When the Science Advisory Team presentation started systematically pointing out why all the fishing friendly options were inferior in each area of the coast, the deck was being stacked against us. The BRTF had no intention from the start IMHO to consider leaving LJ unscathed. Even the members of the BRTF that might sympathize with us were looking to compromise and move on. The BRTF knew full well that the majority of the public in that room didn't support the outcome they chose, but there is a big difference between opening the process to the public and following their wishes. When you get appointed officials who do not answer to the public (can get voted out), they have no risk of repercussion if they disregard the majority of the publics wishes. Alas the Packard Foundation
got their money's worth by buying the MLPA process and our kids and theirs will be cheated out of the joys of fishing great places where they should have access.
Tough as today's outcome was, I also agree it could have been much worse had we not mounted the effort to make our case. Thanks Paul, Chris, Tyler, Joe, and so many others for galvanizing this effort.
Mike