Draconian Threats from WDFW

Byrobtobeck

As many of you may have heard, the state is proposing license fee increases for hunting and fishing in Washington.  First of all, I hate calling these things fees, let's call them what they are, TAXES.  That being said, they are a user tax and if there is any tax I can live with then it would be some sort of user tax.  Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about the possibility of increasing those taxes.  The state will tell you that we have not had a license fee increase in 14 years.  I guess that's true if you aren't one of the 190,000 Washington anglers that like to fish for salmon or steelhead on a little river called the Columbia.  It seems that I remember an $8.75 fee increase this last year to do so.  I mention all of this just to point out how the state tries to frame things to try and justify asking us, the taxpaying hunter and fisherman, to pay for more.

Let's be clear, I have not decided whether or not I will support this proposed increase.  I do realize that the cost of doing business is higher now than it was in 1996.  However, I also look at the opportunities and access we had in 1996 that we don't have today.  I sometimes have to ask myself, what am I paying for?  We as recreational anglers spend billions in equipment, bait, gas, ice, fees, licenses, boats, vacations, and whatever else I am leaving out.  This generates billions in state sales tax and creates jobs and wages that are then taxed.  All of this hard earned money and what does the Governor and State Legislature do?  Spend more than they have, increase that spending in times of surplus, and then cut the budget of WDFW when times are rough.  So, if I have to lay blame for the cuts, I lay them at the feet of our irresponsible elected officials.

Where I have a problem with WDFW and Director Anderson is in the way they are threatening the existence of our favorite pastime if we don't go along. Proposed cuts include:

  • 7-11 hatcheries closed.
  • Cutting up to 20 wildlife enforcement jobs.
  • Elimination of coastal and Puget Sound steelhead fisheries.
  • Reduction of marine area selective fishing. 
  • Closure of up to 700 public access areas.
  • Elimination of triploid trout stocking programs.
  • Elimination of youth fishing programs.

 

As you know, I have been a cheerleader for the Director at times and he has deserved those cheers.  This time however,  I can't cheer.  We are all well aware that WDFW has absorbed a 30% reduction from the state general fund.  This makes the contributions of hunters and fishers license fees an even greater percentage of the WDFW budget.  We are now more than 17% of the budget, generating over $54 million each biennium and this doesn't even factor in our contributions to the general fund.  Need I also remind the director that it was the recreational angler that fought to keep WDFW last year? Some in the legislature, under the influence of the commercial industry, proposed having DNR absorb WDFW. 

What is the rational behind these proposals?  Essentially closing down fishing for a vast portion of Washington anglers.  WDFW wants us to go along with increased fees and they threaten to eliminate steelhead fishing, eliminate the fish that we catch by closing hatcheries, and close down our access to what opportunity we have left if we don't go along. What is this going to do to the quality of life in the State of Washington?  We already have a crises in this state with regards to hunting and fishing.  Since 1990 we have had a population growth of nearly 40 percent and despite that increase, we have seen a decrease in recreational licenses.  We have continued to pay more for less.  Just this year we have seen a reduction in halibut, the elimination of fishing for rockfish within Puget Sound, reduced bag limits for rockfish in Neah Bay, a  reduction in the slot for lingcod and we are constantly dealing with closures of all kinds. 

Where are the other proposals for money savings?  We need better prioritization of the states fish and wildlife resources.   Why are we threatening layoffs for enforcement and nowhere else?  Is WDFW spending too much time doing "other" things instead of managing opportunity for the the people that pay for that opportunity?  We as recreational anglers have always been willing to pay our share but it's time we see something for it. 

Tell the state to quit threatening recreational fisherman and come up with some other ideas.  Ask what they are going to do for recreational anglers if we support their license and fee increases?  Send an email to director@dfw.wa.gov or write to Director 600 Capital Way N. Olumpia, Wa. 98501-1091.  You can also sound off at www.thereelnews.com or tell me what you think below.

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