Pete Nichols, the predatory litigious Baykeeper doesn't want Dennis Mayo on the state’s Marine Life Protection Act’s Statewide Interest Group because he is not m-o-d-e-r-a-t-e enough. Why do I suspect that if it was Greg King, why that would be perfectly fine because his brand of (Earth First) extremism is politically aligned with Nichols and therefore perfectly reasonable? "Not moderate enough" is code word for "doesn't agree with me."
Dennis, after all, has been an advocate for fishermen's rights, including advocating for a couple dozen surf fishermen to be allowed to keep their permits which allow them to *!GaSp! drive on the beach to get to the surfline where they cast their nets. Can't have THAT! Can't have any contrary fishermen's advocates weighing in on a process that will regulate fishermen. That would just ruin everything.
He's also been around here a whole heck of a lot longer than Pete Nichols, and has a much deeper perspective on the issue than the man who wants to tell everyone else what to do while he prepares for his next lucrative lawsuit/extortion atttempt.
Local man's nomination to state's marine group receives support
McKinleyville resident Dennis Mayo received a boost of support this week in his effort to secure a nomination for membership on the state’s Marine Life Protection Act’s Statewide Interest Group.
The state’s MLPA program aims to better conserve marine resources for their long-term sustainability while enhancing outdoor recreation and ocean research opportunities along the coast.
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District Board of commissioners voted unanimously Thursday night during its regular meeting to support Mayo for the post.
The Statewide Interests Group will consist of 12 to 15 members who will be appointed by the MLPA executive director and other officials, according to the California Department of Fish and Game.
According to DFG’s Web site, SIG selections will be made to achieve a diversity of stakeholder perspectives, expertise and geography and its members will be charged with providing a forum for better communication between the MLPA officials and stakeholders.
SIG members will not actually negotiate or decide issues outside the public sessions of the task force, according to the nomination guidelines.
The nomination deadline was noon Friday and the first SIG meeting is scheduled for Aug. 30.
Harbor District Commissioner Dennis Hunter said Mayo, who wasn’t at Thursday’s meeting, showed he was a dedicated member of the district’s Strategic Planning Committee.
“He is very dedicated and very enthusiastic and I think he would be a good representative,” Hunter said.
Although Mayo received support from all of the commissioners present — Commissioner Mike Wilson was absent — several members of the public attending the meeting weren’t keen on Mayo’s endorsement.
Melvin McKinney and Diane Beck both told the commissioners that they felt Mayo doesn’t belong on the SIG because they said he has advocated against the MLPA.
Humboldt Baykeeper Program Director Pete Nichols, who also opposed the district backing Mayo, said he would prefer to see someone on the SIG who was more moderate.
Reached by phone Friday, Mayo indicated he was surprised by the comments, but said he believes he is the right guy for the job.
“I find it very surprising that Nichols would feel that way since I spoke with him personally at a recent Northcoast Environmental Center dinner and had the understanding that we were on the same page,” Mayo said. “I was looking forward to working with him on this issue.”
While he said he has opposed certain protected areas, he is supportive of the process and wants to see decisions made based on science.
On April 13 the California Fish and Game Commission adopted regulations to create marine protected areas designed for the Central Coast of California, which was the first of five regions to be considered for the state under the Marine Life Protection Act
The second phase of the program, which the new round of members is being selected for, has identified the North Central Coast Study Region as next in the process.
For more information on the MLPA, visit the DFG Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/mrd/mlpa/
***
The Arcata Eye has a story on this this week, too, but I don't see it online. I'm a little sad to see Jennifer Savage trying to make an issue out of Mayo leaving "conservation" out of the Humboldt Bay Harbor and Conservation District or whatever the hell it is... I guess Harbor District isn't good enough. She's a better writer than that. Eh - maybe it was just that she quoted people who made snarky remarks, I'll have to read it again.
(Jennifer adds: "I did not make an issue of Dennis neglecting to include (twice) the "Conservation" part of the "Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District"; it was brought up more than once by people commenting at the Bay District meeting. I reported it. Just to clarify.
In a related note, we at the Eye (and also the Journal, I notice) use the term "Bay District" as it seems more accurate than the more oft-used "Harbor District." That bothers some people, but makes sense to our readers." Thank you, Jennifer.
Now I have to ask, though - if leaving the word "conservation" out of the Harbor District's name implies an agenda - doesn't changing it to "Bay" do the same? In light of the politicking that's been going on? Or is making an issue of either just part of the divisive insanity that has taken hold here.
Congratulations to Dennis, a real man of the people who really cares about his community.
ReplyDeleteIf you are threatening litigation against the MLPA using the Pacific Legal Foundation then maybe you might not be considered moderate on the subject.
ReplyDeleteFrom the PCJV Steering California Committee Meeting notes, May 15, 2007
"Open Beaches and Trails (Dennis Mayo)
Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) – Dennis has been involved with many meetings south of here for the past several months about the MLPA. Unfortunately, it has not come to a good conclusion for fishermen and local communities, so they are now in negotiations with the Pacific Legal Foundation to take legal action. For the time being, this does not have specific applications here, but it might, as the process moves north in couple of years. "
I don't see moderate in here:
ReplyDeleteCriteria for Selection
Members of the SIG are expected to have the following attributes:
* Experience and willingness to communicate with as broad a constituency as possible
* Ability to bring a statewide perspective to discussions
* Willingness to express fundamental interests (as opposed to fixed positions) and to clearly convey the interests of one or more important stakeholder groups
* Ability to understand and integrate multiple perspectives
* Ability to access and use an effective communication network to reach stakeholders and members of the public not in attendance at meetings
* Commitment to seeing all aspects of the MLPA Initiative completed
and "Unfortunately, it has not come to a good conclusion for fishermen and local communities" - sounds like dennis is exactly the type of person we need on there.
I don't think the criteria;
ReplyDelete" * Commitment to seeing all aspects of the MLPA Initiative completed "
is really met by threatening to sue the MLPA process.
The minutes of the PCJV need to be read again as you seem to be putting a spin to your conclusion that doesn't exist.
ReplyDeleteWhen the public policy process has failed, our system has mechanisms to try to correct those mistakes. Administrative appeals, public protests, state initiatives, pressure on elected officials, injunctions and other legal challenges and other remedies are all available to the public when they feel their voice has not been heard and, or, the public process has been faulty.
Such was the case in Phase I of the central coast area of the MLPA. All factions, groups, stakeholders in America avail themselves of these privileges. Environmental groups threaten lawsuits, file 60 day intents to sue and sue everyday. In the central coast MLPA fishermen, cities, and many others were all brought to the point of frustration with the process that a hue and cry arose.
As I stated at the PCJV meeting they were all looking for some relief. I am happy to say that our collective efforts have made a change for the better and with out the need for protracted litigation. The cry was heard and a new Director for the MLPA process was chosen. A greater emphasis is being extended to all stakeholder groups and scientific review. The "SIG" for the MLPA is a direct result of these efforts and of the new directors dedication to an open process.
I applaud him and wish him success as the new phase II moves forward.
As a participant in this process for many years now I have been an active voice for fishing communities and the support economies they spawn. I also have been an ardent advocate for inland water quality, the OSU stock assessments, sound centralized data and science sources, adaptive management, local hook and line near shore fishermen and crabbers, the PFMC 3 state salmon quota and most ardently I have advocated at every level of government for the removal the the Klamath Dams.
I have attended meetings where people have advocated for the most restrictive forms of MLPA's when those people don't know the difference between a silver smelt and and a yellow eye. Where they believe that our fisheries are like the ones in New Zealand or Indonesia that they see on TV news shows. Where they don't understand what the bio-mass level of a healthy species needs to be. Where misinformation is the common place.
Good, well meaning people lead into believing they are trying to save the last fish has been a driving theme of the worlds MLPA movement. In some cases I am sorry to say that fear is real.
It is however not the case on the North Central or North Coast Areas near shore fisheries in California and the process of reviewing, classifying, or enacting MLPA's in our areas needs to be looked at with slow, open, science based decisions.
Here's a fact that isn't much told. We have the most prolific black rock fish populations.
Our hook and line fishermen who only number around 18 (less that half actively fish) have exact poundage or total fish limits and have so many bad weather days and inaccessible fishing areas that it is impossible, let me repeat that, impossible for them to over-fish any species. Under the current marine protection act our fisherman can produce healthy, organic, sustainable, natural local fish for us forever.
The problem with further restrictions on these producers is that they may be restricted out of business.
If that happens where will you buy fish? You will buy factory corporate fish in Wall Mart from the very places that are truly fished improperly.
If I am so lucky to be chosen as a member of the "SIG" it will be my duty to work for all Californians not just fishermen. It will be my duty to transfer information to all stakeholder groups from the MLPA and back again.
It is a job that requires balance, a quest for the truth, strict adherence to openness, and to go where the science leads. No matter what.
That is the hat I will wear, not the advocate's hat. I simply don't have an answer to those who say I'm not moderate enough or question my motives. We have to have clean water. We have to have jobs. To raise our children and keep our communities viable we must do both. Thai's all I know. That's what I try to do. I ask everyone to simply call me, engage me, tell me your views. I will listen.
Dennis Mayo
what? you can't put dennis in a 'liberal' or 'conservative' box? our fisheries problems are multi-dimensional and 'yes men' should not be welcome. oh, and dennis has a secret agenda that extremists will hate: "represent the people"
ReplyDeletegood work mr. mayo.
I'm sorry but the Pacific Legal Foundation is considered by most to be an extremist organization and Mr. Mayo's choice to use them to threaten to sue against a process that was created by a lot of public input taints him as an extremist. How can Mr. Mayo "represent the people" when he was not elected by or is accountable to anyone. He certainly doesn’t represent this person.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. That's funny. I see Pacific Legal Foundation, as 'balance.'
ReplyDeleteAgain distortion. Mayo didn't make any choice. Fishing groups and municipalities were seeking relief. Don't kill the messenger because you don't like the message.
ReplyDeletePredatory groups who hang on the fringe of the process then sue for all the wrong reasons are the extremists. When did balance become so bad?
ReplyDeleteThe states largest sport fishing club sued the MLPA. Are they extremist?
ReplyDeleteThe Pacific Legal Foundation is about as balanced as the Trees Foundation.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I mean - balance - yin, yang.
ReplyDeleteThe question at hand was, is Mr. Mayo balanced. He seems to go out of his way to look at all points of view. He states clearly that he sees advocay as seperate from representing the whole. He enjoys great support from a wide range of viewspoints in the state. He even states that he is lookind forward to working with the very people who are attacking him. He has been a long time voice for removing Klamath dams and cleaning up impared inland waterways. Is an organic farmer and is a consistant supporter of local ranching. That is as close to a balanced view point and lifestyle as any I have ever seen. To those who still want to call him extreme, you need to take a close look at yourself in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sad day when the farmers and fishermen are considered undesirable extremists, while indolent bloodsucking con men seek to shut everything down.
ReplyDeleteHarbor commissioners, entrepeneurs, corporations, anyone who works hard and actually produces something is suspect rather than respected.
Those who know what it takes to do a job are denigrated and shut out in the Pete Nichols of the world's ideal set up. the better to sue you with.
The fact that Dennis has had to fight for over a couple dozen surf fishermen's permits ought to say it all. Those permits ought to be available to anyone who wants one, and at the very least, with the stroke of a pen, Congressman Thompson could have made 1,000 permits available. Even 100. Instead, the battle is over allowing 28 or so when all they have allowed is 18 or so.
I may be off on the numbers - Dennis can correct me - but this is crazy.
Rose, I'm quite tired, so forgive my quick posting – I did not make an issue of Dennis neglecting to include (twice) the "Conservation" part of the "Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District"; it was brought up more than once by people commenting at the Bay District meeting. I reported it. Just to clarify.
ReplyDeleteIn a related note, we at the Eye (and also the Journal, I notice) use the term "Bay District" as it seems more accurate than the more oft-used "Harbor District." That bothers some people, but makes sense to our readers.
I'm sure Kevin would send the story if you asked. I would if I had the final version.
Best,
JS
JS as a word smith you know the differance in saying,"it was brought up more than once by people commenting", than, (it was brought up by three usual suspects) or (three that object to every thing) or (the radicals Diann,Mel,Pete.) Without possibly realizing it JS you are letting your bias' into your work.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer, for the clarification - I added it to the post above.
ReplyDeleteIf you are talking about using the correct term, Jennifer, then you ought to use the correct title yourself, good for the goose good for the gander kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's
Humboldt Bay
Harbor
Recreation & Conservation
District
So it's a mouthful but it's got all your words. If you expect Dennis to use them, so should you all.
it doesn't really matter to these eco=manipulators/as long as they can run someone down/or suck out more money/or destroy another community
ReplyDelete