ata
2010-12-17 01:14:56
Applications are not yet out for the chinook mitigation direct payment program, but the state says 'any day'.
Be sure to search through your Christmas greetings for a letter from CFEC. Open it right away, because you will only have a few days to appeal if you do not agree with CFEC about your catch history. Payments will be based on your 2009 SUMMER chinook landings and will be calculated in round (not dressed) pounds.
CFEC is only authorized to send applications to your address of record (e.g. the permanent address you use for other permit correspondence).
Applications must be filled out, SIGNED, and returned to the Department of Commerce (not CFEC), because Commerce will ultimately cut the checks.
Once applications are out the clock will be running - you will have 60 days to get your applications back to the state.
Checks should be issued about one month later. As of today, the best ESTIMATE we have is that qualified trollers will receive payment around April 1, 2011.
A 'qualified' troller is one who at least paid a permit license fee in 2009. 2009 was selected because it was the first year of the salmon treaty reduction that you are being mitigated for.
The program has three parts:
1. Did you pay your fee? Then you get something.
2. Did you land at least one fish? Then you get a bit more.
3. The last part is based on your actual SUMMER (July 1 - Sept 30) 2009 chinook harvest. The reason the summer Chinook fishery was used is because it's the only portion of our season that is shortened specifically because of the treaty quota.
Updated Southeast Alaska Chinook Salmon Mitigation program information can be found at the following link - look under the "EXTRA! EXTRA!" section.
Please remember that designing a program and application timeline around the state's process and the fleet's fishing schedule can be very difficult. But designing it around individual vacation plans is impossible. If you plan to travel, please work with someone to ensure you get your mail timely.
Be sure to check the link above regularly, as things will change soon.
The ATA office will be closed off and on the next few weeks for the holiday and Treaty travel. If you call, please be patient if it takes me awhile to get back to you. We are hoping to hear from folks with ideas for the next round of mitigation. Feel free to send me a personal message and/or send ideas to the ATA office.
Season's Best!
Dale
ATA