Post by: idahohuntr on February 03, 2022, 11:12:27 AM
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/feb/03/kim-thorburn-following-existing-laws-would-fix-fis/
By Kim Thorburn
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is in the spotlight as allegedly “dysfunctional,” fraught with “interpersonal” conflict. Some legislators are proposing to fix it.
During hearings on “fix-it” bills, lawmakers seemed to call out the appointment process as what needs to be fixed. I agree that the problem lies in the appointment process, not in the commission itself. But if the parties responsible for appointment process, the governor and Senate, followed existing laws, I posit there is already the ability to effectively comprise a commission that does what it is supposed to do: protect, perpetuate, and preserve the state’s fish, shellfish, and wildlife; conserve and authorize take so as not to imperil the resources; maximize hunting and fishing opportunities; and include volunteers in these efforts. (RCW 77.04.012)
There are two statutes that govern commission appointments, RCW 77.04.030 and RCW 77.04.055, neither of which is being followed. The former law is about the process of commission appointments, including geographic distribution of commissioner appointees, terms, appointment dates, and time limits on filling vacancies. The governor who is the appointing authority has not complied with appointment staggering requirements and vacancies have been left unfilled well past the statutory mandate.
The other law is about commissioner qualifications. It reads in part, “In making these appointments, the governor shall seek to maintain a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and wildlife, including representation recommended by organized groups representing sport fishers, commercial fishers, hunters, private landowners, and environmentalists.” We are now hearing loudly from the state’s hunting groups that the governor did not consult them during the latest round of commission appointments. There is considerable well-founded speculation that the only groups consulted were organized anti-hunting animal rights groups and individuals and they represent extremist environmentalist fringe whose beliefs have little or nothing to do with fish and wildlife conservation and management.
The commission’s mandate to conserve and manage the state’s fish and wildlife in trust for the citizens is inclusive, not partisan. The animal rights creed that advocates no hunting or no hunting of certain species or banning some traditional methods of hunting and fishing is exclusive, partisan, and incompatible with the commission’s statutory duties. Animal rights groups have become increasingly visible and are, in part, the reason that the Fish and Wildlife Commission is in the spotlight. They bring conflict to mandate responsibilities and are using the political process to disrupt the commission’s duty to the mission.
Apparently, animal rights groups have an ally in the governor. Even with a legally defined process, appointing authority can be exploited to advance partisan motives, including back-door attempts to change law without going through the arduous process called for by our representative form of government. That’s why there are checks and balances such as advice and consent to appointments. Advice and consent through the Senate’s confirmation process should provide assurance that appointments involved the legally required inclusive consultation and more important, vet appointees for their commitment to uphold the statutory mandate rather than serve as a Trojan horse to change the mission.
The work of the Fish and Wildlife Commission touches the diverse cultures of our state. The statutory mission provides the guideposts for navigating the diverse cultures. The commission conflict that is purportedly so prevalent arises from a group, animal rights believers and government official supporting them, who seek to exclude many cultures involving fish and wildlife - hunters, commercial fishers, certain sports anglers, rural landowners, mainstream environmentalists - by changing the mission.
A dramatic shift in social and cultural norms does not belong in the hands of an appointed body like the Fish and Wildlife Commission. It is the work of the Legislature through regular transparent and inclusive representative law-making and not political payback or endgame back-room budget dealing. I suggest that we don’t need new laws to improve the functioning of the Fish and Wildlife Commission but instead, we need elected officials to follow current law.
Kim Thorburn, of Spokane, is a member of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Post by: TriggerMike on February 03, 2022, 11:19:42 AM
Post by: Karl Blanchard on February 03, 2022, 11:21:23 AM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on February 03, 2022, 11:26:04 AM
Post by: raydog on February 03, 2022, 11:28:37 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on February 03, 2022, 11:38:15 AM
Good for her....now will she get any legislative support where it counts or will she get cancelled...
Post by: Timberstalker on February 03, 2022, 11:38:55 AM
Let's hope she gets some support, FGR!
Post by: pickardjw on February 03, 2022, 11:41:36 AM
Post by: Bullkllr on February 03, 2022, 11:42:18 AM
Awesome article.
Let's hope she gets some support, FGR!
:yeah:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 03, 2022, 11:56:37 AM
Post by: pd on February 03, 2022, 12:49:03 PM
Sorry, not Jackelope.
Post by: whacker1 on February 03, 2022, 12:50:30 PM
Post by: mburrows on February 03, 2022, 01:00:46 PM
Post by: hunter399 on February 03, 2022, 01:02:14 PM
i am impressed by her more and more. glad she wrote this article.I was just thinking the same thing....
A year or two ago I might not of said that.
But she seems great these days.👍
Post by: Rainier10 on February 03, 2022, 01:03:00 PM
Where's Jackalopes "BOOM" when we need it! Perfectly worded Kim, well done!
Post by: jackelope on February 03, 2022, 01:23:32 PM
Post by: dreamingbig on February 03, 2022, 01:30:44 PM
Where's Jackalopes "BOOM" when we need it! Perfectly worded Kim, well done!Totally agree! Nice work Kim!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: 7mmfan on February 03, 2022, 01:40:55 PM
Post by: Special T on February 03, 2022, 01:42:52 PM
Post by: Practical Approach on February 03, 2022, 01:43:10 PM
Post by: RB on February 03, 2022, 01:50:07 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 03, 2022, 02:09:27 PM
Post by: saylean on February 03, 2022, 02:39:45 PM
Post by: Rainier10 on February 03, 2022, 02:54:51 PM
That was well stated. I would recommend emailing her directly and thanking her for being candid and airing out the problems with the commission.I know we can email the commission but don't see where I can email Kim direct. Is that address somewhere?
Post by: pickardjw on February 03, 2022, 02:56:58 PM
https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/contact/employee-lookup
Post by: Humptulips on February 03, 2022, 03:13:32 PM
That was well stated. I would recommend emailing her directly and thanking her for being candid and airing out the problems with the commission.I know we can email the commission but don't see where I can email Kim direct. Is that address somewhere?
You can email anyone in the Department or Commission, first name .second name@dfw.wa.gov
Works for Legislators too.
example using my name: bruce.vandervort@dfw.wa.gov
No I don't work there so don't try to email me with that email
Post by: Rainier10 on February 03, 2022, 03:43:13 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on February 03, 2022, 04:02:03 PM
Post by: h3x0ctb1n on February 03, 2022, 08:05:13 PM
Sent her an email of thanks.
Post by: nwwanderer on February 04, 2022, 04:53:35 AM
Post by: h3x0ctb1n on February 05, 2022, 09:49:29 AM
“It is critical that we all hear the voices of sportsmen and women about all that you do for fish and wildlife conservation and management as well as the healthy family, friend, and community pleasures provided.”
I take this to mean: it can’t be one-and-done, it can’t be assumed that our perspective is always known; and that using our voices at every juncture is a weapon she and like-minded colleagues can and needs to be able to use in fighting for what’s right.
Post by: Wunderlich33 on February 05, 2022, 10:58:30 AM
Keep up the good fight Team!
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 06, 2022, 06:11:47 AM
Apparently, animal rights groups have an ally in the governor. Ya think??As do most lunatics in this State :bash:
Post by: Ghost Hunter on February 06, 2022, 06:59:07 AM