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Budget cuts lead to WDFW layoffs, service reductions OLYMPIA - A $21 million reduction in state and other funding over the next two years will require the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to lay off 76 employees and curtail some public services. The layoffs, along with elimination of dozens of vacant positions, will be effective at the close of the current fiscal year June 30. WDFW executive managers have been planning for a significant budget reduction for months, and in the meantime have been pursuing a number of savings and efficiency efforts to reduce current spending. As much as possible, reductions were structured to preserve core department missions of conserving fish and wildlife, providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing opportunities and maintaining field operations, said WDFW Deputy Director Joe Stohr. Despite those efforts, there will be reductions in basic services, he said. Hatchery fish production, wildlife species recovery activities, technical assistance for habitat protection, wildlife area maintenance, fish and wildlife population monitoring, customer service and outreach and education are among the activities that will be reduced under the 2009-11 operating budget approved by the state Legislature this year. Under that budget, WDFW will receive $81.2 million in support from the State General Fund, a reduction of about $30 million from the current budget period. But other measures approved by the Legislature this year are expected to partially offset that reduction by generating more than $9 million in new revenues for the department. “While these budget cuts are deep and painful, we recognize they could have been far worse without the support the department received from legislators," said WDFW Director Phil Anderson. One new measure, House Bill 1778, allows WDFW to collect a temporary two-year, 10 percent surcharge on sales of fishing and hunting licenses and permits, and is expected to generate about $6 million in revenue. The bill also allows the department to offer fishing with two poles on designated lakes, generating about $2 million over two years. Another new law, Senate Bill 5421, is expected to generate about $1.75 million over two years through a new stamp for recreational salmon and steelhead fishing in the Columbia River and some of its tributaries. To mitigate the anticipated budget shortfall, the department has made ongoing efforts to increase efficiency, pursue outside partnerships and funding sources, and boost recreational license sales. Sales of recreational fishing licenses are up slightly so far this year, currently about $450,000 above 2008 sales for the same period, according to WDFW licensing managers. More information about impending budget reductions at WDFW is available on the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/about/budget/ . |
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WDFW NEWS RELEASE August 28, 2009 Contact: Dr. Kristin Mansfield, 509-892-1001 Ext. 326 Hunters take note: Law restricts OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) reminds hunters who travel to other states that big game carcass transport back into Washington is restricted to reduce the risk of transmitting chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal illness among deer, elk and moose in several states and Canadian provinces that could be spread to Washington through the importation of some parts of those animals. So far, the deadly disease has not been found in Washington's wildlife, despite testing of thousands of animals since 1995. "We don’t want any deer, elk, or moose heads coming into taxidermy shops or anywhere else from states or provinces with chronic wasting disease unless they are absolutely clean," said WDFW veterinarian Kristin Mansfield. "That means that there must be no hide, muscle, or especially brain tissue attached." The states and provinces with CWD are Alberta, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Saskatchewan, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. As described on page 98 of Washington’s 2009 Big Game Hunting Seasons and Regulations pamphlet, the only parts of deer, elk or moose from these places that can legally be imported to Washington are: · Meat that has been de-boned in the state or province where it was harvested. · Skulls and antlers, antlers attached to the skull plate, or upper canine teeth (buglers, whistlers, ivories) from which all soft tissue has been removed. · Hides or capes without heads attached. · Tissue imported for use by a diagnostic or research laboratory. · Finished taxidermy mounts. Violation of this rule (RCW 77.15.290) is a gross misdemeanor that carries a maximum penalty of a $5,000 fine or one year in jail. Research to date indicates that CWD, one form of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy, is not likely to be transmitted to humans, Mansfield said. "We need hunters’ help to keep CWD from getting started here," she said. Hunters from eastern Washington can assist in that effort by stopping at WDFW check stations with harvested deer or elk so tissue samples can be taken for testing, she said. If check stations aren’t available, eastern Washington hunters should make arrangements for fresh tissue sampling by calling (509) 989-6224. |
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LEAD IN FISHING TACKLE
The American Sportfishng Association has been a very reliable source for many years, The ban is coming, but hopefully will slow it down some with questions to be answered. The point of 1/2oz and smaller would be lesser of conditions than 1oz and smaller. Being a user of 1oz and more, especially on sturgeon weights and bottom bouncing salmon in the river, it would be better for those of us to get rid of our small weights by melting them into bigger weights for those who have molds, then they don’t have to be thrown into trash or hazard collection areas. Check out their web site: |