Alert: SB 6813 - WDFW Elimination

[bearpaw]

Here's the info I recieved this morning:

The Senate bill calling for the merger of WDFW & Parks into DNR remains bottled up in the Senate Natural Resources Committee.  Multiple title only bills dealing with "natural resources" have been introduced - any one of them could be used as the policy vehicle to merge WDFW & Parks into DNR and that's now the likely event to occur.  The Senate budget released yesterday zero's out the WDFW budget, reduces the agency operating budget by $10.5 million and transfers all WDFW functions to DNR.  No proof has been presented that the state "saves" $10.5 million in operating costs by these actions.  Making these budget provisions will require passage of a policy bill - you can bet one will come down the road quickly - we just don't know what vehicle (bill) will be used.
 
This is deadly and serious business - EVERY FISHING, HUNTING AND RELATED PROGRAM AND EVERY DEDICATED FUND IS AT RISK FOR TERMINATION OR REDUCTION.  The majority of hunters and fishers in Washington State agreed to surcharges on their licenses to keep these important functions in place last year.  Your support of the department will be wiped out if the Senate Budget is allowed to advance with the merger language in it - the House version of the budget does not (yet) contain this language. 
 
You, your organizations and all of the members or your organizations (and their friends and family) ABSOLUTELY need to get involved NOW.  The only "target" at the moment is the merger language in the Senate budget.  A simple "I oppose merger of the natural resource agencies" will suffice.  It's been about 15 years since the old department of fish and department of game were merged to create WDFW.  We're still dealing with the ugly consequences of that merger.  We don't need another super agency ... that's not government reform.  Creating another super agency while doing harm to the already existing programs willingly funded by hunters and fishers is not responsible wildlife management. 
 
The first order of priority is for everybody to contact EVERY member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee with the message LOUD AND CLEAR STATED that the hunters and fishers of the state are adamantly opposed to merging WDFW into DNR.  The second order of priority is then for all the rest of the members of the Senate to "hear" that message as well as your legislators in the House. 
 
Individual direct web-based emails can be sent through http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rosters/CommitteeMembersByCommittee.aspx?Chamber=S
A list of Senators and their non-web email address is at https://dlr.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx?Chamber=S
The in-state toll-free Hotline number for those wanting to call their legislators is 800.562.6000.
 
The 22 members of the Senate Ways & Means Committee are:
 
Senator Margarita Prentice (Chair)
Senator Karen Fraser (Vice-Chair, Capital Budget)
Senator Rodney Tom (Vice Chair, Operating Budget - author of the merger effort)
Senator Joseph Zarelli (Ranking Minority)
Senator Dale Brandland
Senator Mike Carrell
Senator Darlene Fairley
Senator Mike Hewitt
Senator Steve Hobbs
Senator Jim Honeyford
Senator Karen Keiser
Senator Adam Kline
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Senator Joe McDermott
Senator Ed Murray
Senator Eric Oemig
Senator Linda Evans Parlette
Senator Cheryl Pflug
Senator Craig Pridemore
Senator Debbie Regala
Senator Phil Rockefeller
Senator Mark Schoesler

[whacker1]

Senator Mark Schoessler is from district 9 - Ritzville area, and an avid hunter.  I will contact him to see how we can be of help.

[huntnphool]

Get your comments in one last time guys. Link at the bottom of the page.



In the morning of February 23rd, the Senate released a version of the 2010?Supplemental Budget that merges the State Parks Department and the State Fish and Wildlife Department with the Department of Natural Resources, creating one large catch-all Natural Resources agency.? The budget transfers all WDFW employees and all of its revenue ($334 million), regardless of fund source, to DNR.? This would allow the new DNR agency to use your license fees for other purposes.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on this proposed budget at 3:30 this afternoon (Feb. 24) and it will likely go to the floor for a vote this Saturday.?We have not identified any savings that will result from the proposed merger. In fact, the merger may result in additional costs. The budget allocates $10 million to accomplish the merger but the source of those funds is not disclosed.? We believe our members should have direct access to fish and wildlife management. Under this merger, stakeholders will not have the kind of access to the DNR that they have with Fish & Wildlife Commissioners under the current process.

CCA strongly opposes this proposal. The merger will not save money and could have a negative impact on?the conservation and protection of our?marine?resources.? We urge you to contact your three legislators and the governor now and ask them to OPPOSE the merger of these Departments.



Click the link below to take action on this issue:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/forward/ccapnw/b68qRr.aspx

[Shootmoore]

Thanks for the link, I sent the form letter with some alterations.  This is my own words in the final paragraph.

"In closing I would suggest instead of combining into a super agency that has the opportunity to become an even larger clumsy and more costly agency.  That instead we look at taking the Department of Fish and Wildlife back to its roots.  Dividing it back into its individual components, who's focus is on the original intent of production and sustainability of GAME fish and GAME wildlife.  Remove the non-game species and land management and give them to the DNR to manage as you wish, while protecting and promoting The Department of Game and The Department of Fisheries original intent.  I think with this path of reform you could do more with less with greater results. 
 
Thank you for your consideration of this issue."

Shootmoore

[huntnphool]

 

[TWG2A]

Here's the article on this issue from Gun Rights Examiner:


Evergreen State hunters and fishermen have historically been treated with a mix of indifference, disdain and outright contempt by the State Legislature and the governor’s office over the past quarter-century.
When thousands of sportsmen rallied on the Capitol steps in the 1980s – brought there by the now-inactive Sportsmen’s Rights Coalition – they were essentially given lip service. The old Department of Game was merged with the Department of Fisheries to create the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, an indication that the agency would – and many complain has – gradually drifted away from the primary mission for which it was created, to serve hunters and anglers and to conserve, protect and enhance fish and game populations. Many sportsmen so hate this agency and the direction that it has taken that they refer to it as the Department of NO Fish and NO Wildlife; an agency that is less interested in enhancing deer and elk herds than it is in bringing back wolves and giving them a big hug.
"Abolishes the department of fish and wildlife and transfers its powers, duties, and functions to the department of natural resources."
The advent of a divisive and many believe disastrous hunting management structure called “Resource Allocation” has been blamed for reducing the number of Washington hunters by some 100,000 over the past quarter-century. Under this scenario, hunters must choose whether they will hunt big game with a bow, modern firearm (including handgun), or muzzleloader. Washington’s “strategy” limits hunters, and essentially keeps user groups at each other’s throats, vying against one another for more time afield for their particular interest group.
The once-thriving pheasant release program is a shadow of its former self, and non-existent in eastern Washington where, a generation ago, pheasant hunting rivaled that found in some Midwest states. The only “new” program that has benefited Washington hunters in the past 25 years has been the wild turkey project spearheaded by now-retired game biologist Dan Blatt. This was a roaring success thanks to Blatt’s savvy about putting different turkey sub-species into the proper habitats similar to their native habitats in the states from whence brood stock was brought years ago.
So why not change the agency? This state’s hunters are not of one mind; many enjoy the reduced numbers of people in the field during fall hunting seasons. They don’t see the “big picture,” however and neither do younger hunters (and anglers), who lack the historical perspective and never experienced “the good old days” of hunting and fishing here. Their shrinking numbers translates to shrinking political clout, and ultimately, that’s going to mean reduced to non-existent management of this state’s game populations.
Right now, there is legislation (Senate Bill 6813) lurking in the Senate Natural Resources Committee that, if adopted and signed by Gov. Christine Gregoire – as she most lilely would with the excuse of trimming the state budget (it won’t, but the public doesn’t understand that) – it would merge the WDFW with the State Parks Department under the Department of Natural Resources.
Want to talk about a disaster? This is the kind of scenario that the late Irwin Allen would have put on film as The Towering Bureaucracy. If hunters think they have little influence now, wait until that mega-agency becomes a reality.
An e-mail alert now being circulated by pro-gun and hunting communities warns, “Every fishing, hunting and related program and every dedicated fund is at risk for termination or reduction.” This alert, originating with the Hunters Heritage Council, notes that “The Senate budget released (Monday) zeroes out the WDFW budget, reduces the agency operating budget by $10.5 million and transfers all WDFW functions to DNR. No proof has been presented that the state ‘saves’ $10.5 million in operating costs by these actions.”
"Transfers, administratively, the duties of the governor appointed state parks and recreation commission and the fish and wildlife commission to the department of natural resources."
The e-mail alert also warns, “Creating another super agency while doing harm to the already existing programs willingly funded by hunters and fishers is not responsible wildlife management.”
There are 22 members of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, and they need to hear from hunters and anglers concerned about the future of the resources.
Perhaps instead of merging the WDFW, it ought to be broken up and restored to two separate agencies: Fisheries, which would be tasked solely with managing for commercial and tribal fisheries, and the Department of Fish and Game, whose job it should be to put ten million more trout into our lakes and streams, produce two to five million more steelhead, increase the deer herds by 50,000 and add 10,000 more elk, and that’s just for starters.
Hunters and anglers are being encouraged to contact each member of the Senate Committee and tell them “Do NOT merge WDFW and DNR.”
Senator Margarita Prentice (Chair) - prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov
Senator Karen Fraser (Vice-Chair, Capital Budget) - fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov
Senator Rodney Tom (Vice Chair, Operating Budget - author of the merger effort) - tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov
Senator Joseph Zarelli (Ranking Minority) - zarelli.joseph@leg.wa.gov
Senator Dale Brandland - brandland.dale@leg.wa.gov
Senator Mike Carrell - carrell.michael@leg.wa.gov
Senator Darlene Fairley - fairley.darlene@leg.wa.gov
Senator Mike Hewitt - hewitt.mike@leg.wa.gov
Senator Steve Hobbs - hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov
Senator Jim Honeyford - honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov
Senator Karen Keiser - keiser.karen@leg.wa.gov
Senator Adam Kline - kline.adam@leg.wa.gov
Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles - kohl-welles.jeanne@leg.wa.gov
Senator Joe McDermott - mcdermott.joe@leg.wa.gov
Senator Ed Murray - murray.edward@leg.wa.gov
Senator Eric Oemig - oemig.eric@leg.wa.gov
Senator Linda Evans Parlette - parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov
Senator Cheryl Pflug - pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov
Senator Craig Pridemore - pridemore.craig@leg.wa.gov
Senator Debbie Regala - regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov
Senator Phil Rockefeller - rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov
Senator Mark Schoesler - schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov
Outdoorsmen and women can also contact their own senator.

Please Contact Your Legislator by Telephone: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx


SB 6813 Legislative Info: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=6813&year=2009




Original Article Can Be Found Here: http://www.examiner.com/x-4525-Seattle-Gun-Rights-Examiner~y2010m2d24-WA-Senate-bill-would-merge-WDFW-Parks-under-Natural-Resources?cid=examiner-email#
　
　

[TWG2A]

I added the office addresses and telephone numbers, along with fax numbers where provided for the Legislators working on this issue.

I hope it is helpful to you.

*****************************

Senator Margarita Prentice  (D-)
prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov
Committees
Ways & Means (Chair)
Olympia Office
303 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0411
(360) 786-7616
1-800-562-6000



Senator Karen Fraser  (D-)
fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov
Committees
Ways & Means (Vice-Chair Capital Budget)
Olympia Office
404 Legislative Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0422
(360) 786-7642
1-800-562-6000



Senator Rodney Tom  (D-)
(Author of the SB 6813 merger effort)
tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov
Committees
Ways & Means (Vice Chair Operating Budget)
Olympia Office
220 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0448
(360) 786-7694
1-800-562-6000




Senator Joseph Zarelli (R-)
zarelli.joseph@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
204 Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40418
Olympia WA 98504-0418
Phone: (360) 786-7634
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-7524





Senator Dale Brandland  (R-)
brandland.dale@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
203 Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40442
Olympia WA 98504-0442
Phone: (360) 786-7682
Toll-Free: (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-7524





Senator Mike Carrell  (R-)
carrell.michael@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
102 Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40428
Olympia WA 98504-0428
Office Phone: (360) 786-7654
Home Phone: (253) 581-2859
Toll-Free: (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-7819




Senator Darlene Fairley  (D-)
fairley.darlene@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
227 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0432
(360) 786-7662
1-800-562-6000



Senator Mike Hewitt  (R-)
hewitt.mike@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
314 Legislative Building
P.O. Box 40416
Olympia WA 98504-0416
Phone: (360) 786-7630
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-1266




Senator Steve Hobbs  (D-)
hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
213 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0444
(360) 786-7686
1-800-562-6000




Senator Jim Honey ford (R-)
honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
107 Newhouse Building
P.O. Box 40415
Olympia WA 98504-0415
Phone: (360) 786-7684
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-7173




Senator Karen Keiser  (D-)
keiser.karen@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
224 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0433
(360) 786-7664
1-800-562-6000




Senator Adam Kline  (D-)
kline.adam@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office:
223 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0437
(360) 786-7688
1-800-562-6000




Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles  (D-)
kohl-welles.jeanne@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
219 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0436
(360) 786-7670
1-800-562-6000




Senator Joe McDermott  (D-)
mcdermott.joe@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
230 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0434
(360) 786-7667
1-800-562-6000




Senator Ed Murray  (D-)
murray.edward@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
215 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0443
(360) 786-7628
1-800-562-6000





Senator Eric Oemig  (D-)
oemig.eric@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
416 Legislative Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0445
(360) 786-7672
1-800-562-6000




Senator Linda Evans Parlette  (R-)
parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
316 Legislative Building
P.O. Box 40412
Olympia WA 98504-0412
Phone: (360) 786-7622
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-1266





Senator Cheryl Pflug  (R-)
pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
415 Legislative Building
P.O. Box 40405
Olympia WA 98504-0405
Phone: (360) 786-7608
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-1266





 
Senator Craig Pride more  (D-)
pridemore.craig@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
212 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0449
(360) 786-7696
1-800-562-6000



Senator Debbie Regala  (D-)
regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
233 Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0427
(360) 786-7652
1-800-562-6000


Senator Phil Rockefeller  (D-)
rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
218 John A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA 98504-0430
(360) 786-7644
Fax: (360) 786-1999
1-800-562-6000




Senator Mark Schoesler  (R-)
schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov
Olympia Office
Phone: (360) 786-7620
Toll-Free: 1 (800) 562-6000
Fax: (360) 786-7819

[Thenewguy]

Message sent! Thanks Rob

[bearpaw]

Thanks folks for posting all the contact info. My messages have already been sent, waiting to know where to send more messages.

One of the worst things I see is that all dedicated funds we sportsfolkjs have paid for with license purchases, will be lost in the merger.

If any of you have not sent a message yet, do it now, lets try to get this stopped.

[Kain]

NRA-ILA is helping get the word out.

http://www.nraila.org/Hunting/Read/HuntingIssues.aspx?ID=5478&type=L

Olympia Considering End to Department of Fish & Wildlife!
Hunters and Sportsmen MUST Contact their Legislators Immediately!

 

 

The Senate budget released this week would zero out the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) budget and transfer all WDFW functions to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in a merger of the two agencies.  Further, it would reduce by $10.5 million the amount spent on the functions that have been handled by WDFW.

 

To those involved in the shooting sports, the net result of such a transfer of authority would likely be devastating.  Gun owners and sportsmen have been fighting DNR for years with regard to shooting and hunting on DNR land.  Leadership in DNR is, at best, indifferent to the interests of sportsmen and, more likely, hostile and antagonistic.

 

The majority of hunters and sportsmen in Washington State agreed last year to surcharges on their licenses to keep important WDFW functions in place.  Every hunting (and fishing) program and every dedicated fund is at risk for reduction or termination.  Sportsmen’s support of the department could be wiped out if the Senate Budget is allowed to advance with the merger language in it.

 

It is critical that hunters and sportsmen contact the members of the Senate Ways & Means Committee immediately!  Tell them to OPPOSE THE MERGER OF WDFW INTO DNR!  Please leave messages for your Senator and Representatives, as well.

 

Following are the email addresses for the 22 members of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, including Senator Rodney Tom who is the author of the merger effort:

 

State Senator Margarita Prentice (Chair) - prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Karen Fraser (Vice-Chair, Capital Budget) - fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Rodney Tom (Vice Chair, Operating Budget) - tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Joseph Zarelli (Ranking Minority) - zarelli.joseph@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Dale Brandland - brandland.dale@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Mike Carrell - carrell.michael@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Darlene Fairley - fairley.darlene@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Mike Hewitt - hewitt.mike@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Steve Hobbs - hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Jim Honeyford - honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Karen Keiser - keiser.karen@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Adam Kline - kline.adam@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles - kohl-welles.jeanne@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Joe McDermott - mcdermott.joe@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Ed Murray - murray.edward@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Eric Oemig - oemig.eric@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Linda Evans Parlette - parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Cheryl Pflug - pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Craig Pridemore - pridemore.craig@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Debbie Regala - regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Phil Rockefeller - rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov

State Senator Mark Schoesler - schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov

 

Your Senator and his or her email address can be found here:

https://dlr.leg.wa.gov/MemberEmail/Default.aspx?Chamber=S

 

The toll-free Legislative Hotline number for those wanting to leave a phone message for their legislators is (800)562-6000.

 

Please call and email these legislators immediately!  A Ways & Means vote on the Senate Budget with the merger language could occur as early as tomorrow morning.

[Kain]

My dad got a letter back.  Get your wives and friends to write letters even if they dont hunt.  They can still support hunters.

Mike,

 

While I am supportive of finding efficiencies in government, I do have some concerns about putting WDFW under DNR due to the initiative that created the F&W Commission and the powers that the F&W Commission has to choose their own director. It might be possible to put some of the duties of WDFW under DNR -- such as the regulatory arm (permitting) but I would be concerned about putting hunting and fishing under DNR. I have offered another way to get some efficiencies in natural resource agencies without doing this (HB 3090) by eliminating the duplication and triplication of effort in permitting.  And, I am very concerned about putting state parks under a regulatory agency such as DNR.

 

I expect there will need to be a lot of work done before this bill can move to approval. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

 

Ed Orcutt

 

 

Representative Ed Orcutt

18th Legislative District

 

Olympia Office:

415 John L. O'Brien Building

PO Box 40600

Olympia, WA 98504

* orcutt.ed@leg.wa.gov
( 360.673.4978

[whacker1]

I had a long discussion with Ed Orcutt several years ago.  He is a friend of the hunting community, and directly involved in the timber industry as an independent forester if my memory serves me well.  He applied a lot of pressure on WDFW when the reports of the St. Helens heard started having excessive mortality because of the lack of feed and size of herd.  I was very impressed by his knowledge of the elk there.

sadly though he is in the house and won't get to see the budget bill until it passes the Senate.  The House is releasing their proposed budget today I believe.  it will be interesting to see what is buried in that mess.
Keep up the good work all.

[bearpaw]

Just recieved this back from a Seattle area legislator. We need to keep the letters going guys, it makes a difference.
______________________________

Other members and I are hearing from many, many people in opposition to the legislation. I personally do not see how it could work so at this point am in opposition to the bill.

Jeanne

Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles
Chair - Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee
36th Legislative District
Washington State Senate

[Snapshot]

Twenty-two emails sent!

(Thanks for the hyperlinks TWG2A)

[bearpaw]

This will make it even easier for everyone. Type one email message to the committe chair, then copy and past the email addresses in the cc: line.

Committe Chair:   prentice.margarita@leg.wa.gov

fraser.karen@leg.wa.gov; tom.rodney@leg.wa.gov; zarelli.joseph@leg.wa.gov; brandland.dale@leg.wa.gov; carrell.michael@leg.wa.gov; fairley.darlene@leg.wa.gov; hewitt.mike@leg.wa.gov; hobbs.steve@leg.wa.gov; honeyford.jim@leg.wa.gov; keiser.karen@leg.wa.gov; kline.adam@leg.wa.gov; kohl-welles.jeanne@leg.wa.gov; mcdermott.joe@leg.wa.gov; murray.edward@leg.wa.gov; oemig.eric@leg.wa.gov; parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov; pflug.cheryl@leg.wa.gov; pridemore.craig@leg.wa.gov; regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov; rockefeller.phil@leg.wa.gov; schoesler.mark@leg.wa.gov