----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 7:15
AM
Subject: Nunnally
At the risk of reopening some very vocal feelings, I am going to once
more go out on a limb and state that IMHO the major problem with the fisheries
in Eastern Washington is poaching and the lack of enforcement of said problem.
While increased pressure from those fishing legally, which is very evident on
all waters these days, is a contributing factor, it is nowhere near as
damaging a factor as people taking literally coolers full of fish
illegally. While many of these people, and I have observed them myself
on the Lenice-Merry-Nunnally chain of lakes are of immigrant status, there are
also many non immigrants who also follow the same practice. The fact of
the matter is that the price to be paid for those who break the law is pretty
low compared to the risk.
A point was brought up in this string about illegal immigrants not
wanting to disobey the law, thus causing them to have to leave the country.
Two law enforcement officers, a Chelan County Sheriff's Deputy, and a
Washington State Trooper have been killed in the past couple of years by
illegal immigrants who have disobeyed the law openly on numerous occassions,
have been deported and were back in the country shortly
thereafter. So I can't put credence on this being a deterrent to
somebody not illegally fishing. Since my son is a Washington State Trooper (
some of you may have met him) and runs across illegal immigrants on a regular
basis, I can assure you that not obeying the law is well down the list of
priorities of a select few of these individuals, just as it is for the non
immigrant population. If they do not respect the law, they will disobey
it.
Soulution for the string of lakes mentioned? My solution would be a
set up similar to that of campground managers in State Parks, volunteers who
would keep in an eye on things, watch over what is going on on the lakes and
report them to the proper authorities. I would think it would go a long
way towards solving the problem. These individuals could even be given
limited commissions to give out tickets, etc. The hard worked WDFG
agents could use some help. Some of my friends and I have even gone so
far as to having one of us remain with the vehicle while in the
campgrounds/parking areas while the others fished, and changing off every so
often. So far, with this approach, we have not had a vehicle broken
into, and have been able to persuade some who showed up with illegal gear that
perhaps that was not a good idea to fish there at the time.
While not a Gary Locke fan, I think the problem goes much deeper than
just him. It rests with us, as individuals, putting our time and effort into
getting into office, those who feel the same as we do, rather than just
blindly continuing the careers of full time politicians because maybe we
recognize the name. If we don't like any of the candidates, maybe it is
time we become involved.
On a side note, some have mentioned the winds in this area on the 10th
and 11th. While driving to visit my daughter in the TriCities area,
passing by the chain of lakes mentioned, I can assure you the drive from about
Beverly to the TriCities was as hairy a drive as I have ever made, with
blowing sand, dodging huge tumbleweeds, and reduced visibility due to dust in
the air. As my grandson said, it was like playing tumbleweed
dodgeball.
Just my 3 cents worth (because of how long I have rambled on!)
Roger
