Originally Posted By: Salmo g.
Originally Posted By: Larry B
Originally Posted By: Rivrguy

I see a point being missed. If the Commission adopts a policy, priority, or anything really it is not legally binding on WDF&W. It can be but the Commission puts it in a WAC then it is binding and the agency can be sued if they fail to follow it because it is law. The Commission can require an action or priority but minus a WAC it is not binding on WDFW.


You are correct and thank you for pointing that out. That whole issue of the force and effect of Commission Policy/direction was touched upon during the most recent Commission meeting. Should it take putting a Policy into the WAC such that the public can sue? No!

What it takes is a strong Commission to monitor the implementation of its direction over time and provide course corrections when needed.


I agree with this. It's been a while since I've read the enabling legislation, but I think it is the Commission's job to establish and set policy, and through the Director it is carried out. If the actions don't meet policy expectations, then the Commission provides instruction to the Director or hires a new Director.


Unfortunately, my observation over the last ten years or so is that the Commission has a poor record of keeping their collective eye on the ball in terms of Director/Staff implementation of policy/guidance. With that laissez-faire reality it falls to us stakeholders to identify failures and "encourage" the Commission to put the ship back on course. More often than not it seems like that effort is akin to herding cats.

But it is still better than dealing with the Legislature and their short term goals.
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