Anti Federalist
10-07-2013, 06:09 AM
Massachusetts, even if in a feeble and "by your leave Mi'Lord" manner, tells the FedCoats to pound salt.
There might be hope yet, if Massachusetts, of all places, can step up.
Chatham disagrees with Feds on shellfishing shutdown
http://www.wickedlocal.com/chatham/newsnow/x1843602098/Chatham-disagrees-with-Feds-on-shellfishing-shutdown
By Staff reports
The Cape Codder
Posted Oct 04, 2013 @ 02:44 PM
When the government shutdown prompted federal officials asked Chatham to add shellfishing on Monomoy to it's list of closures, town staff said No, albeit politely.
"While we appreciate the information on the impact the budget impasse has on Monomoy Refuge we do not see a role for the Town of Chatham in this situation," said Health and Environment Director Bob Duncanson in an e-mail to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The classification of shellfish growing areas as approved or prohibited is a function of the State through the Div. of Marine Fisheries (DMF) under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program based on water quality standards. Further closures could be manifested by public health concerns through the MA Dept. of Public Health in cooperation with DMF. The current situation involving the budget impasse has no basis in water quality or public health. "
The town also said shellfishing was allowed under Colonial Ordinance.
At least one state official with the Division of Marine Fisheries agreed with that opinion.
The e-mail was sent to Brian Willard, supervisory wildlife regulatory officer of the Eastern MA National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which oversees the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge itself is closed.
There might be hope yet, if Massachusetts, of all places, can step up.
Chatham disagrees with Feds on shellfishing shutdown
http://www.wickedlocal.com/chatham/newsnow/x1843602098/Chatham-disagrees-with-Feds-on-shellfishing-shutdown
By Staff reports
The Cape Codder
Posted Oct 04, 2013 @ 02:44 PM
When the government shutdown prompted federal officials asked Chatham to add shellfishing on Monomoy to it's list of closures, town staff said No, albeit politely.
"While we appreciate the information on the impact the budget impasse has on Monomoy Refuge we do not see a role for the Town of Chatham in this situation," said Health and Environment Director Bob Duncanson in an e-mail to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The classification of shellfish growing areas as approved or prohibited is a function of the State through the Div. of Marine Fisheries (DMF) under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program based on water quality standards. Further closures could be manifested by public health concerns through the MA Dept. of Public Health in cooperation with DMF. The current situation involving the budget impasse has no basis in water quality or public health. "
The town also said shellfishing was allowed under Colonial Ordinance.
At least one state official with the Division of Marine Fisheries agreed with that opinion.
The e-mail was sent to Brian Willard, supervisory wildlife regulatory officer of the Eastern MA National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which oversees the Monomoy Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge itself is closed.