Wildlife Commission survives legislative onslaught

After four months of politicking, it appears efforts in the Legislature to gut the authority of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission are dead.

Last week, the Senate passed Substitute House Bill 1778, but the measure did not contain language regarding the governance of fish and wildlife. Monday, the House concurred with the Senate and passed the bill 63-35.

Since January, there have been attempts to reduce the number of Fish and Wildlife Commission members, lessen their authority, and take the power to hire and fire the Department of Fish and Wildlife director from the commission and give it to the governor.

Tom Davis, legislative liaison for department, said it looks like the issue is finished for this session.

"Nothing is ever certain until the gavel sounds, but it appears dead,'' he said.

That's good news for Columbia River anglers who currently have a commission more favorable to their interests than any in the past 30 years, although the members would deny that and say they're just trying to make good conservation policy.

But there are items of interest in SHB 1778 to sportsmen, or at least effecting their pocketbook. Here's a look at them:

License surcharge — A 10 percent transaction fee would be added to the cost of hunting and fishing licenses, tags and permits. This is expected to raise about $6 million for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Two fishing rods — A $20 two-pole authorization would be available for purchase. Anglers then could use two rods in waters designated by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The intent here is to boost fishing opportunity in lowland trout and kokanee waters, not for salmon, steelhead and sturgeon.

Commission member Gary Douvia of Kettle Falls said he thought the department would sell more authorizations and make more money overall if the two-pole fee was $10.

Davis said after a year or two of experience with the two-pole rule the agency might be able to return to lawmakers and ask for a fee reduction.

The money will be use to finance state hatcheries. The two-pole authorization is estimated to generate about $1.1 million per fiscal year.

Davis said the legislation is not effective until 90 days after the governor signs the bill, which would be about July 26. Then there will be a period for the department to do the rule-making and determine which waters are part of the two-pole program.

"We'll see our biggest bang on this at this time next year,'' Davis said.

Western Washington pheasant hunting — The bill increases the fee for a Western Washington pheasant hunting permit from $39.42 for a full season to $75. The youth fee goes from $16.43 to $35 a season.

The increase is not as bad as it sounds.

Davis said Western Washington pheasant hunters would not have to buy a $32.85 small-game license. The small game license and Western Washington pheasant permit combined cost $72.27 compared to the $75 total proposed by the bill.

Also of pocketbook interest is Senate Bill 5421, which requires a $7.50 endorsement on top of the existing fishing license to fish for salmon or steelhead in the Columbia River and tributaries.

The money would go to a special account to enhance sport fishing in the Columbia system.

That bill is in the Senate Rules Committee.

Davis said the department is looking at a $24 million cut in the House budget and $30 million in the Senate budget, so any additional revenues will lessen the amount of staff facing layoffs.

Allen Thomas covers hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and other outdoor recreation topics for The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4555, by e-mail at al.thomas@columbian.com or by writing to P.O. Box 180, Vancouver, 98666.