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This is out of my norm for posting on BFT but I find that not having a RAC meeting in Salt Lake City is ridiculous. Before I voice my opinion to the DNR I would like to see some opinions on the matter just to see who would be more interested in coming to a meeting if was more convenient for those who live in Salt Lake.
I won't beat around the bush, I am biased right out of the gate. I think it's stupid that decisions are being made from information from the public yet there are no meetings held in the capitol of Utah. Feel free to express your opinion in an adult manner if you disagree, please.
In the honest truth don't tell me good intentions or vote just because someone else will show up thinking the same way you do. If SLC had a RAC meeting would you go to it?
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I personally wouldn't attend many meetings unless it was a topic I had a very strong opinion about.
None the less, it's kind of rediculous that they wouldn't always hold a meeting in SLC, especially when their main office is located there... There would cetainly be the biggest showing of people if the meetings were held in Salt Lake.
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In response to what is a RAC meeting? Regional Advisory Council. Despite the legality "mumbo jumbo" on the DNR website a RAC meeting is a chance for the public to voice their opinion on matters that concern the public when it comes to changes/concerns/input about Utah fishing and hunting regulations. Everything from fishing licenses to what is considered public land and in between. [url "http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/hunting/board-rac.html"]Here is a link to the Division of Natural Resources RAC page[/url]
This is just a fishing website but please use this opportunity to learn more about what YOU want as a resident of Utah. Every voice counts. I know that sounds stupid but trust me, there is power in numbers.
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[quote fsh4fun05] I know that sounds stupid but trust me, there is power in numbers.[/quote]
Not stupid at all. If you've ever attended your local city council meetings, you'll see that even a small group can get some major changes done. When the rubber hits the road, the people that bitch the loudest are the people that don't bother to show up and voice their concerns or opinions. You want change, you have to get off your lazy butt and start changing things.
/soap box
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[#0000FF]I'm witchoo kid. I have attended a few of the RAC meetings over the past ten years. Woulda been to a lot more if they were in Salt Lake. And I can attest that there are very few people from Salt Lake area at any of the meetings north or south of Salt Lake.
I can also attest to the fact that having an organized lobby and prepared presentation can make a difference. Look at our current spear fishing regs. Why are they so liberal? Because groups of spear fishermen showed up at the meetings and made good presentations for their cause...with very little opposition from those who are now unhappy with the regulations...because they weren't there.
I can also attest...from personal experience...that making logical presentations and getting overall approval from the RAC members is no guarantee of final approval. The DWR Board of Directors still has to change the regulations and a single dissenting opinion from one of the DWR biologists or officials can completely offset all of your work and the vote of the RAC members. Remember the Yuba perch debacle?
But, in most cases, if your cause makes sense and gets basic approval you are likely to get favorable action at the board meeting. It all starts with being there.
There is usually a list of proposed topics and topics that will be covered from the podium. But just because you don't see something listed in which you have a personal interest or agenda that is no reason to not go. There are always new topics brought up at every meeting. And who knows when someone might suggest something to which you would be violently opposed? If you are not there to speak your piece then whose fault is it when the objectionable proposal slips onto the regulations unopposed?
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For years I have been amazed there is not a RAC meeting held in Salt Lake City!
To top it off, the meetings that are held are during weeknights making it difficult for people that have to be to work early the next morning. I have often felt these meeting locations/times were set to keep the majority of us away.
Like you said, Salt Lake is not only the capitol, but I am sure has the highest per capita of legally licensed fishing permit holders of any county.
I would definitely attend more meetings if they were held where they are supposed to be.
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I don't think all the answers will be found in Salt Lake City. From the sounds of things, you all need more fish hatcheries to stand elbow to elbow on. (Also the city needs a public NASCAR track to race on instead of I-15.)
Holding a RAC meeting in salt lake may make it convenient for many people. Just doesn't mean that everyone there is right.
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I'm assuming that you mean for the region that covers Salt Lake City?
As for a Southern Region RAC -- absolutely NOT would I want it held in SLC!! You wasatch front fold are CRAZY!!!
Leave us be. We'll keep our RAC in Beaver!
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The reason for the RACs is to get a sampling of the general populace. It isn't necessarily important to get the largest group in attendance. If the Central Region RAC meeting were held in SLC, and the Wildlife Board Meeting is held in SLC, then the guys in Nephi, Santaquin, Payson, etc get left out of both. If the RAC is in Utah County the southern end of Salt Lake County can attend as easily as if it were on North Temple.
When the Wildlife Board meets to discuss the proposal the guys in Salt Lake have the advantage.
If it's really important to you, you'll make the effort. You could combine the RAC meeting with a fishing trip. Fish all day somewhere that you could drive through Springville on your way home. Even attending after fishing at Strawberry would be fewer miles out of your way than a straight trip to the RAC. Drive down Provo Canyon and after the RAC meeting you only have to drive one way. Attend the RAC meeting and stop at Utah Lake for some Catfish action on the way home.
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When the request was made for a Salt Lake meeting, I for one meant to ADD it to the existing, not get rid of any. Like mentioned earlier, work and meetings sometimes don't mix, but they could.
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5 regions. 5 RACs. 5 meetings. I guess they could add a meeting, but the Wildlife Board meeting is in SLC.
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Not sure what Wildlife meet has to do with fishing[  ]. Why 5? Are they afraid to have a meeting in Salt Lake because the turn out could be more than expected? I guarantee, I would be there.
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The RACs report to the Wildlife Board. They make their recommendations to the Wildlife Board. The Wildlife Board makes proposals to the Governor and the Legislature. ALL of the changes to the proclamations go THROUGH the Wildlife Board. That's what the Wildlife Board has to do with fishing.
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That was the reason for the smilie. But, doesn't explain why we can't have a RAC meeting in SL on the list.
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I would guess that the meetings aren't free. If they add another meeting, maybe they'll have to add another buck to the license increase. [crazy]
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Pretty sure, everyone in SL would get behind that[  ] I do think Sal Lake meeting would be one of the more head count meetings.
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Again, head count isn't the only consideration. The issues that concern the urban angler who has to drive 100 miles each way don't mean the same thing to the folks who can fish in their back yard. Someone who has lots of disposable income doesn't worry about the $8, but someone who has to eat all of the fish they catch to get "their money's worth" out of it might feel differently. In the end, if you really want to attend the meetings, you'll find a way. The guys on the RAC have jobs too. They'll have to get up the next day to go to work. And if they don't, they'll use a sick day or a vacation day or something.
I went to one Wildlife Board meeting. Drove to the main office on West Temple. Pretty lonesome. Besides the board members there were about 10 or 12 people in attendance. I think half of those were there on assignment from KSL, KUTV, the Salt Lake Tribune, and the Deseret News.
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I am thinking more issues would be brought up with say 50 people as apposed to 5, so I have to think head count would matter a little[cool]
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That's about how many showed up at the open house at the Springville office last year. It's a much smaller venue than the office.
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Holy hell, give us SLC guys a chance to voice OUR opinions without going 100 miles out of our way! Especially on a week night (which is why I have not been able to go to most of them). As I stated ealier I aint payin $45 and 55 cents per mile in wear and tear. Not to mention the 2 hour drive.
And some of us cannot fish mid-week so no "fish trip/meeting" for those of us who are employed.
We deserve a meeting in SLC. After all we represent the majority of anglers and we pay our license fee's too....and yes that means we should be able to voice our opinions without going way out of our way to do so.
We matter too, end of story!
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