Update Now that's an oxymoron From The Puget Sound Recreational Fisheries Enhancement Program Oversight Committee (RCW 77.105.160) held its quarterly meeting last night at the Lakewood Hatchery Complex. One of the topics on the agenda was the status of the WDFW Audit, a section of which is looking at the funding and expenditures of the program.

In December, we were told the draft report would be done by mid-January at the latest. Then the date was changed to February 1st. The date was changed again, based on one of the auditors having a family emergency to March 1st. We were advised by the program coordinator, Steve Thiesfeld that he had been in contact with Ms. Harriet Richardson who told him that the SAO has re-prioritized their work load and the audit completion has been moved down the list for completion. She did not a have date for when the report would be presented to WDFW for a review.

To say that we were and are frustrated with the inaction of the SAO would be an understatement. We want to be good stewards of the public money expended in the PSRFE Program. We’ve been waiting two years for the results of the audit. The state has spent $400,000, not counting SAO time, for what? The mis-management of this audit process leaves with little faith in the capabilities of the SAO to be a steward of our money. Deadlines for the contract were established, reports, of what quality we have no idea, were presented to the SAO, the private contractor was paid for most of their work and we’ve been waiting for the SAO to tell us, the public, what the results are. That hasn’t happened and it appears it is going to be a long time until we see anything.

Now for my personal thoughts. This has been an abomination to say the least. State Government Ineptiness and Arrogance. We elected this Moron by a very wide margin. We sure as heck got what we paid for. I sincerely hope that when Mr Sonntag comes up for re-election that each and every one of us remembers this partisan fiasco. And not only remember it, but more importantly educate your voting neighbors and local print media.

Do you all remember how quick the State was to fine those of us who did not turn in their Crab Catch Record Cards???? Ten bucks a head fine. The State estimated that those ten buck penalties would generate $1.3 million bucks to the State Coffers (a Financial Impact Analysis performed on all Bills and posted on the Legislature's website). That financial analysis further stated WDFW planned to hire 3 FTE's, one LE, and two statisticians for around $345,000. Makes yah wonder what they (the State) are going to do with the remaining $950,000???? That got me to thinking because thats what got me first interested in the CRC $3 fee and the legislative restriction. That restriction clearly states without any latitude for interpretation, that the CRC $3 fee can only be spent on developing and operating the Sports caught Dungeness crab counting process to enable the WDFW to more accurately allocate between Sports Caught Crab and Commercially Caught Crab. Now you all have to ask your self, "If that $1.3 million bucks penalty fees are directly as result of the CRC, why isn't the $1.3 million bucks penalty have the same legislative restriction????"

In these slashing budgets times, make us CRC Fee Payers wonder Where Will The $1.3 million bucks Be Spent/Squandered????? Please remember this crap next time you step into the voting booth, or like me make out my mail in ballot.

[Rant Off] boy I feel better now

Wow...guess we'll have to hire an auditor to audit the auditors.

Fish on...

Todd

John - the fine hasn't started yet. As I read the WAC, they can't implement it until December

WAC 220-56-175

(b) Effective December 1, 2009, and thereafter, failure to return a Dungeness crab catch record card or to report the Dungeness crab catch record card information at the designated internet site by the dates indicated on the card will result in a ten-dollar administrative fee. The administrative fee will be collected from anglers when they acquire a subsequent Puget Sound Dungeness crab endorsement.

mmmmmm kinda like the feeling I get whenever I go to a WDFW Region 6 meeting.........Not really sure they understand they work in a job that is funded by the "tax payers of Washington State".

Good thing there is a not a "public vote or comment" or a report card given on what the taxpayers feeling is getting done.....Could be Region by Region!!!!

M, I agree. I purchased my 2009 license and said no to the PS crab fee. No opportunity for sportfishers in the lower Canal, so why pay this tax?

There is no good reason that these "Non Producers" (defined as one whose sole source of income is puplic funds/taxes) shouldn't be held accountable. They work for us!! In the private secter they would be in the unemployment time so fast! Excuses are for loosers!
Problem is that over time everyone forgets just how sorry they are and by election time voters line up like sheep and pull the lever for what sounds good at the time. I beleive CCA has the key to change. That is money and political leverage. Hopefully they will be able to keep a better tally for us when it comes time vote etc. Let hope so!! Just my $.02.

AuntyM -- It is my understanding that the SAO actually paid the contractor MGT out of the General Fund and not WDFW (original contract approved up to $440,000 and the invoices I have seen are within $4,000 of the approved amount). Is there any way to find out whether or not that is true, partially true, partially false, or just plain false??? I also understand that the SAO had 5 highly paid FTE's in the SAO complete the audit. Again, any way to confirm and the number and time duration they spent. You know me by now, I want to total up the damages and broadcast brodcast broadcast until the next election cycle.

Also as reported (verbally) last night, the SAO auditors had multiple follow ups with WDFW Shellfish staff, and each time the questions seemed to focus on Rationales for Allocations. That seemed to worry Childress quite a bit as well as it should.