A Bit of Essential Homework

Barry Cahoon recently sent the following message to Scott Beck, Vermont State Senator. Take a look and then here's your "homework" --  draft your own letter or contact Scott by some other method if you agree that the State should rethink their priorities when it comes to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife. 

Ammendments as proposed by Barry Cahoon:

 Specific to the provisions of S.224 and the amendments suggested by FOVLAP: 

 Page 11, following line 12, the following provision replacing the FOVLAP suggested amendment should be added:  (4) The Fish & Wildlife Department shall work collaboratively and to resolve any conflict with any entity, as defined under Section 1453(2) of this Title, proposing establishment and operation of a boat inspection station for the purpose of aquatic nuisance spread prevention, so that the lake protection facility and other authorized uses can reasonably be accommodated.

 Because of the essential priority of preventing introduction of aquatic invasive species into VT lakes is of paramount importance in long-term protection of fish and wildlife aquatic and associated wetlands habitat, the listing of an aquatic nuisance inspection station as an authorized use of a state-controlled fishing access areas listing in Rule as the lowest priority authorized use does nothing to resolve the refusal of the DF&W to recognize this absolutely necessary hierarchy of priorities.  By not collaboratively achieving AIS spread prevention, the day will come when very few, if any, parking spaces will be required at a boat access because of profoundly diminished and degraded aquatic habitats, native species populations and natural resources.  When this occurs, the short sighted nature of disallowing an AIS spread prevention facility to preserve a few parking spaces may finally become crystal clear.

 Therefore, S.224 as introduced should be amended to delete lines 1-3 on Page 14 and be replaced on Page 13 at line 8 as follows: 4.1  Approved aquatic nuisance inspection stations for inspection of vessels entering or exiting lakes pursuant to 10 V.S.A. Section 1454.  With this change, boat inspection stations will become the highest priority authorized use and will help provide the lake protection operations which are most vital to lake associations and ought to be to the DF&W.

 The most profoundly distressing aspect of the current situation is that DF&W's resistance to working affirmatively with a lake association to facilitate and enhance AIS introduction, is that it not only represents an abdication of their responsibilities (and what the public expects of them) but then also just leaves all the costs, efforts and sweat equity at AIS containment and management to the lake associations once the invasive has arrived.  Sacrificing a few parking spaces seems to me not a lot to ask nor a lot to give.

 Thanks Scott.  Your support for these amendments will be greatly appreciated.  Please call me anytime.

 For the Joe's Pond Association

Barry Cahoon, Water Quality Director

Eurasian Watermilfoil Management Coordinator

Bear817@hotmail.com

802-535-0049

Priorities have changed over the years - dramatically, in the case of Joe's Pond where we are in what seems to be a losing battle with Eurasian watermilfoil, if we don't get some backup support. Your letter can be brief or personal - however you want to present your case to Scott. His home address is 93 Overlook Dr., St. Johnsbury, VT 05819, or reach him by email: sbeck@leg.state.vt.us  

Now here's your "homework." Get busy and write your own message to Scott - let him know what we are facing here at Joe's Pond and urge him to use any influence he can on his fellow legislators to do the right thing and make the suggested amendment changes that FOVLAP outlines. It seems to me changing priorities to allow better control through inspection stations at State Fishing Access areas makes sense. Like Barry said, if something doesn't change, we won't need any parking spaces at access areas because there won't be any fishing or boating in weed-infested ponds and lakes. Thank you for taking a few minutes to voice your opinion. We have to work together to save Joe's Pond from being forever clogged with EWM.