Diamond Lake Status

[SureSet]

For those of you who know or grew up with Diamond Lake and have an interest in the ongoing saga, I contacted ODFW this week regarding the Env. Impact Study/Statement that was supposed to be produced last fall concerning the treatment of the chub that have wiped out the once prime trout fishery.

The Response I received was;
"At this point in time the draft EIS is still in developement. There have been several bills introduced at the legislature regarding the future direction of management at Diamond Lake. Also, the legislature will be working on the ODFW budget through the ways and means committee. The outcomes of the bills and our budget will dictate whether or not we will continue on through the EIS process or not. This is a very complicated project involving a number of federal and state agencies dealing with water quality issues, recreation, introduced species, etc with no guarentee of a successful outcome through the EIS process.

Until we determine which course of action to take, ODFW will continue to stock legal rainbow trout and trophy 2lb trout for the anglers to fish for. This was successful last year producing more angler days of fishing than in 1999 but is still way below our fishing objectives for the lake. "

I looked up the legislative aspects and there is a House Bill 3016 introduced to expedite the treatment of the lake. I'm not sure what chance it has, but I'm sure a call or two to your House member wouldn't hurt.

For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, suffice it to say that teh restoration of a "Diamond" of a recreational trout fishery has been tied up in a political mess of mixed interests.

SureSet

[Jennie@ifish]

I have tons of letters of support, but I don't know WHO to send them too.
People have been writing to me about it for 2 years, and I have tried to find a place to send them.
I have talked to several people, but I need direction.
Where do I start?
Jen

[SureSet]

Jen,

I'd start with your House Member. You might also talk to the Bill's sponsors. I found this schedule which irritated me when I noticed that Public imput was taken on 4/20....

HB 3016 By Representatives CLOSE, KING (at the request of Arch
Johansen) -- Relating to Diamond Lake; appropriating
money; declaring an emergency.
3-2(H) First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
3-7 Referred to Stream Restoration and Species Recovery.
4-20 Public Hearing held.


SureSet

[ 04-24-2001: Message edited by: SureSet ]