FYI Zen

WWW Leads Way For "Duck" Stamp Bill Passage = More Conservation $

The WWA Board of Directors was asked by the Washington Migratory Bird Stamp Committee to sponsor an increase in the price of the Washington Bird Stamp from $6 to $10

From its beginning in 1986 through 1990 the Washington stamp cost $5 In 1991 the cost was raised to $6 It has remained at $6 for over 11 years, far to long to keep up with inflation.
Money collected from the stamp is used to fund habitat conservation projects here in Washington.

These past few years identified conservation projects were put on hold due to lack of migratory bird stamp funding. In the 1999-2001, WDFW had 1.2 million in requests for bird stamp funding and was only able to fund 80% of the amounts requested. In the 2001-2003 biennium, there has been already 1.4 million in requested funding for projects. WDFW projected that they would only be able to fund 55% of the proposed conservation projects in Washington.

WWA board members Bob Boldman, Johnny Walker and John Arrabito logged some long hours lobbying, testifying and generally sheperding the bill through the State Legislature.

We need to thank Senator Mary Margaret Haugen from Camano Island, whom was kind enough to sponsor our request to tax ourselves with a stamp fee increase. Our bill.SB6353 went through the loops with no opposition. However, without the organization Washingtonians For Wildlife Conservation, headed by Bobbie Thornily, and their lobbyist, Ed Owens, our bill would not have passed the Legislature.

We needed the WWC to accomplish our Legislative goal, and the WWC needs us. It takes money to support hunting issues in Olympia. The WWA board of directors will be revisiting the issue of our financial contribution to the WWC.