ALERT!

(I have pasted in a letter from Les Johnson begging for support to get Pete Van Gytenbeek confirmed on the WDFW commision. Pete has been leading the fight for statewide C&R and is being attacked because of it. It is imperitive that as many people as possible get letters to the both the Natural Resources Committee and the Ways and Means Committee urging confirmation of Pete. -- Duggan Harman)

I am writing about a critical situation regarding Wildlife Commissioner Pete Van Gytenbeek. There is a strong probability that Pete will not be confirmed by the Natural Resources Committee. The vote could take place this week. The reason for this action is very likely due to Pete's strong stand and promotion of catch and release of all wild steelhead. There are some old school "sportsman's" clubs that still believe in killing every steelhead they catch who are coming on strong against Pete -- and they do carry some clout with the Natural Resources Committee. If we lose Pete you can count on catch-and-release of all wild steelhead being a much tougher battle in the future.

I have attached the link for the Natural Resources Committee which includes the people you should write to if you support Pete's confirmation onto the Fish and Wildlife Commission and catch-and-release of all wild steelhead. Be sure to send letters to Ken Jacobson, Harriet Spanel and Bob Oke. Sending your letter to all of them would be best.

This is a very haphazard approach to the problem but we are so short on time that I can handle it no other way. I am pleading for support. Please send your letters and please try to get the word out to your various clubs to get a ton of letters on the way this week. I would like to be copied on all letters. We need Pete on the F&W Commission!

Finally, please get back to me with the names and vital information on the right people to contact in your club so that we can begin building a proper e-mail tree. Banding our clubs together to become a real legislative force is going to be an important tool in our ongoing battle to save our fish and natural resources. I am not asking your clubs to take a stand. I am asking the individual members of your clubs to take a stand. I promise you that the Wild Steelhead Coalition, an organization of which I am a board member, will take the fight to Olympia for all conservation-minded men and women whether they carry fly rods or drift rods..

Your help is critically important and greatly appreciated. Please get your letters out today and pass the word to your memberships to do the same. Thank you.

Les Johnson
Wild Steelhead Coalition

The addresses for the various committees are listed below.

Natural Resources:
\http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/nrs/default.htm

Ways and Means
\http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/wm/admin/members.htm

This stinks. I see Harriet Spanel is still on the natural resources committee. She's the same one who has brought several Wildcat-style bills over the past couple years that would basically call for bonking of any nate anywhere all season. She's also a member of the Wildcat Steelhead Club (emphasis on club). Odds are she's one of the main opponents. Get those letters and emails flowing folks.

Here's a list of all the Senate Natural Resource Committee email addresses:

jacobsen_ke@leg.wa.gov
oke_bo@leg.wa.gov
constant_do@leg.wa.gov
hargrove_ji@leg.wa.gov
mcdonald_da@leg.wa.gov
morton_bo@leg.wa.gov
stevens_va@leg.wa.gov

I haven't included Spanel's since that would be a waste and Sid Snyder doesn't list an address.

Bruce




[This message has been edited by B. Gray (edited 03-21-2001).]

And here's the Senate Ways and Means email list:

brown_li@leg.wa.gov
fairley_da@leg.wa.gov
constant_do@leg.wa.gov
rossi_di@leg.wa.gov
fraser_ka@leg.wa.gov
hewitt_mi@leg.wa.gov
honeyfor_ji@leg.wa.gov
kline_ad@leg.wa.gov
kohl_je@leg.wa.gov
long_je@leg.wa.gov
parlette_li@leg.wa.gov
rasmusse_ma@leg.wa.gov
regala_de@leg.wa.gov
roach_pa@leg.wa.gov
sheahan_la@leg.wa.gov
sheldon_be@leg.wa.gov
thibaude_pa@leg.wa.gov
winsley_sh@leg.wa.gov
zarelli_jo@leg.wa.gov

Pete Van Gytenbeek was confirmed late yesterday afternoon with only a single nay vote. A great big THANKS to any and all who sent letters an e-mails. Apparently some of the Senators were quite surprised at the response on this issue.

Sincerely,
Duggan Harman
WSC President

Sinktip, Glad to hear the confirmation went so smoothly. Do you know who cast the lone "nay" vote? My final answer is Harriet Spanel-- do I win the million??? Always nice to know your enemies.

I have yet to find out either but if there is a $1,000,000 prize we will have to share it.

Hey, glad to hear it. Is that it or does he also have to go before the House committee. It ain't over till it's over.

And my bet about the nay vote would also be for Spanel - mouthpiece of the Wildcat Steelhead Club.