public boat ramps location on the DEM page it says Stafford pond is Trolling Motors only. Trolling motors do not pollute folks!
Jim L
11:09 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Those are striped bass, a salt water fsh and don't come from Stafford pond, th DEM has been stocking the pond with trout since the 1950's, At one time t was some off the best smalmouth bass fishing in new england, Any tonaments held there by folks who don't live on the pond are resticted to 10 horsepower motors or less, since you must clear contests with DEM they make sure that all rules and regulations are followed, As to hunting? No Sunday hunting is allowed in Tiverton, BUT it is allowed on * rod way farm on Sundays because that is state land and controlled by the state
Leslie Poldervaart
9:45 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hunting is allowed in Tiverton on Sundays. The charter was changed about a year ago.
bigmanny
11:14 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Jim and Chris, The DEM allows boats with any horspower to fish the pond during tournament days. some days i have seen many boats at the ramp with engines over 200 horses. The reg is actuallt ten horse or less for boats launched from the ramp unless you are in a organized fishing tournament then it is unlimted. makes sense right?
fasted054
3:14 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Dem allows it if they have a temporary permit to have a gasoline powered engine on the pond. I believe fish & game is where they apply for the permit not DEM. Ask a DEM officer they will tell you who issues the permit.
Jim L
11:36 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
As far as I have ever heard the HP limit is 10 or less, I have seen hose big boats at the ramp also but never seen them in use, i have seen large power boats on the pond but those were grandfathered in because they belonged to pondabutters, just like the seaplane still gets to fly from there, you are right tho, big motors should not be allowed at all
janet
3:13 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I live on the pond , are u kidding me , I fish with my husband and we troll along and the big boats fly down with big motors to the dam. Also they park in the food bank and day care lot. that's no right. all so , on that day WE can't get to the boat ramp a I pay the taxes in this town, something just is not right.
bigmanny
5:31 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
Does that mean that anyone with a big boats in a tournament can get permits.
what if me and a friend wanted to put a 250 horse power in the pond. we just need to say it is tournament. Just another case of the rest of RI crapping on the east bay. DEM stocks trout these bass gys don't give two squirts about the trout.
Outdoorsman
12:09 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Hunting with " firearm " (shotgun, Muzzle Loader) is not allowed in Tiverton on Sunday except at the 8 Rod way management area , which is State controlled and Seapowet Management area which is also State controlled. No Deer hunting is allowed at the Seapowet Management area with a "Firearm" Archery only. The only type of hunting allowed in Tiverton on Sunday is Archery on Private land with written landowner permission. Contact the Tiverton Police they are very well versed on Sunday Hunting Laws, at least the Officer I spoke to was. By the way the Crossbow has been declassified from its firearm status to Archery equiptment and is allowed in the Town of Tiverton for Deer hunting along with the rest of the State.