Subject: Gutting of Conservation License
Date: Jan 21 09:20:05 1998
From: "Martha Jordan" - marthaj at premier1.net


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Hello,
WDFW has submitted legislation to recodify many of the RCW (laws) relating
to wildlife and fisheries, including the licensing regulations. One of
these is the Conservation License. It is attached here as a plain text
file I downloaded directly off the legislative web page www.leg.wa.gov.
This is HB2819.
What this revision does is remove the personal conservation license and
substitute a vehicle use permit. On the surface it sounds good, but read
on... If you purchase a hunting or fishing (any type) license you get a
decal as part of your fee. Otherwise you must purchase a vehicle use
permit decal for $10 (the non-hunter/fisher people who drive cars). This
only applies to areas that are "an improved access facility" defined as an
area specifically created for motor vehicle parking, and includes any boat
launch or boat ramp associated with the parking area, but does not include
the Gorge Concert Center.
The funds MAY ONLY BE USED "solely for the stewardship and maintenance of
department improved access facilities".
What this really means is that we, as the non-hunting public, will no
longer be providing funding for wildlife habitat or management activities.
All the funds will go ONLY to improved access site operation and
maintenance. There are many sites that are not yet "improved" that need
our dollars. This also means that your dollars will also be shared between
wildlife areas and all the marine lands (formerly fisheries) that currently
do not share from the Conservation License funds. The management of Marine
Lands and their access areas have been less than cooperative when it comes
to wildlife matters. Yet, it appears that they will share in the use of
these funds, most likely for shellfish areas.
I was told less than 5 weeks ago that this RCW was not up for
recodification. Then last week I was told yes, and they wanted a decal
system. This morning at 10:00 a.m. I was informed by WDFW that it was not
yet submitted to the legislature. As you can see from the date - it was
read today in the House.
It appears that WDFW does not want to consider public imput on this matter
and it pushing this bill through quickly before anyone in the conservation
community even is aware that it exits and the history behind it. It is
likely not as benign as it appears.

HB2819 has been referred to the Committee on Natural Resources. If you
have concerns please e-mail me directly and let your legislators know who
you feel about this sudden change in regulations that not be what it
appears on the surface.

This is your voice, your money.

Martha Jordan
marthaj at premier1.net

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