Mdc Sma White Paper... Now What?

[eric1978]

There have been varying responses to the MDC White Paper on SMAs, but the general consensus is that it is "flawed" to one degree or another. We can bitch and moan about it all we want, but if we don't take action it's simply a waste of breath.

So my question is NOW WHAT?

I will be writing a letter to MDC through both email and paper through USPS to assert my problems with the study and their consequent decisions, as I know several others already have or will be. Before I go digging around on the internet for the appropriate name and addresses to send said letter, I thought someone here may already have that information and could post it on this thread for convenience purposes for those willing to take the time to express their concerns. I'm sure there is a name and address that would be more relevant to pursue than others. Anyone know?

Also, since it sure appears that MDC is in so many words saying that these decisions are a done deal and they are closing the book to further considerations, I wonder if something like a petition would be appropriate, relevant or useful. I'd like to hear thoughts about that, and I wonder if Phil would be willing to accomodate such a proposal? Phil?

About 470 members have responded to the recent OAF headcount, and I'm guessing the vast majority would be willing to sign some kind of petition. I realize that's a small amount of people, but it doesn't have to be limited to OAF members. I would be more than willing to stand outside BPS or Cabela's for a weekend to acquire signatures and drum up more involvement from other concerned anglers, and I'm positive many others would do the same.

Guys, MDC is turning their backs on the Ozarks smallmouth, and if we sit idly by and do nothing, our fisheries are going to get increasingly worse for us and the generations to come. Let's not let that happen. Let's do SOMETHING. Let's hear some suggestions on WHAT TO DO NOW!!!

[Phil Lilley]

I'm not sure what you want me to do. Anyone can post a petition on the forum. First you're going to have to come to some consensus on wording and what you want to accomplish. If you don't, if you make it too narrow, I doubt if you get many signatures.

Also, you're going to have to do better than a screen name. I've suggested this in the past - change your screen name to your real name.

[ozark trout fisher]

There have been varying responses to the MDC White Paper on SMAs, but the general consensus is that it is "flawed" to one degree or another. We can bitch and moan about it all we want, but if we don't take action it's simply a waste of breath.

So my question is NOW WHAT?

I will be writing a letter to MDC through both email and paper through USPS to assert my problems with the study and their consequent decisions, as I know several others already have or will be. Before I go digging around on the internet for the appropriate name and addresses to send said letter, I thought someone here may already have that information and could post it on this thread for convenience purposes for those willing to take the time to express their concerns. I'm sure there is a name and address that would be more relevant to pursue than others. Anyone know?

Also, since it sure appears that MDC is in so many words saying that these decisions are a done deal and they are closing the book to further considerations, I wonder if something like a petition would be appropriate, relevant or useful. I'd like to hear thoughts about that, and I wonder if Phil would be willing to accomodate such a proposal? Phil?

About 470 members have responded to the recent OAF headcount, and I'm guessing the vast majority would be willing to sign some kind of petition. I realize that's a small amount of people, but it doesn't have to be limited to OAF members. I would be more than willing to stand outside BPS or Cabela's for a weekend to acquire signatures and drum up more involvement from other concerned anglers, and I'm positive many others would do the same.

Guys, MDC is turning their backs on the Ozarks smallmouth, and if we sit idly by and do nothing, our fisheries are going to get increasingly worse for us and the generations to come. Let's not let that happen. Let's do SOMETHING. Let's hear some suggestions on WHAT TO DO NOW!!!

http://mdc.mo.gov/contact/

Go under the "online comment form" and select fisheries as your topic. This put me into contact with one of the head Fishery biologists at the department.

I firmly believe the MDC generally does a good job, and I'm not willing to attack them in a wholesale manner. But I believe they've got it wrong this time.

Write out a petition, and I will sign.

[ozark trout fisher]

I just thought of another idea that might be helpful. If we could get the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance to help us with this, it may be make the cause sound a bit more legitimate. I know there are some members here on this board.

[fishinwrench]

It isn't a dead horse, or they would not be re-evaluating PDT. I just wish I knew what caused them to backstep on that one.

[eric1978]

I'm not sure what you want me to do. Anyone can post a petition on the forum. First you're going to have to come to some consensus on wording and what you want to accomplish. If you don't, if you make it too narrow, I doubt if you get many signatures.

Also, you're going to have to do better than a screen name. I've suggested this in the past - change your screen name to your real name.

I was really just asking your permission Phil, to use OAF as a voice. I didn't want to be presumptuous, and I wasn't asking for you to actually do anything in particular, except allow us to collaborate as a group on your site.

Phil's right though, we need to figure out exactly what it is we are wanting to say. I think "Dear MDC, We're not happy with your decisions" will be neither sufficient nor useful.

The general mission is clear: "To provide better protection of smallmouth bass in Missouri's Ozark streams by increasing regulations." But aside from that sweeping goal, I really don't know how to articulate what should be done, or even what "we, as a group of concerned anglers" want done. My opinion is that if the petition route is taken, it does not necessarily have to include specific complaints about specific bodies of water and the problems we have with their evaluations of those waters. I think it would be foolish to try to assert what we believe to be the ideal regulations for a given stream. I think we need to convey a simple message that their current SMA programs, while they are a good first step, aren't nearly adequate to protect smallmouth in a way that would substantially improve and return Ozark fisheries as a whole to the way they once were.

I'm not an expert on smallmouth biology or ecology. I need help developing a persuasive argument, and Phil's also right that we need to come to some kind of consensus. If you guys post some ideas for what should be said, I will begin developing some type of short letter that can eventually be printed out, signed, and sent to the appropriate MDC office.

If you guys think it's a waste of time, or don't care to be involved, just say so, and we can just keep on whining.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Kevin Meneau is the smallmouth biologist and you can catch him at kevinmeneau@mdc.mo.gov. Another idea might be to see if you could find the time to face to face with him, he's in St Charles, don't know how far that is from your base? If you could make this happen, or someone, maybe we could get better answers.

As far as the Alliance goes, they have and are pushing for more protection, but their voice is only as big as their numbers.

Like Phil said, there has to be some consensus, a uniform front, to be effective. The front shouldn't be too complicated either.

My suggestion would be that we would rather see them try and fail, rather than decide in advance it isn't feasible.

[eric1978]

Kevin Meneau is the smallmouth biologist and you can catch him at kevinmeneau@mdc.mo.gov. Another idea might be to see if you could find the time to face to face with him, he's in St Charles, don't know how far that is from your base? If you could make this happen, or someone, maybe we could get better answers.

As far as the Alliance goes, they have and are pushing for more protection, but their voice is only as big as their numbers.

Like Phil said, there has to be some consensus, a uniform front, to be effective. The front shouldn't be too complicated either.

My suggestion would be that we would rather see them try and fail, rather than decide in advance it isn't feasible.

Well said, Wayne. I think that sums it up very well.

I'm right next door to St. Charles, but I know there are hundreds of guys with more knowledge that would be more suited to meet Kevin Meneau in person. I wouldn't know what to say to the man except, "this isn't good enough."

I'd like to hear some opinions from MSA members, and what their position is on the White Paper and their plan of action. As of right now, the MSA website has no response to the White Paper that I can find.

[ozark trout fisher]

I was really just asking your permission Phil, to use OAF as a voice. I didn't want to be presumptuous, and I wasn't asking for you to actually do anything in particular, except allow us to collaborate as a group on your site.

Phil's right though, we need to figure out exactly what it is we are wanting to say. I think "Dear MDC, We're not happy with your decisions" will be neither sufficient nor useful.

The general mission is clear: "To provide better protection of smallmouth bass in Missouri's Ozark streams by increasing regulations." But aside from that sweeping goal, I really don't know how to articulate what should be done, or even what "we, as a group of concerned anglers" want done. My opinion is that if the petition route is taken, it does not necessarily have to include specific complaints about specific bodies of water and the problems we have with their evaluations of those waters. I think it would be foolish to try to assert what we believe to be the ideal regulations for a given stream. I think we need to convey a simple message that their current SMA programs, while they are a good first step, aren't nearly adequate to protect smallmouth in a way that would substantially improve and return Ozark fisheries as a whole to the way they once were.

I'm not an expert on smallmouth biology or ecology. I need help developing a persuasive argument, and Phil's also right that we need to come to some kind of consensus. If you guys post some ideas for what should be said, I will begin developing some type of short letter that can eventually be printed out, signed, and sent to the appropriate MDC office.

If you guys think it's a waste of time, or don't care to be involved, just say so, and we can just keep on whining.

This is most certainly not a waste of time. I think this is a good idea.

[KCRIVERRAT]

Al knows Kevin and I'm sure Al's following this. Seems like Al could talk to Kevin about OAF's concerns and intentions. He started this thread right? Heck... ask, or tell Kevin what OAF's thinking about doing. Better yet, tell him WHAT OAF's gonna do. Then ask him if OAF's barking up the wrong tree. If so, who does OAF direct their concerns to? Sorry Al... but you seem to be an informitive voice and you're an OAF contributor.

On another note, is there any other conservation or wildlife and parks department in any state that has done any more, at this point, than MDC has for our states smallmouth? Arkansas, Tennesse, or any other state have designated areas for special smallmouth management areas like our MDC has implemented? Years ago when MDC designated Big Buffalo Creek down there by LOZ, I was all over that. Thought I'd have a place close to K.C. I could catch some big smallies besides Stockton at that time, and from a stream! WHAT A JOKE! Creek was darn near dry. Headed over to Cole Camp Creek and caught a few small ones but that creek had potential in my book.

Sure, I'd love to see a STATEWIDE 18" (one fish) creel limit. Regardless of the cheaters, I think it would result in bigger fish statewide. After floating past a guy (an old timer) beneith the Eminence bridge on the Jacks Fork three years ago and asking him how he was doing, he proudly held up a stinger of at least 10 smallies. Believe me, not all were 12 inches. Yes... an enforcement issue to be argued again and again, but an 18 inch, one fish limit WOULD help in my mind. Maybe not with him, but maybe others.

I'm done... and I'm ready to help our smallmouth.

KC