Department has concerns over short public comment period, supports a 60-day extension
The Arizona Game and Fish Department encourages constituents to participate in the public comment process regarding the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released the Compatibility Determination on April 12 and opened a 30-day comment period that ends May 12. The Compatibility Determination contemplates restrictions for some areas used by recreational boaters on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department recognizes the importance of watercraft-related recreation to the Lake Havasu community and has concerns over the short 30-day comment period.
“It astounds me that USFWS is considering this proposal, given the recent history of the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery debacle causing a halt to trout stockings and threatening some of the 1,700 jobs and $75 million generated by anglers along the Mohave County/Clark County stretch of the river,” said Arizona Game and Fish Commission Chairman Kurt Davis. “Thanks to the immediate engagement of U.S. Senator John McCain, U.S. Representative Paul Gosar, and local elected officials, USFWS has been forced to give the public a chance to make their voices heard. Arizona Game and Fish supports a 60-day public comment period extension in order to thoroughly analyze any and all impacts to recreational boating, angling, hunting and most importantly to the local economy.
“I hope that the federal government will once again listen to the public, come to their senses, and realize what devastating economic impacts their arbitrary decisions can have.”
Others are also calling for an extended comment period.
In an April 25 letter to USFWS Director Dan Ashe, Senator John McCain requested an extension, citing concerns over the economic impact of such restrictions.
“By USFWS’s own estimates, between two and three million visitors vacation at Lake Havasu annually,” wrote McCain. “Additionally, an average holiday weekend attracts 50,000 boaters to the area. The regional economic impact of visitors to Lake Havasu City is substantial, and significantly contributes to the greater regional economy … I ask that no decision be made final until a thorough attempt is made to understand and address the concerns raised by local stakeholders.”
Similarly, in a bipartisan letter April 29 to USFWS Director Ashe, Rep. Paul Gosar and 20 other members of the House of Representatives urged an extension of the comment period for an additional 60 days.
“Countless stakeholders and members of Congress from both parties have voiced opposition and are calling on the Service to heed their concerns,” stated Gosar in a news release. “Given the significant flaws with the CD, I’ve called on the Service to drop this proposal. At minimum, the comment period should be extended 60 days as few people understand what is actually going on, including staff within the Service.”
The USFWS has currently scheduled three meetings to provide information and to gather public input.
May 2, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Relics and Rods Hall
Lake Havasu City Community/Aquatics Center
100 Park Avenue
Lake Havasu City, Arizona 86403
May 3, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Avi Resort and Casino
10000 Aha Macav Parkway
Laughlin, Nevada 89029
May 3, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Avi Resort and Casino
10000 Aha Macav Parkway
Laughlin, Nevada 89029
Unless the comment period is extended, comments to the draft recreational boating Compatibility Determination for the Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge will be accepted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through close of business on May 12, 2016. Please send written comments to:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Attn: Draft Recreational Boating CD
317 Mesquite Avenue
Needles, CA 92363
Comments may also be emailed to: Havasu_Boating_Comments@fws.gov.
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