Rank: Administration
Groups: Administration
, Member
Joined: 1/22/2009
Posts: 36
Points: -1,538
|
Thank you XXXXXXX for writing. Here is the chambers status on the Cass Lake Spearing issue. The Cass Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is an association of business persons and merchants who work together to promote the prosperity and attractiveness of the greater area by representation of its citizens and business community. Currently they are an organization of 100+ businesses in the Cass Lake area. The objective of the Chamber is to promote these organizations in order to bring economic growth to the area. The Chamber cannot lift the ban on spear fishing. This is a legislative issue which must be undertaken by our politicians in the Minnesota House and Senate. The Chamber, itself, does not support lifting the ban of spear fishing on Cass Lake nor does it support retaining the ban of spear fishing on Cass Lake. The individual members of the organization have a right to their own opinion regarding the lifting of the ban on spear fishing. Furthermore, the Chamber is not affiliated with the organization CLIFS (Cass Lake Initiative For Spearing). This is an organization formed by area residents promoting to lift the ban of spear fishing on Cass Lake. Katrina Virkus, Director Cass Lake Area Chamber of Commerce PO Box 548, 105 US HWY 2 Cass Lake, MN 56633 Office: 1-800-356-8615 or 218-335-2250 Cell: 218-259-9617 Email: info@casslake.comWebsite: www.casslake.com
|
Rank: Big Muskie
Groups: Member
Joined: 4/19/2009
Posts: 117
Points: 160
Location: the lake
|
While the Cass Lake Chamber has stated they are neutral on this issue, several of the Chambers' board members are the ones pushing this bill. They, along with the town mayor, were the ones that testified at the Senate hearing, in favor of lifting the ban. Their stance, when looked at from their point of view, is understandable.
They've been led to believe that spearing will bring a large positive gain to the local economy, bringing substantial tourism and money.
The reality is, looking at the number of spearing licenses sold, general trends in spearing, the existing spearing opportunities, and the money spent on spearing, it's doubtful the town of Cass Lake will see a noticeable gain for more than a very short time. And, if spearing is allowed, without an adequately protective slot limit, the negative effects on one of the few remaining large pike fisheries in MN will probably lead to a LOSS in tourism in the long run.
-Keep in mind, the people pushing this bill are fighting AGAINST slot limits at every turn.
|
