It's our friggin' state fish...how have we not had this available yet?

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Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

November 6, 2015
Contact: Kelly Cunningham, (360) 902-2325

WDFW seeks support for steelhead license plate

OLYMPIA – A special license plate featuring a steelhead – the official state fish of Washington – could be an option for vehicle owners if a proposal for the new plate is approved by the state Legislature.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing the plate to generate revenue that would be used to help support activities critical to conserving populations of native steelhead.

In much of Washington, native steelhead are listed for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. WDFW is currently taking several actions to restore those populations to sustainable levels, including measures that guide fisheries management, hatchery operations and habitat-restoration programs.

Before the state Legislature can consider the proposal, state law requires WDFW to show that people intend to purchase at least 3,500 plates, which would be available for cars, motorcycles and trailers.

“This is a great opportunity for people to show their appreciation for Washington’s native steelhead and to support efforts to help conserve these iconic fish,” said Kelly Cunningham, deputy assistant director of WDFW’s Fish Program.

People interested in purchasing steelhead plates can submit a signature and indicate the number of plates they would likely purchase on WDFW’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/steelhead/. The website includes additional information on the proposal, as well as an image of the plate.

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Here's a pic of what they are proposing to do...



Fish on...

Todd

Cool idea, but if your program works like the salmon plate in Orygun the funds won't go towards fish.

A beautiful license plate! I'd buy one.

I'd buy two plates if the steelhead was shown dead in a gill net, and I could get the "number": RIP 1974

Those are cool! I'd buy em

+1

Does the funding go to WDFW? Seems like a waste of money, although the plates themselves are cool.

would be nice if the fish didn't look like a 30 year old taxidermy specimen hanging on the wall at sportco.

although the plate looks good, i won't be getting one. i personally have no faith that the money raised would be put to good use. they'll get money for my tags next season and thats it.

I'd buy one if it looked like a Schmidt can.

"The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is proposing the plate to generate revenue that would be used to help support activities critical to conserving populations of native steelhead."

As in funding organizations and groups that receive grants and then sue to get all hatcheries shut down?

C'mon man, the SportCo ones look WAY better than that!

LOL!

Another way to look at it is that it may bring more awareness to the general public... someone might ask you about your license plate - giving "you" an opportunity to inform them about the plight of our state fish.

I do agree that they could find a better representation, artistic or otherwise.
I guess they couldn't find a real native steelhead to model for it...

This fish pic is pretty awesome...

Put it on your plates!

I filled out the petition. WDFW needs 3500 people to sign saying they may buy one in order to produce. WDFW estimates that $200,000 per year will go to the Department through the sales of these. Maybe it will be used for good.....

How muc of the $200 K will go to overhead? When those licenses first came up 10 or so year ago Fish Program CHOSE not to participate because the overhead would all go to Wildlife Program. They didn't care about actually doing something, they wanted the OH. At $200K annually, a big chunk going to OH, have them tell us specifically what the money will buy in terms of staff and studies.

"Trust us, we're WDFW" doesn't work for me.

Funny; I posted on another forum that I'd buy one only if it were in a gillnet and I could get a plate that read, "ESA - RIP".

I'm sure we could draw the gill net on with a sharpie

Anyone see a price, or do you just hand them a blank check and "thank them for the opportunity?"

I live in Region 6......EX-Fish Manager, Ron Warren.....liked to use "opportunity" in season setting for sports fishermen.

I like your comment........

The Dept explanation page. Prices for vanity plates currently run between about $55 and $75 plus the regular license fees. Looks like WDFW might be projecting the potential income based on the lower fee and a minimum of 3500 folks purchasing the plate(s).


http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/steelhead/

If it happens, it would be nice to see the moneys go to a dedicated steelhead fund within the wildlife budget to be used for operational costs (not salaries) and a proviso that there not be any skimming of the fund to cover administrative costs such as happens with our "salmon stamp" money that goes to the Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries enhancement fund.

Not in.Don't trust where the money would go.Good luck,

SZ

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife We're at 866 now, almost 25% of the way to the 3,500!
Like · Reply · 22 hours ago

That's badass.

Cost will be somewhere between $54 and $74 per plate plus you regular license fees

Well lets see.......known, cost between $54 - $74, people to purchase 3500

Not known "where to spend the money"

If staff time was used to do the cost and 3500 to purchase........where to spend the money, should have been done at the same time??????

As a former State employee, I've watched funds get "used for things other than what they were intended for"

Simple to solve the problem..........Put it in writing, date it, and post it on a State Web site...... What the money is used for.....seems simple to me.

Total......between $189,000 and $259,000......Not a large amount but I like accountability.......

I don't agree with these types of funding schemes. The reason is that we can always agree on methods of bringing more $$'s into WDFW, but we cannot control the appropriations process. Only the State legislature can.

For example, let's say the sales from these license plates brings in say $250,000. The Legislature can declare (with much fanfare) that every penny of that will go directly to WDFW, to be used for exactly what it was intended (e.g., steelhead conservation).

However, there is nothing to stop the Legislature from reducing WDFW's biannual appropriations by the exact same amount, with no public knowledge. So the net amount going to WDFW DOES NOT CHANGE!! The only thing that has changed is that WDFW has to spend $250,000 on steelhead conservation with no additional funds. Those additional funds went into General Appropriations to be used at the discretion of the Legislature. And the Legislature says "Thank you very much!".

So, if you decide you want to buy those plates, go ahead. Just be aware of the risks associated with that decision.