Concerned angler :

If you’ve received this email then you likely provided comments to Idaho Department of Fish and Game specific to proposed rule changes on Silver Creek in Idaho.  During that process we committed to making the extra effort to notify you regarding any potential new changes on Silver Creek.  With that said we also hope you’ve signed up to receive automated updates of press releases or new events.  If not, we’d encourage you do so to ensure you hear about IDFG related issues.

The Department is currently entering into another rule cycle period.  There have been some technical changes in our scoping process which have resulted in a significant change in the timeline of the official process. 

We will be scoping and seeking comments on any new proposals in 2009 and 2010.  Non-biological rule changes (gear type, bait limitations, barbless hooks – anything except bag limit and season changes) will be processed by IDFG in 2009 but not implemented until 2011.  Biological rule changes will be processed in 2010 and implemented in 2011 as well (See below listed timeline).

Non-biological scoping has been officially initiated starting mid February.  The Magic Valley Region is currently reviewing a new proposed change specific to Silver Creek.  The proposal is to implement the following: “Trout: catch-and-release, artificial flies and lures only, single barbless hook required” on the entire Silver Creek drainage including all tributaries.

We encourage you to participate in the scoping and comment process over the next few years.  Public input is critical to what we do.  Listed below for your convenience are resources, contact information, and the 2009 process timeline pertinent to the Magic Valley Region fishing rule scoping process.

Resources:

·   Website:    Public Involvement:            http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/public/

·   Website:    IDFG News:            http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/news/

·   Website:    Email updates         https://service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=IDFISHGAME

Contacts

·   Phone:      Douglas Megargle (Fisheries Manager)                   (208)-324-4359

·   Email:       Magic Valley Fisheries                                           MVFishery@idfg.idaho.gov      

·   Address:   IDFG – Attn. Fisheries

        324 South 417 East; Suite #1

        Jerome, Idaho  83338

Scoping Period:

Feb 17     Regional public outreach (scoping) to identify potential ideas for rule changes

April 15    Regional summary of input from scoping submitted to Fisheries Headquarters

April 20    Fisheries Headquarters / Director’s Office / legal coordination on draft proposals

May 14    Potential rule changes are taken to the Commission for consideration, then public release approval

Comments Period:

May 15    Approved draft rules are released statewide to Regions for public comments

June 24    Regional summary of input from rule proposals submitted to Fisheries Headquarters

June 29    BOF/Director’s Office/legal coordination on proposed rules

June 30    Director’s office mailing to Commissioners for July meeting

Final Consideration:

July 23     Commission sets rules for 2011-2012 rules cycle – public component to meeting

Mid Aug   IDFG submits proposed rule changes to Idaho Legislature for packaging and pending consideration

Jan-Mar         Legislature vote

2010

Thank you for your time and Interest in Idaho’s fantastic fishing resources.