Northern Maine Deer Population Topic of Public Informational Meeting
Posted by Tom RemingtonMaine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Commissioner Roland “Danny” Martin will conduct a public informational meeting on the northern Maine deer population and other wildlife-related issues on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Fort Kent Town Office.
State Sen. Troy Jackson, who asked Commissioner Martin to set up the public informational hearing, will be attending.
IF&W Regional Wildlife Biologist Richard Hoppe and other staff also will attend.
I attened this “meeting”. It went as I had expected.
After 40 or so minutes of IF&W talk about all the great things they are doing with their task forces and study groups,the public was allowed to comment. I asked what effective recomendations from the last two groups had been implemented. After several minutes of talking in circles I finished the question myself, none. I then asked why the ITP for our snaring program had not been filed. Despite stating earlier that the ITP that has been filed related only to trapping, our commissioner stated it had,then it hadn’t then it was put aside untill the trapping ITP was finished to avoid anti-lawsuits. I pointed out that 2 lawsuits and a pending appeal have occured during this time. At this point they decided to blow me off,and their talk took on a condensending tone. I then asked why the listing of the Lynx had not been challenged. The commissioner replied that you can not challenge the US congress. I replied that the USF&W do the listing, that 4 western state snowmobile orgs had already challenged the listing, and re=stated my question. His reply was “OK, we’ll challenge congress for you” It is clear that he is not qualified for his position,and I intend to press for accountability related to the devastation of our deer herd during his time in this position. I encourage Maine citizens to join me.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:21 pm