I wrote a letter to the AG. I'm just dealing with the dereliction of duty aspect, not the plan itself.

Attorney General Bob Fergusen,

I am writing you to express my shock and dissatisfaction at the Attorney General’s dereliction of duty as it relates to the development of the Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Management Plan.

May I first remind you that the AGO’s mission, as outlined on your own site, states that you will “…provide excellent, independent, and ethical legal services to the State of Washington and protect the rights of its people.” Your first core value states, “…remember that we serve the people of Washington.” Also, the first amendment of the Constitution of the US states that the people have the right “to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” A right, which I assume extends to the people of the State of Washington and our state government.

Advising WDFW to secretly develop a plan, whose ultimate form is intended to become law, clearly violates all of the above principles.

Mike Grossman is an incredibly talented attorney. I am both astounded and horrified at the creativity he employed to keep the public out of the development of this plan. But he easily could have chosen the other path. Instead of claiming that WDFW’s hands were tied by the mitigation, he could have used his talent to figure out a way to include the public. Failing that, he should have just said “No – excluding the public violates the principles of my office and would be a disservice to the people of my state”.

Additionally, AAG Frymire, who apparently was supposed to be looking out for WDFW’s Commission (and therefore the public) remained quiet and out of view. Which to me smells of collusion.

Grossman’s actions, and Frymire’s inaction are a dereliction of duty by them, and by extension, your entire office. I am formally requesting that Grossman and Frymire step down. I am also requesting a review of the Attorney General’s handling of this matter by an independent entity outside of your office. I will be pursing this with the Governor.

You have failed the people of this state, and betrayed our trust.