Heating up on new fees

[Catch]

I may not agree with the increase in fees, but I don't think this anonymous biologist knows his facts. Or perhaps he/she has some ax to grind. For one, the so-called monies he speaks of, that could be used for data research and analysis, come from the federal government which the Obama Administration has recently put mandates on, and has restricted the use by LDWF to the data it receives. Pausina has stated that a large part of the fee increase would be to replace the federal dollars that the state would no longer accept from the feds.

As for the money being used to possibly build saltwater hatcheries/research centers, that money has already been allocated from the BP settlement.

This is what I hate about anonymity: no way to cross-examine the "witness".

[MathGeek]

Originally Posted by Catch

For one, the so-called monies he speaks of, that could be used for data research and analysis, come from the federal government which the Obama Administration has recently put mandates on, and has restricted the use by LDWF to the data it receives.

LDWF had had their own silly rules in refusing to share their own data since 2010. Why should anglers pay for data only LDWF gets to see? Data paid for with public dollars should not be hidden and secret.

Originally Posted by Catch

As for the money being used to possibly build saltwater hatcheries/research centers, that money has already been allocated from the BP settlement.

Right, the claim is that the increased license fees would be used to staff and operate hatcheries that are not really needed. LDWF has enough employees already. We don't need to fund their empire build. They have enough resources already to manage the resources responsibly. They need to use those resources more responsibly which is unlikely if we just keep giving them more money.

[Duck Butter]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

LDWF had had their own silly rules in refusing to share their own data since 2010. Why should anglers pay for data only LDWF gets to see? Data paid for with public dollars should not be hidden and secret.



Right, the claim is that the increased license fees would be used to staff and operate hatcheries that are not really needed. LDWF has enough employees already. We don't need to fund their empire build. They have enough resources already to manage the resources responsibly. They need to use those resources more responsibly which is unlikely if we just keep giving them more money.

You know the answer, you have received letters from attorneys. Its called a gag order.