With the session over now, does anyone have the inside skinny on whether WDFW got any of its budget restored after Gov. Lockes ordered 7% reduction in operating funds last fall?

If you'll recall, WDFW chose to butcher puget sound and coastal steelhead programs; namely summer-runs.

Alot of us made noise, primarily about the impending closure of Reiter ponds.

Feedback from the state has been zilch. Anyone know anything??? Any $$$$ restored?

Eric

Eric, They voted against funding Reiters
hatchery! Unbelievable! Thank you everyone who took the time to write, call,
and e-mail your legislator on this issue.

Maybe it's time to pressure WDFW into re-thinking its program cuts. I just cannot believe they are killing programs that hundreds of thousands of fishermen participate in.

Isn't there fat that can be trimmed somewhere else?

I also wonder what they propose to bolster license sales? this sure isn't it!

Could someone post a list of who voted against funding the Hatchery? Paybacks are a bitch!

Didn't Lowry do the same thing? It was one of the first things he did in office was cut the funding for the Summer Run Steelhead. Several fish clubs then stepped in to fund it if I remember correctly.

The Reiter summer run cancellation, really bites. E-mailed our Governor and F&W Commission to no avail. Why doesn't the state give us any options for funding the summer steelhead program such as an enhancement stamp to go along with ther trout license or a scratch lottery ticket sales program for funding? I'll never understand the politicians in this state!

Matt,

Alternative funding is a question I have posed for over 2 months. I e-mailed the gov, wildlife commission, fish division, the media(newspapers).There are so many simple solutions.

I made a real nuisance of myself by spreading the word. My solution was a simple "tackle tax" (say, a dollar) when buying gear. the money could be earmarked to go directly to hatcheries. Simple!

The fact that no one responded makes me wonder if there is not an alterior motive here somewhere. Like you, I got no response from ANYONE. If there is no alterior motive, than it is a pretty powerful statement WDFW is sending us regarding their priorities and their concern for us having meaningful opportunity.

Yes, this state sucks!

I talked to Barb Lindsay, Northwest Sportsfishing Industry Association lobbyist. Here is what the legislature approved:

$1.67 million to restore Locke's hatchery cuts.
$300k for bycatch monitoring (the tribes nailed us the wall on this - no monitoring, no seasons)
$100k for studies on commercial selective harvest techniques.
$400k for marine predatation control (terns, sea lions, etc.)
$500k for ESA hatchery supplementation

Funds for Lake Washington sockeye (which Barb says has lots of support) and to reopen the closed trout and steelhead hatcheries will be sought during the special session.

Contact your legislature.