On Thursday, April 24, 2025, when after a long, largely behind-the-scenes battle, the Erie County Legislature brought a resolution sponsored by Legislator John Mills, to oppose the construction of offshore wind turbines in Lake Erie.  This was actually the second such resolution the Erie County Legislature adopted – the first being in 2010, when NYPA was pursuing their Great Lakes Offshore Wind ideas, or GLOW, for short.  Back then, the legislature was a 15-member body.  Members of the Federation fought this idea then, and the result was a vote of 13-2 to oppose the folly of wind turbines in our drinking water and world-class fisheries.  This latest battle began in earnest in 2019, after receiving word from the Town of Evans that another wind developer was sniffing around.  The sporting community was immediately mobilized. 

Federation members involved in the first round rejoined with others from across the community in defense of our treasures.  This collection of concerned citizens formed a specific group to defend the lake from this mystifying effort – called CAWTILE, or Citizens Against Wind Turbines In Lake Erie.  The first hearing on the reaffirming resolution authored by Mills occurred in 2019, and despite overwhelming evidence brought before the legislature, the resolution was tabled in committee.

Fast forward 5 years and a few months, the Environment and Energy Committee moved the resolution to the floor, and after careful consideration of all the information presented, voted to reaffirm the opposition to a wind factory in our drinking water by a vote of 10-1!  Although the fight to protect Lake Erie, and the other Great Lakes, from this terrible and damaging idea, is not over, garnering the overwhelming desire to protect our fisheries and drinking water takes us to the next fight, which is truly where the water is protected – to the EPA and Federal Government.  We invite everyone to join us to assure our drinking water and most incredible fishery in the Nation is protected.

To find out how, reach out to the Federation, or visit https://www.CAWTILE.com and become a defender of the greatest freshwater resource in the world!  The lakes need us all.

Salutations, fellow anglers, hunters, trappers; sportsmen and women across Erie County, NY.  As I’ve begun my 20th year of service to the sporting community and conservation heritage with the Erie County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, a common question I often hear is, “what does the Federation do for the local sportsmen and women?” 

Although predominantly organized as an education and outreach non-profit for public benefit, hosting and sponsoring many family-oriented teach me to fish programs, involvement in Hunter’s Education, special youth hunts and the like, the organization also stands in defense of wildlife and fisheries conservation, waterways and natural habitat protections and assuring ample opportunity exists for community members to embrace the great outdoors and sporting traditions safely and responsibly.  Being the representative umbrella for over 40 conservation-related clubs and organizations within Erie County, the Federation is the largest such organization in NY State.  But what do we do?  And, are we effective?

In the next several days I will look at recent events that hit close to home and illustrate examples of the effectiveness and dedication to the mission of this all-volunteer organization.