Internal WDFW memo triggering investigation into commission now public.

[Firstgenhunter]

For the first time, the internal WDFW memo that triggered the Governor’s investigation is now public. Conservation Coalition of Washington unearthed this through public records.

The memo focuses on Commissioners Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland and raises serious allegations about their conduct while serving on the Washington Fish & Wildlife Commission.
According to reporting by the Washington State Standard, the memo describes behavior that posed “serious risks” to the agency—particularly around transparency, conflicts of interest, and favoritism.

The allegations outlined in the memo include:
• Failure to properly comply with public records laws
• Use of private emails and devices for public business
• Repeated private meetings with special interest groups
• Coordination with an outside advocacy group involved in active litigation against WDFW
• Actions that may create conflicts of interest or the appearance of bias

The memo also highlights what it describes as a “tight relationship” between commissioners and an attorney representing advocacy groups suing the agency, raising further concerns about influence over policy decisions.

This memo was written in May 2025, shared with the Governor’s office, and ultimately helped lead to the independent investigation that is now set to conclude on April 6.

The commissioners named have strongly denied the allegations and claim the memo contains false and misleading conclusions.
We believe the memo speaks for itself.
Now the public can read it and decide.
Read the full memo here:
ccofwashington.com
Expect more colloborations on this issue from Sportsmen's Alliance and Conservation Coalition of Washington this week.

[Firstgenhunter]

If you can't access from website(shouldn't be any issue), here's another way. You can access them as PDFS.

WA sportsmen, this document validates everything we’ve said these last five years, which we’ve known to been true. This just confirms it even more. We’ve been called conspiracy theorists, and we’ve even had people in our own community tell us this isn’t happening or that we’re making it up.

Anyone one involved in the last decade has known all this. It’s because of everyone fighting for these records, showing up to meetings, getting the word out, and showing up that we’ve finally found a chink in the wall. Time to keep it going and never stop despite whatever the outcome.

Share this with every sportsman that you know, peacefully and respectfully show up to the next commission meeting. Show up Friday, April 17 at 8 AM at the Olympia natural resource building, show up Saturday morning April 18th if you can’t make Friday. The time for accountability and resignations is now.

Stand beside your fellow sportsmen. There needs to be a massive showing at this next meeting. Put it on your calendar, bring your buddies and families. Follow along as Conservation Coalition of WA and Sportsmen’s Alliance shares more exposes, information about the meeting and other info. Check our most recent post for the April commission meeting. Get involved, get informed, and show up.

[10heiau]

Great info, thank you! Does anyone know the tribal stance on these issues? Is there any chance of unifying our efforts with the tribes when it comes to any decisions about the makeup of the commission?. I have to imagine the tribes have influence with the governor.

[Firstgenhunter]

Great info, thank you! Does anyone know the tribal stance on these issues? Is there any chance of unifying our efforts with the tribes when it comes to any decisions about the makeup of the commission?. I have to imagine the tribes have influence with the governor.

The tribes are much more quiet and behind the scenes but regarding hunting, they’re on our side. They were a huge reason why the commission canned their conservation policy

[GeoSwan]

I believe we are looking at a golden opportunity to get spring bear back. We need to exert pressure on the wildlife commission now.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/contact