Interesting the way you put that.

Go back a few years. We had a $10 "Pugt Sound Enhancement Fee" attached to the sale of every saltwater license for establishing and maintaining the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Program (PSRFEP.) In short, it funded hatchery raised Chinook that provided for a recreational Blackmouth fishery in the Sound. In 1998, that $10 "enhancement fee" on saltwater licenses was incorporated into all licenses through a license consolidation bill. One provision of that consolidation bill was to ensure the $10 from each license to remained to support the PSRFEP remained to support the PSRFEP. The bill passed (putting the $10 on ALL licenses sold) but Governor Locke vetoed the provision that retained the money in the PSRFEP. Basically, he saw a way to increase cash flow into the WDFW budget. Now, only 3 years later, we're starting to see the closure of the hatcheries supported through our recreational fishing licenses. Money previously targeted for McAllister Creek is now heading to Soos Creek which has nothing to do with the original intent of the enhancement fee for the Blackmouth fishery proposed years ago by Senator Oke.

Look at some of the recent legislation up for debate in Olympia. One actually calls for the elimination of the WDFW Commission so the Governor can appoint whoever he wants as Director of WDFW.

Seems to me, and I could be wrong, there is a power and money grab eminating from the Governor's office at the expense of recreational fishers and its being conducted very, very slyly.