08-01-2007, 12:10 AM
Policy Watch is a monthly update for the sportfishing community about the American Sportfishing Association's Government Affairs activities. For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon Robertson, vice president and Government Affairs lead, 703.519.9691, x237, Patty Doerr, Ocean Resource Policy director, x244, or Mary Beth Charles, Policy Fellow, x230.
Access a Topic at ICAST 2007
ICAST 2007, the 50th year of the sportfishing trade show, was held July 11-13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. ASA presented a seminar for ICAST attendees about Marine Protected Areas and other access issues facing the industry. ASA staff also met with Greg Hurner, special assistant to the Director of California Department of Fish and Game to discuss California's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation progress and concerns. ASA continues to express concern that an industry representative was not selected to participate in the Regional Stakeholder Group for the current round of MLPA designations.
Two New Organizations Join MLPA Partnership
ASA continues its work regarding California Marine Life Protection Act issues in a variety of areas. Two additional California fishing/boating organizations joined ASA and partners Coastside Fishing Club and United Anglers of Southern California in efforts to bring a more balanced process to MPA designation. The Sportfishing Association of California and Southern California Marine Association bring more stakeholders to the table in the fight against unnecessary recreational fishing closures.
ASA Comments on Discussion Paper Issued by West Coast Governors
ASA submitted comments to the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health, which recently released a discussion paper that laid the groundwork for developing a specific set of regional recommendations and initiatives centered around seven priority areas: clean coastal water and beaches; protecting and restoring habitat; promoting effective ecosystem based management; reducing adverse impacts of offshore development; increasing ocean awareness and literacy; and expanding scientific information and research. In its comments, ASA expressed that any regional strategy developed and implemented under this collaborative effort should occur in an open and transparent process, be scientifically based and be monitored and updated as needed. It also expressed the importance of access to recreational anglers and how closing portions of marine waters to fishing should not be used as a habitat or fisheries management tool.
Portions of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Proposed as Critical Habitat
ASA sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) urging it to withdraw its proposal that would designate four of the most popular portions of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as critical habitat for piping plover under the Endangered Species Act. ASA is concerned that if a critical habitat designation is made, it could potentially close significant portions of the beach to off-road vehicle (ORV) access. In its letter, ASA stated that the economic analysis being used by the USFWS is not accurate resulting in a significant underestimation of the economic impact to the communities. ASA also contends that a critical habitat designation is not necessary because the piping plover is being protected by an interim species management plan until Negotiated Rulemaking is completed to manage ORV use on the seashore.
Ban on Importation and Transportation of Silver Asian Carp
Following recommendations from ASA and other conservation organizations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a ban on the importation and interstate transportation of silver Asian carp effective August 9, 2007. Since the carp were introduced into the Mississippi River, they have spread throughout the watershed causing major economic and ecological damage to the environment. It has since been listed as an "injurious" species under the Lacey Act, which empowered the federal government to issue the transportation ban. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission supports this action because of the potential harm the species would have on the Great Lakes.
ASA Supports Agriculture Fund Request for VHS Surveillance
The Department of Agriculture requested emergency funding for surveillance of locations where viral hemorrhagic septicemia disease (VHS) occurs, but that funding and the monitoring program may be in jeopardy because the Office of Management and Budget has rejected the Department's request. The Department of Agriculture may not appeal the rejection. ASA has joined with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in requesting both the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget reconsider its decision and fund this important effort.
Conservation Organizations Ask for Climate Change Legislation Funding
The conservation community has asked for its fair share of funding as Congress took up legislation to provide funding for a wide variety of programs to address climate change. In a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), the groups asked that at least $1.2 billion per year be made available for activities that facilitate the resiliency and sustainability of fish and wildlife and their habitats in response to climate change impacts. Passage of the legislation is uncertain.
ASA Opposes EPA Proposal to Require Clean Water Act Permits for Recreational Boat Owners
ASA sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to withdraw its proposal that would require recreational boat owners to obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits to operate their vessels. Under the CWA, commercial vessels are required to have permits to discharge ballast water; however, the EPA exempted individually-owned recreational vessels from discharge permit requirements. Several environmental groups sued the EPA, and won their argument that the exemption was illegal under the CWA. The EPA now has until September 2008, to rescind the exemption and require individual recreational boaters to navigate the same complex Clean Water Act permitting requirements designed for large commercial vessels. The EPA is appealing the ruling, and ASA is working with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and other industry groups to persuade Congress to pass HR 2550, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, a law preserving the exemption for recreational boaters from the CWA permit rules.
Advocating for Fisheries in the 2007 Farm Bill
ASA continues working with other members of the conservation community to ensure that the 2007 Farm Bill contains additional funds for fisheries. However, Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) offered an amendment that aimed to consolidate the easement processes. A quick and concentrated response from the Agricultural and Wildlife Working Group, of which ASA is a member, prompted Congressman Goodlatte to withdraw his consolidation amendment. ASA also signed onto a memo urging the House to vote "˜no' to Congressman Marion Berry's (D-AR) amendment that would prohibit non-profit organizations from receiving conservation program funds. The amendment will prevent on-the-ground conservation for private landowners by excluding non-profit partner groups that serve as delivery agents for conservation programs. It would also increase program delivery costs by removing private non-profit matching dollars.
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Briefing
ASA staff attended the July Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation briefing on energy development on western lands.
Access a Topic at ICAST 2007
ICAST 2007, the 50th year of the sportfishing trade show, was held July 11-13, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. ASA presented a seminar for ICAST attendees about Marine Protected Areas and other access issues facing the industry. ASA staff also met with Greg Hurner, special assistant to the Director of California Department of Fish and Game to discuss California's Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) implementation progress and concerns. ASA continues to express concern that an industry representative was not selected to participate in the Regional Stakeholder Group for the current round of MLPA designations.
Two New Organizations Join MLPA Partnership
ASA continues its work regarding California Marine Life Protection Act issues in a variety of areas. Two additional California fishing/boating organizations joined ASA and partners Coastside Fishing Club and United Anglers of Southern California in efforts to bring a more balanced process to MPA designation. The Sportfishing Association of California and Southern California Marine Association bring more stakeholders to the table in the fight against unnecessary recreational fishing closures.
ASA Comments on Discussion Paper Issued by West Coast Governors
ASA submitted comments to the West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health, which recently released a discussion paper that laid the groundwork for developing a specific set of regional recommendations and initiatives centered around seven priority areas: clean coastal water and beaches; protecting and restoring habitat; promoting effective ecosystem based management; reducing adverse impacts of offshore development; increasing ocean awareness and literacy; and expanding scientific information and research. In its comments, ASA expressed that any regional strategy developed and implemented under this collaborative effort should occur in an open and transparent process, be scientifically based and be monitored and updated as needed. It also expressed the importance of access to recreational anglers and how closing portions of marine waters to fishing should not be used as a habitat or fisheries management tool.
Portions of Cape Hatteras National Seashore Proposed as Critical Habitat
ASA sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) urging it to withdraw its proposal that would designate four of the most popular portions of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore as critical habitat for piping plover under the Endangered Species Act. ASA is concerned that if a critical habitat designation is made, it could potentially close significant portions of the beach to off-road vehicle (ORV) access. In its letter, ASA stated that the economic analysis being used by the USFWS is not accurate resulting in a significant underestimation of the economic impact to the communities. ASA also contends that a critical habitat designation is not necessary because the piping plover is being protected by an interim species management plan until Negotiated Rulemaking is completed to manage ORV use on the seashore.
Ban on Importation and Transportation of Silver Asian Carp
Following recommendations from ASA and other conservation organizations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a ban on the importation and interstate transportation of silver Asian carp effective August 9, 2007. Since the carp were introduced into the Mississippi River, they have spread throughout the watershed causing major economic and ecological damage to the environment. It has since been listed as an "injurious" species under the Lacey Act, which empowered the federal government to issue the transportation ban. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission supports this action because of the potential harm the species would have on the Great Lakes.
ASA Supports Agriculture Fund Request for VHS Surveillance
The Department of Agriculture requested emergency funding for surveillance of locations where viral hemorrhagic septicemia disease (VHS) occurs, but that funding and the monitoring program may be in jeopardy because the Office of Management and Budget has rejected the Department's request. The Department of Agriculture may not appeal the rejection. ASA has joined with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies in requesting both the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of Management and Budget reconsider its decision and fund this important effort.
Conservation Organizations Ask for Climate Change Legislation Funding
The conservation community has asked for its fair share of funding as Congress took up legislation to provide funding for a wide variety of programs to address climate change. In a letter to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), the groups asked that at least $1.2 billion per year be made available for activities that facilitate the resiliency and sustainability of fish and wildlife and their habitats in response to climate change impacts. Passage of the legislation is uncertain.
ASA Opposes EPA Proposal to Require Clean Water Act Permits for Recreational Boat Owners
ASA sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to withdraw its proposal that would require recreational boat owners to obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits to operate their vessels. Under the CWA, commercial vessels are required to have permits to discharge ballast water; however, the EPA exempted individually-owned recreational vessels from discharge permit requirements. Several environmental groups sued the EPA, and won their argument that the exemption was illegal under the CWA. The EPA now has until September 2008, to rescind the exemption and require individual recreational boaters to navigate the same complex Clean Water Act permitting requirements designed for large commercial vessels. The EPA is appealing the ruling, and ASA is working with the National Marine Manufacturers Association and other industry groups to persuade Congress to pass HR 2550, the Recreational Boating Act of 2007, a law preserving the exemption for recreational boaters from the CWA permit rules.
Advocating for Fisheries in the 2007 Farm Bill
ASA continues working with other members of the conservation community to ensure that the 2007 Farm Bill contains additional funds for fisheries. However, Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) offered an amendment that aimed to consolidate the easement processes. A quick and concentrated response from the Agricultural and Wildlife Working Group, of which ASA is a member, prompted Congressman Goodlatte to withdraw his consolidation amendment. ASA also signed onto a memo urging the House to vote "˜no' to Congressman Marion Berry's (D-AR) amendment that would prohibit non-profit organizations from receiving conservation program funds. The amendment will prevent on-the-ground conservation for private landowners by excluding non-profit partner groups that serve as delivery agents for conservation programs. It would also increase program delivery costs by removing private non-profit matching dollars.
Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation Briefing
ASA staff attended the July Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation briefing on energy development on western lands.