I have to second Salmo's thanks. I am going to pick out what I see as one central theme for comment. That is, a failure to meaningfully engage and then honestly represent input from the advisors and public.

From the Advocacy's input as presented:

" Regarding the advisors providing guidance to the Department staff, we have referenced earlier how the Department controlled every avenue of the meeting discussions. The Department has a handbook on the role and process to be utilized during an advisor process. When the Advisors actually tried to assert some kind of influence over what was occurring (all in accordance with the Advisors Handbook), the Department countered by installing a new set of “rules” for participation. Failure to comply would carry “Consequences”. When asked what was meant by the term and under what authority this threat was being issued, staff refused to respond. When the questioning advisor went outside to clear his head, a rule was installed that advisors could not leave their seat."

The WDFW is on its second iteration of the Advisor's Handbook but what is missing is a Commission Policy on the roles and interactions of both Advisors and Staff. One step further is that there is no WDFW Staff handbook clearly setting forth Staff's role and responsibilities relative to Advisory Groups. That failure opens the door to misunderstandings, misrepresentations and ultimately failures.