Snoqualmie Valley WDFW 10 year Management plan

[Happy Gilmore]

Sounds like they are just trying to keep from letting there dogs run amuck. At the same time protect the quality of the hunt.   

Actually, I proposed to put up signs for no dog training during hunting season. All dog trainers would support it. We are all hunters contrary to Chandlers claims and known bias

[Happy Gilmore]

I offered to start the petition and assured Russ Link I would get the signatures needed to put the proposed rule change on the desk of the Director per RCW code

[Happy Gilmore]

I put an email in to Russ Link and Bob Everitt to clarify which law is being applied to the Snoqualmie Valley units. I just want to make sure all the information we share is factual. Things like the Outdoor Recreation Act and the provisions for management of the areas purchased with funds from the ORRRC.

Under the WAC WDFW can put any regulation on a sign on WDFW managed lands and then enforce the law. They could put up a sign saying no Toyota Prius' can park at this site and enforce the law.

This ability is a common regulation found amongst state and federal lands.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

More research on this and the regulate pets law part- both require a signature from the Director. I doubt he is going to back date any documents to cover for anyone. I've got a media outlet interested now. Getting all the fun emails together to send out for possible broader public exposure. I think there is interest because of the recent land grabs, one going on with natural resources in Spokane and of course, the Idaho deal...

[Happy Gilmore]

great news here! AKC sending out an email to everyone in Washington to help get us more support!

Mr. Gilmore,

Our Performance Division forwarded your email regarding the Cherry Valley area.  I am reviewing that and other information now, and per your request plan to publish information to our website and to distribute an action alert email to our Washington State recipients.  Timing will most likely lead to publishing in the morning.

If I may be of further assistance, please contact me directly as noted below.

Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. 

Sincerely,
PHIL GUIDRY

Phil M. Guidry, JD
Senior Policy Analyst
AKC Government Relations Dept.
(919) 816-3503
pmg@akc.org

[Happy Gilmore]

Apparently, contrary to everything that enforcement and management has been stating about nesting season i got a different answer when pushing the issue......read below. OK, he replied in color so it didn't cut and paste well- I'll bold the replies from Russ Link.




That is not the message which enforcement and management has been telling people. I have that in writing. You guys have put out so many contrary remarks it is dumbfounding.

Paul Gilmore
Construction Installation Sales and Business Development
Northwest Linings & Geotextile Products, Inc.
21000 77th Ave South
Kent, WA 98032
P: 253-796-0012 Construction Office
D: 253-867-5367 Direct Line
C: 206-851-6326 Cell
F: 253-872-6953
paulg@northwestlinings.com
www.northwestlinings.com
“Helping to Protect the Environment”
Celebrating 41 Years of Service 1973-2014

From: Link, Russell E (DFW) [mailto:Russell.Link@dfw.wa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 9:23 AM
To: Paul Gilmore
Subject: RE: Leash Law Enforcement Question

See below.

From: Paul Gilmore [mailto:paulg@northwestlinings.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 05, 2016 9:20 AM
To: Link, Russell E (DFW)
Subject: RE: Leash Law Enforcement Question

How does agriculture affect nesting? Does it destroy nests? If it does not harm nests then, the public should have access to all areas in any type of agriculture without any restriction.
People are not restricted from farm fields. 

[Happy Gilmore]

http://www.akc.org/government-relations/legislative-alerts/washington-snoqualmie-wildlife-area-plan-development/


This would be a good link to share among dog clubs- Everyone will likely receive it anyways-

[Special T]

Atta boy Happy

[Old Dog]

   I'll be there with a prepared statement from the Northwest Pointing Labrador Club.

[Carl]

I'm planning on attending. 

Carl

[John B]

What a waste of time, I'm on my third glass of scotch and still completely frustrated. I'll be sure to be at the meeting specifically for dog training, if it happens, to show support if nothing else. Russell Link (I think that was his name) seemed genuinely interested in providing adequate dog training grounds. The rest of the WDFW employees I heard from seemed to be just placating us, hoping we'll go away

[Old Dog]

I don't think it was a waste of time.  There were enough of us there that the WDFW staff had to change the agenda of the meeting to address us, but I have to agree the WDFW staff members I talked to sure seemed to be on the side of the bird watchers.  I plan to keep the pressure on, but I think it will be an uphill battle all the way.   

[Old Dog]

Here's a copy of the summary report.

Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Management Plan Public Scoping Workshop Summary April 11, 2016
Introduction The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) hosted a public scoping workshop on Monday, April 11, 2016, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the WDFW Region 4 headquarters in Mill Creek. The purpose of the workshop was to share information about the wildlife area (WLA) planning process and to solicit public and stakeholder input.   
The workshop began the planning process for developing a new management plan for the Snoqualmie WLA, one of 33 plans the department will revise over the next six to eight years.  Plans are updated every two years to reflect changes in landscape and management priorities.  The current plan for Snoqualmie was developed in 2006, and was updated in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. These plans and updates are available at:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/lands/wildlife_areas/management_plans/ 
In this process, the plans will be expanded to include new agency initiatives, progress towards goals identified in earlier plans, and new WLA priorities. The plans will consider the interests and impacts of stakeholders and user groups; set goals for assessing and monitoring ecological integrity; outline forest management priorities; identify appropriate public use, recreation area and facility improvements; as well as weed control and other operations and maintenance activities.   
Attendance 68 people attended and signed in at the workshop including interested parties from the communities of Seattle, Mill Creek, Fall City, Lynwood, Snohomish, Tacoma, Arlington, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Sultan, Stanwood, Redmond, Kirkland, Kent, North Bend, Sammamish Everett, Bothell, Carnation, Duvall, Woodinville, Bellevue, Lake Stevens, Auburn, and Shoreline.  Stakeholder groups included Sound Salmon Solutions, Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Water Dog University, Audubon, WRC, GRC, RHRC, GSP of Washington, American Kennel Club, MHAG, EGRC, WSOTC, NWPLC, Mountains to Sound Greenway, WWA, TRC, GSPCWA, WRTC.     
Workshop Format The workshop was designed in a combination open house/presentation format. Maps of the wildlife area were posted, and participants were encouraged to share specific and general feedback after the presentation and at breakout stations.
Staff presentation Russ Link, Regional Wildlife Program Manager, welcomed the group and introduced member of the Wildlife Area Advisory Committee (WAAC) that were present:  Martha Jordan, Audubon/NW Swan Conservation Organization  Brent Hackney, Leque Island Stakeholder Group, Business Owner  Troy Rahmig, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust 
Each member spoke briefly about being a member of the WAAC.
 
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Public Scoping Meeting May 11, 2016 P a g e | 2
Russ also introduced the following staff members:  Russ Link, Regional Wildlife Program Manager  Brian Boehm, Wildlife Area Manager  Ruth Milner, Wildlife Biologist  Jeanne Demorest, Planning Project Manager  Melinda Posner, Planning, Recreation & Public Outreach Section Manager  Jamie Bails, Habitat Biologist  Loren Brokaw, Restoration Projects Coordinator  Ericka Thomas, Customer Service Specialist  Sergeant Kim Chandler  Captain Alan Myers  Sergeant Jennifer Maustad 
Melinda Posner, facilitator for the meeting, emphasized the early stage in the planning process and the desire to hear from the public and stakeholders about interests, issues, and potential priorities for these WLAs areas. She noted multiple methods for providing comments including written comment sheets that can be turned in at the end of the meeting or emailed to SnoqualmiePlanning@dfw.wa.gov .  Questions and comments can also be directed to:  Jeanne Demorest:  jeanne.demorest@dfw.wa.gov   Brian Boehm:  brian.boehm@dfw.wa.gov   
She also noted the number of comments the agency has received regarding dog training on the wildlife area and indicated that agency staff agree that this is a topic that will require more discussion, which may include scheduling additional meetings or other outreach. 
Melinda reviewed the department’s overall process for updating all state wildlife area plans. She shared that the following new topics the plan will consider:   Property history & funding obligations  Resource management & environmental integrity  Recreation management  Expanded public outreach including public workshops, information materials and Wildlife Area Advisory Committee meetings 
She summarized the planning process for the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area; staff expects a draft plan by the fall of 2016, and the final plan by the end of the year. Melinda introduced Brian Boehm, Wildlife Area Manager.   Brian described the current activities at each of the six units that make up the wildlife area and emphasized the importance of volunteers.   
 
 
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Public Scoping Meeting May 11, 2016 P a g e | 3
Comments Recorded at the Meeting Overall:  Keep access open  Collaborate with dog/hunt groups for upkeep on training areas  What are the results of dog use study – last year and this  How did having field trial/tests effect study  Mowing for dog training  What about tracking or search and rescue  Not allow pro-trainers to use the area w/o permit or ban  At dog meeting must have maps for people to draw where they want dog training to be at Cherry Valley and Crescent Lake  Resolve conflict of use between retriever, field trial, upland bird trainers – they all have different needs  Cherry Valley and Stillwater:  more shallow ponds for waterfowl hunting  Acquisition for dog training – Pepper’s  .003% of wildlife land in state to serve 38% of the population  Put ponds in other places  Hunting hours are not good for deer/elk hunting  Breed pheasants with gills  Solar powered outhouses?  Not enough outhouses and not clean enough  Brian is doing a great job  Better signs so bikers can get to the river and enjoy more of the WLA  Signs on parking lots that designate the N vs S parking lots – better signs in general  More shallow ponds for bird watching  Why are ag activities allowed during nesting season when dog running is not allowed?  Car break-ins:  need more enforcement presence – may be coordinated with the sheriff.  DuVall High School or other schools are good sites for holding meetings. Ebey Island:  Improve roads for volunteer access for pheasant release and public access  Shallow ponds and access improvements  Develop master plan for the Island o Incorporate agriculture & moist soil management where practical Stillwater:  Eradicate Himalayan blackberry – there is a lot and it is a noxious weed Crescent Lake:  There is water available here for dog training  Keep access open year around  Clarification on Crescent Lake sign to show dog training area.  Zoom out & show “you are here”  Bring back the bridge @ Crescent from south to center area Cherry Valley:  After hunting season open the gates  Maintain access for dog training
 
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Public Scoping Meeting May 11, 2016 P a g e | 4
 Keep access open year around  Open gate to pond area  Mowing to increase human access for hiking  Increase dog training area from 10 to 60/80 acres  Open pond area up & control vegetation so people can use for training dogs  Place to train dogs is critical – pond is important  Water features for dog training  Dog events  Grant was for hunting and dog training  Paid for with P/R funds  Parking/traffic danger  Parking & 20 acre site too far removed from each other  Open the gates  Use dog trainers to help with maintenance  Need 60+ acres of land with ponds available  More access for disability users  Hunting above Cherry Valley wetland too deep no shallow ponds in ag plots put ponds in other places 
Other input:  ADA concerns – need to have access  Older people can’t walk long distances especially with training equipment  Stakeholders/users are interested in working together  Feels the manager manages for personal preference; not sure what the issues are; guesses are:  Trash   Fish  Nesting birds  Need safe access – not having to unload dogs on a busy highway; parking lot is constrained  Maintain access  Short memory in state; historical leaves with ongoing manager; e.g. no funds to mow but dog trainers came out to help  For future meetings, post info on the signs at Cherry Valley parking lot  Conflict with off-leash dog parks folks – is enforcement driving decisions?  Concerns about what is being sprayed on crops?   Farmer practices might not be following the rules for spraying pesticides  Retriever training folks would like to have water access  What triggered the closure (smaller area for dog training) decision? It’s never been clear to recreation users. As a result there are many speculations – economic downturn leading to less resources for O&M; not a clear answer as to what management problem is being solved  Other dog training needs to be addressed that are not currently being met:  Pointers  Field trials
 
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Public Scoping Meeting May 11, 2016 P a g e | 5
 Tracking  Consider “contract farmer” invest in habitat that supports hunting  Contradictions about nesting birds and mowing  Protecting high quality habitat and having enough space for dog training can  all work at Cherry Valley – one example was expanding the current area bounded by Lateral A and keeping all  other land in quality habitat  Need to create designated area for those simply walking dogs on leash – there is room for them at Cherry Valley too; current practice has folks walking right through the training area  Non-hunting dog training vs. hunting dog training: most of those doing dog training also hunt (and do the non-hunting activities during non-hunting season) but not everyone; the types of training activities include:  Field trials  Tracking  Hunt tests  Search and rescue (not related to hunting)  Falconry  Interesting fact: 1948 – the very first trial event was held in WA state – and this occurred at Snoqualmie Wildlife Area –68 years of history; should be part of the area 
Next steps in the planning process:  Internal meetings to discuss public input – May 2016  Stakeholder meeting(s) to follow-up on input from initial public scoping meeting – summer 2016.  Invitations for the meeting will be sent to the mailing list

[Old Dog]

the comment sheet summary:

Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Management Plan Comment Sheets Summary of Responses April 25, 2016 
Question 1: What interests you about the Snoqualmie Wildlife area?  Hiking and Birding (6)  Pheasant Hunting (2)  Duck Hunting (3)  Goose Hunting   Bird Hunting (5)  General Hunting (9)  Dog Training (28)  Dog competitions/trials (4)  Dog exercise area (2)  “Future Uses”  Enjoyment of diverse ecosystem abutted to urban space (6)  Exercising (4)  Wildlife Observation  Photography (2)  Family outings (2)  Youth Mentoring  Habitat Enhancement (2)  Wood Duck nesting boxes  Duck nest tubes  Preservation of bird area  Opportunity to enjoy various outdoor activities  Suggestion: “Fill in deep ponds to attract more waterfowl. 
Question 2:  Please check the boxes that correspond to the areas you visit and indicate how often you visit. 
Areas Visited # of visits per season Spring Summer Fall Winter Cherry Valley 258 266 246 150 Corson Natural Area 1 1   Crescent Lake 64 360 103 85 Ebey Island 22 22 42 42 Spencer Island 10 10 22 12 Stillwater 199 180 230 199     
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Comment Card Summary P a g e | 2
Question 3:  What recreation activities do you pursue at this wildlife area? 
 Cherry Valley
Corson Crescent Lake
Ebey Island
Spencer Island
Stillwater
Hunting 25  17 10 5 18 Fishing 9  1   2 Wildlife Viewing 12 2 8 5 2 8 Dog Walking 27 1 8 3 2 13 Dog Training 12 1 18 7 2 13 Exercise 4  7   7 Hiking 3 1 5 3 1 5 Photography 3 2 4 3  5 
Other:  Cherry Valley:  Dog "events" - 2, Youth Mentoring - 1, Dog "tracking" - 2, Restoration Work - 1, Wildlife Survey - 1, Take new friends to show how to train dogs – 1  Corson:  None  Crescent Lake:  Wildlife Survey - 1, Trumpeter Swan Observation -1  Ebey Island:  Wildlife Survey - 1  Spencer Island:  None  Stillwater:  Restoration Work - 1, Dog "tracking" - 2, Wildlife Survey - 1 
Question 4:  What particular wildlife and/or fish species, and/or habitats are you interested in?  Forest (1)  Grassland (12)  Wetland (16)  Agricultural area (6)  River/Stream (4)  Riparian (3)   Pheasant (  Ducks (6)  Geese (4)  Swans (1)  Dogs (11)  Elk (1)  Salmon (3)  Other fish (1)  Upland game (2)  Songbirds and other species for bird watching (1) 
Question 5:  What changes or improvements would you like to see on the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area?   
Cherry Valley:  Re open area to dog training (12)  Consistent mowing through spring and summer (7)  Remove blackberries (2)  Less corn planted (3)  General access
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Comment Card Summary P a g e | 3
 Open up 60-80 acres for grass and wetlands for dog events (no region given, but probably Cherry Valley, based on other comments given).  Expand training areas (2)  Limited access to back of property (2)  Access to training ponds (3)  Plant grass (other than canary grass)  Open both gates from HWY 203  Allow volunteers to maintain grounds for dog training  Allow volunteers to mentor youth in upland hunting  Tell Chandler and Boehm to stop harassing dog trainers  Increase restoration of native habitats  Increase user friendly features such as walking trails  Fewer season restrictions  Make signage that is easier to read (although commenter says it is better this year)  Make a level setback  Increase community involvement (commenter admits that this has significantly improved recently).  Flood control for better access  Gravel road 
Stillwater and Chinook Bend   Maintain parking lots  Stillwater: mow out areas, remove blackberries, continue agriculture (3)  Open area to dog training (3)  Year-round access for dog training  Flood control for better access  Beaver management 
Crescent Lake   Open areas for dog training (4)  Mowing dog areas (2)  Year-round access for dog training. 
Unknown (no units specified)  Open dog training area (2)  Times allocated for dog training   Less agriculture and more open grassland (2)  Leave as is, but better access and safety near Ro… (couldn’t read the rest because cut off during copying) Road?  Reinstate dog training area to original size so that more than one small group can be training   Open gates so users can drive in (2)  Would like to see more places to train bird dogs instead of having them taken away.  Ponds are too deep to hunt waterfowl; use Ducks Unlimited to improve ponds  Increase waterfowl Habitat  Would like to see more cover left in open fields for wildlife   
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Comment Card Summary P a g e | 4
All Units  Create shallow ponds in back areas as well as in areas that have crops planted.  Observe most waterfowl in Snoqualmie Valley are on private lands with a combination of crops, grass, and shallow waters  Consistent management practices that enhance game and wildlife species as well as providing useable space for training.  Mowing, crop rotation, moderate grazing are a few of the practices which could help facilitate a balance.  Replace bridges and access to all areas  Several people (3) commented that they would like larger areas open for dog training to make the property more meaningful for that purpose. 
Question 6: What land management activities are you most interested in/concerned about?  Hunting (13)  Habitat Restoration (14)  Farming (2)  Mixture of habitats (2)  Dog training (23)  Grassland (1)  Bird nesting (4)  Parking/access (2)  General use (1)  Hiking with dogs (1)  Fishing (1)  Pheasant release program (1)  Use of ponds (1) 
Question 7: Provide any additional feedback: Questions, suggestions or other input about the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area and/or the planning process:  Please include dog training at all wildlife areas (6)  It is important for us not to just preserve habitat for wild fish, but to also provide open spaces for people to hunt, train our dogs and take our kids (3)  Keep ponds open for dog training (4)  Keep areas open for habitat  Important that decision makers listen and respond to the wishes of the communities who use the areas  Restrict dog trainers to amateurs only; no commercial/professional trainers  Ability to park near training areas in order to protect valuables and dogs  Keep grass mowed for hunting and dog training (4)  Unlock gates and provide access to training/hunting areas (4)  Somehow limit non-hunting dogs from the wildlife areas; perhaps by requiring a hunting license rather than a Discover Pass.  Approach owners of wetlands adjacent to Cherry Valley, Crescent Lake, & Stillwater about purchasing their properties  Create additional shallow ponds to help disperse hunters  Areas should be open to all dogs and their owners, as dog parks are less ideal.  Have areas open during the season when birds are not nesting  Dog training areas need to be significantly larger, and include ponds in order for them to be meaningful training grounds for hunting dogs.
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Comment Card Summary P a g e | 5
 Plant communities are currently being encouraged at Cherry Valley, through management, that are more detrimental to native plant and animal survival than dog training is.  Dog trainers police the areas by picking up trash (because it can injure dogs who ingest it).  This also helps protect the wildlife from illness or injury from trash which would have otherwise been left unattended. (2)  Hunting and licensing fees should go towards maintaining properties.  Habitat at Cherry Valley and Stillwater are in very poor condition  Why have Mr. Chandler and Mr. Boehm worked so hard to prevent dog trainers use at Cherry Valley?  Dog clubs would be happy to volunteer to help maintain  How does farming the land at Cherry Valley NOT affect the wildlife?  Consider full dog access outside of pheasant and waterfowl sesons: this could solve dog/hunter conflicts  Please keep community updated on improvements  More duck hunting  More corn planted  More flooded property  Control the off leash dogs and owners – better education and enforcement  “Regarding the planning meeting – I was most interested in hearing audience interests. They were expressed within “stations”, but I thought it would be more informative to hear people’s opinions expressed in the larger group. I felt the stations were informative, but everyone in the station is “preaching to the choir.””  Don’t let salmon mitigation block access to any of these units  A reasonable access plan developed based on desired beneficial uses, community values and equity  WDFW has a long history of supporting multi-use and especially dog training/trialing activities on WDFW land.  What has changed in the Department to cause such restriction on SVWA?  What evidence exists that dog training at any of the SVWA properties is detrimental to the long term goals of WDFW?  Why has it been determined that dog training activity is targeted as the root of the problems that exist on the SVWA?  I have been told by people outside WDFW who are involved in the decision making process for other WDFW lands that there is a procedural process within the department which requires the department wildlife managers to conduct three year studies on the property prior to making policy changes that directly affect the public.  Why has the policy restricting dog training/trialing changed without more public input?  I think it should be clear to WDFW that the access issues surrounding SVWA are very important to the unit’s primary user group and additional public forum should be available to the amateur dog training community in order to achieve a viable resolution to the current operating status.    I would like to reiterate my interest in being involved in the advisory process.  Thanks to all WDFW staff and personnel for attending the meeting Monday

[Old Dog]

Email comments.  This one is huge, so I had to post an attachment.

What a waste of time, I'm on my third glass of scotch and still completely frustrated. I'll be sure to be at the meeting specifically for dog training, if it happens, to show support if nothing else. Russell Link (I think that was his name) seemed genuinely interested in providing adequate dog training grounds. The rest of the WDFW employees I heard from seemed to be just placating us, hoping we'll go away

Do you still think it was a waste of time?  I sure don't.
 

[John B]

Do you still think it was a waste of time?  I sure don't.

Yes, I think they wasted our time. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad we all went. We showed our numbers and expressed that their dog training area was not acceptable. I think many of those emails were sent before the meeting.