The Joint Standing Committee for the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife took up the issue of LD1081, a bill that would stop the stocking of splake in any waters that drain into and out of wild brook trout waters. That bill was voted on by the JSC as “out not to pass” but it appears that politics is playing a role in this debate.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife does not support this bill and has actively work to defeat it. There are also several sportsmen groups throughout the state that have publicly voiced opposition to this bill, including the Maine Ice Anglers Association.

It now appears that through efforts of George Smith, Executive Director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, to lobby at least enough of the legislators, this bill may be revived in both the House and the Senate to at least bring it to a vote.

Butch Moore, owner administrator for New England Outdoor Voice, is encouraging his readers and all those concerned to contact your representatives and tell them how you feel. At his website he had generated a letter and a link where you can very easily submit it to the full membership of the Senate.

To: All members of the Maine Senate

I am sending you this e-mail to register my concerns and ask that you vote against LD 1081.

On 5/30/07 the Maine Senate voted not to accept the recommendations of the Joint Standing Committee on Fish and Wildlife, The MDIF&W, the MIAA and many Maine sportsman and women by failing to kill LD 1081. After extensive hearings and public testimony the JSC concluded that 1081 Ought Not to Pass. (ONTP) The House on 5/23 and the Senate on 5/30 voted not to accept the committee recommendations.

This latest effort to undermine the recommendations of the JSC are an attempt by the bill sponsor, SAM and George Smith, to micro manage the DIF&W. The DIF&W is staffed with competent professional wildlife managers, scientists and biologists that have concluded this bill is not needed and in fact would be detrimental to the departments goal of providing quality angling opportunities for everyone.

Please show your support for the JSC, MDIF&W, and the thousands of Maine anglers that appreciate and love to fish for splake. I urge you and the rest of the Senate to accept the original ONTP recommendation of the JSC and kill LD 1081 now.

Please vote against LD 1081.

Thank You,

Click here to send a letter supporting IF&W

Tom Remington

No related posts.