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People are probably more than aware of this, but I
thought I would go ahead and remind folks that the public meeting concerning the
no retention of wild steelhead rule is tomorrow in Bremerton at the new Kitsap
Conference Center from 10 AM to 2 PM. This meeting is solely for the
purpose of hearing public testimony on the statewide moratorium on wild
steelhead retention. If you are so inclined, I would encourage any and all
members of this BBS to attend and testify in support of maintaining the
moratorium. If you plan on giving oral comments, it's suggested that you
arrive early to sign up. You are also to bring 11 copies of any testimony
you plan to give for distribution to the commission and staff.
I plan on making comments including an idea that
the Commission consider creating an impact fund which would make money available
to guides and other businesses that might lose income if the current moratorium
is maintained. They'd have to demonstrate the harm experienced (fewer bookings,
reservations, meals served, etc). I am willing to pay a few more bucks for
a steelhead stamp in order to finance the fund and I like the idea of putting
the onus on the people who say their livelihood is at stake to show that they
were harmed. Besides, we have a long track record of having the government
pay people to not do certain things (farmers and ranchers get compensated for
keeping land out of production and not to use their water allocations. we
also subsidize alot of "inactivity" through the tax system by exempting certain
business receipts from taxation if particular conditions are met). Anyway,
hope to see some folks there in support of the ban.
Steve Cole
Totten Inlet
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