Too late to comment on "blue ribbon" draft report??

[fireweed]

Bearpaw must be busy hunting...but we missed to tiny window to comment on the draft report from the "blue Ribbon" recreation group.

http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/ORTF/ORTF-Report.pdf

Comments were due yesterday. 

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Isn't it strange that when you signed up for that site you either did it through email address or facebook and I saw NO notifications of this comment window.........

 From that site

"Thanks for participating, but the task force is no longer accepting comments online.


 

The task force is no longer accepting comments online, but you’ll still be able to view the Web site content through September 19. All comments have been shared with task force members and continue to provide valuable perspective. We appreciate your active participation!

 

There were 8,000 site visitors and more than 750 participants who submitted 3,200 comments and nearly 1,000 ideas.


Task force members are focused now on developing recommendations due to the Governor by September 4. A draft report will be available on the Recreation and Conservation Office Web site for public comment in late August. The final report will be posted by September 19. Direct any questions to Meg O’Leary, meg.oleary@rco.wa.gov."

[huntrights]

Here is a link to the "Task Force Draft Report for Public Comment"
http://www.rco.wa.gov/documents/ORTF/ORTF-Report.pdf

 
Although their official deadline has passed, there is nothing that says you can't compose your comments and send them respectfully asking to submit your comments a few days late.  Do it fast if you are going to do it; it's worth a try.  Please be respectful with all of your communications and comments.

Meg O'Leary (meg.oleary@rco.wa.gov) is listed as the policy administrator, but the comments were originally to be sent to: policychanges@rco.wa.gov

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Looks like buckfvr was right......here come the new taxes and fees


Looks like more pie in the sky proposals designed to extract more money  and  promote bigger government

[huntrights]

 

•   Any new “Office” created should represent ALL outdoor recreational activities, including hunting, equally and without prejudice.
   
•   Road closures are a primary barrier to accessing our public lands.  If roads are closed, then use the “Roads to Trails” concept that is promoted by Congresswoman Jamie Herrera Beutler at the Federal level.  Keep the road bed available for fire prevention, future timber harvesting, and other needed access uses.  This would also allow continued access by people for recreational uses.  Decommissioning/destruction of roads is a waste of access opportunity.
   
•    Any advisory committee should have organizations representing outdoor recreation user groups in its membership.
   
•   Any introduction of youth to outdoor recreational activities in our schools should be done fairly and without any prejudice.  This means hunting should be introduced to youth as an outdoor recreation option without anti-hunting sentiments creeping in.
   
•   Public access to private property is a sensitive topic.  Negotiations should be conducted with private property rights in mind.  Special tax status situations and release of liability should also be considered in negotiations.  Be careful on this one.
   
•   Use taxes and excise taxes are taxes that have negative effects on the goods or services they are applied to.  They should not be arbitrarily or maliciously applied for the sole purpose of generating revenue or in the pursuit of an agenda (i.e. Anti-gun agendas – excessive excise taxes applied to ammunition or guns to price them out of reach for the consumer).
   
•   Many studies and reports are available regarding the positive economic impact of hunting and target shooting:

o   http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/MultiState/MS_AFWATaxReport2011.pdf

o   http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/bright%20stars%20of%20the%20economy.pdf

o   http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/Comb-Huntg-TS-EconImp-brochure.pdf

o   http://www.sportsmenslink.org/uploads/page/EIR%20final%20low-res.pdf

o   http://www.nssf.org/PDF/research/HuntingInAmerica_EconomicForceForConservation.pdf

o   http://www.nssf.org/safety/lit/HunterConservation10.pdf

o   http://outdoorindustry.org/images/researchfiles/OIA_OutdoorRecEconomyReport2012.pdf?167

o   http://www.nssf.org/factsheets/PDF/PittmanRobertsonFacts.pdf

o   http://nssf.org/PDF/research/TargetShootingInAmericaReport.pdf

o   https://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/fhw11-nat.pdf

o   https://outdoorindustry.org/images/ore_reports/WA-washington-outdoorrecreationeconomy-oia.pdf

   
•   The Discover Pass is another sensitive topic.  This is a good report on the subject: (http://www.agforestry.org/upload/userfiles/Funding_Public_Recreation_with_the_Discover_Pass-Policy_and_Practicality_Final_Report.pdf).  Hunters and anglers may be the primary purchasers of the Discover Pass; however, most of them recreate on DNR and WDFW land that only gets 8% each of the funding. The other 84% goes to State Parks land that is closed to hunting. The Discover Pass was created to support State Parks; however, it may be that the primary purchasers of the Discover Pass are not the primary users of the State Parks.  Hunters and anglers already contribute significantly to the financial support of the outdoor recreation infrastructure and management of our wildlife resources by purchasing their hunting and fishing licenses, tags, stamps, special endorsements, etc.  Discounted or free access passes to public lands and waters should be considered for hunters and anglers.

•   The excise tax on real estate should have been repealed long ago.  This tax will have negative effects on the real estate market. It does not make economic sense to continue with an excise tax on the transfer of real estate when the real estate market is struggling to recover.  Let the tax sunset.  (Write your representatives on this one.)

•   Local government entities such as County Commissions and City Councils should promote outdoor recreation opportunities and rural development versus discouraging development and economic growth due to suffocating regulations, fees, and taxes.
   
•   A single multi-entity pass would be great.  The current situation is confusing and can be too expensive for many people; it discourages people from participating in outdoor recreational activities.

[fireweed]

I reviewed their draft and my initial reaction was "typical".  Another report that says virtually nothing and will change nothing.
The only item in there that even seems like they took comments seriously was that folks don't like the discover pass--but they fell way short suggesting it gets tossed.

[buckfvr]

Looks like buckfvr was right......here come the new taxes and fees


Looks like more pie in the sky proposals designed to extract more money  and  promote bigger government

Rather than be held accountable for the millions upon millions of dollars they already take from us, they want to just move forward with taking more money from us......The taking of money will happen much faster than any of the projects they might consider........and any projects they are considering will have little or no impact on my life except to extract money from my pockets.   Get ready for state income tax and a lot more......  

The report should serve well as the final wake up call to hunters that we are grossly out numbered and no one is listening..........yes, thats exactly how I see it......no one is listening. 

[huntrights]

The Parks and Outdoor Recreation Task Force final recommendations to Governor Inslee are now available on the task force web page (http://rco.wa.gov/documents/ORTF/ORTF-Recommendations.pdf). 

[snowpack]

Sure seem to like new taxes/diversions.  I thought the bottle water tax was a failure last time they tried it.

[4fletch]

This was a important topic which recieved only 245 views. I think it should have been started in the campfire then moved to OA for more exposure

[huntrights]

 

The "Outdoor Advocacy" topic area is where topics are brought to our attention that affect our rights and freedoms (i.e. Issues & Legislation involving the 2nd Amendment, Hunting, Fishing); all participants in this forum should pay close attention to the topics brought up in the "Outdoor Advocacy" area.  Topics in the "Virtual Campfire" area may flow down the list quickly or be overshadowed because there are so many random topics; it's kind of like sitting around a campfire.  Suggestion: Visit the 'Outdoor Advocacy" area frequently.

Regarding the water tax and real estate tax:

•   Use taxes and excise taxes are taxes that tend to have negative effects on the goods or services they are applied to.  They should not be arbitrarily or maliciously applied for the sole purpose of generating revenue or in the pursuit of an agenda.

•   The excise tax on real estate should be allowed to sunset.  This tax will obviously have negative effects on the real estate market because it adds cost to the transaction. It does not make economic sense to continue with an excise tax on the transfer of real estate when the real estate market is struggling to recover.  Let the tax sunset.

If our local and state government entities would focus more on supporting existing small and large businesses, and attracting new businesses to our region, the tax base would grow along with the growing economy.  Instead, the focus seems to be on imposing new burdensome taxes, and rules and regulations that suffocate businesses and the ability of individuals to save money.  If people can save more money, they also tend to spend more money, which brings in more tax revenue and stimulates the economy with cash flow.  This is basic economics that those that want to tax and regulate more just don't understand (Watch out for the looming additional gas tax that some politicians want to impose that will take more money out of your pocket).  With that comment; please VOTE, and VOTE the right way this November.


Be proactive and write your representatives about both of these taxes before we get blindsided with more tax.

http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/


As a side note: The "TEA" in TEA Party is an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already".

 

[fireweed]

Just once I'd like to see the government transfer all the money on studies, blue ribbon panels, and the multitude of  plans, and grant processes and just put that on the ground without paperwork.  It would free up cash and get things done. 

[buckfvr]

Just once I'd like to see the government transfer all the money on studies, blue ribbon panels, and the multitude of  plans, and grant processes and just put that on the ground without paperwork.  It would free up cash and get things done.

If they did that, it would require fewer of them and less justification for their jobs.....they are about justification and creating work for themselves to keep their jobs.