Monday, January 2, 2012

RI bans felt soles---BUT WHO KNEW??

UPDATE 2/21/2012...RIDEM will recind salt water felt sole ban! 


As of 1/1/2012, RIDEM's regulations prohibit felt soled wading shoes in both fresh and SALTWATER. Amazingly this new regulation somehow appeared without the slightest advance notice and little public comment. Leaders of RI's largest fishing groups, RISAA and others had no knowledge of this when I asked for their position. 


A total of THREE states as of this date have banned felt, but SALTWATER? In fact many states recommend washing felt soled boots and other wading gear in a SALT SOLUTION to control invasives. NO didymo has been confirmed in RI fresh waters, and the banning of felt in the salt is patently absurd. What's worse is that few anglers know of this regulation which is NOW in effect.
       No question that felt soles are safer than rubber. RIDEM has made no effort to educate wading fishermen and women in properly cleaning equipment and in moving from one stream to another where didymo may be present.  In RI no presence has been confirmed unlike CT, NY and others who HAVE NOT banned felt soled wading boots but have taken a broader approach of angler education. Felt soled boots are OK for use in Yellowstone National Park even after several years of whirling disease closed some areas of the Yellowstone to fishing. If anyone can confirm a comment period, hearings or other advance knowledge of this regulation, prior to its implementation, PLEASE LET US KNOW!

APPARENTLY EVEN RIDEM IS KEEPING THIS A SECRET!  I've asked the Director to suspend implementation of the regulation, pending more study, education, and public comment.  No response...
Drag Free in 2012!

FROM the REGULATIONS on RIDEM website:
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS 
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 
FISH AND WILDLIFE 
RHODE ISLAND FRESHWATER AND ANADROMOUS
FISHING REGULATIONS for the 2012 – 2013 SEASON 

1.17 It is prohibited that any person use foot gear with external felt soles in any state waters, inclusive of freshwater, tidal, or marine. This shall include any waters shared with adjacent states in which any Rhode Island Fishing Regulations apply.


4 comments:

  1. Yet another example of knee-jerk reaction and layering of rules, regulations and laws without regard for facts or consequences. Who will take responsibility when some helpless saltwater angler slips and injures himself, or worse, due to adherence to a ridiculous regulation? It is outrageous that the RIDEM people put this out without concern for public safety and without educating the public of the REAL problem with invasive species, such as didymo.

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  2. FYI, an executive member of RI Trout Unlimited Ch225, specifically requested the banning of felt bottom waders in RI fresh water at the last public RIDEM fishing regulations meeting held at the Warwick Police station at the end of this past summer. His request and comments should be in the public record.

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  3. Got no particular problem with the freshwater aspect, but it is pretty silly to ban them in saltwater. (Although banning felt anywhere without a commensurate education program on the need and methods to clean rubber soles also seems like just a feel-good PR effort without hope of any real success.)

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  4. So, because an "executive" member OF RI TU SPECIFICALLY requested...the DEM should then automatically adopt a regulation affecting thousands of resident and non-resident wading fishermen/women?

    Maybe this "executive member" should recommend banning ships and boats from all over the world from entering our Bay waters with who-knows-what attached to hulls and eminating from bilges...DEM would likely follow and issue a ban I suppose. Please... RI TU's time and effort would be better spent on education, awareness and attracting new members rather than driving people away.

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