WDFW Law Enforcement Advisory Committee Nominations
CCA submitted three nominees to the WDFW-LE Advisory Committee. The three nominees are Dave Croonquist from the Olympic Peninsula and Lyle Cabe and Dick Wenger from SW Washington.
Legislative Update
In January, Andy Marks and Ed Wickersham, backed by about 50 CCA members provided testimony to the House Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Brian Blake on encouraging selective commercial fishing gear reform. Just prior to the hearing, it was agreed that CCA and Rep. Blake would pull their respective bills. Rep. Blake agreed to initiate a process after the legislative session for selective commercial gear reform while supporting the Department’s ongoing efforts on the LCR.
The GRC then focused on defeating a bill to create a single Natural Resources department that would effectively merge WDFW into another bureaucracy and dilute the Commission’s control (HB 6813). With the help of our membership and other organizations, we defeated this dangerous bill.
CCA supported legislation by Senator Rolfes concerning derelict crab gear, ESSHB-2593. It was signed into law this month. Dave Knutzen did an excellent job testifying in front of the committee and taking the lead for CCA on that bill.
We also supported legislation dealing with excess hatchery salmon carcasses. That legislation stalled, but through the efforts of CCA and others, both the House and Senate added language in the budget directing both a study of this issue and a public process before the state enters any new contract for hatchery carcasses.
Thanks goes out to our lobbyist, Scott Sigmon for his masterful work this legislative session.
North of Falcon
Tom Pollack took the lead in representing CCA/WA in the North of Falcon process and many other CCA members have also participated in the NOF meetings this year, including Twin Harbors GRC member John Campbell. One major concern during this year’s NOF is that funding shortages may curtail monitoring of mark selective fishing, but it is hoped funding may be forthcoming.
The presence of CCA at all of these meetings is critical and was noted by officials.
To those who volunteered their time to represent CCA at NOF and legislative meetings this year, THANK YOU for your continued hard work! We are making progress!
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