Conference wahoo::fishing

       These are 'fees' that our illustrious Governor has decided to
    use to balance his budget. He raised them by executive order. Expect
    to pay more for gas, also. And more surprises await your next trip to the
    Registry!!
                                             Denny

    I figured the $2 fee was too good to last, but $10, why thats
    a 500% increase!  If this is already law, I guess letters won't
    help much  :*(
    
    Bummed out
    

    	Denny, last Friday in the Springfield paper, they gave the
    following 2 numbers to call, to voice your concerns over the proposed
    rate increases for Quabbin.  They are, 617-727-2040 + 617-727-2081.
    They also mentioned writing your Beacon Hill legislators, but gave
    no addresses.  From what I read this morining, the item for raising
    these fees at the next MDC meeting has been taken off the next meetings
    agenda.  I suppose it's due to the number of calls and such they've
    been receiving.
    	I think these rate increases are ludicrous!!!  I can see a 25%
    rate increase, but 150% ???  Personnaly, if they do pass the increase,
    I think they might as well get rid of all the boat and motor rentals.
    I can't see many people paying $50 to fish in a boat with a 4.5HP
    motor on it, in a lake the size of Quabbin.  I usually go 3 or 4
    times a year, and rent a boat and motor, but if it's going to cost
    me more than $30 a day, I won't bother.  As it is, I have to pay
    for my gas from my home, (Westfield) to Quabbin, about a 40 mile
    drive, bait, and food, besides the $20.  Last year, I'd say it cost
    me between $33 and $40 every time I went.  I can't see it costing
    me over $60 and possibly $75 just to go fishing on Quabbin, when
    I can fish more locally, for 1/5th the price.
    
                                                    Beak

    
     The rates for Quabbin are increasing to $10.00 for the boat owner,
    $10.00 for parking and $10.00 for each additional person. So if
    you go and bring 2 people it will cost you $40.00. Also boat rentals
    are going from $3.00 per hour to a maximum of $20.00 a day to $7.00
    an hour to a maximum of $50.00 a day, plus parking and $10.00 for
    each person. This increase is totally ridiculous!!!
     At the Sportsmen's show this weekend the Mass. council of sportsmen
    gave out the numbers to call mentioned in the previous note. They
    are 1-617-727-2040 or 2081 and ask for Mr. Huff. I guess he is the
    head of the finance committe that initiated the increase.I was told
    that over 2000 people have called already. Even if you don't fish
    Quabbin, it's time for all sportsmen to help each other out. Make
    some calls and let people know how you fell about this.
                                                    
    
                                              Randy

    These are the same type of arbitrary fee increases that the State
    tried to do to pistol-permit holders.  After a massive call-in
    campaign, the office mentioned in previous replies reduced the fee
    increase from $20/year to $20/5 years. GOAL also recommended writing
    to your state legislators and asking/demanding that they pass
    legislation that will give them back the right to approve/disapprove
    fee hikes.  (They gave up this power last summer to help Gov. Dukakis
    balance his budget prior to his presidential bid.)
    
    The following is a list of addresses for state legislators as suggested
    by GOAL:

    For your state senator:            For your state representative:
    
    The Honorable John Q. Smith        The Honorable Jane Doe
    State House                        State House 
    Boston, MA 02133                   Boston, MA 02133
    
    Dear Senator Smith:                Dear Representative Doe:
    
    
    For the Senate and House  leaders:
    
    The Honorable William M. Bulger    The Honorable George Keverian
    President of the Senate            Speaker of the House of Representatives
    State House                        State House
    Boston, MA 02133                   Boston, MA 02133
    
    Dear Mr. President:                Dear Mr. Speaker:
    
    __________________________________________________________________________ 
    
    Hope this helps.
    
    Ed Marshall

    Another number you might call is Uncle Mikey Dukakis (617)-727-3600.
    They are also listening to complaints, or I should say they listened to
    mine. After calling the other numbers I was given (617) 727-5033 they
    are also recording complaints. Have a nice day in tax land.
    
    
    Rich

    It remains to be seen what the future has in store for sportsmen in
    Mass.. Since Dick Cronin passed away last fall I believe DeVillars has
    been in charge of fish & game and the environment/resources dept.
    Cronin could have done things better, but he was well liked and a
    conservative. The sale of hunting and fishing licenses pretty much
    covered the stocking of 800,000 + decent size trout and a couple of
    pheasant hatcheries along with the salaries and overhead of those
    functions. It was one of the few agencies that actually ran in the
    black. The bird hatcheries have been closed. The license fee is still
    the best (and maybe only) bargain in the state. 
    
    Money is being taken from fish and game to hire natural resource
    officers to patrol the clam diggers.  Game wardens have been restricted
    to regular hours and limited to 40 miles per day.  That's 20 miles each
    way; the poachers must be crackin open the champagne bottles.  I
    don't think residents would mind $25 license fees if they knew the
    money was going back into the resource.(???)
                                         
    I did catch a blurb about DeVillars capitalizing on $500,000 in annual
    matching federal funds that Cronin never managed to hold on to.  This
    must be the Dingle-Johnston tariff on all that fishing equipment we
    buy.  At least Ed King went fishing once in a while.

    If you people dont mind, I am curious how many people from this file
    called to complain, and how many friends you talked into calling.

    Rich "who has called three legislators" Neal

    BTW: You dont have to be from the TAX land to call, who knows you might
    even have the unfortunate opportunity to relocate here.

Anyone know where I can get a mass lic close to the Nashua/Tyngsboro line?
I'll be moving to MA in June, but I got my parents address to claim in-stateness

Thanks

Tim

P.S. I'll call!

P.P.S. As for Quabbin, my avg. catch of sm. mo. bass was never more than 
       2 or 3 pounds.  $15-20/2-3 = >$5/lb.  $50/2-3= >$18/lb, too expensive
       for me!

    
    I called the Duke's office at (617) 727-3600 and logged my complaint
    which I was told would be in the Governor's report. I also called
    Cameron Huff the head of the finance committe which initiated the
    increase at (617) 727-2081. I was told to call the MDC at (617)727-5033
    which I did. When I stated my objections, I was told the Finance
    committe increased the rates and the MDC was upset too. (sure they
    were). Anyway I told the MDC I already called Mr. Huff and was told
    to call the MDC, They told me it's called passing the buck. The
    MDC did take my name and address and logged my protest.
      If you call Mr. Huff's office, don't let them steer you off, tell
    them you want to have your protest logged.
      I'd still call the MDC though, I don't think they are an innocent
    party either.
    
    
                                        Randy                                                      
    

================================================================================
Note 1002.8               Quabbin Rip-Off of Sportsmen                   8 of 10
MPGS::NEAL "I'm the NRA"                              7 lines  27-FEB-1989 13:53
                               -< Did you call? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    If you people dont mind, I am curious how many people from this file
    called to complain, and how many friends you talked into calling.

    Rich "who has called three legislators" Neal

    BTW: You dont have to be from the TAX land to call, who knows you might
    even have the unfortunate opportunity to relocate here.

    Re .12 -    Care to expand on that? :-)
    
    Rich

    I extracted the note (hope I didn't do a no no) that had the prices
    and the phone number to call and brought it to the fish & game club
    I belong to and put it on the bullentin board. It was also brought
    up at our general meeting urging the people to call their
    representives.
    
    Jan
    

    I CALLED!		Joe Whittemore - (etc. etc. etc)
    

    	I called too.  I wanted to go into this big spiel about why
    and all that, but all the person wanted to hear was that I was against
    the proposed increases.  I think they are really becoming tired
    of all the calls!!!  Good!!!  Maybe something will be done about
    it. 
      
                                                      Beak

    	Just so that you don't feel like lone strangers out in the
    land of the Duke, they are talking of raising ALL of Colorado license
    fees, too.  State parks passes are supposed to go up from $20 to
    $25, fishing license is supposed to go from $7.50 to $10, small
    game license is supposed to go from $5 to $7.50, and combo license
    of fishing/hunting is supposed to go from $12.50 to $15 next year.
    You should hear the crying out here over this one.  One thing out
    here, though, is that all of the license fees go back to either
    the state parks department or the DFW.

    	The largest increase I saw in the last reply was 50%, from $5
    to $7.50.  Th increases at Quabbin range from 150%, ( $20 to $50
    a day for boat and motor rental ), to 500%, ( $2 per day to park
    and $2 per person in your boat, to $10 per day to park and $10 per
    person in your boat ).  This is on top of the already $12.50 per
    year resident fishing liscense and $12.50 per year resident hunting
    liscense, or $19.50 for a combination liscense.  So whats the big
    deal about 50% increase in Colorado?
    
                                                  Beak

    As the 'comment period' has been 're-opened' on this issue I feel
    we all MUST redouble our efforts to 'burn up' the phone line to
    L. Edward Lashmans office at Administration and Finance;
    
                          (617) 727-2040
    
    ALSO -
    
    
    

   There may be an ally out there on Beacon Hill - Rep. William Nagle Jr.


   Representative Bill Nagle is a past member of the Board of Natural
Resources. I have contacted his office in the past concerning an Army Corp.
of Engineer's gill net population study at Littleville Lake and found him
to be, in my opinion, genuinely interested.

   It might be well worth a call to his office to solicit his support in
fighting/reversing the fee increases at the Quabbin.

   The number I have for his Boston Office is (617)-722-2692. It is
answered with 'rules committee' and you need to ask for Bill Nagles Office.

   There is also a Northampton (MA) office reachable at (413)-586-3242.

   Burn up the phone lines! Don't give these people a moments peace!

						Joe Whittemore

    I heard on the radio news friday that alot of fisherman had been
    making a big stink about this proposal and it would be comming under
    more investigation.
    
    So it looks like you guys are making a difference.
    
    Capt. Codfish
    

    I called the 617-727-2040 number yesterday, to lodge a protest.
    I do believe they are getting a little irratated.  Keep calling!
    
    Gone fishin
    

	I haven't visited this Notes file in quite some time... too busy
	ice fishing, etc.   Anyway, it is GREAT to see all these notes
	on the Quabbin increases!   
	
	An update from the Worcester Evening Gazette 3/7/89:

		"Price increases which would have gone into effect yesterday,
		have been delayed.   Sportsmen are up in arms over the
		proposed increases...  To record your opinion on the increases,
		write to Cameron Huff, Director of Administration and Finance,
		Room 272, Mass State House, Boston, MA 02133."

	If you want to write to representative who are on `our' side, try
	writing to Representative Stephen M. Brewer (D-Barre) and Rep. Patrick
	F. Landers III (D-Palmer) at the Mass State House, Boston, MA 02133.  

	I just sent out 3 letters.

	In the Worcester Evening Gazette on 2/27/89, Rep. Brewers said 
	"I am livid. That's spelled L-I-V-I-D.  I'm going to be writing to the 
	governor tomorrow to express my deep, deep dissatisfaction with this."

	In the same article (2/27) Rep. Landers said he had not heard of the 
	fee increases and that he'd probably file legislation to lower them.
	Rep. Brewer would also file legislation if necessary.

	It looks like we can overcome this drastic increase!

	Looking forward to opening day!!!!!!!!!!!!

	Ken (Cap'n Ken's Charters :-) )

    
      WE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
     On the front page of this morning's Worcester telegram it says:
     "FISHERMEN WIN STRUGGLE TO SINK FEES AT QUABBIN"
    
    The new fees will be $2.00 to launch a boat and $4.00 per car to
    park no matter how many people you have.If you have over 3 people
    it will actually be cheaper than last year. Boat rentals only went
    up a few bucks.
      Great job to all those that helped !!!
    
                              
                                          Randy

    Thanks for the update, makes my day.  Gotta wonder though, where's
    the Duke gonna try to stick it to us us next time?
    
    Gone fishin
    

re: < Note 1002.23 by WMOIS::FLORENCE "I'm the NRA" >
    
>      WE WON !!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
>     On the front page of this morning's Worcester telegram it says:
>     "FISHERMEN WIN STRUGGLE TO SINK FEES AT QUABBIN"

	Ha!  I just saw this article too, and I was gonna post a note
	starting with "WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Yeeeehaawwwwwww.
	(I still want that boat though! ;^))
    
	It will basically cost $27.00 for a full day rental of a boat
	and motor, up from $20.00.  Now *that* is more reasonable!

	According to the article, part of the reason for the lowered 
	rates and their acceptance by the state agency is the large number
	of phone calls letters of protest, plus a petition signed by
	more than 1,700 people calling for more reasonable fees.

	A 30-day comment period on the new rates will begin within the
	next few days.  Those who support the lower rates should send
	letters of support to:

			Cameron Huff
			Director of Administration and Finance
			Room 272
			Massachusetts State House
			Boston, MA  02133

    
    	Yeah...wonder where the Dukester will try to get us next.  I
    hear, and this is UNCONFIRMED that the Duke told all the State
    Troopers to begin pulling over any and all cars with B.A.S.S. stickers
    and citing them for any infraction that they can come up with!!!!!!
    
    He wouldn't......would he?
    
    Gitzit'
    
    

    
    There was an article in last sunday's paper about the Quabbin. IT
    said that due to the low water level and the effects of acid rain,
    the Quabbin may be closed off to fishermen or the season shortened.
    Apparently the low water level is decreasing the areas in which
    the fish spawn. espesically the smelt. On top of this the acid rain
    falling in the lake will seperate into different acids and metals.
    The waves will then wash these deposits onto the spawning grounds
    of the fish and destroy the eggs. It was stated that the water level
    has not reached it's lowest point which was back in the early 60's.
    If I remember correctly the article said the Quabbin was closed
    back then for a time.
    
    
                                Walt
    
    
    

    RE .27	Walt, From what I read, they have not closed it in the 
    past because of low water. Some BOZO from the MDC said "Times are 
    different now, if the water level gets much lower we will have to 
    close it to fishing." I wonder why? Maybe they don't like getting
    irritating phone calls so pay back is closure? In my opinion low
    water, acid rain and all have nothing to do with keeping fishermen
    off the water. Whats fishing do to hurt? Am I lowering the water further? 
    Do I dump acid rain into the water? The answer: NO! Its a big game
    and I think we all should make another round of phone calls. The way
    I look at it we should be able to enjoy what is there before Boston
    dries the place up and there is no Quabbin. Every day more water goes 
    out than goes in. What do you think will happen?


    Rich 

    
    Rich,
         I agree with you, but what I think someone is thinking is
    that if the trout and salmon are  in trouble due to low water etc.
    then fishing should be stopped. just my opinion, I could be wrong..
    OI would hate to se it closed thats for sure. Also in my opinion
    it seems to me that not many fish are taken there. I know I have
    caught very few.
                                Walt
    
    

     What they oughta do at Quabbin (if they're not already) is "clear
    cut" the low, scrubby brush all around it like they do at Wachusett.
    This significantly INCREASES the amount of water that leaches into
    the reservoir, rather than be absorbed by root systems of suboptimal
    plants.
    
    --The Skoal Bandit

    Walt, I think if the water level got so low that the trout/salmon where
    in trouble, they most likely would move to the deep part of Quabbin by
    Windsor Dam, which by the way is off limits to fishing anyway. I mostly
    go there for smallmouth in the summer and salmon in the spring. As to
    the fish taken, some time you get a few, sometimes you get a lot. I
    have never been skunked there, but I have had people in the boat with
    me that have until a gave them my rod, right Keg!

    Rich

    
    I read in the paper that the Quabbin opens on April 15, anyone
    know when Wachusett opens? Thanks in advance.
       
                       walt

      hi walt
    
           wachusett opens on the 1st of april (saturday).
    
                                                             kiver

    
    Thanks for the info kiver. This may sound like a stuid question
    but does anyone know why Quabbin and Wachusett have different opening
    days?  
                             Walt