Governor freezes funding for MLPA

[Robbert]

Here's the first part of the article from Fishrap. If you want the whole article click on the link at the bottom.

1/22/2009 12:00 AM
Last updated: 1/22/2009 3:38 PM
SACRAMENTO – Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dec. 19 Executive Order (S-16-08), designed to help prevent a state budget shortfall, suspended indefinitely funding for essential Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) oversight initiatives. The budget cuts have created concern among stakeholders that, with a loss of funding, critical scientific and enforcement safeguards in newly created marine protected areas (MPAs) may unnecessarily restrict recreational angling or prohibit it entirely.

Proposed cutbacks related to the MLPA implementation total more than $6.7 million. This does not include work stoppages or potential furloughs or cutbacks within the Department of Fish and Game itself. In response, the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans (PSO) recently sent a letter to the governor urging him to consider the impact of such funding restrictions on the effectiveness of the implementation process and the impacts on anglers, boaters and local economies.


http://www.fishrapnews.com/news/newsArticles.aspx?x=8984

- Robbert

[Tino Bernazzani]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:



:thumps::thumps::thumps::thumps:

[patrick]

if theres no more money, does that mean they cant make new preserves? i think all the enforcement and education for new zones would take a lot of money...... but im kinda dumb in the whole govt/money/mlpa/mpa area....

[rojodiablo]

if theres no more money, does that mean they cant make new preserves? i think all the enforcement and education for new zones would take a lot of money...... but im kinda dumb in the whole govt/money/mlpa/mpa area....

There is still money out there. Look up RLFF , and you'll see there is still the spectre of private money funding the efforts of getting MPA's implemented. Deep, wack job pockets. They bought Tom Raftican and UA for $200,000. That's why you should support the RFA instead.

In NO WAY does this mean for one second that we can just figure this thing is DOA. The girl doesn't get all dressed up for nothing.... she's going to the dance.:cool:

[zenspearo]

We have to keep plugging. This thing is going to happen. The other side (RLFF) is paying for it to happen.

[thereefgeek]

Hoorah for now. The budget problem may have bought us a little more time to show up and make our cases at the F&G Commission. The timeline on the implementation of the MPAs may be stretched out a little longer, but rojodiablo is right, it ain't over 'til the the fat lady sings.

:toast:

[Bill McIntyre]

They bought Tom Raftican and UA for $200,000. That's why you should support the RFA instead.


Which brings up a question. I've paid dues to United Anglers for a few years. They replaced Raftican now. Should I keep paying dues?

[rojodiablo]

Which brings up a question. I've paid dues to United Anglers for a few years. They replaced Raftican now. Should I keep paying dues?

I'd rather see the RFA get your money than Ratfican. or is it Raftican???:rolleyes:

[Seacidal]

Paul, is that really a fair and accurate statement? Both the RFA and UA have done, and continue to do, great things for recreational fishery participants. Trying to demean one for the other serves to only create divisions among fishermen at a time where united efforts are critical.

Bill, I would encourage you to read the facts and come to your own, reasoned conclusions. Then act accordingly.

[zenspearo]

But this does suggest a possible strategy.

Now that the state is not funding it, the whole process is probably more susceptible to "death-by-thousand-cuts" approach if delay through administrative or litigation or other means can be executed.

It died once before...and now with the state not funding it and only RLFF, if we can wear out their patience and will to proceed by chipping away and delaying and harranguing, we may very well be able to bring this to a halt again.

But that will require a more aggressive posture by those opposing this process.

[SDspearo]

Haven't done the research but private funding of this intiative sends up constitutitonal red flags for me. Anybody been down that road yet? Is it time for injunctive relief?

[rojodiablo]

Paul, is that really a fair and accurate statement? Both the RFA and UA have done, and continue to do, great things for recreational fishery participants. Trying to demean one for the other serves to only create divisions among fishermen at a time where united efforts are critical.

Bill, I would encourage you to read the facts and come to your own, reasoned conclusions. Then act accordingly.

It's not a perfect system, to be sure. A LOT of skippers and fishermen I have known for a long, long time were thoroughly disappointed by Raftican and his responses when it was found that he took $200,000 from a proponent of fisheries closures. 1st, he hid the fact that he even took the money. 2nd, he was supposed to be raising monies for the group effort to work FOR fishermen, and he wound up with 200K of scandalous money that he...KEPT for his own organization. 3rd, when approached about whether he indeed accepted what sure seemed like 'tainted' money, he denied it. (You know, talk to your lawyers, find out how to deny 'till you die.) and he was found out. 4th, when confronted, he did not return the money, buit did admit that he has been taking the RLFF money for a while, and had taken their money on several occasions. After weighing it all, he was voted out of the fishemans alliance.
I am not saying he has been bad for fishing. (I have to do some stuff, I'll finish this thought later...)

[Ex Nihilo]

But this does suggest a possible strategy.

Now that the state is not funding it, the whole process is probably more susceptible to "death-by-thousand-cuts" approach if delay through administrative or litigation or other means can be executed.

It died once before...and now with the state not funding it and only RLFF, if we can wear out their patience and will to proceed by chipping away and delaying and harranguing, we may very well be able to bring this to a halt again.

But that will require a more aggressive posture by those opposing this process.

Haven't done the research but private funding of this intiative sends up constitutitonal red flags for me. Anybody been down that road yet? Is it time for injunctive relief?

Anyone have any thoughts on these points?

[rojodiablo]

Anyone have any thoughts on these points?

Yes. The gates have come down, the rails are shaking, the lights are flashing, the horn is blowing. Either catch the train, or get run over by it. As a diver, putting pennies on the track will not derail the whole train. :rolleyes: