WDFW Vehicle Access Pass Legislation 3/11 Update

[bigtex]

According to the most recent USFWS survey completed in 2011, hunter numbers are increasing, not decreasing:

"Hunting participation increased 9% from 2006 to 2011. The numbers of big game hunters rose 8%, migratory bird hunters increased 13%, and hunters seeking other animals increased by 92%. The number of small game hunters declined 6%, which is not statistically significant. Total hunting-related spending increased between 2006 and 2011. There was a 30% increase over the five-year period. Purchases of hunting equipment such as guns, decoys, and ammunition increased 29%. The category with the biggest increase was land leasing and ownership with 50%. Trip-related spending was up 39%."

http://digitalmedia.fws.gov/cdm/ref/collection/document/id/859

So in the CBS article it says according to USFWS hunter numbers declined by 10% from 1996-2006. But then increased 9% from 2006-11

Why the change?

[bigtex]

Many factors caused hunters to skip this last year:

1. Cost of gas to go hunting has increased greatly.
2. Cost of hunting licenses and permit fees have gone up.
3. Requiring a Discover Pass to access DNR lands.
4. Some of the decisions by WDFW that make it seem like they don't appreciate hunters.  (Wolf plan that is plain stupid).

All these things add up and cause some people to just say screw it.   Now, most on this site are die-hard hunters and will still go even if frustrated by a lot of the above items, but others that are not so gung-ho will give up.

The numbers I posted would be the 2011 hunting season, since that is part of fiscal year 2012. The 2012 season is part of fiscal year 2013 and those numbers aren't out yet. Makes sense huh? 

[bigtex]

Well this is a pretty simple bill that was introduced today.

Senate Bill 5080 would allow holders of the WDFW access pass to ALSO access DNR lands with the WDFW Pass. Essentially meaning the only areas hunters/fishers couldn't go without purchasing a Discover Pass is State Parks.

As of right now there is only ONE sponsor for this bill, Republican Senator Doug Erickson. If you want this bill to pass I highly suggest you contact your state Senator to either a) support the bill, or b) become a co-sponsor. As of right now there is no similar bill in the House.

http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=5080&year=2013

Remember the original goal of this thread: Support Senate Bill 5080.

  

[Curly]

Well this is a pretty simple bill that was introduced today.

Senate Bill 5080 would allow holders of the WDFW access pass to ALSO access DNR lands with the WDFW Pass. Essentially meaning the only areas hunters/fishers couldn't go without purchasing a Discover Pass is State Parks.

As of right now there is only ONE sponsor for this bill, Republican Senator Doug Erickson. If you want this bill to pass I highly suggest you contact your state Senator to either a) support the bill, or b) become a co-sponsor. As of right now there is no similar bill in the House.

http://dlr.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/default.aspx?Bill=5080&year=2013

Remember the original goal of this thread: Support Senate Bill 5080.

  

 

I will write my reps tomorrow.  I've been hoping for a bill like this. 

[Special T]

Please support bill 5080
This bill corrects the poor legislation of the Discover pass.  Our state has a history of charging those who use services with fees. Pay to Play. The reason why we need this bill supported is because it places the proper fees with those who use the Parks department. I am a Hunter and fisherman and enjoy all that the outdoors offer. I have REFUSED to purchase the discover pass because it takes funds from those who do not use the services and directs it to the WA parks system. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul and is wrong. Many of my fellow hunters have avoided the Parks and DNR land because we are so upset. Parking along a gravel road on DNR land to hunt or fish should require no fee because we are not using a service. I have used the DNR campsites and have no problem paying the fee to use these improved services. It is wrong to assess me, and others like me who do not use the state parks system. The state is currently making up the shortfall of revenue generated by the general fund. If parks cannot generate their own funds they should priorities their spending so that those who use the services pay their own way. Thank you for representing me and supporting this bill.
Special T

[Special T]

I think this a great bill, and i think they way to make our case is NOT how much it costs... The issue is the state trying to get hunters and fishermen who do not use parks seervices to pay for them. IF YOU USE THE PARKS BUY A DP! and be happy you are supporting the services you receive. 

[NoBark]

And check out SB 5057 of which Doug is a sponsor.   Changing the law so that when a non-profit buys property with state money they cant prohibit hunting!  Like that one too.

[Bob33]

Dear (representative name),

I am requesting that you support and work for the passage of Senate Bill 5080 (“SB 5080”.) This is important to me, and I appreciate your attention to it.

As a lifelong resident of Washington, I have been fortunate to spend countless time in our wonderful outdoor areas as a hunter, fisherman, hiker, wildlife viewer, and camper.

Because I am a hunter and fisherman, I contribute a significant amount of funds to both the state and private industries via license fees, application fees, travel related expenses, equipment purchases, and other costs.

Prior to introduction of the Discover Pass, I was able to access DNR lands without payment of an additional fee.  I have not purchased a Discover Pass, and have no plans to. It’s simply not right to charge individuals such as myself one more fee to access public land when we are already contributing a significant amount of funding via other channels. If the sole purpose of a Discover Pass for hunters and fishermen becomes providing access to state parks, I would be more inclined to purchase one. I have several friends who share this view.

I understand the need to sustain and maintain public areas such as those owned by the Department of Natural Resources. The necessary funding should come from sources other than hunters and fishermen who are already contributing heavily, while some users of DNR land are contributing far less.

Thank you very much.

[Bob33]

The bill, as it currently is written:

1 AN ACT Relating to providing that the vehicle access pass provide
 2 access to the department of natural resources' recreation sites; and
 3 amending RCW 79A.80.040.
 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
 5 Sec. 1.  RCW 79A.80.040 and 2012 c 261 s 5 are each amended to read
 6 as follows:
 7 (1) The vehicle access pass is created solely for access to the
 8 department of fish and wildlife and to the department of natural
 9 resources' recreation sites or lands.  The vehicle access pass is only
10 available to a person who purchases a current valid:  Big game hunting
11 license issued under RCW 77.32.450; small game hunting license issued
12 under RCW 77.32.460; western Washington pheasant permit issued under
13 RCW 77.32.575; trapping license issued under RCW 77.65.450; watchable
14 wildlife decal issued under RCW 77.32.560; or combination, saltwater,
15 or freshwater personal use fishing license issued under RCW 77.32.470.
16 (2) One vehicle access pass must be issued per purchase pursuant to
17 subsection (1) of this section.
18 (3) The vehicle access pass is valid for the license year of the
19 license it is purchased with.
p. 1 SB 5080
 1 (4) The vehicle access pass must contain space for two motor
 2 vehicle license plate numbers.  A vehicle access pass is only valid for
 3 those vehicle license plate numbers written on the pass.

[gaddy]

i still dont see were allocations of funds are addressed? why is it that the state parks get the bulk & why are the counties in which citations are issued getting all funds instead of a split for the issuing agencies.

[bigtex]

i still dont see were allocations of funds are addressed? why is it that the state parks get the bulk & why are the counties in which citations are issued getting all funds instead of a split for the issuing agencies.

This bill does nothing to the funds.

FYI, actually effective summer 2012 the fines from citations went into the Discover Pass account. 8% to DNR, 8% to WDFW, and 84% to Parks.

[Klyne3]

The bill, as it currently is written:

1 AN ACT Relating to providing that the vehicle access pass provide
 2 access to the department of natural resources' recreation sites; and
 3 amending RCW 79A.80.040.
 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
 5 Sec. 1.  RCW 79A.80.040 and 2012 c 261 s 5 are each amended to read
 6 as follows:
 7 (1) The vehicle access pass is created solely for access to the
 8 department of fish and wildlife and to the department of natural
 9 resources' recreation sites or lands.  The vehicle access pass is only
10 available to a person who purchases a current valid:  Big game hunting
11 license issued under RCW 77.32.450; small game hunting license issued
12 under RCW 77.32.460; western Washington pheasant permit issued under
13 RCW 77.32.575; trapping license issued under RCW 77.65.450; watchable
14 wildlife decal issued under RCW 77.32.560; or combination, saltwater,
15 or freshwater personal use fishing license issued under RCW 77.32.470.
16 (2) One vehicle access pass must be issued per purchase pursuant to
17 subsection (1) of this section.
18 (3) The vehicle access pass is valid for the license year of the
19 license it is purchased with.
p. 1 SB 5080
 1 (4) The vehicle access pass must contain space for two motor
 2 vehicle license plate numbers.  A vehicle access pass is only valid for
 3 those vehicle license plate numbers written on the pass.

So Big Tex if this passes would they allow both vehicles on the pass to be allowed at the same place at the same time?

[bigtex]

The bill, as it currently is written:

1 AN ACT Relating to providing that the vehicle access pass provide
 2 access to the department of natural resources' recreation sites; and
 3 amending RCW 79A.80.040.
 4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
 5 Sec. 1.  RCW 79A.80.040 and 2012 c 261 s 5 are each amended to read
 6 as follows:
 7 (1) The vehicle access pass is created solely for access to the
 8 department of fish and wildlife and to the department of natural
 9 resources' recreation sites or lands.  The vehicle access pass is only
10 available to a person who purchases a current valid:  Big game hunting
11 license issued under RCW 77.32.450; small game hunting license issued
12 under RCW 77.32.460; western Washington pheasant permit issued under
13 RCW 77.32.575; trapping license issued under RCW 77.65.450; watchable
14 wildlife decal issued under RCW 77.32.560; or combination, saltwater,
15 or freshwater personal use fishing license issued under RCW 77.32.470.
16 (2) One vehicle access pass must be issued per purchase pursuant to
17 subsection (1) of this section.
18 (3) The vehicle access pass is valid for the license year of the
19 license it is purchased with.
p. 1 SB 5080
 1 (4) The vehicle access pass must contain space for two motor
 2 vehicle license plate numbers.  A vehicle access pass is only valid for
 3 those vehicle license plate numbers written on the pass.

So Big Tex if this passes would they allow both vehicles on the pass to be allowed at the same place at the same time?

Only thing this changes is the allowance of the WDFW pass on DNR lands. All other rules still apply.

[Klyne3]

Just to vent about that - THAT IS A STUPID RULE!!!!! not your fault and not trying to scream at the messenger but holy cow that is stupid. If 2 vehicles are allowed on the pass then who cares if they are both at the same place at the same time - Yes I do realize it's another way to make more money, but it doesn't make it right or smart.

[BOWHUNTER45]

It is really simple for me . If they open every gate that is locking us out of entering Dnr lands I will buy any pass they want me to ...but as of right now I am not buying any pass to pay for something that is entitled for all of us to use ... Never never never