And the same questions too Gregoire:

CANDIDATE QUESTIONAIRE
Do you currently sport fish?
I don’t get to fish nearly as much as I would like to (and never catch as much as I’d like when I
do get out) – but take a look at the attached picture of my family and me after a recent outing at
Westport.
Do you consider sportfishing an important part of the economy? What is your dollar
estimate of the economic impact of sports fishing in Washington State? In your opinion,
how many residents sports fish?
Without a doubt, sports fishing is a huge part of the economy. Last year, it approached $2 billion
in estimated economic impact, including support of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. The
combination of state and federal tax revenues generated because of sports fishing is over $120
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Washington Sportfishing PAC
Supporting Those Who Support Sportfishing
million annually. Nearly one million Washington citizens got a license to fish last year. Sport
fishing has a major positive affect on our well-being.
Do you believe that accessing fish and wildlife on public lands and waters is a
right or a privilege?
I believe that access to public lands and waters is a right that should be enjoyed by our
citizens – and shared with others in a responsible, law-abiding fashion.
Do you believe the WDFW is properly funded?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is funded by a combination of state general funds,
user fees, and federal dollars. The challenge is to find an appropriate balance between the general
fund (where all taxpayers contribute) and user fees (where a greater responsibility falls on those
who are receiving direct services from the department). There is no right or wrong formula for
this balance, but in my opinion, the legislature has leaned hard on the state Wildlife Fund in
recent years.
What, in your opinion, could be done to adjust WDFW funding to the proper level?
The operating level of funding for the department has remained fairly constant in recent
years (about $275 million per biennium). The biggest hit to the department has been on the
capital budget side. The current capital budget is now about half of what it was in the 1993-95
biennium. We need to change this momentum if we want to fund the recent recommendations for
hatchery reform. I also think we need to re-examine some user fees, particularly the out-of-state
license fees, and bring them on par with commensurate fees paid in other states.
Do you believe that science should be a primary factor in resource management?
Absolutely. I think science should be the paramount factor in resource
management. Sound science is the cornerstone for good environmental policy and
practice. Science provides a reminder that the physical world is more powerful and
lasting than political rhetoric. It is my belief that science is the most reliable path to
follow when seeking solutions to difficult problems.
Have you heard of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group recommendations for
hatchery reform? What is your opinion of the recommendations? Do you support
funding the recommendations?
I am very impressed by the four-year effort of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group. It
has been a prototype of the kind of problem solving that I advocate, with a group of top-notch
scientists, committed leaders from a range of involved parties, and very active participation by
communities across the state. I believe the principles of adaptive management, on an ecosystemby-
ecosystem basis, provide a sound strategic approach to hatchery management.
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Washington Sportfishing PAC
Supporting Those Who Support Sportfishing
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Implementation of this effort will require support from all of the parties who now operate
hatcheries: the state, our native tribes, and the federal government. Although the Governor’s
powers are limited in this arena, I will assist in getting the necessary funding to take us down the
path of reform. We need to keep in mind that the state general fund is in a major deficit, and the
most fruitful course might be a combination of federal money and the state capital budget. The
full package will cost about $150 million over the next 10 or 15 years.
In your opinion, what can be done legislatively or otherwise to increase
sportfishing opportunity?
We need a clear state policy, articulated by the legislature, to provide guidance to the
state Fish and Wildlife Commission on an appropriate allocation of fishing for sports fishermen
and commercial fishermen, in order to optimize the economic benefits of fishing.