Back in May of 2011, I sent this email to the MNDNR:
Can someone please explain how the netters have the right to take over a public access with fish processing stations for days at a time?
Please also explain how the netters are allowed to camp next to no camping signs at public landings for multiple nights.
While you’re at it, please let me know why there are unattended nets on the east side. These nets were set on Saturday and have still not been checked. Will the dead and rotting fish in these nets count against the netters quota? Will you pro-rate the wasted fish against their quota from the nets that were lost due to ice shifting from shore to shore last week? (Like it is done for hooking mortality)
These are legitimate questions and have nothing to do with the treaty. (Which I know you have no control over)
Then, please let me know how much the fines would be if I did the acts above.
How much is the fine and or jail time for:
– Wanton waste of 6,000 to 20,000lbs of walleyes, northern pike, musky, perch….well I guess just let me know on the walleyes, that will make it easier.
– Driving my RV into a public access and camping for 2 nights.
– Erecting a tent to provide a service or saleable items at a public access. (with no permit or permission)
– For ease of math, say, 2,000 unattended tips ups or bobbers, for a 48 hour period.
Thank you,
Adam Laidlaw
This is a copy and paste responce I received:
“Hello Mr. Laidlaw,
I am not sure if your questions have been answered yet but I have attached a response. In reading your e-mail I have found that most of your questions should be answered by a Tribal Warden. As far as the “what if questions”, I will leave that alone. I appreciate your concern for the resource.
Thank you,
Chad
1Lt Chad Sherack
Mille Lacs Area Supervisor
[email protected]
Office (218) 692-4239
A word document was attached to Mr. Sherack’s email. The title of the document was “Tribal response 05132011.dox)14kb)” This is a copy/paste of what the document said:
The Supreme Court determined band members have a right to harvest fish under the 1837 treaty and since they have their own sovereign government and own “law” (code) they will continue to harvest as allowed within their code. Public lands in the ceded territory can be used in historical fashion such as fish camps. The States civil regulations cannot hinder the right to harvest. Public safety issues will and have been addressed. Violations occurring with band members during band harvest are a tribal enforcement issues. Specific violations or complaints occurring during treaty harvest with band members should be directed to Tribal enforcement. Net monitoring is done by GLIFWC, FDL, MLB and MNDNR Fisheries.
Lt. Chad Sherack
[email protected]
(218) 692-4239
This is the part of the document that really, really confuses me:
“Public lands in the ceded territory can be used in historical fashion such as fish camps”. This means that ALL, of every state or federal PUBLIC park could be taken over by whatever indian deemed it part of a “fish camp”? Asine, but that’s how the “law” supposedly reads.
The angle of my post was to try and stop the abuse of PUBLIC landings this spring but according the MNDNR, even that isn’t an option….To protect “our” lake.
