Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 08, 2015, 12:08:04 PM
Get out and train your dogs on the open spaces. Enjoy the outdoors. Pick up some trash. Be seen with your animals enjoying nature. Be a responsible user. Make sure to have your parking passes and follow the rules. We need to be seen. I'm sure the Big(tex)Brother is watching here too so, lets go be seen.
Region 4 Master Hunter
Our Snoqualmie Wildlife Area manager Brian Boehm is in need of some volunteers to assist him in a project on several units of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area. Basically what is needed is a group of volunteers who would be available to do a visual survey of certain types of use of the Stillwater unit, the Cherry Valley unit, the Crescent Lake unit and the Ebey Island unit. The visual survey would consist of sitting in the parking lot of the unit and observing based on a form provided the # of people using the unit for several different activities. Mostly dealing with dogs on or off leash and/or if they are training the dogs. Since three of the units have 2 parking lots this survey would cover 7 parking areas. The shifts would be for four hours either 10 am to 2pm or 2 pm to 6pm preferably on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. The survey needs to cover 6 weeks of data and needs to be completed by May. All of the hours spent in the lots would count towards your 40 hours needed to recertify. If you would be available to assist please contact Brian brian.boehm@dfw.wa.gov . This is a great way to knock out part of your required 40 hours of service to recertify and the help is greatly needed at these release sites to determine usage.
Thanks
Steven Dazey
Hunter Education & Volunteer coordinator
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
425-775-1311 ext.#106
Steven.dazey@dfw.wa.gov
Post by: Stickerbush on April 08, 2015, 02:19:06 PM
Post by: constructeur on April 08, 2015, 02:57:36 PM
Post by: Carl on April 08, 2015, 03:00:28 PM
Carl
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 08, 2015, 04:13:49 PM
Then excuse #2 or 3 or whatever.... Dogs chase off nesting birds. Ok, do tractors plowing up 60+ acres help nesting birds? Dogs run on the grass. Birds nest in thickets and marshes. Doesn't take a biologist to see the real answer. There is a special interest driving policy. The special interest is not in public access and use. The special interest wants the areas where they invested money closed to public access and use. I had my Facebook sent out. It was shared by a ton of people who are in turn posting it on additional pages and dog club pages. Also have it out to about 300 people in email on top of the FaceBook sharing. Another person has started a Facebook page for the Valley areas and a fund me page for legal is following shortly. I believe I have a great lobbiest on board who is close with the former director and staff.
Post by: AspenBud on April 09, 2015, 06:49:58 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 09, 2015, 08:26:45 AM
I've given up in some ways because the WDFW says one thing then, does another thing. Its been repeated over and over. There is no system of resolution and I am now working over the local heads to try and get some things changed. A manager making policy based upon peoples feelings during a short window during hunting season makes zero management sense. Furthermore, making policy with no documented issues as they claim is a disservice to the general public user. But, that's how our government is operated and apparently these WDFW managers feel they should follow suit. Much of the current actions and 2014 policies have been based upon the feelings of an outdated and widely disliked enforcement officer who spreads rumors about the public and lies to area managers within the department to influence how the policy is made. I didn't believe it until I saw his email exchanges. He even talked negatively about another enforcement officer who had taken some time off for maternity leave. Can't believe they would do it on public email. Shows the lack of care.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 09, 2015, 09:36:36 AM
We started a group on facebook to start getting organized.
Post by: luvmystang67 on April 09, 2015, 10:22:42 AM
I do love state land, but this is one of the many shortcomings.
Post by: AspenBud on April 09, 2015, 10:42:54 AM
We had a discussion about the greatness of WDFW/State land a while back. This is the kind of thing I was talking about, where it isn't always rainbows and butterflies. I doubt anyone that was on that thread will see this one, but once gov takes it away its unlikely to return. At least when a private landowner takes stuff away it isn't gone forever.
I do love state land, but this is one of the many shortcomings.
That's actually not true. There's a lot of concern these days about more and more farm and ranch land being locked up by private land owners, land that hunters used to frequent but is now leased to the highest bidder. A land owner can make money leasing to an outfitter and have game managed on their property through them in much the same way that common hunters just asking permission to hunt did.
Think very carefully about changing who owns the land. Hunting in much of Europe is a private land affair and insanely expensive.
The problem with public land is it has to make everyone happy, not just one group, and as such it can be a victim of politics.
Post by: AspenBud on April 09, 2015, 10:50:15 AM
Yes partially. There has always been nesting season closures. Please obey these and stay in designated areas. If you look on my Facebook page there are pictures of the signs which state because of soo many dog problems rule changes are coming. These are lies by the manager and enforcement. They had ONE lady who was just a dog walker. The other issues are perceived and complaints by a couple people who simply don't like certain things which happen during pheasant release. They are making broad stroke policy based upon a couple people during hunting season.
I've given up in some ways because the WDFW says one thing then, does another thing. Its been repeated over and over. There is no system of resolution and I am now working over the local heads to try and get some things changed. A manager making policy based upon peoples feelings during a short window during hunting season makes zero management sense. Furthermore, making policy with no documented issues as they claim is a disservice to the general public user. But, that's how our government is operated and apparently these WDFW managers feel they should follow suit. Much of the current actions and 2014 policies have been based upon the feelings of an outdated and widely disliked enforcement officer who spreads rumors about the public and lies to area managers within the department to influence how the policy is made. I didn't believe it until I saw his email exchanges. He even talked negatively about another enforcement officer who had taken some time off for maternity leave. Can't believe they would do it on public email. Shows the lack of care.
It seems like it might be time to try and establish some official areas for training and field trial use with the state. Or maybe these are just that and now they are changing their mind? :dunno:
I'll check out your Facebook group when I get a chance.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 09, 2015, 10:50:45 AM
That is the goal which has been proven by management practices. The more overgrowth, less people.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 09, 2015, 10:53:06 AM
Yes partially. There has always been nesting season closures. Please obey these and stay in designated areas. If you look on my Facebook page there are pictures of the signs which state because of soo many dog problems rule changes are coming. These are lies by the manager and enforcement. They had ONE lady who was just a dog walker. The other issues are perceived and complaints by a couple people who simply don't like certain things which happen during pheasant release. They are making broad stroke policy based upon a couple people during hunting season.
I've given up in some ways because the WDFW says one thing then, does another thing. Its been repeated over and over. There is no system of resolution and I am now working over the local heads to try and get some things changed. A manager making policy based upon peoples feelings during a short window during hunting season makes zero management sense. Furthermore, making policy with no documented issues as they claim is a disservice to the general public user. But, that's how our government is operated and apparently these WDFW managers feel they should follow suit. Much of the current actions and 2014 policies have been based upon the feelings of an outdated and widely disliked enforcement officer who spreads rumors about the public and lies to area managers within the department to influence how the policy is made. I didn't believe it until I saw his email exchanges. He even talked negatively about another enforcement officer who had taken some time off for maternity leave. Can't believe they would do it on public email. Shows the lack of care.
It seems like it might be time to try and establish some official areas for training and field trial use with the state. Or maybe these are just that and now they are changing their mind? :dunno:
I'll check out your Facebook group when I get a chance.
That is trending. However, the idea of a training area is many a couple acres so it doesn't impact habitat. Now, go and think, how much habitat during nesting season does a field being plowed with a tractor provide? Why allow sharecropping for $1,300 revenue when it destroys the ability of a bird to nest? It certainly provides little to no feed or cover. Yet, we only give a guy wanting to train a dog a couple acres in open space for fear of chasing nesting birds then, plow under 60 acres and act proud about having it farmed???? where is the logic?
Post by: AspenBud on April 09, 2015, 10:54:18 AM
Yes partially. There has always been nesting season closures. Please obey these and stay in designated areas. If you look on my Facebook page there are pictures of the signs which state because of soo many dog problems rule changes are coming. These are lies by the manager and enforcement. They had ONE lady who was just a dog walker. The other issues are perceived and complaints by a couple people who simply don't like certain things which happen during pheasant release. They are making broad stroke policy based upon a couple people during hunting season.
I've given up in some ways because the WDFW says one thing then, does another thing. Its been repeated over and over. There is no system of resolution and I am now working over the local heads to try and get some things changed. A manager making policy based upon peoples feelings during a short window during hunting season makes zero management sense. Furthermore, making policy with no documented issues as they claim is a disservice to the general public user. But, that's how our government is operated and apparently these WDFW managers feel they should follow suit. Much of the current actions and 2014 policies have been based upon the feelings of an outdated and widely disliked enforcement officer who spreads rumors about the public and lies to area managers within the department to influence how the policy is made. I didn't believe it until I saw his email exchanges. He even talked negatively about another enforcement officer who had taken some time off for maternity leave. Can't believe they would do it on public email. Shows the lack of care.
It seems like it might be time to try and establish some official areas for training and field trial use with the state. Or maybe these are just that and now they are changing their mind? :dunno:
I'll check out your Facebook group when I get a chance.
That is trending. However, the idea of a training area is many a couple acres so it doesn't impact habitat. Now, go and think, how much habitat during nesting season does a field being plowed with a tractor provide? Why allow sharecropping for $1,300 revenue when it destroys the ability of a bird to nest? It certainly provides little to no feed or cover. Yet, we only give a guy wanting to train a dog a couple acres in open space for fear of chasing nesting birds then, plow under 60 acres and act proud about having it farmed???? where is the logic?
I agree
Post by: Special T on April 09, 2015, 11:10:29 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on April 09, 2015, 11:22:20 AM
We had a discussion about the greatness of WDFW/State land a while back. This is the kind of thing I was talking about, where it isn't always rainbows and butterflies. I doubt anyone that was on that thread will see this one, but once gov takes it away its unlikely to return. At least when a private landowner takes stuff away it isn't gone forever.
I do love state land, but this is one of the many shortcomings.
That's actually not true. There's a lot of concern these days about more and more farm and ranch land being locked up by private land owners, land that hunters used to frequent but is now leased to the highest bidder. A land owner can make money leasing to an outfitter and have game managed on their property through them in much the same way that common hunters just asking permission to hunt did.
Think very carefully about changing who owns the land. Hunting in much of Europe is a private land affair and insanely expensive.
The problem with public land is it has to make everyone happy, not just one group, and as such it can be a victim of politics.
The state of Washington has become a victim of politics, private land avoids more of this than public. In the South you pay to hunt, A TON OF PEOPLE HUNT, there's a lot of private land, a lot of people pay to hunt it, a lot of non-wealthy people have found ways to join forces to make hunting possible.
Private land is really not the enemy.
As far as what is true or not, nothing is "true" in the game of opinion.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 09, 2015, 12:02:03 PM
I have a friend that sits on the WAG and these pieces of property have been neglected on purpose for quite some time until the recent manager (that happy worked with) started. There have always been BS reasons why the land could not be mowed, share cropped etc. I know for a fact that a bunch of small trees were planted on the still water unit as a salmon habitat improvement project that filled up a bunch of the open pockets that made great duck hunting when the river flooded.
No point in mowing and making open usable land unless it is usable by all groups. Not just for one month a year. The lands were purchased around 1964 with a grant which was endowed to get people outside recreating. It is NOT just hunting as the WDFW tries to proclaim. Also, because the Salmon club spent some money on a creek that doesn't give the right to let the place turn into a "natural area" of complete overgrowth like the route King County has followed. They have the wheels turning towards a specific direction. Our interest as the general public wanting to preserve land for long term recreation and open spaces is not being honored nor acknowledged as a factor in the management decision making processes.
Post by: Stickerbush on April 09, 2015, 09:10:14 PM
I have a friend that sits on the WAG and these pieces of property have been neglected on purpose for quite some time until the recent manager (that happy worked with) started. There have always been BS reasons why the land could not be mowed, share cropped etc. I know for a fact that a bunch of small trees were planted on the still water unit as a salmon habitat improvement project that filled up a bunch of the open pockets that made great duck hunting when the river flooded.
Your right at least stillwater and pretty sure cherry valley have had a lot of habitat improvement. I worked on a lot of it at stillwater through non profit groups. BTW the manager Brian boehm is a solid guy he used to be my boss and I can't imagine a better person to managing our public lands
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 10, 2015, 12:12:24 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 10, 2015, 12:14:47 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 10, 2015, 12:17:25 AM
I have a friend that sits on the WAG and these pieces of property have been neglected on purpose for quite some time until the recent manager (that happy worked with) started. There have always been BS reasons why the land could not be mowed, share cropped etc. I know for a fact that a bunch of small trees were planted on the still water unit as a salmon habitat improvement project that filled up a bunch of the open pockets that made great duck hunting when the river flooded.Where did you work before? Was it a private group with a special interest in a particular species? With fins?
Your right at least stillwater and pretty sure cherry valley have had a lot of habitat improvement. I worked on a lot of it at stillwater through non profit groups. BTW the manager Brian boehm is a solid guy he used to be my boss and I can't imagine a better person to managing our public lands
Post by: AspenBud on April 10, 2015, 07:07:34 AM
We had a discussion about the greatness of WDFW/State land a while back. This is the kind of thing I was talking about, where it isn't always rainbows and butterflies. I doubt anyone that was on that thread will see this one, but once gov takes it away its unlikely to return. At least when a private landowner takes stuff away it isn't gone forever.
I do love state land, but this is one of the many shortcomings.
That's actually not true. There's a lot of concern these days about more and more farm and ranch land being locked up by private land owners, land that hunters used to frequent but is now leased to the highest bidder. A land owner can make money leasing to an outfitter and have game managed on their property through them in much the same way that common hunters just asking permission to hunt did.
Think very carefully about changing who owns the land. Hunting in much of Europe is a private land affair and insanely expensive.
The problem with public land is it has to make everyone happy, not just one group, and as such it can be a victim of politics.
The state of Washington has become a victim of politics, private land avoids more of this than public. In the South you pay to hunt, A TON OF PEOPLE HUNT, there's a lot of private land, a lot of people pay to hunt it, a lot of non-wealthy people have found ways to join forces to make hunting possible.
Private land is really not the enemy.
As far as what is true or not, nothing is "true" in the game of opinion.
Thank God this isn't the South.
Private property can be equally subject to politics. All it takes is a well connected land owner who wants to sell off their land for housing developments, resource development, or any number of non hunter friendly uses. Then there are the ones who don't want sportsmen on their lands, Montana has had all sorts of arguments about that in recent years.
Here's what private property gets you. Want to hunt Weyco land on their St Helens Tree farm? Hope you have $160 handy (look at that, they raised the price this year!), want to hunt each of their Pe Ell lands? Be prepared to fork over $225 and $275 respectively. Aberdeen? 75.00. Vail? $250. There is no joining forces to make that price cheaper. You get the honor of paying the lords at Weyco almost $1000 if you want to try each of those areas for so much as a day.
My understanding is they have taken the wonderful model used in the South and applied it to their lands up here. What a deal. :rolleyes:
Post by: Stickerbush on April 10, 2015, 10:45:53 PM
By habitat improvements do you mean corn planting or mowing of invasive species?
I'm talking about the spraying and mowing of mostly blackberry. And planting of native species, primarily for salmon but benefiting birds as well
Post by: Special T on April 11, 2015, 06:32:35 AM
Post by: Stickerbush on April 11, 2015, 07:57:34 PM
Some of the great low land pockets of grass in the timber @ stillwater were planted with trees screwing up some of the best flooded timber hunting ive had.
:dunno: can't please everybody. Hunting timber sounds cool though, probably hard to do in wa
Post by: scottr on April 16, 2015, 10:01:44 PM
I had the opportunity to talk with one of our area WDFW LEOs yesterday at my sons Hunter Safety class at Issaquah Sportsmen's Club. I asked him about the signs posted at Stillwater and dog training. He said that during hunting season there were a few instances of people walking their dogs (non-hunters) having their dogs run out into decoys spreads, chasing upland birds, and generally being a nuisance. He encouraged me to use theses areas for training.
He was very open to talking about various issues and gave me his phone number. I'm sure he would be open to talking to anyone about concerns with these state lands in his area.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 17, 2015, 11:22:51 AM
They say one thing then, behind the scenes are taking actions to do another. For this reason, myself and some others are beginning to get organized to protect our ability to use the public, open spaces which were purchased under a federal grant formed in 1963 to buy open spaces to get people outside to recreate. The WDFW is currently not honoring the terms of the grant by the letter of the law. However, they are quick to go through all the WAC law and use and cite minor reference law to restrict access.
We need to hold the State accountable to the Laws and use the laws in the same way they use them to exclude us from what is legally ours to recreate upon.
Post by: scottr on April 17, 2015, 09:03:42 PM
Also is there somewhere I can read these email acquired through the FOA?
Post by: scottr on April 18, 2015, 01:27:06 PM
Also saw the signs indicating the pending rule changes today and have a clearer picture of the concern. Agree this new rule proposal needs to be public facing with comment period etc like they do with other WDFW rules (eg major & minor rule cycles).
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 24, 2015, 04:39:46 PM
Someone call Kim and tell him how much money you made the last time you won a hunt test.. :chuckle:..
From: Chandler, Kim (DFW)
Sent: Monday, June 03, 2013 12:26 PM
To: Boehm, Brian J (DFW)
Cc: Link, Russell E (DFW)
Subject: RE: cherry valley dog groups
Brian,
Yeah, just too many things going on last week and I’m in Oly this week for training. Anyway, once again, I’m not real excited about dog training on our lands anyway. What’s in it for us? We don’t get much of the Discover Pass $$ and very few of them actually are hunters and buy our licenses. If we are going to allow it, it needs to be understood that it’s only on the designated, signed area of Cherry Valley. One thing that may discourage them is the fact that the place isn’t mowed and the grass gets pretty high. I don’t see where we should make a whole lot of effort to mow just for commercial dog training. Commercial training also raises some concerns. These guys make a lot of $$ from winning hunt tests and field trials and many times are actually out there on the property with a customer who is interested in buying one of their dogs. Very difficult to prove but something that all of them should be made aware of. They need a commercial use permit from us to do anything of that sort. One guy just out tossing a dummy for his dog from time to time, although technically training, probably isn’t of much concern to us. When some of the big outfits move in there, they pretty much take the place over and get pretty testy when anyone else shows up just wanting to walk their dog. That isn’t going to be tolerated. If they have a trial permit, it still does not allow for exclusive use according to the wording on the permit.
Just some thoughts. You can email me back today with anything further and I should be able to reply during a break in this VERY exciting training.
K
Sergeant
Kim Chandler
WDFW
Detachment 10
King County
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 24, 2015, 04:50:10 PM
I'm researching on how areas are designated for use. I'm pretty sure that the Enforcement Division is not responsible for outlining area management. I have some calls and email in to some folks up the food chain. My public information act stuff is coming in a stead flow as well which is providing to be very helpful in giving factual information rather than hearsay trickle down assumptions and "this is how we do it here" answers.
The grant which funded the area was partially federal money to get people outside for general recreation. It was started in 1964. The WDFW appears to be turning this land into a fish habitat and has already named some areas as "aquatic restoration areas". I'm working on information gathering and will be asking for help from outside groups to preserve this land for hunting as it was intended. This place will be turned into a natural area of forested trees if we don't do something.
Reading some of the study which pre-dated the cherry creek enhancement and culvert removal to reduce salmonoid entrapment in the man-made ponds(dog training ponds made specifically for that purpose) they found five, yes FIVE salmonoids in the ponds. If I interpreted the data correctly, they spend hundreds of hours netting fish to find these lone five fish which led to the creek realignment project, a fancy bridge nobody is allowed to use and the "bridge to nowhere" as I call it.....
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 24, 2015, 04:55:49 PM
He did contact me over the phone and I told him the gates are always locked. I also said that after March 15, access to certain areas is restricted due to nesting and laying for waterfowl (based on a sign I saw at Cherry Valley). He seemed a bit annoyed, but didn’t push it further. Thanks for the note. Brian
From: Chandler, Kim (DFW)
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2013 2:53 PM
To: Boehm, Brian J (DFW)
Subject: FW: Cherry Valley
Brian,
Can you get back to this guy and explain our gate opening? I think we were talking about mid-April for drive in use? Once again, some of these dog folks are pretty pushy.
Kim Chandler
SERGEANT
WDFW
Detachment 10
King County
-----------------------------------------------------
Hi Kim,
I hunt in Cherry Valley and am a WA certified Master Hunter and also a Hunter Education Instructor. You and I met last year at Cherry Valley one time during pheasant season...
I have a new puppy. It's a Verein Deutsch Drathaar, similar to a German Wire Haired Pointer but bred under German performance breeding rules. We have a bit of a training club coming together and we were wanting to spend some training time in Cherry Valley which I believe is allowed for this purpose. Question: Is there anyway to unlock the gates so we can drive into the fields with the training equipment?
Thanks for any assistance or information you can provide.
Best -
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 24, 2015, 04:59:58 PM
To note: I have obtained all of the information posted here legally through the public information act via WDFW.
now, we're not only arrogant, we're pushy because we ask to drive our pups onto public property further away from the busy highway?
Post by: AspenBud on April 24, 2015, 05:03:36 PM
Post by: NW-GSP on April 24, 2015, 05:16:05 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 24, 2015, 07:35:20 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on April 24, 2015, 07:56:11 PM
Post by: Badhabit on April 24, 2015, 08:23:55 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on April 28, 2015, 11:05:56 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on May 05, 2015, 09:02:23 AM
Russell,
Thank you for taking the time to make this meeting happen. I am requesting the Director attend this meeting. We need to discuss why the property goals and mission has strayed from the original intent of the grant monies distributed by the Federal Outdoor Recreation Act for America. On June 21, 1974 WDFW reported to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation via the Application for Outdoor Recreation Grant-In-Aid Assistance that, “it is the recommendation of this region that the proposal be approved in order to alleviate the present heavy and congested conditions of the present facilities.” On Sept. 30, 1974 the property was purchased with a money from that grant to provide outdoor recreation based upon the application request by WDFW. Recently, management has made clear statements regarding their vision of user groups and limiting particular activities. This management practice does not reflect the intention of the funding source which made this public property in 1974. Clearly, our population has grown since 1974 and this growth has increased the publics need for open spaces for recreation. This property was purchased with federal monies for outdoor recreation opportunities. Current management is attempting to re-define the types of recreation which is allowed. I do not believe that the current recreation definitions and confinement of user areas is honoring the law as written.
“ Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled, That in order to preserve, develop, and
assure accessibility to all American people of present and future generations such
quality and quantity of outdoor recreation resources as will be necessary and
desirable for individual enjoyment, and to assure the spiritual, cultural, and
physical benefits that such outdoor recreation provides; in order to inventory and
evaluate the outdoor recreation resources and opportunities of the Nation, to
determine the types and location of such resources and opportunities which will
be required by present and future generations; and in order- to make compre-
hensive information and recommendations leading to these goals available to
the President, the Congress, and the individual States and Territories, there is
hereby authorized and created a bipartisan Outdoor Recreation'Resources Review
Commission. PUBLIC LAW 8 5-4 7 0 “
I will gladly bring the Outdoor Recreation Grant information, the deed and title transfer and the application for the original grant money to purchase the property so we can hopefully discuss the best means of honoring the Outdoor Recreation Act Grant Funding moving forward. I am available anytime except May 13-15. I will be in Okanogan County fly fishing.
Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter,
Paul Gilmore
From: Link, Russell E (DFW) [mailto:Russell.Link@dfw.wa.gov]
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2015 9:38 AM
To: Paul Gilmore
Subject: RE: Snoqualmie Valley Unit Management
Dear Mr. Gilmore,
Thanks for taking the time to further outline your concerns about current and future management activities on the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area. Our Regional Director, Bob Everitt, has asked that I meet with you in person to discuss these concerns.
I’m in the process of reaching out to some additional Department staff who I feel may be interested in attending a future meeting. My hope is that I will be able to suggest some dates/times to you by sometime next week.
Thanks for remaining engaged and I will be in touch soon.
Russ Link
Russell Link
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Region 4 Wildlife Program Manager
16018 Mill Creek Blvd
Mill Creek, WA 98012
Phone: 425.775.1311 ext. 110
Cell: 425.231.3988
Post by: fast60eddie on May 15, 2015, 10:21:02 PM
Some of the great low land pockets of grass in the timber @ stillwater were planted with trees screwing up some of the best flooded timber hunting i've had.:tup: :yeah: They screwed up that little field by removing the old culvert that had the ability control the water after a flood. then to plant trees all over it. Almost criminal when you think of the migratory bird act.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on May 18, 2015, 10:03:08 AM
Latest on the actual terms of the property purchase in short form.
The property was purchased in 1974 with funds from the Outdoor Recreation Act. The WDFW requested funding to purchase the property and stated that their current facilities were crowded. The funding was given to WDFW via the Federal Act to purchase the property for general purpose outdoor recreation opportunities. It is legally the WDFW's job to honor the Federal Act by continuing to provide recreation opportunities on the property.
Currently and historically, I do not believe this is happening as the Federal Law has intended. Property has been closed and continually made smaller and has more and more recreation limitations. I believe involving those at the Federal Level is the next step.
I have a meeting pending with WDFW management. Probably within two-three weeks.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 09, 2015, 09:59:31 AM
Thank you for taking the time to email your comments to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. Each commissioner will receive a copy. A response if forthcoming.
Opinions and comments such as yours provide the Commission with valuable insight into fish and wildlife issues of concern to communities throughout our state. The Commission relies on public testimony, email, and correspondence to help determine what is working well and what requires more concentrated efforts.
Thank you for your interest in the conservation and management of the state’s precious fish and wildlife resources.
Sincerely,
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
Mail: 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
Phone: (360) 902-2267; Fax : (360) 902-2448
Web: www.wdfw.wa.gov/commission
Post by: Colin on June 09, 2015, 01:16:38 PM
Post by: Special T on June 09, 2015, 11:45:49 PM
Post by: John B on June 14, 2015, 12:55:30 PM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 15, 2015, 08:24:59 AM
I took my dog out to Cherry Valley yesterday. The entire area is covered in 6' high grass, except for the small areas that have been plowed and planted. Ebey Island area was blocked off. The bigger area to the east had a nesting bird sign at the entrance under the trestle, and eco blocks with private property signs at the other parking lot . The area to the west was gated and chained off with no dogs signs.
You were probably the lone car I saw when I drove by about 5? That's the problem I've been fighting with WDFW about. As I've written, I have evidence they intentionally allow the land to become unusable to keep people from using the property. I raised money to pay to have the property mowed. People started using it. People use it, there will be a few folks who litter. There will be a conflict or two. How in the world can we close it down to all because of one? That is the mentality. I'm pretty sure I've made some progress and people and policy will be changing. I've been told specifically that the current management has not done their job and they are not focusing management efforts properly.
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 15, 2015, 08:26:29 AM
Post by: Special T on June 15, 2015, 09:38:04 AM
Post by: Happy Gilmore on June 15, 2015, 02:44:54 PM
(sideline note: during the course of the study to find entrapped salmonoids on the property, hundreds of hours of survey was conducted on all the ponds and ditches. A total of 5 fish were found in a couple hundred hours according to one report submitted with the permit application)