Commission Votes Against WDFW Biologist Recommendation: Read and then comment!

[MADMAX]

I got 2 replies
Not sure If I’ll call Lorna
But I’m thinking it over

As follows
Barbara Baker

“ Although I disagree with your opinions of the WDFW commission, I thought your proposal for reorganization was sincere and thoughtful.  For that reason, it seems important to let you know that the legislature has a similar interest with respect to our commission and its governance. For that reason, they commissioned the Ruckelshaus center to study the issue and make recommendations back to them . Their report is due to the legislature in December.

The Center’s contact information is easy to find online. Once you get to the their homepage, you can scroll down through their projects and will eventually find the one related to the fish and wildlife agency and commission. The person in charge of the project is Chris Smith. Seems to me that your comments might be more appropriate going to him.”

Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or further comments.

Barbara Baker

………………………………………
Lorna Smith

“ I would like to discuss your recent communication regarding the cougar rule-making decision. If you are interested, please call me at 360-316-6897.”
 
Lorna Smith
WA F&W Commissioner

[pianoman9701]

Am I wrong or is Lorna Smith really Rachel Dratch from SNL

[MADMAX]

Could be sisters

I called Lorna and left a message. She didn’t pick up. I also sent an email.

“Cougars are elusive but again we have only minimal harvest already without use of dogs
Cats prey heavily along with wolves on our dwindling ungulate species

Id think you would concentrate your efforts on the Mountain Caribou recovery zone, since there seems to no longer be any caribou there from depredation

I hope it doesn't take more citizens and children being attacked and or killed to help you understand the need for predator control by licensed legal hunting

[GWP]

It seems they would rather pay ‘professional’ hunters rather than open up more season hunting to drop predator numbers. Not sure why that is.

[Tbar]

I sent a letter to the NE WA legislators and copied it to the commission.

Dear Legislators,

The Washington Wildlife Commission's disregard for the cougar management recommendations of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife are indicative of a body interested only in furthering their own agenda driven goals, with no interest in the recommendations from the very agency they oversee or for the hunting opportunities for the citizens of Washington. There is clearly no regard for scientific wildlife management, public safety, or for providing mandated recreational opportunities.

Rather than having commissioners selected by a single person, the governor, I am urging the legislators of Washington to introduce legislation that reorganizes the Washington Wildlife Commission so that it is a body that better serves scientific wildlife management as well as all people of Washington.

I propose that each Fish & Game region should have 1 wildlife commissioner voted on by the people who live in that region. Since there are 6 regions a seventh commissioner is needed and I propose the 7th commissioner be appointed by the WDFW Director. A body of this makeup would truly bring the interests of all regions of the state and the biological recommendations of the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife into the decision making process, such a commission would be a far more diverse and representative decision making body.

Respectfully,

This is a very slippery slope. Scientific review board could load the commission with Ragen types.  Analysis paralysis. The other worry is the how language is crafted,  WFC, CBD and others exist on policy framework and their ability to attack any lack of clarity.

[bearpaw]

I sent a letter to the NE WA legislators and copied it to the commission.

Dear Legislators,

The Washington Wildlife Commission's disregard for the cougar management recommendations of the Dept of Fish and Wildlife are indicative of a body interested only in furthering their own agenda driven goals, with no interest in the recommendations from the very agency they oversee or for the hunting opportunities for the citizens of Washington. There is clearly no regard for scientific wildlife management, public safety, or for providing mandated recreational opportunities.

Rather than having commissioners selected by a single person, the governor, I am urging the legislators of Washington to introduce legislation that reorganizes the Washington Wildlife Commission so that it is a body that better serves scientific wildlife management as well as all people of Washington.

I propose that each Fish & Game region should have 1 wildlife commissioner voted on by the people who live in that region. Since there are 6 regions a seventh commissioner is needed and I propose the 7th commissioner be appointed by the WDFW Director. A body of this makeup would truly bring the interests of all regions of the state and the biological recommendations of the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife into the decision making process, such a commission would be a far more diverse and representative decision making body.

Respectfully,

This is a very slippery slope. Scientific review board could load the commission with Ragen types.  Analysis paralysis. The other worry is the how language is crafted,  WFC, CBD and others exist on policy framework and their ability to attack any lack of clarity.

Yeah, I would have never suggested such a thing 20 years ago, but the WA Commission is beyond the point of return and the governor polls look even grimmer. I do believe the legislature might be more fair than and at least have more discussion on the matter than the current governor or the leading candidate to be the next governor!