Petition for Open WDFW/Tribal NOF Meetings

[dj2loud]

http://nwsportsmanmag.com/editors-blog/ ... of-falcon/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



We will see.......but its not looking good.....

[Larry3215]

I posted a comment to that article suggesting that maybe WDFW could add a few extra temporary "members" to the staff they take into the meetings. Those extra members to be selected from the public.

[Toni]

"The commission also adopted updates – mostly housekeeping changes – to the North of Falcon policy, which provides direction to fishery managers in defining annual salmon fishing seasons in Washington's waters. As part of the discussion, the commission received a briefing on open public meetings law and efforts to provide greater transparency during the season-setting process."

http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan1417a/

[Bay wolf]

King 5 NEWS is running segments on tonights news about the Open Meeting. I will give an update soon.

Someone took down Washington State Access to our petition just before the KING 5 piece ran that mentions our petition!!!

Just got it back up!!!

[Bay wolf]

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE KING 5 NEWS PIECE. THE REPORTER, ALISON MORROW, DID A GREAT JOB GETTING TO THE TRUTH.
Fishermen demand change for upcoming season
http://www.king5.com/mb/tech/science/en ... /386567141

WE NEED TO KEEP THE MEDIA INVESTED IN THIS STORY! IT IS THE MEDIA ATTENTION THAT MAKES THE LEGISLATURES UNCOMFORTABLE!

PLEASE EMAIL KING 5 NEWS (THE BIG GUY) AND CC: ALISON'S BOSSES AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THE STORY AND THE ISSUE IS! A THANK YOU TO ALISON MORROW AS WELL.

PLEASE EVERYONE. EMAIL! THE MORE THEY GET, THE MORE THEY REPORT IN THE FUTURE!

HERE ARE THE EMAIL ADDRESS FOR THEM:
Jrose@king5.com BIG BOSS
Ccarson@king5.com
Rwalker@king5.com

[dj2loud]

if this doesnt piis you off nothing will........ Tribes hold leverages........... great........





Excerpt from change.org.....

COMMISSION MEETING UPDATE PROGRESS MADE!!!
Perry Menchaca
Tacoma, WA
JAN 17, 2017 — I attended the Commission meeting Jan. 13. along with Tim Hamilton THFWA (Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy) and others. We spoke to the Commission regarding Opening the WDFW/Tribal NOF Meetings.

In my presentation, I voiced our anger at the current situation, let them know that I was speaking for the 1,155 stake holders who’ve signed the petition, and demanded they open these meetings. I then read several of your comments enforcing our solidarity and anger at having these meetings closed.

The comments we’re well received, by the Commission Members and by the senior staff of WDFW (Dir. Unsworth was in attendance).

During the discussion period, Commissioner Miranda Wecker was very vocal in SUPPORT of having the public in these meetings. The entire Commission voiced SUPPORT for having these meetings opened, including Brad Smith, the Chair and Larry Carpenter the vice.

The Commission explained that they are well aware of the HUGE PUBLIC OUTCRY to have these meetings open, and have approached the tribes to a point of exhaustion with this issue.

THE TRIBES have refused to consider ANY proposal for better Transparency and have increased their threat their of walking out of negotiations if the State pushes the issue!

The Commissioners explained that they are as frustrated as we are, the Commission and WDFW cannot force the Tribes into negotiations. And if the Tribes don’t show up, we will not be able to get permits in time to have a season.

The Commission admitted that the Tribes have the permits as leverage, but are unable by themselves to do anything about it!

The Commissioners added that the Tribes are so adamant about keeping these meetings secret, they even object to having any Commission members present!!! A point that Commissioner Wecker finds very contentious. In fact, one of her thoughts as a starting point in Transparency, is to have several members of the Commission attend the meetings and report to the stakeholders.

The Commission also received a legal briefing from Bill Frymire, Senior Counsel, Office of the Attorney General. Mr. Frymire sited several cases concerning the Open Meetings Act and State obligations. At the end of his presentation, he was asked for his opinion as to the States compliance and the NOF. He said he thought they we’re ok, but since it had no case history, he said it could go either way in a lawsuit. (Remember, he is the attorney for WDFW, so he wouldn’t come out in public and say they are violating the law.)

KING 5 News (Allison Morrow) did a very good story on the Transparency issue and the fight to get these meeting open. I will post a link to the segments as soon as they are available.

The Advocacy is currently working on a response and I will update you as soon as I’m given anything.

So, In conclusion, It seem’s the Commission and the Department have said they support having these meetings open. They have no means to force the Tribes to attend and OUR PERMITS ARE TIED TO TRIBAL PARTICIPATION. THE TRIBES HAVE COMPLETELY REFUSED TO CONSIDER ANY SUGGESTION EXCEPT TOTAL SECRECY.
IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE TRIBES ARE RUNNING OUR NOF PROCESS AND HAVE EVERY INTENT TO CONTINUE TO IN THE FUTURE!

[Bay wolf]

Thanks "D".

I was going to post an update on my attendance at the Commission meeting in Vancouver, but that covers it pretty well.

The only thing I could add, is the importance of KEEPING THE PRESSURE ON THE STATE! WE CAN'T LET OFF. I UNDERSTAND THEIR FRUSTRATION, BUT THEY CREATED THIS MESS...AND WHEN IT GETS HOT ENOUGH, THEY WILL REACH OUT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE TO GET IT FIXED!!!

[Bay wolf]

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, NOW'S THE TIME TO STEP UP!

The various trade shows are fast approaching. There will be thousands in attendance through out the different events!

This is an excellent opportunity to get the message out to many who have yet to hear what we are doing. OUR STRENGTH IS IN OUR NUMBERS!

I will be at the Puyallup Sportsmen show, but I can't do this by myself!

WE ARE A GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENT, REMEMBER. WE HAVE DONE SO MUCH BY SOLIDARITY. I CAN'T PROMISE A FREE PASS, NOR FUNDS TO PRINT FLYERS. I NEED TO ASK ANYONE TO HELP ANYWAY THEY CAN. BY PROVIDING PASSES FOR VOLUNTEER'S, OR PERHAPS PRINTING FLYERS, AND OF COURSE, GOING TO THE SHOWS AND MAKING CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND GETTING THE WORD OUT!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO PASS OUT FLYERS AND SPEAK TO PEOPLE AT THE VARIOUS SPORTSMEN SHOWS AND BOAT SHOWS THAT ARE UPCOMING!

TRI-CITIES SPORTMEN SHOW STARTS JAN 20-22.
ANYONE IN THE TRI-CITIES AREA, PLEASE PRINT SOME FLYERS AND GET THE WORD OUT!

THE WASHINGTON SPORTSMEN SHOW IS A BIG ONE: JAN 25 - 29.
WE NEED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO WORK THIS SHOW!

SEATTLE BOAT SHOW IS ANOTHER BIG EVENT: JAN 27 - FEB 4.
WE NEED SEVERAL PEOPLE TO WORK THIS AS WELL.

IF YOU WILL HELP, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

IF ANYONE KNOWS HOW TO WE CAN GET PASSES OR PRINT FLYERS FOR ANY OF THESE EVENTS FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!

HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE PRINTABLE FLYER!
https://app.box.com/s/a8vtrmu9xq3sx5p9zhiurg3yn02ar0gx

[Jakefish]

You may want to get rid of that blank second page on the PDF image- I can just imagine some people wasting a whole lot of paper when they go to print these things (unless they want to sort out all of the blank pages from their stack).

[Bay wolf]

You may want to get rid of that blank second page on the PDF image- I can just imagine some people wasting a whole lot of paper when they go to print these things (unless they want to sort out all of the blank pages from their stack).

THANKS...DIDN'T CATCH THAT!!

DONE!

[Larry3215]

Hey Bay Wolf - I want to take a moment and thank you for starting this and for keeping it going so enthusiastically.

Legally, it looks to me like we are screwed - at least for now. Continued pressure might lead to future lawsuits and possibly some changes. However, if we do nothing, then nothing will ever change.

Thank you sir!

[Mike Carey]

We'll print up 500 flyers and have them available at our booth for volunteers to take and make the rounds at the show.

Booth 357, Puyallup Show

[Bay wolf]

Hey Bay Wolf - I want to take a moment and thank you for starting this and for keeping it going so enthusiastically.

Legally, it looks to me like we are screwed - at least for now. Continued pressure might lead to future lawsuits and possibly some changes. However, if we do nothing, then nothing will ever change.

Thank you sir!

Larry, no thanks needed. It is due to guys like you and all the others that have stood up and said "enough" that we have such a strong voice of solidarity! Yes, it is an uphill battle. We are fighting money, influence and cronyism. But, things will only get worse if we don't try.

We'll print up 500 flyers and have them available at our booth for volunteers to take and make the rounds at the show.

Booth 357, Puyallup Show

I WANT TO PUBLICLY SAY "THANK YOU" TO MR. MIKE CAREY! NOT ONLY FOR HIS SUPPORT AT THE SPORTSMEN SHOW, BUT FOR ALLOWING THIS THREAD TO BE PLACED ON THE BOARD AND FOR ALL HE DOES FOR THE SPORTS FISHING COMMUNITY BOTH ON THE BOARD AND IN THE COMMUNITY! MIKE, YOU ARE ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS AND MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU!

[Bay wolf]

HEY GUYS AND GALS,

STILL NEED A FEW PEOPLE TO STEP UP AND HELP WALK THE FLOOR AT THE SPORTSMEN SHOW TO MAKE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE AND PASS OUT FLYERS.

ALSO, WE HAVE THE BOAT SHOW. I DON'T KNOW HOW I CAN COVER THAT MYSELF.

I PRINTED UP 1000 FLYERS TO PASS OUT. IN ADDITION TO THE 500 MIKE IS DOING FOR US. (Thanks again Mike, those things aren't cheap)

I PLAN ON BEING THERE FIRST THING ON THE 25th AND GOING ALL DAY, EVERY DAY FOR AS LONG AS I CAN.

ONLY HAVE ONE OTHER PERSON SO FAR WHO HAS SAID HE'LL HELP...

[Bay wolf]

Tomorrow is the start of the Washington Sportsmen Show in Puyallup. If you attend the show and see either myself or the other volunteer (Greg) walking the floor and passing out flyers, please stop and introduce yourself.

We will be doing our best to get the word out to as many as we can.

[Bay wolf]

WDFW ANNOUNCES THE SALE OF THE 2017-2018 LICENSES: REALLY!!!

AND THEY MIGHT COST MORE!!

AS A SHOW OF DISSATISFACTION WITH THE INCREASE IN OUR LICENSE COST AND THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITH THE NOF PROCESS, WE ARE URGING EVERYONE TO NOT PURCHASE A LICENSE RIGHT NOW.

HOLD OFF!! THERE IS TIME TO GET A LICENSE LATER IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO.

NOW IS THE TIME TO USE OUR MONEY TO SEND ANOTHER MESSAGE RE-ENFORCING OUR DEMANDS TO BE HEARD AND FOR THINGS TO CHANGE!!

DO NOT PURCHASE A LICENSE AND TALK TO ALL YOU KNOW TO JOIN IN AND NOT PURCHASE A LICENSE NOW!!

WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN BY USING OUR WALLETS TO SEND THIS MESSAGE!

TRANSPARENCY IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN GET TO THE TRUTH!!!

[Toni]

I am not going to get mine until the very last minute and I might not get saltwater until later. I usually buy a combo

[Larry3215]

Im waiting till the last second to decide. Between NOF and this new Columbia river crap with Oregon, there may be no salmon fishing at all.....

[Toni]

17-18 fishing license will not change. http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/jan2417a/

[Larry3215]

So no fee increases after all? Guess they heard the roar!