Post by: Dave Workman on February 08, 2011, 10:20:35 AM
Hunters and anglers will descend on Olympia Thursday afternoon when the Senate Natural Resources Committee holds a public hearing on proposed legislation to merge three state agencies including the Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW).
This column discussed the proposal weeks ago here, offering a ten-point alternative solution to funding woes at the WDFW. The Senate version is SB 5669 and the House version is HB 1850.
http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/hearing-this-thursday-on-proposed-wdfw-parks-merger (http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-seattle/hearing-this-thursday-on-proposed-wdfw-parks-merger)
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 08, 2011, 10:36:35 AM
Wow Link to his story and there is a link to Puget sound anglers which has a letter through voter voice that will be sent to 10 different recipients including you senator, reps, Gagwar and others.... Such as....
Senator Val Stevens Email
Senator Karen Fraser Email
Senator Dan Swecker Email
Senator James Hargrove Email
Senator Debbie Regala Email
Senator Kevin Ranker Email
Senator Bob Morton Email
Governor Chris Gregoire Email
Representative Kirk Pearson Email
Representative Dan Kristiansen Email
Can't get much easier. If you would like you can do your own letter and it will still go to all 10
Post by: Special T on February 08, 2011, 11:10:05 AM
This state leans on hunters so much that they have come up with a new "Discover pass" that only gives the WDFW $3 of the $30 it costs and the parks dept gets 85%.. The powers that be want a merger so they marginalize us (Hook and Bullet crowd) by merging agencies and at the same time making us pay more $$$ for other less self sustaining agencies... I think it is high time we put our foot to several legislators ass and let them know we are tired of being marginalized...
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 08, 2011, 02:18:07 PM
James,
I am following up on a message we sent you over the weekend to ask you to take one minute out of your day to send a message stating you oppose any effort to dismantle the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Legislation is pending to do that and merge Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with other agencies. By clicking on the link below, you will be directed to a website that will provide more detail on why you should oppose this legislation and allow you to send a message to your legislators with a couple of clicks of your mouse. Thank you
Bryan Irwin
Executive Director
CCA Pacific Northwest
Click the link below to log in and send your message:
http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ccapnw/ybrbrfFy.aspx (http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/ccapnw/ybrbrfFy.aspx)
Post by: NWWABOWHNTR on February 08, 2011, 02:52:39 PM
Post by: Dave Workman on February 10, 2011, 04:41:24 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 11, 2011, 10:46:13 AM
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.
Post by: jager on February 11, 2011, 11:06:12 AM
Who they are:
Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP), formerly known as Washington Association of Professional Biologists (WAPB), is an independent Labor Union comprised entirely of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) employees with similar working conditions, professional interests, issues and concerns. Larger unions usually generalize in representing an assortment of unrelated professions (such as security guards, police officers, librarians, teachers etc.) throughout various Agencies that sometimes have competing interests. By specializing solely on fish and wildlife professionals in WDFW our members benefit from a union that specializes in representing their interest, and only their interests.
Mission statement:
The Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP) strives to provide the highest level of professionalism and advocates for the State’s fish and wildlife and their habitats. The goals of the Association are to promote an environment for all employees to achieve their professional best by: promoting fair and reasonable working conditions, developing effective means for prompt adjustments of differences, misunderstandings and disputes; and working with legislators and organizations to promote policies that protect and manage fish and wildlife resources.
Post by: Wacenturion on February 11, 2011, 12:26:09 PM
Post by: Special T on February 11, 2011, 02:14:38 PM
What they should be doing. Looking at core responsibilities, What areas give taxpayers best bang for the buck? Prioritize! Keep people in essential areas and lay off to get lean and still take care or responsibilities..
It doesn't mean we have to lay everyone off, Despite the fact i think there thing state and local gov do that it has no business doing!
If the state is not going to lay people off in the reorganisation HOW CAN THEY SAVE $$$? The 3 organisations are mostly service based. what percentage of those 3 agencies budgets are made up of salaries? This merger is nothing but a game of 3 card Monte! WDFW should come close to breaking even DNR makes money for the State and PARKS cost the most! (Come no where near breaking even)
Post by: bigtex on February 12, 2011, 06:47:50 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on February 15, 2011, 04:21:06 PM