Anglers ID

Island Park News Alert
http://www.islandparknews.net/atf.php?sid=7670&current_edition=2010-01-07

There is a very bad idea coming out of the Governor's office and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee of Idaho that could put public access to one of the most famous fly fisheries in the world out of reach. We must fight this proposal tooth and nail! Call, write, harrass, and otherwise assail (within the limits of the law) your representatives, senators, and the governor in regards to this issue. Call talk radio, tell your friends and family, write every newspaper in the state!

Also, read the discussion happening on WestFly!

Get involved, do it now!

I will be posting a response to this asinine proposal in this thread, which any or all of you may copy/paste or modify and send to all of the people who need to hear it. I will have this ready later today when some more research has been done.

Please sign the petition to save Idaho State Parks
Do it now, if you care about the future of this state's public lands!

As posted on Henry's Fork Lodge's website, thanks to Nelson Ishiyama.
If you haven't sent a letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it DO IT NOW!

Here is a sample letter you may tailor to your views and situation:

January 14, 2010

The Honorable C.L. “Butch” Otter
Governor, State of Idaho
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, Idaho 83720

Dear Governor Otter:

I would like to respectfully express my disappointment with the proposed elimination of general funding for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation (IDPR) as part of the 2010 state budget. Specifically, your proposed elimination of IDPR budget means that state parks and facilities all over Idaho will be managed by an unqualified agency and could result in the loss of the world-famous Harriman State Park in Fremont County. Harriman State Park has, arguably, the most famous trout river in the world and one of Idaho’s most recognizable landscapes.

You have recommended that responsibility for park management be transferred to the Idaho Department of Lands, with a goal of continuing to operate state parks. According to the agreement between the Harriman family and the state of Idaho, the park must be run by a “professionally staffed career Park Service”. Your proposal would violate that agreement and could cause the park to revert to the Harriman family.

Governor, in your State of Idaho address, you stated: “It is not our place to impose an additional economic burden on the people of Idaho who already are struggling or to put a damper on our economic recovery”. A study conducted by Colorado State University and Idaho Department of Fish and Game estimated that the Henry’s Fork generated nearly $30 million towards the local economy and supported, directly or indirectly, more than 800 jobs. Harriman State Park is the heart of the Henry’s Fork. The funds generated by IDPR parks make tremendous contributions to the local economies in their areas, like Island Park. That community will be severely impacted by your proposed cuts.

IDPR provides a vital public recreational and aesthetic benefit to the people of Idaho. Your proposal to eliminate IDPR would damage the state park system and could be disastrous to the communities built around those parks.

Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[TITLE]