So, what happened and who was there?
??
THANKS TO ALL THAT ATTENDED AND SPOKE UP FOR US!!!!!!!!!! Okay I wasn't there but here is what I found. Dial up SUCKS!!!! I don't have a month to wait for TVW to load!
I notice there is a lot more paper space taken up by the CON side of discription and comments.
WTF is the washington Assn. of fish and wildlife professionals and WHY TF are the on the pro side,right along with the nature (definately NOT hook and bullet) conservancy, the environmental council and our illustrious governesses staff.
I see the Yakimas were there, not taking a stand. Would that be so our governess wouldn't want to OK OFF reservation casinos?
______________________________________________________________________________________
SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5669
As of February 11, 2011
Title: An act relating to consolidating natural resources agencies and programs.
Brief Description: Regarding the consolidation of certain natural resources agencies and
programs.
Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Swecker, Regala, Rockefeller, Nelson, White, Pflug and Shin; by
request of Governor Gregoire.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Marine Waters: 2/10/11.
Brief Summary of Bill
Ÿ
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2011.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
PRO:
The proposal arises out of continuing budget
challenges and a desire to ensure the state looks at government organizations and does not
just cut front-line staff. This will create a simpler, more functional agency structure. It will
also save some money now, with the opportunity for more savings in the future. The
reorganization must keep key environmental protections in place, and ensuring efficient
agencies will help save resources to support these core functions. This proposal is a work in
progress; and, there are suggestions for improvement as it moves through the legislative
process, including ensuring that the commissions continue to serve as forum for public input.
CON:
DAHP is not a good fit with DNR because the two agencies have little nexus and
because DAHP must regulate certain DNR projects and activities. DAHP operating under
DNR could be seen as a conflict of interest. The SPRC is a well run agency that would not
fit well combined with a fish and wildlife management agency. Allowing the Governor to
appoint the agency head makes the position more political than under a commission
structure. There is no objection to government reform or streamlining, but this consolidation
proposal is not the answer. The open public process provided by the Fish and Wildlife
Commission is valuable, and should not be changed. Recreational fishing is a $1 billion
industry in the state, and that economic driver more than offsets the small cost of the Fish and
Wildlife Commission. The citizens of the state adopted the current fish and wildlife
management structure by referendum, and that system has been a success over the last 15
years. The agencies are not broke, and do not need to be fixed. A consolidation process will
impact agency morale and distract from substantive duties, with very little in dollar savings
to show for it. Before consolidating agencies the state should first try all other means to save
money and improve the agencies. The state's natural resources are too fragile to put at risk
by merging the managing agencies and changing management structures.
OTHER: This is an important discussion to have. The commissions should retain a role as a
communication point between citizens and agencies, and be involved in long-term strategic
planning. The recreational fishing industry is open to discussions on this issue, but wants to
Senate Bill Report - 4 - SB 5669
avoid removing policy authority of the Fish and Wildlife Commission and its authority to
appoint the director. DAHP operating under DNR could be viewed as a conflict of interest.
Persons Testifying:
PRO:
John Mankowski, Governor's Office; Kirstan Arestad, Office of
Financial Management; Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy; Mo McBroom, WA
Environmental Council; Jeremy Jording, WA Assn. of Fish and Wildlife Professionals.
CON:
Robert Rao, Frank Urabeck, Jim Tuggle, Ray Carter, Joe Taller, Wallace Cogley, Teri
Nomura, citizens; Larry Snyder, Vancouver Wildlife League; Tim Young, Brian Yearat, Mark
James, WA Federation of State Employees; Daniel Fallstrom, WA State Snowmobile Assn;
Paul Sparks, Gregg Bufando, Trout Unlimited; Carl Rienstra, Ted Measor, Jim Howard,
Coastal Conservation Assn., Puget Sound Anglers; Ed Wickersham, Dave Kuno, Lewis
Boyd, Coastal Conservation Assn.; Norman Reinharot, Kitsap Poggie Club; Don Freeman,
South Sound Fly Fishers; Ron Garner, Puget Sound Anglers; Jack Field, WA Cattlemen's
Assn.; Jennifer Meisner, Susan White, Michael Sullivan, WA Trust for Historic Preservation;
Connie Lorenz, Olympia Downtown Assn.
OTHER: Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries, Hunters Heritage Council; Carl Burke,
Fish Northwest, NW Sportsfishing Ind; Dawn Vyvyan, Yakama Nation.
