Hello out there, did anybody else go to the hearings? What were your impressions? I had to leave at about 2:00, was there any pertinent testimony after that? C'mon, I know some of you must have been there.

the final tally on the proposal testimony for the north coast steelhead rule changes was 17:7 against the proposals to increase the harvest. but of course according to the pro-kill groups, we are a minority of elitists and the public comment should basically be ignored.

you know, nothing bothered me more than the minority statements. if we who oppose increasing harvest are a minority, why is public testimony so swayed our way. many of us living on the peninsula were able to really get lots of letters sent from areas with pretty small populations, and yet the kill-guys from king and pierce counties can't get more letters sent from those population centers. seems a little odd to me.

i might also add that not one person testifying for increased harvest resides within 2 hrs of these rivers. not that those opinions are any less valid, but these proposals were not being pushed by people who live near these rivers.

thanks to all that showed up in vancouver and those that sent letters, e-mails, etc. your effort i believe has made a difference, and these proposals have less chance of becoming reality because people swamped the commission with comments against increasing harvest. well done everyone.

chris