Talk of Quabbin access restrictions meets resistance from hunters, anglers
By Bradford L. Miner, Correspondent
Posted Apr 2, 2018 at 10:05 PM
Updated Apr 3, 2018 at 12:29 PM
BELCHERTOWN – Speculation about proposed changes to the Quabbin
Public Access Management Plan, several more restrictive, drew a crowd of
more than 60 to the Quabbin Visitor Center Monday night.
DCR proposals include ending night fishing on the reservoir, ending the one-day fishing license, ending geocaching and changing hunting regulations for off-reservation watershed land. Changes also are proposed for regulations for “walking on designated routes.”
Leo P. Roy, commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, told the crowd that some of the changes were proposed for the purposes of clarification, admitting he was unaware of the reasons for some current practices and was looking for answers.
Many of those present, anglers who fish the reservoir and those who hunt the Quabbin watershed beyond the gated boundaries of the reservation, questioned whether an attempt was being made to establish additional access restrictions without benefit of public comment.
Tony Brighenti, who represents the North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers Association on the advisory committee, told the commissioner the updated public access plan that the Quabbin Watershed Access Committee approved in October might need tweaking, but was acceptable as is.
“If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it,” he said.
State Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, said the crowd showed up on a Monday night because of fears that established rights were about to be taken away.
“You’re looking for an answer to a problem that doesn’t exist,” the senator told the commissioner.
She added, “We want people to come to Quabbin, people who enjoy it and respect it.”
Rob Roy of Hardwick told the commissioner there was a concern that
DCR had already made changes without the benefit of comment from those
who know the resource the best.
Mr. Roy said at the start of his remarks that there would be no changes to existing fishing and hunting access, and said DCR would take into account the comments made at the meeting as well as written comments submitted to DCR by the end of April.
“I’m here for an exchange of ideas, to find out why things are done and not done,” he said, deferring to explanations from advisory committee members and others present.
Bill Pula, retired Quabbin and Ware River Watershed regional director, and now a advisory committee, acknowledged that some regulations were not “perfectly logical,” explaining that over time they were the result of pressure from different groups with different interests.
Mr. Roy said his intent was to “get it right,” based on what he learned at the meeting, and to present any suggestions for changes to the updated access plan to the advisory committee at its June meeting.
DCR proposals include ending night fishing on the reservoir, ending the one-day fishing license, ending geocaching and changing hunting regulations for off-reservation watershed land. Changes also are proposed for regulations for “walking on designated routes.”
Leo P. Roy, commissioner of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, told the crowd that some of the changes were proposed for the purposes of clarification, admitting he was unaware of the reasons for some current practices and was looking for answers.
Many of those present, anglers who fish the reservoir and those who hunt the Quabbin watershed beyond the gated boundaries of the reservation, questioned whether an attempt was being made to establish additional access restrictions without benefit of public comment.
Tony Brighenti, who represents the North Worcester County Quabbin Anglers Association on the advisory committee, told the commissioner the updated public access plan that the Quabbin Watershed Access Committee approved in October might need tweaking, but was acceptable as is.
“If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it,” he said.
State Sen. Anne M. Gobi, D-Spencer, said the crowd showed up on a Monday night because of fears that established rights were about to be taken away.
“You’re looking for an answer to a problem that doesn’t exist,” the senator told the commissioner.
She added, “We want people to come to Quabbin, people who enjoy it and respect it.”
Mr. Roy said at the start of his remarks that there would be no changes to existing fishing and hunting access, and said DCR would take into account the comments made at the meeting as well as written comments submitted to DCR by the end of April.
“I’m here for an exchange of ideas, to find out why things are done and not done,” he said, deferring to explanations from advisory committee members and others present.
Bill Pula, retired Quabbin and Ware River Watershed regional director, and now a advisory committee, acknowledged that some regulations were not “perfectly logical,” explaining that over time they were the result of pressure from different groups with different interests.
Mr. Roy said his intent was to “get it right,” based on what he learned at the meeting, and to present any suggestions for changes to the updated access plan to the advisory committee at its June meeting.
Also would like to see the gates in BIRCH HILL open again so FISHERMAN can enjoy are sport we pay to use
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