Survey - Habitat Improvement

[TubeDude]

[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]As I have previously mentioned, I am now active with both the Utah Anglers Coalition, and Rocky Mountain Anglers. I am Secretary of UAC and editor for RMA. As such, I interact with Utah DWR and I keep abreast of happenings and changes of direction in Utah fisheries.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There is a lot of effort being put forth to improve habitat and restore fisheries throughout the state. Success often depends on being able to buy/secure land access and/or water rights, to insure stream flows, etc. [/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Obviously, this takes money. Unfortunately, there is currently about ten places for every dollar that trickles back down to DWR’s improvement programs. They rely on state legislature for every nickel and sometimes there aren’t enough nickels to go around.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]There is a movement to set up a special fund, created by anglers and not subject to “attachment” by any governmental agency. This fund would help provide at least part of the money needed to make timely moves, when vital properties or water rights become available, without having to go through the lengthy legislative approval process.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]We have over 400,000 anglers in Utah. If each of us could chip in at least $1 a year, the fund would be off to a great start. We anticipate that some will not care enough to become involved, but others would willingly put up larger amounts.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Be assured that before any plan is implemented, there would be a solid system in place for collecting, accounting and administering the funds. It will be a private program and not subject to politics or pork.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]This is a survey, which I am going to “sticky post” for a week or so, to get honest responses from BFT members. It is not a solicitation for contributions, but just to get straight answers and to help determine if the idea is valid and whether it could make a difference.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Times New Roman"]Please respond and feel free to post your personal comments or criticisms. [/font][/size]
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[utwalleye]

This sounds good and all, and I would be willing to give a few buck
every year for a habitat program. as long as the funds go towards
the fishing habitat improvement only, and not other programs like the Utah Chub program. later chuck
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[wiperhunter2]

I agree with Chuck, as long as the money goes toward fishing and not overhead cost, I'm in for a few dollars also.
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[doggonefishin]

Put me down as definitely in favor! This is exactly what we need to insure good fishing in this state for ourselves and our posterity. This will enable anglers to QUICKLY respond to opportunities to buy acreage and more importantly water rights when they become available. Once they are purchased, we never need to worry about them being lost to private interests. The DWR has only limited funding and more importantly, slow reaction time to respond to these opportunities. Besides, SITLA (the school trust land administration) is attempting to shake down the DWR for most of the funds in their habitat acquisition budget.

Some may say "well, that sounds great for trout fishermen, but I prefer warm water species, and rarely fish streams". The acquisition of water rights will enormously help warm water fisheries as well. For instance, how much better would Yuba be if it didn't get drained nearly dry every few years?

Pat, I heard of a project already in the works concerning the Weber river. Do you have any details to share with us?
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[cat_man]

I am definitely in favor and would be willing to contribute a small amount.
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]First of all...you are SMACK SPANG ON with your observation that a major part of what we do will benefit our heirs more than it will us. We need to take the stepsnow but future generations will derive more benefit that we do. If we don't do anything now, they will have a lousy inheritance.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Don't know what you have heard, but yes, there is serious negotiation going on to not only improve angler access, but to acquire a large chunk of land along the Weber for a public preserve. Some of what is going on is still "under wraps" and cannot be openly discussed until something more definitive is nailed down. The good news is that DWR and several other groups are all working to identify projects and then get them approved and funded.[/#0000ff]

[#0000ff]By the way, you also make a great point about the habitat improvements being good not only for trout fishermen. Ultimately all of our ponds and rivers are impacted by the upper watersheds and the stream flows. Whenever the state can secure water rights to keep water for the fishies, we will all benefit...regardless of our favorite species.[/#0000ff]
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]Right now, my money is a little too tight, and my current circumstances in life really suck, but in a couple of months I can see myself being able to donate a bit...Great idea, and I am totally on board with it!

However, right now, we all need to do our snow/rain dances as our watershed and snowpack levels etc. really suck. We are well below normal for this time of year, and we need to hope, pray, and dance that the moisture gods down on us, or there isn't going to be much spawning area for the smaller panfish and bait fish to keep our fisheries strong...
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[djole]

I'm in for a few bucks a year!
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[trollboy8]

I'm all for this, provided there can be resonable assurances that the money will get to the right places.
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[smallmouthchaser]

I would be up for it as well.
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[jekern1015]

Count me in for a few extra bucks every year.
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[lavaman]

I too, will donate when I can. It's very important to maintain our wildlife areas for our children and our children's children. If everyone throws in a buck or whatever they can afford, we'll be on our way!

But I also agree that all the money in the world will not make the lakes/rivers fill up with water. With the way our planet is heating up, we will need to do a lot of praying/rain dancing/etc. Without snowpack and water in our lakes and rivers, the almighty buck will do us no good. I encourage everyone to pray for snow this last month of winter.

Derek
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[fsh4fun05]

You got my support, my only concern is that there would have to be a paper trail to show that it's making a difference. Not to be a grouch but I've seen so many 'good' things turn into a political tug of war of what to do with the money.
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[nkunz]

I think it is a great idea. I can't do a lot. But I would be willing to contribute some. If we could get a trip or two to some privite ponds to raffle the dollars could really expand.
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[flyanddrive]

Sounds like a worthy cause to me. Anything we can do to protect the future!
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[Apocalypse]

That's a great idea! Of all the things I could contribute a little money to that would be at the top of my list! There isn't a person out there that couldn't chip in at least a dollar no matter how tight things are, getting them to do it is another matter.
Do you think it would be possible to do a "check a box" kind of thing when you purchase a fishing license to donate a dollar or other ammount?
I like it!
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[wishforabigfish]

If this were to come about and be used to improve the fishing experience here in the state I would probably donate 5 to 10 per year if that is all that is asked. I am all up for giving the fisherman a better experience but also, just as most have said already, it does not go to 'other' programs that the governments want.

I'd hope the fund would be "For the fisherman by (run by) the fisherman".
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[Havnfun]

I'm game, as long as it's done right.
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[PapaBaruu]

Great job TD... I thinks it's more than proper that those of us that enjoy the treasures we have around us do all we can to maintain and if possible improve them.

We've all been given a responsibility to make the lives of our children and grand children better than we had... and a few dollars a year to that end seems like a small price to pay-

As my signature says on every post I make...PB
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[Habs_Fan]

Great idea, I'm in. As the others have stated, I'd like some assurance that the money is going to be used the way you've outlined and only a very small percentage to administration.
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