MLPA - Coming clean at the closing bell

[PAL]

Now that my time on the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group has come to a close, I can finally speak freely. It was one long nightmare, the kind you know will end badly but there's no waking up. The fix was in, but if we hadn't fought for every inch they would have taken every mile. Read my final MLPA Log column for Western Outdoor News and see what I really think.

http://www.wonews.com/Blog.aspx?id=793&AuthorID=59052&t=MLPA%20Log:%20Coming%20clean%20at%20the%20closin g%20bell

It's quite a contrast from the MLPAI release distributed today, don't you think? I'm only sorry I couldn't have been so forthright sooner.

[Iceman]

Way to kick em in the nuts Paul!

Contempt for the public was palpable, demonstrated in the bullying ways of MLPAI Executive Director Ken Wiseman. Many anglers who stood up for themselves were hectored and harassed, treated dismissively. Twenty or thirty seconds of speaking time was the norm. The BRTF didn’t want to hear it. They had their minds made up. Why else would they order their public relations staffers to actively discourage attendance? That was an outrageous, anti-democratic topper that reveals the lie in the words “open and transparent process,” and it’s on the record.

[zenspearo]

Thank you Paul for a tell-it-like-it-is article. Most of us feel the same way and I feel very blessed that we have some outstanding reps like yourself representing our joint interests.

Although I am not a kayakangler, we appreciate the opportunity to work cooperatively with kayakanglers and look forward to being there with you guys when the end comes for this sordid process.

[Grego]

Thanks Paul...nice read, glad you can get it off your chest.

[kurt]

My hats off to you, Paul, for being able to hang in and fight on through all the BS.

[Billy V]

Thank You for summing up the truth.
I know its been a long hard year, and that you and others were muzzled by I-Team Director Wiseman.

The people of Kalifornia were robbed by a corrupt Governor, and corrupt political appointees.

Remember all those names who were involved, and who stripped you of your rights. There will come a time when you can return the favor.
--------------------------------------------------
Bad Karma on them All.

[Tman]

'Bout time you had a chance to speak how you really felt...

I will be putting some letters together, some aimed at Wuseman, some aimed at Coldwell, and a bunch aimed at the DFG. I want the DFG to know that we were there, watched the whole process, are fully aware of the 'Conflict of Interest', and the total lack of 'extensive public input'.

Having someone in a blue shirt, time and time again, taking valuable speaking time to say the MPA's work but actually not having information or knowledge about the process took away from the publics' time to actually take part in valid debate and discussions that affect the public as a whole.

Best part about it? All on film...

This is far from over, and Paul, glad you get to finally speak your mind...

Let her rip...

[mwm]

"The MLPA law itself would not be the problem if it were enforced as written. It’s supposed to cost the state $250,000 a year, not $25 million or more."

Paul, is there really something in the original law that limits the cost to this amount? Has there been legislation that overturned this 250K/year ceiling you refer to, and if not, did the members of the BRTF task force know about this limit. If so, I will volunteer to find a contingency fee lawyer willing to file suit against the members of the BRTF, personally, for pain and suffering, taking of our natural resources, etc.... Actually, we probably have a basis for a class action lawsuit if this is true. That should get the politician's notice. I'm not the litigious type, but if we can turn the bloody thirsty Larach types against the environmentalists, it would be true poetic justice and serve a higher purpose.

[dsafety]

I am far from being as well informed on all the details of this thing as Paul and a number of others, but several things jump out at me as significant potential weapons in our ongoing fight.

Top of the list is the cost. So there is the MLPA. On paper it's a good thing. Its implementation as envisioned by the BLTF is way over the top, however. Ignore for the moment that the closure locations were seldom based on any accepted science and that backroom deals purchased by special interests were the norm during this process. The net result is that the cost of putting this thing into effect far exceeds the resources of the agencies who will be tasked with enforcement. If a law is not enforced, is it a valid law? When was the last time you drove 55 mph on I-5?

Was the process corrupt. You bet. I am sure that just on that basis alone, implementation could be tied up in court for years. The cost of defending will have to be picked up by the State. Our State, the one that has no money to pay for our kids' education or keep dangerous criminals in prison. If someone takes this thing to court, maybe the powers that be will see the sensible side of things and just back away from the fight.

ADA issues were brought up by some speakers at the last BRTF meeting. The ADA is a very powerful law with some very powerful backers. The fact that many of the launch locations friendly to those with handicaps will soon be "verboten" might get some of the ADA activists into our camp. Maybe we should ask for their help.

My point is that since we appear to have failed to get a reasonable result by following the rules of the MLPA process, maybe it is time to switch to some other tactics.

Bob

[steveooo]

Excellent article Paul. It sickens me that they got what they did, but this article puts it all in perspective. Again, thank you for all of your hard work in the past year

[Holy Mackerel]

Thanks Paul, you really summed it up. I can't imagine holding my tongue for so long.

What else should we expect when private money funds public policy?

This is a lesson I learned from this process, doesnt matter who the private money is coming from, it can't be good.

[kurt]

They dug in behind a plan that met the minimum SAT guidelines while minimizing the socio economic cost.

And that's a bad thing? Perhaps the plan would have been better if we hit more people in the pocketbook.

Luckily this public process wasn't paid for by a private interest, non-consumptive group or we'd really be screwed. Wait a sec...

[Matt]

ahhhh.......the ignore button is a wondeful thing......I agree with Mr. Holy Mackerel!!!... I may not always agree with everything, but I and many, many, many more will ALWAYS HAVE PAUL'S BACK 100%!!! Exactly whose side are you on Dryfly, BiggestT??



OH YEAH AND PAUL, MJ, TYLER,KURT, COREY, BRENT OF OEX, ANDY, JIM SAMMONS, MOYER, JOSH, HABANERO, MAGGIE AND THE BLOODYDECKS CREW, ALL THE SPEAROS, CHRIS, BILLY V., TMAN, CLAY, KIYO,JOHN,RON, TATTUNA and the BAYTUBERS Et. Al. and all the peopl who fought the MLPA thank you very, very, very, very much for staying and putting in all that you did and continue to do in this very lopsided and crooked fight!!! MUCH RESPECT TO YOU ALL

[FISHIONADO]

Originally Posted by Matt

OH YEAH AND PAUL, MJ, TYLER,KURT, COREY, BRENT OF OEX, ANDY, JIM SAMMONS, MOYER, JOSH, HABANERO, MAGGIE AND THE BLOODYDECKS CREW, ALL THE SPEAROS, CHRIS, BILLY V., TMAN, CLAY, KIYO,JOHN,RON, TATTUNA and the BAYTUBERS Et. Al. and all the peopl who fought the MLPA thank you very, very, very, very much for staying and putting in all that you did and continue to do in this very lopsided and crooked fight!!! MUCH RESPECT TO YOU ALL

I didn't make the cut, dang it!

Thanks Paul for giving us visibility into the process.

I was proud to stand with the small number kayakers and spearos who actually made a stand and made a difference. It felt like it was going to be a repeat of the Alamo but we did make a difference.

And to all you people who followed this issue but didn't show up or send emails or letters, thanks for nothing and shut the fuck up.

[dsafety]

Who is this "Dry Fly" person and what is his, (or her), agenda? Anyone know this guy?

I have to agree with him that we will be fighting an uphill battle from here on, (not that it has ever been any different). Yes, we do not have the funding that the other side has. And then there is the problem of an apathetic public. On the other hand, I strongly believe that the issues I mentioned earlier could offer some chance of influencing the final outcome.

Who is going to pick up the ball and run with it?

Bob

[Tman]

I call BS - and I don't need no stinkin' pics...

Too many people have worked too hard to fight the battle, and to belittle the fight, or say they don't agree or get along with someone is BS.

Esp. when that someone has dedicated more than enough time, and their family sacrificed their time as well.

If it smells like shit it probably is...defend away...I know we will...

[DryFly]

Originally Posted by mwm

"The MLPA law itself would not be the problem if it were enforced as written. It’s supposed to cost the state $250,000 a year, not $25 million or more."

Paul, is there really something in the original law that limits the cost to this amount? Has there been legislation that overturned this 250K/year ceiling you refer to, and if not, did the members of the BRTF task force know about this limit. If so, I will volunteer to find a contingency fee lawyer willing to file suit against the members of the BRTF, personally, for pain and suffering, taking of our natural resources, etc.... Actually, we probably have a basis for a class action lawsuit if this is true. That should get the politician's notice. I'm not the litigious type, but if we can turn the bloody thirsty Larach types against the enviromaentalists, it would be true poetic justice and serve a higher purpose.

Sorry, but you've been completely mislead on this issue of a ceiling on the cost to implement the MLPA. The F&G Commission held a hearing on this very matter and the DFG admitted that the $250K figure was merely for 3 DFG personnel to draw up a master plan for implementation. The $250K estimate never contemplated enforcement and subsequent study of the MPAs. It is PSO that has latched onto this and completely misled the fishing public into believing that the original estimate to implement and monitor the entire thing was just $250K. You are being manipulated. No one else attributes any credibility to these claims, which explains why they've never gained any traction.

[lamb]

Great write up.

Thank you Paul for everything you do.