This is from an old salmon fisherman I know, but the issues are universal to bass fishermen and hunters as well.


Subject: Fish and Wildlife Commission Under Seige

FYI---The five bills below were first read during the week of Jan 17 and are now scheduled for hearing and perhaps a committee vote on Monday. Some surmise that this is borne out of dissatisfaction with recent Commissioner appointments and appears to be a power play on the part of the commercial industry to cut the Commission out of the loop and give all the power to the WDFW director. We don't know how these were developed, but many allege it would be disastrous for the resource and must be stopped. It eliminates far too much of the Commission's oversight responsibilities. Ric Abbett is researching to determine TU action on this matter, he may testify Monday offering TU's observations.
Bart   
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation* -  02/26/07  12:00 pm
Senate  Full Committee
Senate Hearing Rm 2
J.A. Cherberg Building
Olympia, WA

REVISED 02/23/07  1:20 PM

Executive Session:  Bills to be determined. go to: http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature/showagenda.aspx?id=11811&Acronym=NROR

Public Hearing:
SB 5364 - Requiring the governor to appoint the director of fish and wildlife. The voters passed an Initiative in the 90's to take away the Governor's appointment and place the authority of appointment to the WDFW Commission
SB 5747 - Requiring the chair of the fish and wildlife commission be confirmed by the senate. Not need-chair is usually appointed by seniority,would be conferred already
SB 5793 - Regarding the composition of the fish and wildlife commission. Bad requirements for membership-requires 3 members be recommended by agricultural organizations, only 1 member be recommended by conservation organizations. Does not defined who is qualified to make the recommendations for each listed organization.
SB 6043 - Requiring the joint legislative audit and review committee to review the governance structure of the department of fish and wildlife. Would consolidate WDFW into WDNR (Doug Sutherland is Director of DNR)   
SB 6053 - Regarding the management of the state's food fish and shellfish resources. Transfer management powers from the WDFW commission to WDFW director (needs reform but this is not the way to do it nor is it enough)

You can contact the Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean and Recreation at:
Telephone: (360) 786-7419