Aunty

Please read this and jump in with your opin!

Well Mike, 99% of the time I usually agree with you on most issues, but not this one, this time!

I reread House Bill 1725 (the bill that authorized the fee increase) and couldn't fine one single mention about that money being used for the purpose of "supporting" our hatcheries! If that was indeed the case, I would not be writing his reply right now.

Its interest that you have stated that; ". . . An interesting little bit of info most don't know, this increase was sponcerd by sportfishing as legislation and supported by all sportfishing groups that spend any time doing any work in Olympia. It was done 'specifically for the purpose of trying to minimize or eliminate further cuts to hatcheries' and the money goes into the wildlife account."

That's A good one, the "Wildlife account"! What is the "wildlife account" and what is it being used for?

Thanks to grandpa, I have reposted Bill 1725. If you will notice, there is absolutely NO MENTION at all about using this extra fee for prevention, closing, or cutting back on our hatcheries. Read thought it and show us where that is authorized!

After you have read it, will discuss how I believe this bill is really nothing more than a money maker to be used for whatever WDFW feels like using it for! In my opinion, Bill 1725 has been misrepresented to you and the sport fishers. Here is what the bill says:


SECOND SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1725
"AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

Passed Legislature - 2003 Regular Session

State of Washington 58th Legislature 2003 Regular Session By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Cooper and Upthegrove)

READ FIRST TIME 03/10/03.

AN ACT Relating to catch record cards; amending RCW 77.32.430 and 77.32.256; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 77.32.430 and 1998 c 191 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Catch record cards necessary for proper management of the state's food fish and game fish species and shellfish resources shall be administered under rules adopted by the commission and issued at no charge for the initial catch record card and ten dollars for each subsequent catch record card. A duplicate catch record costs ten dollars.

(2) Catch record cards issued with affixed temporary short-term charter stamp licenses are not subject to the ten-dollar charge as provided in this section. Charter boat or guide operators issuing temporary short-term charter stamp licenses shall affix the stamp to each catch record card issued before fishing commences. Catch record cards issued with a temporary short-term charter stamp are valid for two consecutive days.

(3) The department shall include provisions for recording marked and unmarked salmon in catch record cards issued after March 31, 2004.

(4) The funds received from the sale of catch record cards must be deposited into the wildlife fund.

Sec. 2. RCW 77.32.256 and 2002 c 222 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The director shall by rule establish the conditions and fees for issuance of duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps required by this chapter. The fee for duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps, except catch record cards, may not exceed the actual cost to the department for issuing the duplicate.


NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act takes effect April 1, 2004.
___________________________________________________________________


So where in the devil does it say that this money will be going to help or prevent the cutting back of our hatcheries? I have been researching the RCW's all morning, and I can not find any rule or law that states where this "wildlife fund" is to be spent!


So AuntyM, If you are out there, this may be of some interest to you. It appears that the "wildlife funds" can be used to pay all the in lieu land taxes on those 8.2 million dollars of worth of property that the state has purchased.

RCW 77.12.190
Diversion of wildlife fund moneys prohibited.
Moneys in the state wildlife fund may be used only for the purposes of this title, including the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued for capital projects.

RCW 77.12.201
Counties may elect to receive an amount in lieu of taxes -- County to record collections for violations of law or rules -- Deposit.
The legislative authority of a county may elect, by giving written notice to the director and the treasurer prior to January 1st of any year, to obtain for the following year an amount in lieu of real property taxes on game lands as provided in RCW 77.12.203 . Upon the election, the county shall keep a record of all fines, forfeitures, reimbursements, and costs assessed and collected, in whole or in part, under this title for violations of law or rules adopted pursuant to this title and shall monthly remit an amount equal to the amount collected to the state treasurer for deposit in the public safety and education account established under RCW 43.08.250. The election shall continue until the department is notified differently prior to January 1st of any year

RCW 77.12.203
In lieu payments authorized -- Procedure -- Game lands defined.
(1) Notwithstanding RCW 84.36.010 or other statutes to the contrary, the director shall pay by April 30th of each year on game lands in each county, if requested by an election under RCW 77.12.201 , an amount in lieu of real property taxes equal to that amount paid on similar parcels of open space land taxable under chapter 84.34 RCW or the greater of seventy cents per acre per year or the amount paid in 1984 plus an additional amount for control of noxious weeds equal to that which would be paid if such lands were privately owned. This amount shall not be assessed or paid on department buildings, structures, facilities, game farms, fish hatcheries, tidelands, or public fishing areas of less than one hundred acres.
(2) "Game lands," as used in this section and RCW 77.12.201 , means those tracts one hundred acres or larger owned in fee by the department and used for wildlife habitat and public recreational purposes. All lands purchased for wildlife habitat, public access or recreation purposes with federal funds in the Snake River drainage basin shall be considered game lands regardless of acreage.
(3) This section shall not apply to lands transferred after April 23, 1990, to the department from other state agencies

RCW 77.12.230
Local assessments against department property.
The director may pay lawful local improvement district assessments for projects that may benefit wildlife or wildlife-oriented recreation made against lands held by the state for department purposes. The payments may be made from money appropriated from the state wildlife fund to the department

RCW 77.04.020
Composition of department -- Powers and duties.
The department consists of the state fish and wildlife commission and the director. The commission may delegate to the director any of the powers and duties vested in the commission.
[2000 c 107 § 202; 1996 c 267 § 32; 1993 sp.s. c 2 § 59; 1987 c 506 § 4; 1980 c 78 § 3; 1955 c 36 § 77.04.020. Prior: 1947 c 275 § 2; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 5992-12.]
NOTES: Intent -- Effective date -- 1996 c 267: See notes following RCW 77.12.177.
Effective date -- 1993 sp.s. c 2 §§ 1-6, 8-59, and 61-79: See RCW 43.300.900.
Severability -- 1993 sp.s. c 2: See RCW 43.300.901.
Legislative findings and intent -- 1987 c 506: "Washington's fish and wildlife resources are the responsibility of all residents of the state. We all benefit economically, recreationally, and aesthetically from these resources. Recognizing the state's changing environment, the legislature intends to continue to provide opportunities for the people to appreciate wildlife in its native habitat. However, the wildlife management in the state of Washington shall not cause a reduction of recreational opportunity for hunting and fishing activities. The paramount responsibility of the department remains to preserve, protect, and perpetuate all wildlife species. Adequate funding for proper management, now and for future generations, is the responsibility of everyone.
The intent of the legislature is: (1) To allow the governor to select the director of wildlife; (2) to retain the authority of the wildlife commission to establish the goals and objectives of the department; (3) to insure a high level of public involvement in the decision-making process; (4) to provide effective communications among the commission, the governor, the legislature, and the public; (5) to expand the scope of appropriate funding for the management, conservation, and enhancement of wildlife; (6) to not increase the cost of license, tag, stamp, permit, and punchcard fees prior to January 1, 1990; and (7) for the commission to carry out any other responsibilities prescribed by the legislature in this title." [1987 c 506 § 1.]

RCW 77.12.320
Agreements for purposes related to fish, shellfish, and wildlife -- Acceptance of compensation, gifts, grants.
(1) The commission may make agreements with persons, political subdivisions of this state, or the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities, regarding fish, shellfish, and wildlife-oriented recreation and the propagation, protection, conservation, and control of fish, shellfish, and wildlife.
(2) The director may make written agreements with the owners or lessees of real or personal property to provide for the use of the property for fish, shellfish, and wildlife-oriented recreation. The director may adopt rules governing the conduct of persons in or on the real property.
(3) The director may accept compensation for fish, shellfish, and wildlife losses or gifts or grants of personal property for use by the department.

RCW 77.12.323
Special wildlife account -- Investments.
(1) There is established in the state wildlife fund a special wildlife account. Moneys received under RCW 77.12.320 as now or hereafter amended as compensation for wildlife losses shall be deposited in the state treasury to be credited to the special wildlife account.
(2) The director may advise the state treasurer and the state investment board of a surplus in the special wildlife account above the current needs. The state investment board may invest and reinvest the surplus, as the commission deems appropriate, in an investment authorized by RCW 43.84.150 or in securities issued by the United States government as defined by RCW 43.84.080 (1) and (4). Income received from the investments shall be deposited to the credit of the special wildlife account

RCW 77.32.256
Duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps -- Fees.
The director shall by rule establish the conditions and fees for issuance of duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps required by this chapter. The fee for duplicate licenses, rebates, permits, tags, and stamps may not exceed the actual cost to the department for issuing the duplicate.
[2002 c 222 § 1; 1995 c 116 § 6; 1994 c 255 § 13; 1991 sp.s. c 7 § 7; 1987 c 506 § 86; 1985 c 464 § 7; 1981 c 310 § 30; 1980 c 78 § 121; 1975 1st ex.s. c 15 § 32.

So can anybody on this board figure out where and what the "wildlife Funds" are used for?

Cowlitzfisherman