Bass tournaments on Parksville Lake in Polk County, Tenn. could be a thing of the past. After many years of NOT enforcing special use regulations, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) says they will now be requiring special use permits for bass tournaments on Parksville Lake.
Those permits require substantial red tape, potential permit costs and proof of insurance.
According to USFS Ranger Monty Williams, the Service basically got backed into a corner. Of course Williams and other park rangers were well aware that bass tournaments were regularly held on Parksville Lake, which lies within the boundaries of the Cherokee National Forest. However there was never a reason to pursue the matter. Ranger Williams said that changed when one of the bass tournament groups apparently made someone mad.
"It came to our notice when a (tournament) participant felt they were being cheated," said Williams. "That person contacted our law enforcement officer and filed a complaint. We didn't go out looking for them. We've been aware of their tournaments. At the point we were contacted however, I can't ignore it. It's has come to my official notice and I have to deal with it."
USFS regulations require that any formal group activity including more than 75 individuals, or which require an entrance fee (such as a bass tournament) are subject to the regulations requiring a special use permit.
"It's all about the money," said Williams. "If they weren't charging an entry fee, they may not be required to have the permit."
Of course that pretty much defeats any true "competitive" aspect of a bass tournament. Most anglers will tell you it's not nearly as much fun when you're not playing for money. And for anglers in Southeast Tennessee who want to hold simple "dogfight-style" tournaments on weeknights, Parksville Lake is about the only game in town.
Anglers are upset. They've been in touch with Congressman Zach Wamp's office and have organized a meeting with USFS officials.
Anglers hope they can demonstrate some "strength in numbers" and are inviting any interested fishermen to show up Thursday, January 25th at the USFS Office on North Ocoee St. in Cleveland, Tenn. (located on North Ocoee Street across from North Cleveland Baptist Church and down the road from Jim Rush Funeral Home.)
Ranger Williams said "we certainly feel for them and want to encourage fishing on Parksville Lake. Hopefully at the meeting we can choose a path that they don't need a permit.... but that's their choice."
Williams said angling groups can obtain a single permit which would cover their entire fishing season. He says they would be required to submit a proposal and depending upon the proposal and agreements, there might be a permit fee, and the group must provide a "Proof of Insurance" document from an insurance company.
That would be the biggest problem for most angling organizations, however Williams says that is to protect taxpayers.
"We want the federal government to be indemnified," he said. "We don't want (a potential lawsuit) to cost you, the taxpayer, anything."
He says other groups which hold formal events, such as the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA), must follow the same guidelines.
One of the anglers concerned about the issue is Jerry Goodner from Cleveland. He contacted Congressman Wamp's office and is spearheading the Tuesday meeting on behalf of fishermen.
"We're encouraging every angler in the area to come," said Goodner. "This is something that could affect all of us, whether you fish on Parksville Lake or not."
Forest Supervisor Thomas Speaks responded to Congressman Wamp's inquiry in a letter written last year. Chattanoogan.com Outdoors contacted the Congressman's office Thursday morning requesting additional comment. The Congressman's office issued a written statement saying, ""We have been working on the fishermen's case and on another, similar case involving 'Special Use Permits' required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service for various group events. Based on federal regulations, when a group charges an entry fee for an event, the 'Special Use Permit' becomes a way to remove liability from the taxpayer in case of an unforeseen occurrence or accident. If the group is a non-profit and can provide proof of insurance, the Forest Service often waives the fee."
Again, the meeting for fishemen and Forest Service officials to discuss the issue is Thursday, January 25th at the USFS Office on North Ocoee St. in Cleveland, Tenn. (located on North Ocoee Street across from North Cleveland Baptist Church and down the road from Jim Rush Funeral Home.)