Voters To Make Wildlife Decision Measure Would Restore Commission’s Authority

Thu., May 25, 1995

From Staff And Wire Reports Sta

Voters will decide whether to take control of fish and wildlife away from the governor and return it to a citizen commission.

A bill providing for that scenario cleared the House late Tuesday.

Proponents of restoring the commission’s authority cited increasing frustration at management decisions that they contend favor Indian and environmental interests over sports hunters and fishermen.

“I realize that this is not the only answer,” said Rep. Steve Fuhrman, R-Kettle Falls. “We, in future years, should not neglect fish and wildlife, and move to help make this work.”

Gov. Mike Lowry, who has no power to veto any measure headed for a public vote, blasted the proposal as “bad, bad policy” and a “significant setback for real progress in fish and wildlife management.”

He said the nine-member Fish and Wildlife Commission, which would be given control of the Department of Fish and Wildlife, lacked the ability to properly negotiate resource issues with Indian tribes or with Canada or other states.

The measure, SB6074, was backed by Republicans and a smattering of Democrats in both houses. It passed the House 73-24 and cleared the Senate last week after Democratic leaders failed to bottle it up in committee.

The commission was created by a citizen initiative in 1933 to appoint the state’s wildlife director and guide wildlife management policy. In a trade for more state funding for wildlife, the 1987 Legislature took away the commission’s power to appoint the director and gave it to then-Gov. Booth Gardner. xxxx

THE BILL WILL ASK STATEWIDE VOTERS TO: Give the Fish and Wildlife Commission, rather than the governor, the power to appoint the director of fish and wildlife. The governor would still have power to appoint commissioners. Expand the commission’s authority over allocation of fish and shellfish to commercial users; give the commission authority over tribal and international fish and wildlife agreements. Permit the commission to approve the department’s budget; and allow the commission to select its own staff. Two years ago, the departments of Fish and Wildlife were merged and the commission became an advisory board.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = From staff and wire reports Staff writer Rich Landers contributed to this report.

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