ata
2010-12-17 01:43:52
As my earlier post noted, you should be receiving applications for the mitigation program before year's end. If this program is important to you, I'm asking for your help.
We'd like to receive letters from trollers - addressed to Gov Sean Parnell - thanking the state for agreeing to the direct pay program. We will forward these letters to the Governor, along with ATA's.
Trollers are all well aware of how significant a 15% cut in Chinook is to the bottom line of your family business, but state officials are often unfamiliar with such details. Some who were responsible for approving the mitigation program weren't real gung ho on the direct payments component. This means it could be very difficult to convince the state to repeat direct payments during the final year of the mitigation program. So, please consider sending ATA a letter of thanks to Governor Parnell, so we can show him he approved something helpful for trollers.
Here are a few ideas:
** Keep it short and simple - one page or less.
** No ranting about the treaty deal - that happened on someone else's watch.
** Explain how important the income from king salmon is to your business, so the loss of kings has had a negative impact on your bottomline.
** Point out that the mitigation money will help to backfill some of your lost revenue.
** If you intend to use the money for a specific purpose, maybe you could share that information (e.g. upgrade safety equipment; deferred maintenance; boat payment; fuel bill; insurance/medical bills; assist child with college tuition, etc).
** A picture of your family and/or the item(s) purchased might help put a face on the issue.
If you want to participate in this project, please send your letters and any photos to the ATA office - snail or email is fine! It's important that we let folks know that we appreciate this program.
Thanks for considering this request!
Dale
ATA
130 Seward #205
Juneau, AK 99801