I would like to extend a thank you to all of the people that attended the NOAA meeting in Anacortes tonight. Many people took the time to state their experiences, feelings, and criticisms of the proposed "No Go Zone". I can't help but feel that the valuable information that was discussed this evening will go unrepresented in further consideration of the No Go Zone. At approximately 8:10 the question and answer part of the meeting began. By 8:20 the NOAA representatives tried to end this part of the meeting and progress towards a video documented comment period that was intended to give the 40 people who signed up to comment on this matter a chance to do so. NOAA reps did not allow for the 30 minute Q&A session to run its course before switching to the video comment period. They were called out on this and the results were that for 2 hours people took turns making comments and questions about the proposal. This did a lot to promote discussion and evoke emotions, but did not result in any DOCUMENTED commentary. There were no video documented commentaries. To the people who plan on attending the next meetings, PLEASE make sure that what you are saying is documented! Bring tape recorders, video cameras, written commentary, anything that will become a part of the public record. To the people who attended the meeting tonight, PLEASE email your comments to orca.plan@noaa.gov. If we don't make our voices not only heard, but documented then this No Go Zone may very likely become a reality. Once that happens good luck getting this tremendously producticve fishing area back open. This proposal could set precedence for further expansion and implementation of No Go Zones in other areas of the state. Some of the studies used to back up the proposal are suspect. Especially the economic impacts that they are assuming. Take a closer look.

Thanks,
K/247