Mr. Reynolds,



As you are aware, there have been a number of issues regarding private aquaculture that have arisen over the past several years.  These issues
are important to the industry, DNR, public, and legislature.  The 2002 legislature required that the DNR review the leasing of lakes by private aquaculture licensees and assess a number of areas.  A report on this review is to be presented to the chairs of the environment and natural resources committees this session.  The report will be presented by Mr. Johannes.  Appropriate staff will be present to hear any concerns the industry might have regarding the report and to answer any questions raised by committee members or the public.  I have asked Assistant Director Steve Hirsch and Program Manager Linda Erickson-Eastwood to attend the hearing.  These individuals have statewide responsibilities for DNR's role in managing and regulating private aquaculture and it is important for them to understand the legislative and industry perspectives on the report.  They will also be able to respond to any questions on broader policy issues that might come up.
Legislative staff and committee chairs do the best they can to schedule hearing agendas that can be covered in the allotted time.  They are
aware that agency staff and members of the public are often in attendance and try to ensure that they have an opportunity to be heard
during the hearing.  Due to the varied nature of the topics they cover, however, they are not able to predict the number of questions that might come up or how much testimony they might have on any given issue.     



Ronald D. Payer, Director
Division of Fisheries
MN DNR
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN  55155-4012
Phone:  (651) 297-4098
Fax:       (651) 297-4916


Home




>>> John <fishes@brainerd.net> 03/12/03 07:12AM >>>

March 12, 2003







Mr. Payer,




You are listed as the contact person for the drastic increase (214%) in our license fees.
Can you please explain why at a time that the DNR is going to attempt such a huge increase that 2 high level fisheries staffers sat and 
twiddled their thumbs for 2 ½ hours in a recent House hearing on pond licensing?  It was clear by their position in the audience that they 
were not there to testify.



I know that Mr. Johannes makes $38.69/hour and assume that the other 2 staffers are in a similar wage scale range.  Those 2 staffers probably
wasted my entire license increase for no benefit.  It will take me 2 full days of work to make up the wages that were wasted at that one
hearing.



Please explain.

Sincerely,
John Reynolds