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Commissioners plan resolution opposing proposed Coosa River tournament slot limits, citing economic risk
Summary
Commissioner Perkins said he will present a resolution opposing a proposed Alabama Department of Natural Resources rule that would impose a slot limit on Coosa River fishing tournaments; commissioners said the limit could reduce tournament participation and local economic activity and asked staff to forward an opposition letter.
Commissioner Perkins told the commission he will ask for a resolution opposing a proposed slot-limit rule under consideration by the Alabama Department of Natural Resources that would restrict the sizes of fish eligible in tournaments on parts of the Coosa River.
“If the slot limit were to pass, you're gonna have a huge decline in the participation of of tournament anglers,” Perkins said at the work session, arguing the restriction could prompt events and their associated tourism dollars to move away from Chilton County.
Perkins said a draft resolution, prepared with input from state legislators and local partners, would express the county's opposition to tournament-only slot limits and affirm a commitment to support local fisheries and tournament hosting. He said the proposed rule is scheduled for a DNR meeting in March and that an economic impact letter from local governments could influence decisions.
Commissioner Billingsley supported the opposition and said he reviewed reporting and the proposed rule language; "this is a bad piece of legislation," Billingsley said, adding that tournaments generate substantial local spending.
Perkins cited an example he said showed a single high-profile tournament can bring about $1.3 million in economic benefit to the community. Commissioners said they would sign and send an opposition resolution or letter to appropriate state officials; no formal vote was recorded at the work session.
What happens next: staff will prepare the resolution or letter for the commission to consider at its regular meeting; commissioners hope to coordinate opposition with nearby municipalities and tourism partners before the DNR rulemaking meeting.
