ACT NOW against HB 1778 and For confirmation of Commissioner Miranda Wecker !

[MeatDown]

Good morning,

I would like to ask that my brothers/sisters in hunting stand up for the fish and wildlife commission.

There are still several things are happening politically that will be extremely damaging to the DFW and our resources, both fish/marine life and wildlife/waterfowl. First, we no that SB 5127 was put in the can and shouldn’t be brought back out. Now the (sneaky) politicians (doesn’t matter which party or who did it for now) have put the entire content of 5127 into HB 1778. This bill is moving forward and we need to Write, Call and Visit with all state representatives and senators and let them know that you do not support this bill or any that would remove or overturn the current DFW Commission structure and approach of science and conservation (use your own words, but be respectful).

Second this week there will be a confirmation hearing/meeting for Commissioner Miranda Wecker. Ms. Wecker is a commissioner and has been serving for 4 years, after her appointment by the Governor. By showing support for Ms. Wecker you will be showing that you want commissioners that are conservation and environmentally focused on fish and wildlife. If as a HUNTER, as I, you need to support Ms Wecker’s confirmation because she is there working on issues for us and will keep conservation of these resources in the forefront. So, please read her Bio (http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/bios/wecker.html , http://www.cfr.washington.edu/aboutTheCollege/newsLetter/01-summer/staff.html )
 for yourself then ACT NOW and Write, Call and Visit with Senator Jacobsen (cc to the Governor!) and the Senate Nat’l Resources Committee. (and if you can attend represent yourself as a hunter at the hearing (if you are) Wecker Confirmation Hearing Friday 8:00 a.m. Senate Nat'l Resources Committee)

I would  lastly ask that if you belong to a Club or Organization, like Washington State Bowhunters, Washington Muzzleloaders Association, WAC, or Safari Club International, that you please write to your board and ask them to provide a written statement for the confirmation of Commissioner Miranda Wecker and Also ask them for a written statement opposing HB 1178 or any other legislation that removes or restricts the DFW and overturns the voters passage of Referendum 45 (implementation of current DFW structure) we was the will of the people.

Please act now… this is very time sensitive and could set our fishing and hunting back for years and would remove YOUR ability to provide input to the Commission and Director if they are put back under the appointment of the Governor.

We all need to know how the clubs and organizations feel about the SFW Commission and the Commissioners and specific Bills that affect our resources and enjoyment of them whether hunting or fishing. So, PLEASE get involved now on these issues, or you may not even get a chance to speak up in the future.

Thanks
Shawn

[NWPanhandler]

Come on brother hunters, we need your help to confirm Miranda Wecker.........Thanks........Chuck G

[bbarnes]

Attack continues on Fish & Wildlife Commission
Wednesday, April 1 | 8:28 p.m.

BY ALLEN THOMAS
COLUMBIAN STAFF WRITER

For two months, supporters of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission have been fighting legislation to neuter the system in which nine citizens, appointed by the governor, are the final authority in fish and wildlife matters.

And just when commission supporters thought they were on the cusp of winning, selected lawmakers used a parliamentary move on Monday to keep the future of the commission very much in doubt.

Senate Bill 5127 was introduced in the 2009 session to undo Referendum 45, a statewide ballot measure in 1995 that placed fish and wildlife governance in the hands of the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Referendum 45 passed with a 61 percent favorable vote and passed in all 39 counties.

SB 5127 passed the Senate 33-16, although all three Southwest Washington senators voted against the measure.

Supporters of the commission system thought they had the bill stopped in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Friday, when it was not brought up for a vote.

But it turns out the guts of SB 5127 were amended Monday onto House Bill 1778, which was passed out of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation and sent to the Ways and Means Committee.

Substitute House Bill 1778 is a "Christmas tree'' bill, which means it has all kinds of ornaments now attached. The original version of HB 1778 dealt with fish and wildlife law-enforcement matters.

The amendment hung on SHB 1778 on Monday reduces the commission to seven members, reduces terms from six years to four and, most importantly, transfers the authority to appoint the director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife from the commission to the governor. The governor must pick a director from a list of three candidates recommended by the commission.

The measure also vacates the current commission as of Aug. 1 and has the governor select new members.

These amendments aren't as objectionable as earlier provisions of SB 5127, but the power to hire and fire the director is key, and needs to stay with the commission.

For Southwest Washington anglers, getting rid of the current commission members is of no advantage. This bunch has given sportsmen a more level playing field in Columbia River salmon allocations than any previous commission makeup.

But here's my beef today: If the Legislature wants to undo Referendum 45, then do it openly. Do it through a single-issue bill that lawmakers have to support or oppose. Don't take something as significant as state fish and wildlife governance and hide in it an all-purpose bill.

Ironically, there are two other amendments to SHB 1778 that may appeal to some sportsmen.

One amendment would create a $20 two-pole fishing stamp for use in lowland lakes, and the other allows a 10 percent surcharge for two years on hunting and fishing licenses, permits, tags, stamps, or raffles.

Tom Davis, legislative liaison for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, said the surcharge would generate about $6 million for the agency.

So what's next?

A public hearing on SHB 1778 is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Friday before the Senate Ways and Means Committee in Olympia.

The bill has until April 7 to move out of the committee.

When it comes out of the Senate, the House can accept the changes or appoint a conference committee to bargain.


Confirmation hearing

On Friday, the Senate Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation Committee will hold a public hearing at 8 a.m. in Olympia regarding confirmation of Miranda Wecker of Naselle as a commission member. Wecker is chairman.

This is disingenuous. The committee tried to eliminate the current membership of the commission when it passed SB 5127. It's trying to eliminate the current membership as of Aug. 1 with its amendments to HB 1778.

Why subject Wecker to a confirmation hearing if the goal is to end her term on the commission in August? It's simply an opportunity for Senate committee members who don't like the commission to intimidate the panel and beat up on its chair.

Years ago, I asked a Fish and Wildlife Commission member what serving on the panel was like. He answered, "Six years, no pay and everyone hates you when you're done. It's a great gig.''

Allen Thomas covers hunting, fishing and other natural resource issues for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4555 or by e-mail at al.thomas@columbian.com.