ANDREW- YOU IGNORANT SLUT!!! (does that feel more like the "good 'ol days"?)(I love Dan Akroyd))
I hesitate to type anything on this board because it will probably disappear into Al Gore's brain, and waste my time.
This is an issue that has been around for about 9 months, and is just now getting real attention because of a leaked intergovernmental memo last week.
http://www....org/Document.Doc?id=130
The memo identifies approximately 13 million acres in nine western states for “National Monument” designation under the 1906 Antiquities Act. The Act allows the President to make these designations without Congressional approval or local input. Prior Monument designations have caused trouble for hunters and wildlife conservation. For example, President Carter created millions of acres of National Park Service Monuments in Alaska which immediately closed the areas to sport hunting. It took a subsequent act of Congress to undo many of these hunting closures. President Clinton also created Monuments at the last day of his term. Wilderness activists have since blocked wildlife management projects in these areas arguing that conservation efforts are inconsistent with Monument purposes.
Although a Monument designation does not automatically limit hunting or other uses, experience has shown that this designation can have a negative impact on access and conservation efforts. Any change in public land use should only occur after open discussion with stakeholders allowing them to voice their concerns, if any.
As far as closing down coastal and fresh waters to fishing, it is being done right here in California, under the most biased and corrupt dog and pony show I have ever seen. Governor Gasbag is trying to create the apperance of being the "GREEN" Governor, all the while planning the future raping and pillaging of the State using my wallet and yours by his wealthy buddies and the dumbasses in the Legislature on BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE. . We have F&G Commissioners with with obvious bias,(Sutton), a Commissioner who was leaning toward voting against the MLPA, thrown off the F&G Comm on a Friday and replaced with the former leader of the BRTF( Benninghoven) , wardens tell the Commission they don't have the $$$ or manpower to enforce, and they still voted for the plan put worth by the anti-angler groups. Just look at the makeup of the BRTF and tell me why those F-ing A-holes are on that committee ( appointed by GAS)
I have NEVER seen a major Corporation take sides in a fishery issue, yet read this:
http://fis.../feds_to_60_million.html
http://advocacy.shimano.com/publish/content/advocacy/en/us/index/alert_360/governor_schwarzenegger.html
http://advocacy.shimano.com/publish/content/advocacy/en/us/index/alert_360/the_white_house_press.html
President Obama may not be about to ban fishing but there are more difficult times and confusing regulations for anglers ahead. Before we start pointing fingers and believing wild conspiracies we need to look at fisheries management history and put the blame for this all where it really belongs. Anytime the government says "I'm here to fix things," I look for the nearest California Grizzly Bear or Spring Chinook Salmon to ask him "how's that workin' out for ya?"
I don't trust ANY one who automatically groups recreational /private party anglers with commercial anglers. I am not dragging gill nets around raping the whole sea, I target one fish at a time, and no more than I can consume.
The MLPA process is corrupt, and if this is a foreshadowing of what is coming when the Feds get involved, God help us.