what do you think of a Governor that veto the trapping bill then says it is ok to break the law...
i am not a trapper but think this is wrong the law is the law.

Didnt he take an OATH that somewhere in there states he is to uphold the law, any law?

I really hope he gets in more than just hot water over this. A leader in that position should never tell the Department to turn the other cheek..

I have afunny little feeling this will not be the last of this at a minimum it will most definantly be used against him come election day

Forgot,,

Why hasnt the media jumped on this? A govenor telling enforcement officers to disreguard the law

What do you fellas expect from a liberal Democrat anyway?

would this be grounds for impeachment?

where do you get this info?? can you link me?

Hee ya go sir, The AP story...

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Locke asks Fish and Wildlife to turn blind eye on parts of trapping ban


By PAUL QUEARY
The Associated Press
5/21/03 9:50 PM


OLYMPIA (AP) -- Gov. Gary Locke wants the Department of Fish and Wildlife to turn a blind eye to some violations of the state's voter-approved trapping ban.

In a letter to the chairman of the state's Fish and Wildlife Commission, Locke asked for help in reining in some of the most troublesome parts of the initiative -- even after vetoing a virtual repeal.

"DFW should place its limited enforcement resources into higher-order priorities than against homeowners, businesses and the timber industry that trap for moles, gophers and mountain beavers," Locke wrote in a letter to Will Roehl, chairman of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, which oversees the department.

The letter has opponents of the ban crying foul, saying Locke is looking out for the people who voted for Initiative 713 in 2000 and ignoring the the rural areas where its impact has been felt keenly by farmers and ranchers.

"While the primarily urban and suburban voters who supported the initiative now have an exemption to go out and kill moles and gophers in their front yards, the ban remains for the farmers and ranchers who largely voted against the initiative," said Dean Boyer, a spokesman for the Farm Bureau, a vocal opponent of the ban.

In fact, there has been little enforcement of the initiative since its passage in 2000, say department officials. Nobody has ever been fined, and the department's enforcement officers concentrate on poaching, fisheries violations and other higher-priority matters, Roehl said.

Most complaints about trapping are dealt with by informing the violator of the law, said Capt. Steve Dauma, who was charged with overseeing the implementation of the law.

"We have never gone out and emphasized kicking over the plastic buckets turned upside down in people's yards," Dauma said. Such buckets are often used to veil illegal mole traps.

Locke also asked Roehl to direct the department to implement a program to let ranchers trap to protect livestock during the calving and lambing seasons, when coyotes can be particularly destructive. The program would be within the initiative's existing allowance for special permits to deal with problem wildlife.

A similar idea was part of a modest revision of I-713 that died in the state House a few weeks ago, despite the support of the Humane Society of the United States, the initiative's chief backer.

"The initiative allows people to do what they need to do to protect their livestock," said Lisa Wathne, regional director for the society.

Wathne's attempts to exclude moles and gophers from the ban and make other changes have been repeatedly blocked by those who want the entire initiative repealed to allow more trapping of larger animals that damage livestock, crops and trees.

Boyer said he was encouraged by Locke's acknowledgement of the coyote problem, but said it fails to deal with the initiative's impact on other forms of agriculture, such as beaver damage to fruit trees.

The sale of fur is a key question, because allowing trappers to sell the pelts lowers landowners' costs for getting rid of the animals and generally increases the incentive to trap.

The bill Locke vetoed on Tuesday would have reinstated the legal trade in fur from animals trapped to address animal problems, for scientific research and for population control.

Roehl and the Department of Fish and Wildlife had urged Locke to sign the bill, arguing that wildlife managers need trapping as a tool.

"We thought it was a reasonable compromise that would meet everybody's needs," said Roehl, who said the commission would consider Locke's request.

"We clearly can't do something that's beyond the law," Roehl said. "We can try to address issues as best we can under the existing laws, and that's what we'll try to do."

However, it may not be that simple. Opponents of the ban may try to force the department to enforce the letter of the law as a tactic to spark a complete repeal.

"The governor took an oath to uphold the laws of the state of Washington," said Ed Owens, a lobbyist for trapping, fishing and hunting interests and the main opponent of I-713. "For him to even imply that a law on the books ought to be ignored is outrageous."


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The below comments are why we have our panties in a knot!
===========================
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 20, 2003 Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke's veto message said the following:

“Early this session, I supported legislation that would have addressed the specific problems associated with Initiative 713. This legislation would have allowed the use of traps on moles, gophers and mountain beavers, and provided additional protections for livestock. At that time, I also indicated my opposition to legislation that would repeal the core principles underlying the initiative. Whenever possible, improvements to address unintended consequences of an initiative should be pursued before consideration of a repeal. Because this bill effectively repeals the initiative, even though an alternative legislative solution exists to address the problems of the initiative, I have vetoed the bill in its entirety.

“We need to put this issue behind us by looking for ways we can creatively implement solutions, rather than perpetuate problems. With this message, I am requesting members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission to closely oversee DFW's implementation of Initiative 713, consistent with its spirit and intent. Specifically, I would like the Commission to recommend changes to help protect livestock and reduce damage to public property, and to conduct an educational outreach program around the state that explains the availability of the special permit program allowed under Initiative 713.”

The governor's message also said, “In the meantime, I also would expect that given current financial constraints, DFW would use its limited enforcement resources on higher priorities rather than against homeowners, businesses and the timber industry that have trapped for moles, gophers and mountain beavers. I would like the Commission Chair to provide me with a report in person by December 1, 2003.”

Editor's Note: The complete text of the governor's veto message is available by calling the Governor's Communications Office at 360-902-4136.


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RIGHT ON GARY!!!!!

He finaly did something I agree with!

Common sense!

He may get my vote!

I say GOOD JOB!!!!!

If a few more politicians could show that kind of common sense the state would be much better off!

And I was concerned about his manhood!





herm

ps/ I have NEVER supported him on any other issue. You could knock me over with a feather.

h

Great opinion!

Let me get this straight,, You support a leader that is endorsing our law enforcement to turn the other cheek. Isnt he supposed to uphold all laws?

You are for sure entitled to your opinion, I disagree. The voters voted it into law, Right? he should uphold that law, Right?

Come on! Ya cant have it both ways Herman.
Why should it be any different? They forced that intiative down our throats with lies and deciet and we came in and corrected it by getting approval in the house and senate..

Sounds to me Herm you approve of lies and deciet especially in a govenor.. Go ahead and cast your vote to a loser.. This was a large mistake he just mad and it will follow him well!

Guaranteed our Republican friends have made those statements into a plaque and will be presenting it to him

I'm with you for a change Herm, only the lunatic fringe would get upset about a governor showing some common sense

i just think that there is something wrong when the head of our state can say i do not like a law but i will not veto it but will tell the police not to enforce it. would a judge let you off by saying that the governor said it was ok

I do not know why this should surprise antbody.He has been unwilling to make any decisions that would jepordise his political career from day one.This way he still has support from peta and the likes and at the same time is trying to seem to do good to the people that this really affects.

Common sense???????