SB 5669 and HB 1850 Here We Go Again

[Elkaholic daWg]

CCA Alert yesterday... here IT Comes again. Figures that Dunshee lone sponsor of House bill.
 I guess we all know WHAT to do.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

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http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1850&year=2011
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5669&year=2011
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Dear James,
SB 5669 and HB 1850 were introduced today in the Washington State legislature and would hijack your ability to influence important issues impacting our fisheries resources. SB 5669 and HB 1850 are identical Governor’s request bills to merge three State Agencies; Fish & Wildlife, Parks, as well the Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO). More importantly, they "neuter" the Fish and Wildlife Commission by striping them of their policy making authority, as well as their ability to appoint the Director of Fish and Wildlife.

The Senate bill has been scheduled for a Public Hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 10th at 1:30 PM. in the John A Cherberg Building Hearing Room #2. Please plan on attending.

CCA is adamantly opposed to this end run on Referendum 45 that passed in 1995 by an overwhelming vote of the people. Referendum 45 should have sent a clear message to the legislature and the Governor, that the public wanted a citizens commission that was no longer going to tolerate business as usual when it comes to managing our State’s natural resources.

SB 5669 and HB 1850 would make the Fish and Wildlife Commission "Advisory Only," essentially turning the Commission into the Fish and "Get a Life" Commission. Qualified Commission candidates will no longer seek to serve on a commission with no actual say in the management of our fish and wildlife resources. This power grab will turn the clock back on our fish and wildlife management as decisions will once again be based on politics and not science. Control of our natural resources will be held by those with the deepest pockets.

CCA is urging you to contact the Governor and your three legislators immediately, urging them to oppose SB 5669 and HB 1850. The passage of this bill will cripple your ability to influence the process. Important recreational hunting and fishing issues will be swallowed up by this mega agency. Hunters, fisherman and conservationist will lose their voices! The proposed merger has been sold as an opportunity to streamline government and save tax dollars, but it is unlikely to do either.

Again, SB 5669 has been scheduled for a Public Hearing in the Senate Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 10th at 1:30 PM. in the John A Cherberg Building Hearing Room #2. We encourage you to send an email and attend this hearing to sign in as being opposed to the legislation or testify in opposition.

We need you to take immediate action against this measure. We cannot afford to allow this to gain any traction in the legislative process. Use the link below to contact your legislators now!


Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ccapnw/yzNqc69g.aspx

[Coldeadhands]

Thanks for posting that.

I just want to point out, that Dunshee has in the past supported sportsmen.   He supported anglers in a letter to the commission to adjust the allocation of crab in P.S.  The lack of sponsors is a good indication, yet it does not guarantee that other representatives would not support the Governors bill to curry favor.   Those who say nothing, could go either way.   That is why its important for hunters and anglers to make sure they take a stand and if possible show up at the hearings and sign in opposing the legislation.   I know for a fact that other reps on the house Ag and Natural resources committee want to nix the commission.   

Two years ago, a hunting lobbyist sent letters to the legislature on behalf of his clients to eliminate the commission.   What hunters did not know is that the lobbyist also represented commercial fishermen.  By the time anglers found out they were being thrown under the bus, the full Senate had already passed the bill.  It died in the house committee, by a narrow margin.   There are also a lot of new members in the house Ag and Natural Resources Committee.   

You cannot afford to sit this one out.   "Advisory only" is useless and the best people won't serve.   Commissioners are paid per diem for the travel.    They basically volunteer their time.   The state is not going to solve the budget on the backs of the commissioners.   The cost of the merger is not even being talked about.   Imagine all the stationary, signs and vehicles that have to be changed.  They don't, but you know they will spend the money on it anyway.   Then when we pass an initiative to move it back, they will spend more money.    Budgets are not going to be in the red forever.   The merger and changes in the commission are not about the money.  Its about control.

[bearpaw]

This is absolutely about taking control away from the people. If you want to continue having some voice in F&W management, you want to oppose this. 

[Bigshooter]

Thanks for posting sent my emails.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Sent mine too.... along with a copy to Mr Dunshee



 I am wring to make my thoughts known on this merger of WDFW, WDNR, and the State Parks bill. This is a BAD idea in my (and many others)opinion, since this bill would merge 2 actual RESOURCE departments that are self sustaining, with an inefficient, underfunded, bloated state parks dept that can't seem to fund itself without stealing monies from somewhere else, such as the stealth car tab fee.

 WHY can State parks not fund itself by entrance,or use fees instead of dragging down other agencies that are really more necessary to our states outdoor heritage and resources than State Parks ever has been?  These supposed environmentalists of both parties who want to saddle all of us with their Intrusive ideals such as cap and trade,and global warming fantasies, are right here saying they do NOT really  care about conservation by their actions that would put our wildlife and wild land resources behind State Parks in financial priority, just as when WDFW enforcement to WSP, will put WDFW enforcement at the bottom of that food chain.
 If state parks is loosing money,let them trim some of their own fat to fix the problem- NOT steal ours.  

 As you might guess I am a hunter/fisherman and I have seen the amount of activity in Olympia regarding wildlife issues in Olympia this year.This and 5622 (Discover pass) bills  we see as bad since as before it would take the $12 fee we hunters and fishermen spend on our licenses and tags AWAY from, WDFW, and instate a $30 discover pass fee of which WDFW only would get $2.25! Even when WDFW and WDNR are combined they only get $4.50!  So a parasite agency like state parks can  get $25.50.

 Ms. Stevens, our wildlife and wild lands are in dire need of our support to crush this merger once again.Please help.

                                                                          Thanks for your consideration
                                                                          James Zielasko and Family

[bigtex]

Elk and others,
Last year there was talk about a WDFW, DNR, Parks merger. This year the merger does NOT include DNR (except DNR Enforcement and Heritage programs). If this merger was to take place DNR would still be around and WDFW, Parks, and RCO would become the new department. So once again the only programs from DNR that will be included in the merger are DNR Enforcement and DNR Heritage, all other programs of DNR will stay in tact with DNR.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 Am I supposed to feel better now? Because I DO NOT!!  RCO huh, What is their function, and should they even exist at all?  So we are busting up DNR by sending only DNR enforcement and heritage(?) to the merged agency that is loosing IT's enforcement branch to WSP. This all makes so much sense doesn't it? There will be more damage than I thought......


It will be so wonderful to have this   http://www.rco.wa.gov/about/index.shtml     bunch involved in our Wildlife decisions won't it.

[bigtex]

Am I supposed to feel better now? Because I DO NOT!!  RCO huh, What is their function, and should they even exist at all?  So we are busting up DNR by sending only DNR enforcement and heritage(?) to the merged agency that is loosing IT's enforcement branch to WSP. This all makes so much sense doesn't it? There will be more damage than I thought......


It will be so wonderful to have this   http://www.rco.wa.gov/about/index.shtml     bunch involved in our Wildlife decisions won't it.

After the WSP-WDFW Enforcement bill committee meeting last week I would be very surprised if the bill made it out of comittee. The comittee chair closed the discussuion "because it is obvious there is no support for the bill." Great win for WDFW and outdoorsmen.

[Elkaholic daWg]

 That is good news! But DFW + RCO is not.

[Coldeadhands]

This needs a bump.   Dont fall asleep.   The Senate put out a substitute bill, the makes a few changes to hold on to the commission, but they still want the director or secretary appointed by the governor.   As long as the governor is happy (tribes and commercial lobby) then the director can tell the commission to go to hell.

[Elkaholic daWg]

This needs a bump.   Dont fall asleep.   The Senate put out a substitute bill, the makes a few changes to hold on to the commission, but they still want the director or secretary appointed by the governor.   As long as the governor is happy (tribes and commercial lobby) then the director can tell the commission to go to hell.

 Thanks just sent another, although I am preaching to the Choir since all my legislators are Republicans,and have told me they agree.

[Elkaholic daWg]

  Just  talked to an assistant of Val Stevens today on the phone and was told that  HB 1850 the house version of this bill didn't make it out of committee and is essentially DEAD!!!!! PLEASE let this be TRUE!!!