Keep IFG nets out of the lake

This letter is regarding the IFG town meeting held Feb. 28, 2004. Thanks to Shawn Keough and George Eskridge for arranging this public meeting. They are dedicated to serving the best interests of Idaho and they listen to the citizens.

The anti-netting group was well represented at the meeting. After listening to lies and bogus studies for 1 1/2 hours the IFG allowed only written questions from the public. They read the questions, provided answers and refused any rebuttal to their answers. At that point about 30 people walked out of the meeting. As usual they felt they would not be heard.

When we finally got to the comment part, at the end of the meeting, people were either cut off or IFG would not listen to anyone who disagreed with their statements. IFG expertly controlled the meeting to drastically limit the amount of public comment and when questioned about errors in judgment they expertly avoided a direct reply.

Lucy Dukes, Daily Bee reporter, wrote only what the IFG said and absolutely nothing about citizen comments. IFG has not netted enough lake trout to harvest them but they want to leave the nets in the lake until the last of March and another six months next year. The nets scrape off the mucus membrane that protects the skin of the fish from disease. They may get sick and die even if all are released. Keep the nets out of the lake. Thank you anti-netting group for your support.

ART WEBB

Sandpoint