Dale (Bearpaw) Appointed by Governor Inslee to Task Force

[Elkaholic daWg]

Dale's going to be like that kid in school that always sat at the lunch table by himself, while all the other kids pointed and whispered about him.



Dang Dale, I wish you best luck but this "task farce" is really stacked to the left 

 They got one of/if not of our best! Congrats on the  appointment to what seems to be an agenda driven"feelgood" committee. Go get 'em Dale!

[stuckalot]

Hmmm.... Connor Inslee, wonder how he got there?  Shiloh Schauer, former assistant to senator Parlette, both on the committee.... A little research, I'm sure would show just how incestuous this whole committee is.... Good luck Dale!

[kodiak 907]

Ben Klasky and Conner Inslee.... two pieces of work right there. Klasky is a part of Islandwood, real crazy environmental "learning facility" on Bainbridge Island, his views on wildlife conservation are scary. Conner Inslee (Jay's son) has about fried every brain cell possible and has no free thinking abilities, just a puppet for Jay. Best of luck Dale but this deck was stacked from the beginning.

[bearpaw]

Thanks for all the kind comments. 

It's an honor to be asked by Governor Inslee to participate on this task force and I sincerely hope we'll develop greater opportunities for hunters, fishers, and other recreationists while at the same time conserving Washington's amazing resources for future generations.

The way I understand it, the task force will hold meetings for public input and hold meetings in Olympia to consider options for executing Governor Inslee's Executive Order. Because the governor recognized hunting, fishing, camping, off-roading, horseback riding, and other outdoor activities important to so many of us that are not always represented in Olympia, I am pleased to be invited to participate on this task force and will do my best to use this opportunity to benefit all types of outdoor recreationists and businesses. To my knowledge the goal is to gather input to help with recommendations, to that end I hope to use this forum as a vehicle for gathering input from sports men & women around the state. Once I attend the first meeting I'm sure I'll know the parameters I'm expected to act within. If acceptable, I will use the forum to gather input.

I underlined the areas of the order that most influenced my decision to accept the appointment.
http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/ORTF/ExecOrder14-01.pdf

EXECUTIVE ORDER 14-01
ESTABLISHING A BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION IN WASHINGTON STATE

WHEREAS, we want our children to experience, enjoy, learn about, and become lifetime stewards of Washington’s magnificent natural resources; and

WHEREAS, maintaining access to, and facilities in, our state parks and state recreation lands managed by the departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources, as well as the entire network of local, state, federal, and private lands that make Washington an outdoor recreation mecca important to the state’s citizens and the tourism industry; and

WHEREAS, Washington’s stunning parks, outdoor recreation opportunities, and quality of life are an important incentive for attracting new businesses and retaining all types of employers to the state; and

WHEREAS, outdoor recreation activities in Washington directly support 227,000 jobs and consumers spend $22.5 billion on outdoor recreation equipment, apparel, lodging, and other services, generating $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenue; and

WHEREAS, outdoor recreation such as camping, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, boating, hiking, off-roading, cross-country and downhill skiing, mountain and road biking, scuba diving, surfing, horseback riding, and more strengthen the social and cultural fabric of communities and provide important and valuable contributions to urban and especially rural economies across the state; and

WHEREAS, Washington State Parks, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Natural Resources have seen significant reductions in funding to operate, maintain, and make capital investments in campgrounds, boat launches, and trails, resulting in a continuing maintenance backlog; and public lands managed by federal and local agencies, including the United State Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Parks Service face similar operating, maintenance, and capital investment backlogs;

WHEREAS, the state lacks strategies for transforming its approach to outdoor recreation to ensure that this sector is properly recognized as contributing to the economy, creating and sustaining jobs, improving public health, and immeasurably improving the quality of life that Washingtonians cherish;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby create the Washington Blue Ribbon Task Force on Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

The Task Force shall use a holistic strategy to develop an action plan and issue recommendations to manage, transform, better leverage, or develop Washington’s outdoor recreation assets and state programs to increase outdoor recreation activities as well as promote the jobs and businesses associated with outdoor recreation. The strategy, action plan, and recommendations shall:

1. Support and expand outdoor recreation jobs, businesses, and tourism across the state;
2. Promote and expand recreational fishing and hunting opportunities as a way of advancing local economies;
3. Promote outdoor recreation experiences and increase environmental awareness for youth, families, and adults;
4. Support Washington-based businesses’ use of Washington’s quality of life and outdoor recreation experiences in recruiting and retaining talented employees as well as in attracting new businesses to the state;
5. Develop long-term sustainable funding sources for Washington State Parks and other outdoor recreation lands and infrastructure managed by the departments of Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources.

This action plan shall also include recommendations for establishing an organizational mechanism to oversee implementation of the action plan and for promoting long-term outdoor recreation. The Governor shall appoint fifteen (15) voting members to the Task Force, representing a diverse and statewide profile of both the public and private sectors from the following stakeholder groups:

1. Outdoor Recreation Business
2. Tourism
3. Environmental Organizations/Environmental Education
4. Sportsmen/Sportswomen
5. Environmental Education
6. General Business
7. Local and Federal Recreation Agencies
8. Outdoor Recreation Participants

The following state agencies shall designate representatives to participate as nonvoting members:

1. Department of Fish and Wildlife
2. Department of Natural Resources
3. State Parks and Recreation Commission
4. Recreation and Conservation Office
5. Department of Commerce
6. Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
7. Office of Archeology and Historic Preservation
8. Office of Financial Management

The Governor shall also invite one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate and one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the House of Representatives to participate as nonvoting members.

The Governor shall designate one of the voting members as the chair of the Task Force. Non-governmental members of the Task Force may be reimbursed for travel and meeting expenses at the discretion of the Task Force. The Recreation and Conservation Office shall provide staff support and administer all contracts and expenses for the Task Force.

The Task Force is encouraged to hold public meetings across the state to solicit input and collect information on regional priorities and suggestions for state action.

The Task Force shall complete its draft plan and recommendation by September 1, 2014. The Task Force shall complete its final plan and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by September 19, 2014.

The Task Force shall expire on December 31, 2014.

This executive order shall take effect immediately.

Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington on this 19th day of February, 2014, at Olympia, Washington.

[motg9_6]

Congrats bearpaw! Represent us well.

[WSU]

Dale - Please look at and distribute Gregoire's study regarding the economic value of recreational fishing versus commercial fishing.  It is enlightening.

Here is a link on WDFW's website: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00464

[dfresh96]

Congrats Bearpaw...

[bearpaw]

Dale - Please look at and distribute Gregoire's study regarding the economic value of recreational fishing versus commercial fishing.  It is enlightening.

I've heard that before, do you have a link?

[WSU]

Dale - Please look at and distribute Gregoire's study regarding the economic value of recreational fishing versus commercial fishing.  It is enlightening.

I've heard that before, do you have a link?

I just added it to my post.  You were too quick for me!  Here it is again: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00464

[pianoman9701]

Right on, Dale!

[bearpaw]

Dale - Please look at and distribute Gregoire's study regarding the economic value of recreational fishing versus commercial fishing.  It is enlightening.

I've heard that before, do you have a link?

I just added it to my post.  You were too quick for me!  Here it is again: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00464

Great info, thanks.

I know there is national data, but is there any info available on the economic value of hunting in WA?

[WSU]

Dale - Please look at and distribute Gregoire's study regarding the economic value of recreational fishing versus commercial fishing.  It is enlightening.

I've heard that before, do you have a link?

I just added it to my post.  You were too quick for me!  Here it is again: http://www.wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00464

Great info, thanks.

I know there is national data, but is there any info available on the economic value of hunting in WA?

I'm not aware of any but it may exist.  If it doesn't exist, perhaps the task force could recommend that the governor obtain one?

[flatbkman]

Congratulations Dale and Good Luck.

[baldopepper]

I used to be very involved in these types of meeting when I represented our charter fishing group.  Very frustrating at times, particularly if you weren't part of one of the mainstream groups.  Very little accomplished at the actual meetings, most took place in the bar after the meetings.  Very important to determine who your friends were and weren't and who you could trust to say in public what they told you in private they would say.  Looking at the very, very broad scope of what they have on the table, my guess is the slant will be much more towards the economic value of fishing and hunting will be more of a sidebar.  First 4 hour meeting will probably be more lip service than anything else, but important to get the numbers down as they become the real bargaining chips in later discussions. Probably not telling you anything you don't already know, but watch your back and good luck!!!

[JJD]

First, congrats, as others have said, I am confident you will do us proud.

Just like survival in the outdoors, if you are prepared, you will make it through, little worse for the wear.
As Baldopepper suggests, watch your 6.