Senator David Vitter on our side,

[Louis Rossignol]

March 10, 2010


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.

Sincerely,

David Vitter
U.S. Senator

[spur]

where the hell is hutchinson smith and the dam gov of the state of texas havent heard a word out of them sosdd .all a bunch of a holes rep--dems --just in it for the bucks and bennies --- all need to get right or get gone

[jim smarr]

Governor Perry was the very man to align the Gulf against NMFS on several issues including "Catch Shares". He is helping big time.

Senator Cornyn I believe will help very soon.

Congressman Ortiz has been helpful with fisheries matters and has signed off on the Flexibility Bills

Kay B. on the other hand says she has a problem helping due to the data she gets fron NMFS. No help so far.

After the recent rally in Washington, d.c. we have many there helping. You are correct we need the Texas Members of Congress to step up.

[Louis Rossignol]

Hey, I let Sen. Vitter know I was going to be in Washington, and he was there in person to talk to us. He was very concerned and he wants to do all he can to help.

We need to get more on board.

I ain't taking this **** lying down.

[Louis Rossignol]

Dear Mr. Rossignol,

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns about the National Ocean and Great Lakes Policy report recently released by the Ocean Policy Task Force. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue, and I share your concerns about this report.

As you know, President Obama created the Ocean Policy Task Force to develop a national policy for conserving and managing resources in U.S. marine waters and the Great Lakes. In the released interim report, no mention was made of the importance and contributions of sport fishermen to both marine conservation and economic activity in coastal communities. This omission has led to fears that decisions made using the proposed policy could lead to closure of some marine and Great Lakes waters to recreational fishing.

Like you, I am astonished that the Ocean Policy Task Force did not take into account the valuable contributions of recreational fishermen. Recreational fishermen provide most of the funding for fisheries conservation through license fees and excise taxes paid on recreational fishing equipment. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has also determined that recreational saltwater anglers contribute $82 billion annually to the economy, and their economic importance is magnified in coastal communities. As a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over this issue, I will fight to ensure that the contributions of recreational anglers to marine conservation are acknowledged in the final policy report, and I will vigorously oppose any efforts to close areas of our oceans or the Great Lakes to recreational fishing.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future about any other issue important to you.


Sincerely,


Senator David Vitter
United States Senator

[jim smarr]

He is a great Senator. We need to clone him quickly.

[capt mike]

How bout a trade ? Hutchison, a case of Dr Pepper and a future draft choice ? Good job, Louis.