MN G&F License increase passes Senate

Now on to the Conference committee and then back to both Floor sessions. Check out Kare 11 news at 5 pm tonight.

That’s a shame.

Anybody beside Linder show up for your protest this morning?

How much of the money from license sales is used to support natural resources? I don’t think sportsmen would be upset if it funded related programs and projects.

Protest? It’s Al Lindner not Linder. I counted about 80 people. Other counts are 50-120.

So, Brian you think the following is “to bad” ?

It has been over 11 years since the last increase, the Game & Fish Fund will go negative in July 2013 . This is the first time in 40 years that we have gone so long with out a license adjustment. The last increase was in 2001 2001 Gas price was $1.50, Hamburger $2 lb. Price of a barrel of oil topped $30 (a record price) We cannot expect to get services in 2013 at 2001 prices

How are license dollars spent? Where does the money go.

34 cents goes to Fisheries. This is used to manage 5,400 lakes and thousands of miles of river. Stocking millions of walleye fry in over a 1,000 lakes. Monitoring a world class Muskie fishery in 60 lakes and two rivers.

Without an increase lake surveys could be cut back to only once every 15 years. That means less timely information on which to base decisions that affect the quality of an angler’s experience.

32 cents to Wildlife , Wildlife Services manage 1,400 WMA’s totaling 1.3 million acres. Seasons and reg.s for 50 species and 600,000 hunters and trappers. Working on waterfowl areas, youth hunts and constant testing for diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease.

Lack of an increase combined with inflation and years of budget cuts will continue to force a pull back both in terms of the technical management work and outreach that keeps the DNR connected with our hunting and fishing communities. This is not sustainable if we want to maintain healthy fisheries, forests and wetlands. This will affect our hunting and fishing in experiences

21 cents goes to Enforcement, Enforcement protects our resources with a network of 154 conservation officers. About 20 of these positions are empty. In Hennepin County our CO covers two counties.

And the remaining 13 cents goes to Eco, Licensing, boat access and Forest Land Management

Many folks think Lottery and Legacy Funds can be used to fund the Game & Fish Fund but by law, they cannot.

We need permanent AIS prevention funds. We cannot operate the longterm programs on annual or biannual funding requests. It is unfair to people in these jobs to only offer uncertainty for the future.

While the DNR gets an A+ for what it has done to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels and other AIS, there is a looming threat of Asian Carp ahead.

The recent explosion of Asian Carp in Iowa lakes, should be a wake-up call to all in Minnesota. Bighead Carp and E-DNA are coming North , another just netted last week in the St. Croix.

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So, Brian you think the following is “to bad” ?

It has been over 11 years since the last increase, the Game & Fish Fund will go negative in July 2013 . This is the first time in 40 years that we have gone so long with out a license adjustment. The last increase was in 2001 2001 Gas price was $1.50, Hamburger $2 lb. Price of a barrel of oil topped $30 (a record price) We cannot expect to get services in 2013 at 2001 prices

How are license dollars spent? Where does the money go.

34 cents goes to Fisheries. This is used to manage 5,400 lakes and thousands of miles of river. Stocking millions of walleye fry in over a 1,000 lakes. Monitoring a world class Muskie fishery in 60 lakes and two rivers.

Without an increase lake surveys could be cut back to only once every 15 years. That means less timely information on which to base decisions that affect the quality of an angler’s experience.

32 cents to Wildlife , Wildlife Services manage 1,400 WMA’s totaling 1.3 million acres. Seasons and reg.s for 50 species and 600,000 hunters and trappers. Working on waterfowl areas, youth hunts and constant testing for diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease.

Lack of an increase combined with inflation and years of budget cuts will continue to force a pull back both in terms of the technical management work and outreach that keeps the DNR connected with our hunting and fishing communities. This is not sustainable if we want to maintain healthy fisheries, forests and wetlands. This will affect our hunting and fishing in experiences

21 cents goes to Enforcement, Enforcement protects our resources with a network of 154 conservation officers. About 20 of these positions are empty. In Hennepin County our CO covers two counties.

And the remaining 13 cents goes to Eco, Licensing, boat access and Forest Land Management

Many folks think Lottery and Legacy Funds can be used to fund the Game & Fish Fund but by law, they cannot.

We need permanent AIS prevention funds. We cannot operate the longterm programs on annual or biannual funding requests. It is unfair to people in these jobs to only offer uncertainty for the future.

While the DNR gets an A+ for what it has done to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels and other AIS, there is a looming threat of Asian Carp ahead.

The recent explosion of Asian Carp in Iowa lakes, should be a wake-up call to all in Minnesota. Bighead Carp and E-DNA are coming North , another just netted last week in the St. Croix.

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I agree with the increase and will gladly pay it! Although I take hard, strong shots at the DNR, exclusively targeted at what I see as flaws in the system and or their thinking, in general I think the dept. does a good job. Heck, $20 bucks or so a year to fish is nothing in the big scope of the overall costs. Heck, if it ain’t a good value (#30 per season) to spend a few days in the high-speed beef stand, ya better take up another form of rec.

I hope the Gov signs it…

I think what Brian was trying to say is that it’s to bad that the price is going up. With the cost of gas, food and the lack of good paying jobs out there it is hard for the guy just getting by to spend more money on fees. If you have a few kids and want to take them on fishing trip it’s hard on the old pocket book.

Dont get me wronge the dnr dose alot of good and they do mess up to but thats another story.

My hats off to all that are just getting by and still getting there little ones envolved in the outdoors

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The recent explosion of Asian Carp in Iowa lakes

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What explosion? Just asking because the reports Ive heard were towards the great lakes where biologist feel those left in the lake will likely die off over time.
Are the rivers experiencing an influx of Asian carp in Iowa?

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So, Brian you think the following is “to bad” ?

It has been over 11 years since the last increase, the Game & Fish Fund will go negative in July 2013 . This is the first time in 40 years that we have gone so long without a license adjustment. The last increase was in 2001 2001 Gas price was $1.50, Hamburger $2 lb. Price of a barrel of oil topped $30 (a record price) We cannot expect to get services in 2013 at 2001 prices

How are license dollars spent? Where does the money go.

34 cents goes to Fisheries. This is used to manage 5,400 lakes and thousands of miles of river. Stocking millions of walleye fry in over a 1,000 lakes. Monitoring a world class Muskie fishery in 60 lakes and two rivers.

Without an increase lake surveys could be cut back to only once every 15 years. That means less timely information on which to base decisions that affect the quality of an angler’s experience.

32 cents to Wildlife , Wildlife Services manage 1,400 WMA’s totaling 1.3 million acres. Seasons and reg.s for 50 species and 600,000 hunters and trappers. Working on waterfowl areas, youth hunts and constant testing for diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease.

Lack of an increase combined with inflation and years of budget cuts will continue to force a pull back both in terms of the technical management work and outreach that keeps the DNR connected with our hunting and fishing communities. This is not sustainable if we want to maintain healthy fisheries, forests and wetlands. This will affect our hunting and fishing in experiences

21 cents goes to Enforcement, Enforcement protects our resources with a network of 154 conservation officers. About 20 of these positions are empty. In Hennepin County our CO covers two counties.

And the remaining 13 cents goes to Eco, Licensing, boat access and Forest Land Management

Many folks think Lottery and Legacy Funds can be used to fund the Game & Fish Fund but by law, they cannot.

We need permanent AIS prevention funds. We cannot operate the longterm programs on annual or biannual funding requests. It is unfair to people in these jobs to only offer uncertainty for the future.

While the DNR gets an A+ for what it has done to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels and other AIS, there is a looming threat of Asian Carp ahead.

The recent explosion of Asian Carp in Iowa lakes, should be a wake-up call to all in Minnesota. Bighead Carp and E-DNA are coming North , another just netted last week in the St. Croix.

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This is what worries me. Yes they may run out of money but where in your statement are you showing increased spending and programs that were not even around years ago. Just because they are running out of cash does not mean that everything they spend the $ on is good or beneficial. Just like our politicians. very close correlation for a methodology here.

Also,

“While the DNR gets an A+ for what it has done to prevent the spread of Zebra mussels and other AIS, there is a looming threat of Asian Carp ahead.
”
I take very strong objection to this statement. I think they have gone way overboard on knee jerk reaction policies. Just take a look at the new sticker that every boat is legally mandated to have. I rest my case. The DNR is clueless as to what to do for AIS and are way off base in their current plan and polices.

With all that said I would give the DNR general employees high marks… B+ but the DNR policy makers along with our State Representatives “D-” at best.

I think the best argument here is to just use the common sense of saying you can’t reasonable expect to get the same services in 2013 as you did in 2001 with the same budget. Inflation effects everything. I’ll never go rally at the capital with the hopes of somebody charging me more money, but i’ll gladly pay extra for wildlife management.

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Just because they are running out of cash does not mean that everything they spend the $ on is good or beneficial.

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I think we all know that it doesn’t matter what they spend money on, they’ll never make everybody happy. As far as the AIS, some of they’re ideas may flat out suck, but at least they’re trying.

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Just because they are running out of cash does not mean that everything they spend the $ on is good or beneficial.

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I think we all know that it doesn’t matter what they spend money on, they’ll never make everybody happy. As far as the AIS, some of they’re ideas may flat out suck, but at least they’re trying.

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I agree they are trying but knee jerk policies is a symptom of a bureaucracy gone wild. I am all for trying to protect our lakes with common sense backed by good biology.

I am also willing to spend more on license fees if the DNR was a well oiled machine and was not just another branch of our state government.

The problem that I see with the DNR is they are trying to fix problems that nobody has ever been able to fix. As far as I know the spread of zebra mussels and milfoil has never been stopped. The knee-jerk reactions may be BS, but I think that could be due to the fact that they’re under huge pressure to fix problems that nobody can really fix.

Good point!

asain carp in Iowa’s rivers, check, and spreading fast, double check. I think the last rate hike was for the non-resdents.

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Just because they are running out of cash does not mean that everything they spend the $ on is good or beneficial.

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I think we all know that it doesn’t matter what they spend money on, they’ll never make everybody happy. As far as the AIS, some of they’re ideas may flat out suck, but at least they’re trying.

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I agree they are trying but knee jerk policies is a symptom of a bureaucracy gone wild. I am all for trying to protect our lakes with common sense backed by good biology.

I am also willing to spend more on license fees if the DNR was a well oiled machine and was not just another branch of our state government.

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X2
I think people are getting tired of a lack of financial responsibility in all forms of govt, including the DNR.

This sticker disaster is one of many, along with my favorite, stocking lakes that regularly freeze out.

Al

That is the most thinking out loud that I’ve ever done without saying a word!

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The problem that I see with the DNR is they are trying to fix problems that nobody has ever been able to fix. As far as I know the spread of zebra mussels and milfoil has never been stopped. The knee-jerk reactions may be BS, but I think that could be due to the fact that they’re under huge pressure to fix problems that nobody can really fix.

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If the money that HAS been spent already meetings on how to spend more money on AIS would be dumped into the DNR coffers, there wouldn’t be a need for the increases.

I’m not blaming the DNR, in fact I feel for them.

What does a person do when their boss has you running around chasing ghost.

Yup, that’s right…close Lock and Dam #1 and #2 if ONE asian carp is found in P2.

They don’t even know if the asian carp found in Winona are from the system or transplanted here just to keep the netters in business.

Yes, I’m TOTALLY for a license fee increase. But stop spending OUR money on this madness!

It’s a shame.

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It’s Al Lindner not Linder.

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Who’s being paid to document the AIS “scare” on video?

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I think the best argument here is to just use the common sense of saying you can’t reasonable expect to get the same services in 2013 as you did in 2001 with the same budget. Inflation effects everything. I’ll never go rally at the capital with the hopes of somebody charging me more money, but i’ll gladly pay extra for wildlife management.

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I think it is important to define “services” and hold the DNR accountable for a budget.

Seems like an excuse to add more money and waste it on “studies”, and “protection”, etc. Might want to be more clear why you need the money and exactly how you plan on spending it.

If it makes sense, I am all for it.

Dog

This increase will make it possible to renovate a trout fishery on the north shore at the tune of $3 million. So this raise is not just to adjust to cost of living or to combat AIS, it is also to expand .

I’m quoting previous posters but this is where my feelings are at now.

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With all that said I would give the DNR general employees high marks… B+ but the DNR policy makers along with our State Representatives “D-” at best.

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I am also willing to spend more on license fees if the DNR was a well oiled machine and was not just another branch of our state government.

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I think people are getting tired of a lack of financial responsibility in all forms of govt, including the DNR.

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Government seams to be the only industry that doesn’t know how to “cut”. As a matter of fact, a “cut” to government is actually a reduction in future spending increases and not an honest to God cut.

Unfortunately we’re seeing on the federal level now what the GSA likes to do with “our” money… pat themselves on the back with “our” money. Shoot our DNR did this as well hosting an extravagant conference not all that long ago.

The last quote I quoted sums it up IMO… we’ve lost faith in government accountability and the DNR just happens to be a branch of government. Sorry that the DNR has to suffer but I’m not voluntarily voting or lobbying for tax/fee increases upon myself anymore.

While unrelated, the dedicated funding issue is a prime example of politicians changing the rules after the fact. This is going to sour us outdoorsman eventually.

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They don’t even know if the asian carp found in Winona are from the system or transplanted here just to keep the netters in business.

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I think its a conspiracy. They brought those carp in as a scare tactic to try and raise awareness and provoke action. Seems to be working…. What are the odds that they would catch all three invasive species in the same net? … when they haven’t ever caught them before?…..

Just out of curiosity what changes to the Legacy funding are you referring to?

Here is more on how some anglers feel about the G&F increase
http://www.jeffsundin.com/ice-fishing-reports-mn-current.html

The DNR is pretty good with providing numbers for their budget, where everything goes. Of course they could be cooking the books, but the F&G fund is paid for by licenses. Also, when compared to other government budgets, this one is the least wasteful.

Anyone else contact their legislators? In case you live in District 50-this should be eye opening. My legislator voted against it for ‘tourism and wolves’. Spread the word.
Senator Barb Goodwin (DFL) District 50 Votes Against Fee Increase
If you are in (St. Paul) District 50-Vote Against Barb Goodwin in upcoming elections and make sure to email her to let her know so. Here is her email to me:

“I agree with you and feel that we do need to fund our natural resources and recreational activities but I voted against the bill due to the size of some of the increases. I’m concerned that the increased fees for both residents and non-residents will take a big bite out of our tourism, the main economic engine for much of the state. I also voted against it because of the wolf hunting provision. I have had an enormous amount of opposition to this provision due to the fact that the wolves have just been taken off the endangered species list.”

Apparently wolves are more important than slightly increasing fees for our natural habitat.