Bill H-190 to benefit Fish &Wildlife

[Surprise]

A bill introduced to the VT last session and looking to reintroduce this year.

I believe we fishermen have been On this side for a long while.

This was sent to me by longtime friend Pete Diminico.

Letter from Pete:

H-190 Vermonts' Wildlife Governance Bill
if you value Vermonts' flora and fauna, please pay this forward


It's no secret Vermonters put a high value on outdoor recreation. Two out of three Vermonters hunt, fish and watch wildlife totaling $780 million in trickle down spending. Over the decades VF&W has grappled with decreased revenues, in part augmented by the continued decline in revenues and license sales. Increased demands on VF&W from demographic shifts have put an enormous strain on their budgets. Frankly the proposed 2020 , 24.1 M budget is already woefully short, and often asked changes do not come to fruition.
H.190 addresses one important issue, is VF&W addressing the demographic and cultural attitude change enough? This bill establishes a six member legislative working group to find collaborative solutions and options for broadening stakeholder representation. This Wildlife Governance legislative group also addresses long term sustainable revenue sources.
Okay this approach seems innocuous but it is established deeply with underlying political overtones. This is a political process and in part inherently biased.
I suggest a different model, a COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE model, a volunteerism approach! August 30,2006, VF&W convened with it's second and last Wildlife Congress held at the Lake Morey Resort. All stakeholders were invited, some to include, farmers, loggers, birders, bikers, hunters and anglers to mention a few. The attendence was very promising. The 2005 Wild Life Action Plan opportunities were discussed . Several key obstacles to the plan implementation were identified and in the afternoon , groups broke out into sessions for common ground solutions. Unfortunately continued Wildlife Congresses have not convened since 2006.
Another Wildlife Congress is very much needed today. I strongly suggest VF&W have another Wildlife Congress and invite all stakeholders invested in the The Great Outdoors. Yes, leave the political hats at the door. This is a governance model is altruistic for the greater benefit of our flora and fauna friends. There is much common ground for all of us, one comes to mind immediately, the 6 m acres of land we share together and enjoy. This new model can grow from this next Wildlife Congress and catapult from there! As the Congress evolves from breakout groups from the initial meeting, new alliances and communication networks continually evolve and grow.
The small population of 530,000 people increases the chance to succeed into a one of a kind model. Providing means for people to connect with wildlife Ad hoc groups can help with the growth of this model as a subset of the COLLABORATIVE GOVERNANCE model, Ideas grow into plans and plans are implemented into action! Vermonters are very passionate about the outdoors and equally as creative to solutions. Frankly anything is possible especially if we keep the long term goal in mind, the long term benefit for our natural world. Incentives for ideas and implementation cam exist. E.g. as groups of volunteer groups form to implement plans into action, perhaps credits applied for students for their volunteer work. Yes $$ are very important and this new model can find sources of monies that can be garnerd into a special GOVERNANCE FUND. The Collaborative Governance fund can provide the much needed funds along with active volunteers and the expertise of VF&W.
This novel idea will be a stepped and lenghty process. Over time, perhaps in say ten years, WE Vermonters can have model to be proud of. Let's not forget, this separate additional GOVERNANCE FUND can build pots of money to help VF&W. Let's face it, VF&W will always be broke, very germane today. Many States have gtrappled with the same budgetary problems. In NH, $1 from the license goes to the Fisheries Habitat Account and Maine even has a scratch off instant lottery ticket. In Vermont finding sources from non consumptive users may be an option. Many birders, bikers, hikers and kyakers would be more than happy to contribute!
So in closing,my flora and fauna friends are asking YOU for YOUR HELP. If you truly want to HELP THEM and like the essentials of this model: PLEASE PAY IT FORWARD by by contacting Louis Porter ,VF&W Commissioner, (louis.porter@vermont.gov) urging him to Organize another Wildlife Congress and ask another friend to pay it forward. A groundswell of support is the only way to make this happen. Vermont is a special place, let's show them.


https://trackbill.com/bill/vermont-hous ... e/1679411/