The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s preferred alternative for managing Lake Lowell south of Nampa and the surrounding wildlife refuge would limit wave-making recreation to about one-third of the lake and would charge new access fees.
The service released four draft alternatives today and briefed the media Friday afternoon; public open houses on the refuge’s management plan are scheduled for June 3 and 4.
Public comment will be accepted until July 29, and those opinions could help shape the final draft alternative, which is due spring 2012. See the alternatives and maps at
[url "http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html"]http://www.fws.gov/deerflat/refugeplanning.html[/url]
A heads up to what the Feds are planning for the lake. The only one I like is the status quo proposal but I doubt that it will fly. I think they already have their minds made up and these open houses are just fluff for the public.
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Thanks Bob.
I have made my comments on the form at the link you provided. I too an only in favor of Alternative #1 which is to maintain the "status quo" or for those of you who don't speak Latin, to "keep it the same as it is now"
Below is a cut and paste of the comments I made. I urge EVERYONE to make thier comments very soon. Please feel free to use my comments as a model or template for yours is that makes it easier or more comfortable. See you all later I am off to Dworshak in the morning!
"I am in favor of Alternative #1. Lake Lowell has been a multiple use area for decades and many generations have enjoyed recreating there. The area around the lake has become more & more developed. Forage once provided by surrounding agricultural lands is now limited. Any chance of this area being anything like a pristine wildlife habitat is long gone.
Deviating from the current managenment plan would only hurt the recreational user and local businesses related to the boating/hunting/fishing industry. Wildlife would benefit very little if at all.The current plan seems to be working resonably well for everyone."
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Anyone who fishes Lake Lowell should make their feelings known to our senators and congressmen. Sending messages to the refuge will have no influence. All the politicians I have heard about are opposed to change, and they can have an effect on a federal agency like the USFWS. Those in charge of refuges and USFWS back in Washington are a bunch of greenies from the 60's who want to end fishing and hunting in the US. They are disliked by most of the professional F&W biologists because of their extremist views on managing refuges. This is an example.
Also included in their proposals is the elimination of lead sinkers, jigs, etc. Even the EPA admitted that there was no study that showed any adverse effect from the use of lead fishing lures and weights. And barbless hooks only during the bass catch and release season. The south side of the lake from Access 3 to the Lower Dam will be closed to human entry. This will extend out into the lake, and eliminate fishing all the south side willows. In one plan all fishing will end in what is now the No Wake area on the end end of the lake. These are just a few of the radical ideas these "conservationists" have.
The main emphasis seems to be concern for Western Grebes. I have seen no reduction in Grebes in the 50+ years I've live on Lake Lowell. But I have seen blacktopped parking lots that are chained shut, massive growth of shrubs, weeds, dead trees, etc. They do not manage - they only want to spread propaganda for their "conservation" beliefs.
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I have only fished there once. I am worried about this. Not only are we trying to keep our fishing area but we are also wanting to keep our rights as Americans to be able to pursue happiness. Heavy handed government rules are squashing the american dream. It is not just "lake lowell" we are fighting for freedom. Ron
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I agree Ron. The Feds can close Wildlife Refuges like Lowell because they control them. Next the Feds will find a loophole to shut down Army Corp of Engineers run lakes because they would also fall under Federal control. Typical domino effect perpetuated by a few nut cases in our Government.
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Bob and Phil. Since you both are WAY more experienced with lowell, please post the short version of the items your most against and for. If you have contact info that would help others especially in your area to contact the right people. Lowell was not originally a refuge it was made to hold water for irrigation and recreation. Those two uses should come first. At what point will an endangered species show up and really mess things up. This is a dangerous crossroads for outdoor freedom. Ron
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Here is a good breakdown on the proposals from the Statesman.com. The comments are unbelieveable by a number of the uninformed that don't realize this is one of many steps to control our lives by the Government.
Needless to say, I'm completely against shutting down the far east end of the lake to everything. That is one of the best bass fishing areas on the lake.
By limiting the waterskiing etc to the west end of the lake will end up killing someone with the small area provided and then they would end up outlawing it and there would go the rest of boating on the lake.
The no-wake zones are too extensive and it would be at the discretion of the sheriff on what is an actual no wake. IOW, ticket writing bonanza. I would much rather see a speed limit of 25MPH. The high winds on that lake do more damage than any boat wake would ever do.
I also don't like the idea of no lead but could live with it. My question is, do you have to take all of your lead gear out of the boat when fishing there even tho your not using it. IOW, a search of your boat would result in a ticket.
I don't like the idea of watching over my shoulder every minute on the lake, waiting for the sheriff to pull up and ticket me for his interpretation of the law that is different from mine.
The
thing is that this is the best bass fishing lake in the SW part of the state that is close to home. It reminds me of the SE part of the US with the trees and smartweed (our version of lilypads) and the challenge of catching a bass in it.
[url "http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/28/1666878/recreation-restrictions-loom-for.html"]http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/28/1666878/recreation-restrictions-loom-for.html[/url]
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Thanks for that link. I have sent emails out and plan to make calls. Sounds like Labrador is on the right side of this. Good luck. Ron
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Bob did a good job of covering most of the points. I should point out that it will not be the sheriff that is checking you out. The Canyon County Sheriff's office is on our side. They have come out opposed to the USFWS in all the earlier hearings. Part of the fees that you would pay to launch your boat and use the recreation areas would go to more enforcement by the feds.
I could also live with the lead ban, but why should I? This is a fake issue and is just another power grab that is only for that reason. To grab more power over your life.
This is a power struggle that we have to win. If not, the Refuge environmentalists will next say that too many people are violating the no wake area, so they will close that. Then it will be something else until the whole lake is closed to fishing, except for the small areas and docks they designate for us lucky ones to use. Oh wow! Won't that be great.
When I first moved here 53 years ago, the refuge manager was a grizzled old wildfowl hunter. His assistant rode around with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in his pickup. Today our manager and assistant are both women who don't hunt or fish. But they're saving the Western Grebes (who are have been doing fine for 53 years). There was an old barbed wire fence around the refuge to keep the grazing cattle in. Today, there is a five strand highest quality barbed wire fence around the refuge - to keep the people out - And you paid for it. It's your refuge, but you are slowly being removed.
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They'll hear from me.
Thats all I can safely say on an online forum. My disgust for the federal gov is at an all time high...........
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i will be expressing my displeasure. if they lock up the lake too us i say the f & g should shock up all the fish and put them in another body of water........
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My email has been sent. This reminds me of the same things going on in other areas with the closing down of certain roads and parks. I have a Jeep that I like to take off road. I follow all restrictions and do not go off trail. I clean up after myself (and others on occasion) I spend money to help preserve the right to use the federal land for recreation. Where does all of this lead? Why does the outdoorsman just seem to lose more every year. What will be left for my kid when he is my age? His kids?
Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention.
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Just a reminder. I'm going to try and be there Friday noon to 3PM. If you can't make the open house, you can also leave your comments on the web site.
Public open houses at the refuge visitor center are planned from noon to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4.
Read more: [url "http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/28/1666878/recreation-restrictions-loom-for.html#ixzz1O31QlKLT"]http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/05/28/1666878/recreation-restrictions-loom-for.html#ixzz1O31QlKLT[/url]
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