Vitter Delivers Bombshell Letter To Obama On NOAA/Fishing Issue
The following is a copy of a letter sent by U.S. Sen. David Vitter to President Obama today…
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Cc: NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco
Dear Mr. President and Administrator Lubchenco:
I write to express sincere opposition regarding the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force Interim Framework for Effective Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (“Interim Framework”). Although I have long supported reasonable policy mechanisms to enhance interagency coordination on oceans policy issues, the Interim Framework gives the impression that the administration is seeking to implement fundamental changes to both the regulatory structure and statutory authorities that form the basis for nearly every aspect of oceans management and use.
The Gulf of Mexico retains significant economic, cultural, and social importance to the state of Louisiana. If the intention of the Interim Framework is to create a new government superstructure headed by the National Ocean Council at the expense of the role of the states, which have primary jurisdiction for resident fish and wildlife, I can assure you that the states, in particular the Gulf states, will have zero tolerance for and much indignation over such a gross expansion of federal authority.
I urge the administration to back away from any efforts to supersede or diminish existing federal and state laws that govern our ocean fisheries for both commercial and recreational use. The Interim Framework brazenly calls for a top-down federal approach to every aspect of ocean management, and would impact every sector and every conceivable ocean activity without input from all stakeholders.
I can assure you that continued pursuit of the Interim Framework will exacerbate current concerns with NOAA’s ability to effectively manage the oceans for all users as well as mistrust and resentment of the agency. I respectfully request immediate public access to all comments and recommendations NOAA has delivered to the Council on Environmental Quality, as a well as a list of all Executive Orders and statutory and regulatory authorities the administration is contemplating utilizing in implementing Marine Spatial Planning and the Interim Framework.
I hope that your administration can keep in mind that the role of the government is to effectively manage resources for all citizens to enjoy with input from all stakeholders, not to cut off access to resources, like prohibiting commercial and recreational fishing, at the behest of a handful of special interest groups.
Will this administration ever stop trying to take over every aspect of our lives??!?!
I don't think so… this IS the agenda!
Will this administration ever stop trying to take over every aspect of our lives??!?!
I don't think so… this IS the agenda!
nope. they think they can make us do as they say/regulate. obama said CHANGE was on it's way. He's not going to get re-elected b/c He's a puppet to special interest groups and lobbyists.
nope. they think they can make us do as they say/regulate. obama said CHANGE was on it's way. He's not going to get re-elected b/c He's a puppet to special interest groups and lobbyists.
[...] proposals to limit sport fishing showed the problems the campaign has on policy; while Vitter served up a spirited and detailed letter to the president in response to revelations that the administration is working on assaulting the rights of 60 [...]
The government already controls this aspect of your life and has for hundreds of years… its called the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. You are now just realizing it, and that is unfortunate. All the administration wants to do is streamline the process by combining agencies that have overlap and redundancy.
Yes, there may have been talk of changing the regulations in the initial framework, and that needs to happen, but more on the commercial side than the recreational side. The rumors that you won't be able to fish Louisiana waters are simply not true. If anything, limits on certain species might be lowered slightly based on studies by DWF. Do you really need 25 speckled trout per person?
These changes are for the benefit of our most precious resource. Lets give change a chance and not shoot down good ideas just because you are used to things being a certain way.
Based on what regulatory successes is your faith in the federal government?
The government already controls this aspect of your life and has for hundreds of years… its called the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. You are now just realizing it, and that is unfortunate. All the administration wants to do is streamline the process by combining agencies that have overlap and redundancy.
Yes, there may have been talk of changing the regulations in the initial framework, and that needs to happen, but more on the commercial side than the recreational side. The rumors that you won't be able to fish Louisiana waters are simply not true. If anything, limits on certain species might be lowered slightly based on studies by DWF. Do you really need 25 speckled trout per person?
These changes are for the benefit of our most precious resource. Lets give change a chance and not shoot down good ideas just because you are used to things being a certain way.
Based on what regulatory successes is your faith in the federal government?
I'm starting to miss G.W. Bush.
I'm starting to miss G.W. Bush.