11-11-2009, 04:31 AM
Sorry for coming to the game late here, but here's the deal with the survey. Rep Lorie Fowlke (Orem) has taken the bull by the horns to put all interested parties at the same table and work a fair bill out for this session. THIS IS NOT HB 187! This is a completely different bill, and we're all grateful for this. Ben Ferry's HB 187 was a train wreck and died and ignominious death for a reason. Rep Fowlke has been meeting with anglers, boaters, property owners, farm bureau, DWR, etc on a fairly regular basis, really trying to work things out for the best possible solution. This is also a welcome change from last session. But last month language was finally put on paper for everyone to give feedback on this. (realize this was a VERY rough draft and was only a starting point, not even a proposed bill)
Part of the language included a provision that everyone who purchased a fishing license or a combination license in Utah would have to purchase a $5 public access stamp as well. This money would go to help build stiles over fences that cross rivers on private lands, educating the public on the law, enforcement, fish stocking, etc. Basically the costs associated with the Conatser decision. (or alleged costs....I'm not sold there will be any more costs incurred) The DWR opposed the idea of an extra stamp. They stated that IF an increase needs to take place, it would be better served in small increase in license fees. But, they stated that they would not support that increase unless the general fishing public supported the increase. So they volunteered to put together a survey with anglers to find out how they felt. I believe it was 4,000 anglers who were randomly sampled (from license purchases) and sent the survey. I would assume the differences in $$ figures is only to account for outliers, etc. Nobody is trying to trick you. And the DWR endorsing the increase will only happen if the public at large in the survey is in favor of an increase.
I want to say that the DWR has really stepped up this time around to work to get a recreational user friendly bill that is fair to everyone involved. Last time, at least in the public realm, they were very neutral. This time they are active and engaged, helping the cause but keeping a sound idea of fairness. I've been really impressed in my limited interactions with them on this. Kudos to Director Karpowitz and the DWR!
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me through the site and I'll do my best to answer them, or put you in contact with someone who can if I can't.
-Tyson
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Part of the language included a provision that everyone who purchased a fishing license or a combination license in Utah would have to purchase a $5 public access stamp as well. This money would go to help build stiles over fences that cross rivers on private lands, educating the public on the law, enforcement, fish stocking, etc. Basically the costs associated with the Conatser decision. (or alleged costs....I'm not sold there will be any more costs incurred) The DWR opposed the idea of an extra stamp. They stated that IF an increase needs to take place, it would be better served in small increase in license fees. But, they stated that they would not support that increase unless the general fishing public supported the increase. So they volunteered to put together a survey with anglers to find out how they felt. I believe it was 4,000 anglers who were randomly sampled (from license purchases) and sent the survey. I would assume the differences in $$ figures is only to account for outliers, etc. Nobody is trying to trick you. And the DWR endorsing the increase will only happen if the public at large in the survey is in favor of an increase.
I want to say that the DWR has really stepped up this time around to work to get a recreational user friendly bill that is fair to everyone involved. Last time, at least in the public realm, they were very neutral. This time they are active and engaged, helping the cause but keeping a sound idea of fairness. I've been really impressed in my limited interactions with them on this. Kudos to Director Karpowitz and the DWR!
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me through the site and I'll do my best to answer them, or put you in contact with someone who can if I can't.
-Tyson
[signature]