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As far as I know, we are still golden. They still need divers to clean areas for the boats and they get us for free.
In my opinion, the staff would be very foolish to discontinue the DFS program and the use of the Training Area for classes.
First to fifth reason, it does generate a lot of money, advances their goal of increased awareness of the site, they get volunteer hours for grants (at the rate of $25 a hour) that count as "local involvement", they get "free" work from the volunteers and we are the coolest things the people in the boats see.
I am confident that Ron wants the Training Area open for classes and the DFS program to continue. The final decision on the lake's management plan is with the USFWS.
Thanks for the reply. I'll make sure I send an email or two their way about continuing the program.