#986610 - 03/12/18 09:37 AM
Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
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Repeat Spawner
Registered: 10/26/12
Posts: 1075
Loc: Graham, WA
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This is so tiring... The charade that WDFW is fairly representing the sport fisherman is being swallowed by so many. When all the signs point to the exact opposite. It doesn't take a lot of digging to see how the rec. fishermen is being fooled into thinking they are an equal party in the fisheries management.
The WDFW points to the Fish advisory boards as the bridge between the rec's and the department. Well, look who is the interface between the two. Take a look at who is the WDFW lead on the Puget Sound Fish Advisory Board:
Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory Group Mark Baltzell Puget Sound Salmon Fishery Manager Coordinator 360-902-2807 mark.baltzell@dfw.wa.gov
Now read what he replied when asked to provide the time the Tribal/WDFW North of Falcon meeting was starting:
"...If you are wanting to know the time and location of any planned co-manager meetings for that week, I cannot help you. Doing so would not only betray any trust that I have built in my relationships with co-managers, it would also violate the obligations I have as a representative of the State of Washington. I understand your desires for transparency, but I will not be the one that enables your endeavors. As always, if you have specific questions or ideas about fisheries, I am a great listener. Kind regards.
Mark E Baltzell"
Clearly, he is telling us that the Rec's trust and his responsibility to represent us is not his priority. AND HE IS GOING TO BE REPRESENTING YOU IN THE NORTH OF FALCON!
When we sat down with the Dir. and Ron Warren, we were told that the departments strategy for dealing with the tribes is to "cooperate and wait". In other words, keep giving into the tribes and someday they will give back. It hasn't worked yet and it won't work. It results in us losing a piece at a time. But the way the department gets away with it is by keeping us in the dark.
We thought the Commission had finally gotten the wake up call when the Department completely by passed them by working with the tribes to craft the RMP in secret. Commissioner Carpenter even publicly scolded the Director, and Unsworth was let go. But now what. The Commission got pissed when it impacted them, but could care less when the department continues it's practice against the rec's.
And now as we move into yet another North of Falcon with the doors closed in the faces of the largest group of stakeholders in the state, we have gained nothing but lip service from the Commission and Department. They are liars! They tout support for the Rec's and make all the noise to build the facade, yet do nothing to change business as usual. This might piss off some of the people who have drunk the cool-aid, but the truth is, the Department and to some degree the Commission do not support transparency, in some cases they work hard to make sure the public is not told all the facts.
You can attend all the public NOF meetings you want, but in the end, ask the WDFW representatives and they will tell you. All your idea's and recommendations and suggestions and public input in the world still comes down to what the tribes allow! And that all takes place in the Tribal/WDFW NOF meetings, in which the departments policy is to "COOPERATE AND WAIT"!
We are losing our sport and our fish a piece at a time. Just like the frog in the pot with the water being warmed slowly, we will eventually be boiled and never leave the pot.
The first Tribal/WDFW closed door meeting is scheduled for the 22nd of March, at the Lacy Community Center. Wonder what would happen if someone showed up and wanted to sit in? Public property, public employees meeting to discuss public resources that result in laws that result impacting all the citizens in the state...
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#986611 - 03/12/18 11:10 AM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 01/03/17
Posts: 155
Loc: Hood Canal
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Let's take a closer look at the newly-created Puget Sound Advisory Board , headed by Mark Baltzell.
From their published and specific list of duties, below are a few that are included:
b. Communicate stakeholders opinions, attitudes and needs to the the Agency. d. Members are responsible for understanding their group's role and responsibilities. i. Assist the Department in developing communication strategies and communicating with members of the public regarding issues that come before the advisory group. j. be respectful and carefully consider the views of others.
This mess is loaded with contradictions and hypocrisies--it's not necessary to underscore the examples. The only possible way each of the above could be achieved is through COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAKEHOLDERS. Baltzell's response to Baywolf's inquiry above is not in harmony with his group's duties and responsibilities...so, the deception and mismanagement continues on, status quo.
For years, we have heard the Dep't. say one thing...then watched them do something else. I'm in line with those amongst us who maintain it's a culture problem, as their thinly veiled effort to persuade us differently falls miserably short of even a minimal degree of success.
Deal with us truthfully, honestly, and in a straightforward manner so that we can do the same in return--and replace your mock efforts toward transparency with THE REAL THING. Drop the priority of politics, and follow the law!
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#986612 - 03/12/18 11:56 AM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7410
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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They are afraid that the recs won't like what they hear. In a discussion with Phil Anderson he was asked why WDFW did not push for a C&R season on the Hoh that closed 4/30 (instead of 4/15). Never said why, only that "We got the fishery we wanted". Also never told us who "we" was.
WDFW is responding to/dealing with a lot of pressures and their response is arrive at a solution that keeps them out of court. Pretty sure that staff, even the leadership, are doing what they are told to do by higher-ups.
I really believe that if they were transparent it really would not change management but would p**s off the NI license holders. I think there are bigger forces at work; bigger than who catches fish where.
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#986625 - 03/12/18 03:31 PM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 10/22/09
Posts: 3020
Loc: University Place and Whidbey I...
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Here is a link to that Advisory Group's WDFW webpage: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/pssfag/.A bit of an aside but WDFW is on its second iteration of the Advisory Group Volunteer's Handbook but no where can one find a Commission policy for WDFW to follow when facilitating an advisory group. And, no surprise, there are existing advisory groups which are not even listed or are not having their webpage maintained. Not on the list? Puget Sound Recreational Crab Advisory Group. Not maintained? For an example see the Cowlitz River Advisory Group: https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/advisory/crag/. According to its webpage its last meeting was Nov 2016 and Cindy Le Fleur was the WDFW point of contact.
_________________________
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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#986629 - 03/12/18 05:01 PM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 01/03/17
Posts: 155
Loc: Hood Canal
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Looks like you came up with yet another gem,Larry...excellent work!! Worthy of additional attention...
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#986631 - 03/12/18 05:54 PM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Salmo g.]
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Returning Adult
Registered: 05/31/08
Posts: 264
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Can a member of the public be excluded from a meeting held in the Lacey Community Center if it was rented by a public agency? If I have time in the morning I might call and see if they can legally bar entrance. They rent it out for wedding receptions and the like, so I can see how a wedding group wouldn't want to be crashed by uninvited people. True, but go ahead an show up...bet you after someone did that, they would simply end the meeting, or the tribes would walk away and every meeting would thereafter be held on a reservation at one of the closest casinos. Pretty easy workaround if you ask me.
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#986633 - 03/12/18 06:56 PM
Re: Hey Frog's, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: rojoband]
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Repeat Spawner
Registered: 10/26/12
Posts: 1075
Loc: Graham, WA
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Can a member of the public be excluded from a meeting held in the Lacey Community Center if it was rented by a public agency? If I have time in the morning I might call and see if they can legally bar entrance. They rent it out for wedding receptions and the like, so I can see how a wedding group wouldn't want to be crashed by uninvited people. True, but go ahead an show up...bet you after someone did that, they would simply end the meeting, or the tribes would walk away and every meeting would thereafter be held on a reservation at one of the closest casinos. Pretty easy workaround if you ask me. They rented the entire facility even though they only need one room. Why?, to prevent me from renting the room next door so I can enter! If they moved it, that would be pretty chicken [Bleeeeep!], and send a very clear message that they (the tribes) have no intention of "Co-management." If they move the meetings to further prohibit transparency, they remove any facade of wanting to be a partner in management. They would prove they want to dictate the terms. Maybe the time is overdue to draw a line in the sand and say NO MORE GIVING UP TO AVOID CONFLICT! The Open Public Meetings Act clearly states that the Public will be allowed entry, and IF they disrupt the meeting, they can be asked to leave. QUIETLY SITTING IN THE ROOM AND LISTENING IS NOT DISRUPTING. Incidentally, there is NO LEAGLE REASON the meetings are closed to the PUBLIC..IT IS ONLY BECAUSE THE TRIBES SAY THEY ARE AND THE DEPARTMENT DOESN'T WANT TO MAKE THEM UPSET! And what about FREEDOM OF THE PRESS? WHY IS IT THE TRIBES CAN PREVENT A MEMBER OF THE PRESS FROM ATTENDING? Here's the million dollar question? WHY CAN THE TRIBES SAY "NO PUBLIC" and the Department can't say "YES, THERE WILL BE"? What gives them the right to dictate the terms of the negotiations? Again, there is no legal reason the meetings are closed. I'm sick of hearing "These are Gov't to Gov't meetings, therefor the public is not allowed." That's just BS! Even the Federal Department of Indian Affairs says they encourage the public to attend these meetings because it builds trust! The Tribes use this Gov't to Gov't BS to mask the true intent, and that is to keep the public from seeing how they act and what the demand! We are losing guys, and as long as we keep buying the BS we will continue to lose! As for me, I'm sick of it!
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#986637 - 03/13/18 06:46 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7410
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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When you meetings like this, negotiations, you need at least two if not three rooms as each side needs a private room to caucus in. Internal discussions for them only.
While I think Bay wolf is correct about tribal intent here, nobody in power is willing to challenge them, the state least of all. I think that their response will be that all future meetings are on reservation. They have been placed in a superior position by the state because it suits the state's purposes.
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#986644 - 03/13/18 08:54 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 01/03/17
Posts: 155
Loc: Hood Canal
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Salmo--either way, this is a "win-win" situation...as both outcomes definitely further the Rec fishermen's purpose. Traction so that we can move forward is an opportunity we can't afford to pass up.
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#986650 - 03/13/18 11:37 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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My Area code makes me cooler than you
Registered: 01/27/15
Posts: 4549
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You need the Seattle TV stations and the Daily O there as well.
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#986652 - 03/13/18 11:40 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Salmo g.]
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Juvenile at Sea
Registered: 04/04/10
Posts: 199
Loc: United States
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Salmo, I dont know what you expect to accomplish even if you couldnt be prevented from entering a "public building by a public agency". I suspect that as a renter of the facility the Department has the responsibility to monitor those entering the facility and the outcome of the usage. Demanding that the Department can only have public meetings and this meeting is public would likely only result in the tribes walking out, ending up with a open comanager meeting without one of the comanagers.
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#986657 - 03/13/18 11:52 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Salmo g.]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7410
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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The Leg is allowed, for example, to have "Executive Sessions" and the Capitol is a public building. Not sure if they could legally keep a member of the public out of the building but could certainly keep you out of the meeting room(s) I would think.
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#986658 - 03/13/18 11:58 AM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Carcassman]
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Repeat Spawner
Registered: 10/26/12
Posts: 1075
Loc: Graham, WA
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The Leg is allowed, for example, to have "Executive Sessions" and the Capitol is a public building. Not sure if they could legally keep a member of the public out of the building but could certainly keep you out of the meeting room(s) I would think. This is not a legislative session, and has no legal basis for public prohibition. They choose to prohibit the public. Getting access is not the goal, it is to protest the lack of public oversight in fish management and conservation. ARE YOU IN? WILL YOU COMMIT TO PARTICIPATE? WILL YOU BRING A COUPLE OF GUYS WITH YOU?
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#986659 - 03/13/18 12:10 PM
Re: Hey Frogs, the water is starting to get HOT!
[Re: Bay wolf]
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River Nutrients
Registered: 11/21/07
Posts: 7410
Loc: Olema,California,Planet Earth
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I think that both the State (whole, not just WDFW) and the Feds want to keep the tribes reasonably happy for a couple of reasons.
Boldt said the Tribes had a right to 50% of the harvestable fish. While that normally was confined to WA the Tribes can still file a "All Citizens" suit wherein the fish are shared with all US citizens. AK was/is scared about this.
Let's just say that the Tribes get half the harvestable and that the habitat has to be retained to produce them (Boldt II). If they pushed the issue, and won, then not only would all fish count but the habitat destruction would need changing. Who controls the cross-state and international fisheries? Da Feds. Who controls habitat? Da Feds and da State. They could lose big time and have to pay reparations for lost harvest (past and future) and so on. So, a state that can't fix its roads, educate its students, treat illness, etc. is going to pay for habitat destruction? A Congress that can't even agree as to what day of the week it is is going to meet their obligations? That would put real teeth in treaty obligations.
On the other hand, the Feds and State could win (State argued that the Tribes should have known that we were going to pave over the state). If they did win then any sort of conservation ethic would go by the wayside.
Seems like so many ways to lose and so few to win.
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