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#978015 - 06/28/17 10:26 AM BUDGET and widow and orphan time
Rivrguy Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/03/09
Posts: 4393
Loc: Somewhere on the planet,I hope
Ah yeah here we go and this is just one of many to come, maybe. Widow & orphan time is a old saying that comes with budgets. Getting a freeze or cut you go find the least defenseless entity you can and parade em out to properly horrify all. Seldom involves reality but rather is about maintaining status quo.



OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will be required to close or delay the opening of fishing seasons throughout the state if lawmakers are unable to enact a state budget before July 1.

"We are optimistic that lawmakers will resolve their differences and avoid a shutdown, but it's possible they will not succeed," WDFW Director Jim Unsworth said today. "We are providing this information to inform the public of the potential effects of a shutdown, so they can revise their plans if necessary during the busiest recreation season of the year."

Most WDFW facilities and programs would close or cease operations for the duration of a shutdown. The WDFW license sales network would be shut down, so hunting and fishing licenses and the Discover Pass would not be available from the department or its statewide network of retail vendors.

The department operates 83 fish hatcheries across the state, and Unsworth said the department would do everything possible to operate all of them during a possible shutdown.

"We are required by federal law to keep open the 42 hatcheries where we produce fish protected under the Endangered Species Act," he said. "At this time there is no clear authority to keep the remaining 41 hatcheries open, but we are exploring options to avoid closing any of them," he said.

The department would temporarily lay off about 1,800 employees if the shutdown occurred, while about 70 staff members would remain on-duty.

Unsworth said WDFW would be legally required to take the following steps in the event of a shutdown:

Close non-tribal fishing seasons on lakes, rivers, and saltwater marine areas throughout the state. The only exception would be the commercial and recreational Dungeness crab fisheries currently in progress off the Washington coast. All other fisheries would be closed, including those on the Columbia River, Puget Sound, and on rivers, streams, and lakes across the state. The coastal crab fishery can stay open because the necessary funding does not require legislative appropriation.
Delay the start of several fishing seasons that are scheduled to open in early July, including recreational crabbing in parts of Puget Sound and the popular sockeye salmon fishery at Baker Lake in Whatcom County. WDFW staff would not be available to process rule changes required to open other fisheries, including the potential sockeye fishery at Lake Wenatchee in Chelan County.
Close all WDFW boat launches and water access sites. The department operates about 700 access sites. No maintenance activities would take place.
Stop the sale of WDFW fishing, hunting and other licenses, including the Discover Pass, through the system that supports online transactions and retail vendor sales. The license system would shut down at midnight June 30.
Stop processing Hydraulic Project Approval permits, required for construction projects in or near state waters, and shut down the department's online application system.
Stop receiving or processing public disclosure requests under the state's Public Records Act.
Close all state, regional and local offices. WDFW is headquartered in Olympia and has regional offices in Ephrata, Mill Creek, Montesano, Olympia, Spokane, Vancouver, and Yakima, and local offices in many other communities.
Rely on other agencies to respond to crime reports or dangerous wildlife complaints, including poaching and other incidents. A handful of staff members would monitor the WDFW Police radio dispatch system and refer emergency responses to other agencies.
Leave the department's 33 wildlife areas unstaffed. These areas would remain open to the public but would not be maintained. Restrooms and other facilities would be closed.
Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.

This message has been sent to the WDFW News Releases & Weekender mailing list.
Visit the WDFW News Release Archive at: http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/
To UNSUBSCRIBE from this mailing list: http://wdfw.wa.gov/lists/unsubscribe.html


Edited by Rivrguy (06/28/17 10:27 AM)
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#978016 - 06/28/17 10:36 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
spokey9 Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 05/30/02
Posts: 211
Loc: Ravenden, AR
Since the vast majority of the dept's operating budget comes from our license fees, how are they legally obligated to shut down as the director says?
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#978017 - 06/28/17 10:38 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: spokey9]
Rivrguy Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 03/03/09
Posts: 4393
Loc: Somewhere on the planet,I hope

Ah good one but I think once the bi is up then the authorization to spend is gone even reserves. I am sure someone will know for us.
_________________________
Dazed and confused.............the fog is closing in

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#978018 - 06/28/17 11:02 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Krijack Offline
Three Time Spawner

Registered: 06/03/06
Posts: 1531
Loc: Tacoma
If the shut down occurs, when it opens they go back and pay the employees for wages lost but not earned. I sure hope they will pay us back a percentage for days of "opportunity" lost.

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#978022 - 06/28/17 11:17 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Larry B Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 3020
Loc: University Place and Whidbey I...
The P.S. recreational crab endorsement and the Columbia River endorsement has their monies go into separate pots presumably not subject to the budget issues. If so, both of those allow for monies to be spent on enforcement if that is the hangup. Therefore those fisheries, in my thinking, should remain open.

If this should become an extended closure will the issue of foregone opportunity raise its ugly head?
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It's the person who has done nothing who is sure nothing can be done. (Ewing)

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#978023 - 06/28/17 11:37 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Carcassman Online   content
River Nutrients

Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7410
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
The only way the laid-off employees will be paid is if the Leg specifically authorizes it. Otherwise, no work no pay. For those on leave (which is paid) they will be taken off of leave-with it put back in their account-and they will be laid off.

WDF used to regularly use the "Close hatchery X" as a ploy to get money for other projects. The leg fixed this practice by making each hatchery budget a line-item; money could only be spent there.

You can't spend money without legislative authorization, even if it is a "special" fund. So, no budget, no spend.

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#978030 - 06/28/17 11:55 AM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Carcassman]
Larry B Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 3020
Loc: University Place and Whidbey I...
Originally Posted By: Carcassman
You can't spend money without legislative authorization, even if it is a "special" fund. So, no budget, no spend.


Okay, assuming that is it- end of story - then how is it that the ocean NI commercial as well as rec crabbing will continue? Seems that there are some additional wrinkle(s) to the reality.
_________________________
Remember to immediately record your catch or you may become the catch!

It's the person who has done nothing who is sure nothing can be done. (Ewing)

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#978033 - 06/28/17 12:05 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
bota2 Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 09/14/05
Posts: 315
Loc: Allyn
I am guessing they will pass it at the last second, gloat and puff out their chests on how they were able to come together for the betterment of the people.

Joe
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#978038 - 06/28/17 01:19 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Bay wolf Offline
Repeat Spawner

Registered: 10/26/12
Posts: 1075
Loc: Graham, WA
At the hearing yesterday, on a side bar we asked how they intend to enforce the no fishing if in fact it closes.

Answer: Enforcement will still be working. It's closing because there is no way to do sampling!
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"Forgiveness is between them and God. My job is to arrange the meeting."

1Sgt U.S. Army (Ret)

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#978045 - 06/28/17 02:15 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
spokey9 Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 05/30/02
Posts: 211
Loc: Ravenden, AR
That's gotta be the dumbest reason to close. If they can budget enforcement then we should be able to fish
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#978048 - 06/28/17 03:38 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Get Bent Offline
Juvenile at Sea

Registered: 05/13/03
Posts: 232
Loc: Vashon/Grayland
I don't have access to interwebz or TB. I'm fishin. Actually I kinda hope to get caught so I can fight it.

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#978049 - 06/28/17 04:39 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
Piper
Unregistered


Fvck wdfw... they are dead to me

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#978050 - 06/28/17 04:49 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
ReefSkunk
Unregistered


I'll be out fishing as usual.

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#978051 - 06/28/17 04:52 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: ]
NickD90 Offline
Shooting Instructor for hire

Registered: 10/26/10
Posts: 7260
Loc: Snohomish, WA
Originally Posted By: ReefSkunk
I'll be out fishing as usual.


Me too.

Come at me WDFW and I'll see you in court for breach of contract and services not rendered.
_________________________
“If the military were fighting for our freedom, they would be storming Capitol Hill”. – FleaFlickr02

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#978053 - 06/28/17 06:12 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Bay wolf]
Larry B Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 3020
Loc: University Place and Whidbey I...
Originally Posted By: Bay wolf
At the hearing yesterday, on a side bar we asked how they intend to enforce the no fishing if in fact it closes.

Answer: Enforcement will still be working. It's closing because there is no way to do sampling!


Interesting.

Question: What form of in-season sampling is performed during crab season which is germane to season length?

Answer: None.
_________________________
Remember to immediately record your catch or you may become the catch!

It's the person who has done nothing who is sure nothing can be done. (Ewing)

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#978058 - 06/28/17 07:17 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
NickD90 Offline
Shooting Instructor for hire

Registered: 10/26/10
Posts: 7260
Loc: Snohomish, WA
Heard a partial agreement was made and that a Gubmint shutdown may be avoided. More by COB Friday.

In way that's kinda a shame - I was kinda looking forward to watching WDFW EBT card holders purchase fresh Tribal caught salmon from the local QFC. Keta of course. King is too spendy.

Steak is for taxpayers and license holders.


Edited by NickD90 (06/28/17 07:17 PM)
_________________________
“If the military were fighting for our freedom, they would be storming Capitol Hill”. – FleaFlickr02

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#978073 - 06/29/17 12:58 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: Rivrguy]
TedR Offline
Returning Adult

Registered: 10/26/09
Posts: 466
Loc: South Sound
What is infuriating is even if the budget is passed in time there will have been time and money spent by WDFW and every other state entities preparing for the shutdown, ac completely unnecessary waste of resources.
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FEAR THE BEARD

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#978075 - 06/29/17 01:19 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: TedR]
slabhunter Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 01/17/04
Posts: 3742
Loc: Sheltona Beach
How will they extrapolate numbers in these uncertain times?
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When we are forgotten, we cease to exist .
Share your outdoor skills.

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#978076 - 06/29/17 01:26 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: slabhunter]
slabhunter Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 01/17/04
Posts: 3742
Loc: Sheltona Beach
Remember to renew your boat tabs today or tomorrow if you haven't yet.

I'm waiting to see if there will be opportunity for the drifter.
_________________________
When we are forgotten, we cease to exist .
Share your outdoor skills.

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#978087 - 06/29/17 04:49 PM Re: BUDGET and widow and orphan time [Re: TedR]
FleaFlickr02 Offline
River Nutrients

Registered: 10/28/09
Posts: 3313
Originally Posted By: TedR
What is infuriating is even if the budget is passed in time there will have been time and money spent by WDFW and every other state entities preparing for the shutdown, ac completely unnecessary waste of resources.


Correct! The expense associated with these fake shutdowns is immense, to the tune of many millions of dollars. Unless they're adding a "Government shutdown preparation" line item to recent budgets, that results in further, significant increases to the budget deficit.

Our legislators should not be paid for special sessions. That makes failure not only acceptable, but indeed profitable, which probably doesn't discourage them much from going over time. If time really is the issue (not money), maybe it's time to bump up their base salary and schedule every future session for the 6 months they need to do the job. That would be cheaper for the public than this garbage, not to mention more honest and transparent.

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