Comments for Closing Commercial Fishing on the Mosquito Lagoon MINWR

Westwall01

ANUMBER1 wrote: »

This is why I don't like you Yankees.. don't move in my hood.. K?

:rotflmao

Cavanaugh68

I received an update from the USFWS on the closure. Basically they are saying that there was not enough notice given to commercial harvesters over the past decade that this was going to happen(which I personally find that hard to believe due to this has been known to all for years it was coming).

So they are now having another comment period. Now the comments before from last fall when the thread was started I was told that only 27 comments came in, again which I find hard to believe only 27?

So please comment.

Here is the email I got yesterday for commenting again and below it is the response I got back from Layne Hamilton saying that only 27 comments came in and explaining what was happening. Thank you.

Notice of Availability for Public Review and Comment:

Draft Compatibility Determination and Draft Environmental Action Statement for the Proposed Extension of Commercial Fishing (Seafood Harvesting) on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge to September 30, 2028

 

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS

To ensure consideration of your comments in the development of the final decision and the final compatibility determination, comments need to be received by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by March 30, 2018.  

 Send to: [email protected]

PROPOSAL

Commercial fishing (seafood harvesting) is currently scheduled to be phased out on Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on September 30, 2018. However, during the 10-year phase-out period, permit holders were not adequately notified of the sunset date and the phase-out was not fully implemented. To address the shortcomings related to the 2018 phase-out, the Service has evaluated options and is recommending an extension of the phase-out of commercial fishing (seafood harvesting) for an additional 10-year period. The proposal would extend commercial fishing (seafood harvesting) on Merritt Island NWR to September 30, 2028.

 

DRAFT COMPATIBILITY DETERMINATION AND DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION STATEMENT

The documents are available for review on the Merritt Island NWR website at:  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Merritt_Island/  (https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/DRAFT%20CD-EAS%20-%20MINWRCommercialFishing20180222.pdf).

 

HOW TO SUBMIT COMMENTS? 

Comments may be delivered in writing by:

• Emailing Merritt Island NWR, Commercial Harvesting Proposal at [email protected];
• Mailing Merritt Island NWR, Commercial Harvesting Proposal at PO Box 2683, Titusville, FL  32781-2683;
• Faxing Merritt Island NWR, Commercial Harvesting Proposal at 321-861-1276; or
• Delivering by hand to Merritt Island NWR Headquarters, Commercial Harvesting Proposal, 1963 Refuge HQ Road, Titusville, FL 32780 (5 miles east of Titusville on SR 402).

Please include your name with your comments.  Please note that all comments become part of the official public record.  Requests for such comments will be handled in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and Service and Department of the Interior policies and procedures.

Cheri M. Ehrhardt, AICP

Natural Resource Planner

US Fish and Wildlife Service

__________________________

Here is her email to me:

From: Hamilton, Layne [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 10:27
To: Florida Inshore Fishing Charters <[email protected]>
Cc: Jane Whaley <[email protected]>; Cheri Ehrhardt <[email protected]>; Tom Penn <[email protected]>
Subject:

 

The initial public scoping on the proposed 10-year phase-out extension of commercial seafood harvesting occurred from August 22, 2017 through September 9, 2017.  The Service mailed or emailed a public information flyer to nearly 700 individuals, organizations, permit holders, businesses and government agencies.  Additionally, the Service posted the public information flyer at the visitor center, on the refuge's website, and on the Refuge's Facebook page.  News releases to local media were also issued.  We received 27 comments.  The comments provided information and concerns related to the proposal.  These comments were taken into consideration during the development of the Draft Compatibility Determination for Commercial Fishing (phase-out).  I received an email today from our Atlanta office indicating that the draft document was being prepared for internal review.  I have no idea how long the review will take.

Layne L. Hamilton

Refuge Manager

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

321-861-2278

321-403-9213 (cell)

[email protected]

Drew,

 

Public scoping is a more informal part of the public involvement process that helps the Service determine the range of issues that should be addressed in the analysis of a proposed action.  The Service conducted initial public scoping for 2 1/2 weeks in August and September 2017 on the proposed extension of the phase-out of commercial fishing at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).  Those scoping comments helped inform the development of a draft Compatibility Determination for the proposed extension, which would update and replace the existing Compatibility Determination for the phase-out of commercial fishing.  As part of the public involvement process, the upcoming public comment opportunity will provide 30 days for the public to review and comment on the draft Compatibility Determination, which will include a description of the use, anticipated impacts, proposed stipulations and permit conditions.  During preparation of the final document, the Service will review all comments submitted during the 30-day public comment period and will respond to the substantive comments in an appendix included with the final documents.  I can send you a summary of the 27 comments received during the initial public scoping period, but if you want to see individual comments, you would need to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.  If you are interested in filing a FOIA request, please feel free to contact me for information on how to do so.  We appreciate your interest in this matter and in future management of Merritt Island NWR.

Layne L. Hamilton

Refuge Manager

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex

[email protected]

ANUMBER1

we got 10 more years, trust me.

Cavanaugh68

Here is what I received.

Cavanaugh68

ANUMBER1 Do tell or explain in more depth why you think this? Thx

ANUMBER1

and now we work on including commercial guides in the 10 year phase out.

Cavanaugh68

I have absolutely no problem with that at all. Good luck with that because then the guides would say no photographers. Then the photographers will say no more manatee tours. And so on. The point is to allow a business on the refuge or park land  or water that does not compromise nature. That does not take from it. Leave no trace. Look up what a BRF is? Blue Ribbon Fishery.

But you did not answer my question on what makes you so sure you got ten more years? Everyone who I speak with says it is still being debated and waiting for more comments. They say it is in the Atlanta office hands now. And then worse case scenario is the public pushes the refuge and park to make their waters catch and release only.
For everyone.

ANUMBER1

how about no fish?

Cavanaugh68

 Not sure what you mean here?

"how about no fish?"