NEW CCA ACTION ALERT SSB5127 PROHIBITS CITIZENS FROM GATHERING SIGNATURES

[Boots]

Dear ,
Early in February, we warned you about Senate Bill 5127, an attempt to silence your voice in Washington's fisheries management by gutting the Fish and Wildlife Commission's authority to manage our fisheries. Despite your overwhelming opposition as shown by your 4,600 e-mails and letters, this dangerous bill has passed out of the Natural Resources Committee and was actually made worse.
Attached is a comprehensive summary of the specific changes Substitute Senate Bill (SSB) 5127 would enact. The goal of SSB 5127 is to take power from the people of the state and the Commission and centralize it in one committee of the Senate in order to better serve influential commercial fishing interests. These same interests are pushing this bill through so they can reverse the science and conservation-based approach of your current Fish and Wildlife Commissioners.

The vote of the people formed the Fish and Wildlife Commission. Not only would SSB 5127 end the Fish & Wildlife Commission as you know it, but the bill contains an emergency clause that prohibits citizens from gathering signatures to put it on the ballot for a vote of the people. Does this sound like they respect democracy? Are they looking out for you or the needs of the resource?
Do not allow this power grab by a select few succeed in undoing the Commission or your ability to have a say in the management of our fish and wildlife resources. You can sit by and watch, or you can make your voice be heard. Click on the link below to take action now!



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CCA Pacific Northwest - Coastal Conservation Association of Washington & Oregon



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[Keta]

It's past time you Washington boys taught your politicians what the First Aamendment is all about...and when you do show them why the Second Amendment was put in the Bill of Rights.

[Irish Rogue]

If I ever wrap up my current job, I'm going to make it my new personal goal in life to get Ken Jacobsen both removed from his chairmanship of the Natural Resources commission, and also voted out of office. He's a toady for the commercials, and as far as I can tell has exactly zero commercial fishing industry in his district (processors specifically). The CCA site linked in Boots' post is excellent, can't be simpler.

I do recommend composing your own text, or at least editing it -- legislators DO READ the text and IMHO assign more weight if it's not just a form letter. But rest assured FORM LETTERS ARE BETTER THAN NOTHING.

Go. Click. Send.

My letter:

I wrote you about two weeks ago to express my opposition to 5127. Unfortunately this bad situation has gotten worse with SSB 5127. In particular I'd like to draw your attention to three amazingly bold grabs for power by Senator Jacobsen with regards to his oversight of this commission which was formed BY CITIZEN REFERENDUM:

* The new legislation now provides him, by simply NOT HOLDING CONFIRMATION HEARINGS, the ability to pocket-veto any appointed members of the commission. You need only look at his last 2+ years of refusing to hold confirmation hearings of appointees that are pro-conservation and pro-sportfishing to understand why this is unacceptable

* Completely removing the ability for the commission to adopt departmental rules. They become "broad policy recommenders" only.

* As a special bonus, a clause in this SSB blocks the ability for citizens to gather signatures to put the bill on the ballot for referendum.

I continue to be puzzled by Senator Jacobsen's actions, particularly with regard to fisheries management. He chairs our Natural Resources committee, yet seems entirely un-interested in supporting anyone other than commercial fishing interests. Voices of conservation, and sport-fishing (which recent WDFW reports show has a massively more positive economic impact per fish harvested) are silenced or marginalized by him.

I suspect the vast majority of Washington voters, including myself, would look at this situation an not only encourage you to withhold your support from this particular bill, but to begin exploring why and if Senator Jacbosen really is the right person to be chairing this committee.

Many thanks for your attention.

[mitchk]

What the heck... I sent in my version.

[goatram]

I sent in a email with both my wifes name and Mine on the bottom line. Talked to my Son and He did the same Last night. Problem is that Mary Margeret Haugen my Senater is the Co sponsor. Both her and Jacobsen need to go away and retire. Need one Senator to put a hold on it and Val Stevens could be the woman of the year. So if she is your Sen. Make sure you write! Dragonballs get the hint

[WaveDancer]

Welcome to fish wars 2009 everyone.

This is nothing but 100% proof that the commercial interests are willing to stoop to anything to continue their control and manipulation of the WDFW.

If we let this continue without doing anything about this, we only have ourselves to blame.

First, lets get the word spread to everyone to respond to this Senate Bill and get it crushed. Tell everyone you know, TWICE.

Second, will someone please list were the two senators pushing this wheelbarrow of dog shit are from so we can start publicly calling them out in their communities so the voters that support them know their true colors and will hopefully remove them at the first opportunity.

My letter is sent along with separate correspondence to the Governor and all of the federal senators for our state alerting them of the attempted manipulations by these senators and to please treat them accordingly when they are looking for help.

I do know that Norm Dicks has went out of his way in the past to call this kind of BS out even though its not part of "his" responsibilities. If it looks like shit, smells like shit and talks like shit it's probably shit.

Rant over.

WD.

[goatram]

Ken I found that Sen. Haugen from Piscatorial Pursuits. They are a little more political and a little more Anal in their discussions. So with that said Here is a part of the bill in question an the sponsors are listed.


SB 5127 - 2009-10


SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5127
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation, February 25, 2009
Title: An act relating to the governance of the department of fish and wildlife.
Brief Description: Concerning the governance of the department of fish and wildlife.
Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen and Haugen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 2/02/09, 2/25/09 [DPS,
DNP, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5127 be substituted therefor, and the
substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Ranker, Vice Chair; Fraser, Hargrove, Hatfield and
Stevens.
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Morton, Ranking Minority Member.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Swecker.
Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)
Background: Composition of the Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Fish and Wildlife
Commission (Commission) consists of nine members who serve six-year terms. Members
are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Each oddnumbered
year, the Commission must elect one of its members as Chair and another member
as Vice-Chair.
Persons eligible for appointment as members of the Commission must have general
knowledge of the habits and distribution of fish and wildlife and must not hold another state,
county, or municipal elective or appointive office. In making appointments to the
Commission, the Governor must seek to maintain a balance reflecting all aspects of fish and
––––––––––––––––––––––

[Boots]

The sleaze is getting worse. THERE IS ANOTHER BILL TO KILL THE COMMISSION.

Check out the latest language in substitute bill 5588:

10 NEW SECTION. Sec. 41. A new section is added to chapter 77.04 RCW
11 to read as follows:
12 The following acts or parts of acts are each temporarily suspended
13 until July 1, 2011: RCW 77.04.013 (fish and wildlife commission).
14 During the temporary suspension, the powers, duties, and authority of
15 the fish and wildlife commission shall be assumed by the department of
16 fish and wildlife within the current resources of the department.

SSB 5588 PAGE 9 SECTION 41

Bill Information

[Elkfins]

So I sent the email. this is the response I got from Sen. Regala.

Thank you for contacting me regarding SSB 5127. I do appreciate hearing your thoughts on this legislation. There are many different opinions on this matter.

It is appropriate for me to tell you that I am supportive of SSB 5127. I believe the Director of Fish and Wildlife should be appointed by the Governor. The management of our Fisheries is very complex including agreements with Canada as well as Alaska, Oregon and California, and Northwest Treaty Tribes. Thus the Director needs to be accountable to the Governor of Washington State.

There certainly is value in a Fish and Wildlife Commission, but I believe they should serve more of an advisory role.

I note from the Bill Report that this bill is supported by the Northwest Indian Fisheries Council. By both Federal and State law they are co-managers of this important resource and I believe their input must be considered. I also note support for this bill from one of the original authors of the initiative regarding the Commission.

Again, I do appreciate hearing your thoughts. Unfortunately, on this issue I must respectfully disagree.

Sincerely,

Debbie Regala

Sen. Debbie Regala
27th Legislative District
Hotline 1.800.562.6000
Office 360.786.7652

[outtadablu]

Here's my letter, I'm tired of this bitch screwing with our natural resources.

As a constituent, please consider my strong opposition to SSB 5127 which just passed out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

I find it horrendous that as and elected official from my district you think you have the right to sponsor a bill that effectively overthrows a commission that was put into place by a Citizens Referendum. This legislation has nothing to do with government reform and/or trimming budgets. The goal of SSB 5127 is to substitute the desires of a select few (commercial and tribal interests, who are also commercial) for the will of the public and the needs of our fish and wildlife. I hope you will recognize this power grab for what it is and prevent SSB 5127 from becoming law.

Science, conservation and public input must drive the management of our natural resources, not one Committee chairman or a small group of influential commercial interests. The current Fish and Wildlife Commission has taken bold steps to put conservation and science first in Washington's fisheries management -- steps that benefit the resources but threaten the status quo for industrial users.

If SSB 5127 gets to the floor, please vote no, but since you are a sponsor of this bill, you will more than likely disregard the my opinion as you are disregarding the future of Washington's Fish and Wildlife by sponsoring this bill. Shame on YOU!!!

Who you are suppose to represent,

[WaveDancer]

Here is an updated letter I just sent to all my local reps:

Dear [politician]:
>
> Please support the voters will and help defeat SSB5127.
>
> This bill, if allowed to become law, will completely side step the will of the voting public that passed the current makeup of the WDFW commission by an overwhelming 60% of the vote in 1995.
>
> What politician can keep their office by opposing 60% of the voting public? Can you?
>
> As my representative, I ask that you oppose SSB5127 if it should come to you for a vote.
>
> In short, this bill guts the voter-mandated Fish and Wildlife Commission and ends the meaningful participation of Washington citizens in the management of our fish and wildlife resources. The legislation would give one Senate Committee almost complete control over a weakened Fish and Wildlife Commission and prevent citizens from influencing the policies and rules adopted by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Senate may soon consider and vote on this dangerous bill.
>
> Science, conservation and public input must drive the management of our natural resources, not one Committee chairman or a small group of influential commercial interests. The current Fish and Wildlife Commission has taken bold steps to put conservation and science first in Washington's fisheries management -- steps that benefit the resources but threaten the status quo for industrial users.
>
> Their legislation has nothing to do with government reform and/or trimming budgets. The goal of SSB 5127 is to substitute the desires of a select few for the will of the public and the needs of our fish and wildlife. I hope you and your fellow members of the Senate will recognize this power grab for what it is and prevent SSB 5127 from becoming law.
>
> Please oppose SSB 5127 should it come before you for a vote. Thank you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> WaveDancer, (not really)

I encourage everyone that is reading this to go to the first post of this topic, click on the CCA link and send some letters.

It is important that we keep the pressure up as it's becoming obvious to me at least that some are getting very concerned that the sport-fishing public is starting to get organized and political, and that the current status quo, commercial and tribal interests, are starting to shit their pants thinking about the possible ramifications.

WD.