I had the pleasure of meeting Dino Rossi today at a sportsfishing forum. From what I heard I think he is a sincere man with sincere plans that will include positive steps to improve sports fishing in our state. As governor, senator Rossi would break the logjam of the "business as usual" crowd who have inhabitted Olympia for more than 20 years laying waste to sports fishing interest.

I encourage all people who are concerned about the future of sports fishing in our state to educate yourself on the two candidates and vote in November.

I agree Gramps, people need to educate themselves. To often people develop biased opions that are formulated by hearsay from others.

just my .02 cents.

LT

Thanks for the report Grandpa - I will take a long look at Rossi - anyone named Dino has some inbuilt advantages for me. I'm hopeful that we have a choice this year that no matter which way it goes, things will better.

eddie...Chris Gregoire seems like a good advocate for sports fishing but is already beholding to some major commercial interests and is not in support of some of the regulatory reform Dino is....Senator Rossi is also committed to restoration of our state parks which is long overdue. The big thing for me is that there has been a strangle hold on many things because the same group has been in control for 20 years. Even alot of Democrats have abandoned support for the Locke programs. In talking with senator Rossi he just seemed like a genuine nice guy too. I think Gregoire is a decent person too.

He's smooth for sure, and I like his attention to State Parks, which badly need it. But he's trying to become a career politician and has been down there in Olympia himself for several years, so he's part of the "status quo" he rails against. If he's pro-environment, pro-habitat and pro-fish, I'll listen, but I fear he's hiding an extreme right-wing agenda up his sleeve.

I mean this in a very positive, fish friendly way .. How do we get by the kind of thinking shown in this statement? "I fear he's hiding an extreme right-wing agenda up his sleeve" Other than the fact that he is running as a Republican, do you have reasons for your fear? Or does the word "Republican" taint a politician no matter what stand they take? And just as Dino Rossi is painted a certain way for being Republican, Chris Gregiore is feared as part of this Western-Washington liberal establishment. Is there any way that a politician can get cross-over votes from our voting block?

Is it fair to say that Governor Locke hasn't seemed especially interested in our issues? Can we expect any different from either of the two candidates when elected? I've always been a staunch conservative, but I'd be willing to support a Democrat if I felt they would stand up for recreational fishing issues. As an eight-year Washington resident, I just can't see that the Democrats in control of this state have been supportive of recreational fishing issues and yet we are expected to continue to elect them because of fear of the Republicans.

Is anyone else here willing to overlook partisan politics and vote against your normal party? As a group, we are a huge voter base, but our support of candidates is splintered like the general population. Maybe that is good, and maybe it shows that for all of our hot air discussions, we really don't vote on recreational fishing issues.

Again, please don't take that post as a personal attack. It wasn't meant to be. I'm also trying to understand if my own political leanings get in the way of supporting candidates that would in fact be better choices for me.

i'm essentially bi-partisan. I used to be hard right wing but the party took some stands on issues that went againts my desires so I have no labeled leanings to any political party anymore. I try hard to base my decision on issues. Even that's nearly impossible at times. That being said, you can imagine my disgust at the ballot this time out.

As for Dino, he is smooth. I shook hands with him once, that's about it. I like his style and the way he carries himself as a person. The fact that he sides with Parks and the fishing issues is a definate plus for him. But he also IS part fo the status quo as mentioned earlier and he has questionable views on healthcare issues. It's going to come down to the scales of balance for me. Currently the scales are tipping in Dino favor but barely.

For the first time in 52 years I may vote for a republican and it will be Dino. But I want to hear more. My biggest worries are what ties he has with the extreme christian right and big business to overthrow some sound enviro laws we have in this state. I'm not happy with his opponent at the moment because of the back dealings that went on over the moratorium and the deal cut with the Hoh tribe. Anyone got the real skinny on that?

Ahh what a happy life it would be if we only had to concern ourselves with fishing-related issues when electing a Governor. While fishing is a VERY important part of my life, it certainly isn't the MOST important.

Like TC, I prefer to vote on the issues and not the party line. Welcome to American politics folks. I personally can't EVER remember a time when one candidate represented ALL of my views. Unfortunately, it always seems to be a "lesser of two evils" type scenario.

All that being said... I personally think maybe it is time to see what a Republican could do in the Governor's mansion. After 20 years of Booth "Wally Cox" Gardner, Mike Lousy, and Gary Gridlocke, I think maybe I'll give the other side a shot to screw things up this time...

ET, no offense taken, but what I wrote has nothing to do with party politics. I'm not a republican and not a democrat. Specific concerns of mine about Rossi are that "cutting red tape" might mean allowing developers to fill more wetlands, loggers to clearcut more, industry to dump more pollutants and dam operators to kill more fish. Specifically on sport fishing, will he support maintaining habitat for wild salmon and funding for hatcheries? Will he maintain a balanced state budget yet still properly fund protection of natural resources and state parks, and not take food from hungry people? His TV ads are nothing but platitudes (so are Gregoire's). If and when I hear specifics from him, he might get my vote.

Do realize that "Regulatory Reform" is the same thing as more out-of-control development with no buffers, no stormwater treatment, no penalties for violation of water quality and fish habitat protection laws, unlimited water withdrawals, and free reign for the property rights advocates that could care less about natural resources and are only interested in increasing the profitability of their developments. Not a good thing if you are remotely interested in fishing :rolleyes:

Spawnout you said: I think that is a simplistic and partisan opinion but as it is your opinion I respect it. I would only say to get better educated about your choice for governor.

Senator Rossi also sponsored the legislation and followed through to save the Issaquah hatchery.

Please educate yourselves on this decision as I think it is a critical one for the future of Washington. If you believe business is evil vote Democratic as they are your best hope to continue to chase business out of Washington and keep our incredible unemployment levels rising to record territory.

Grandpa: You tell us to vote for a Republican, what a surprise, and then tell us to educate ourselves. Well maybe I can help educate a few concerned sportsmen. I got the following from the Washington Sportfishing PAC. A group you vigorously support. Perhaps you missed this?

Below is pasted an excerpt from Christine Gregoire's "Protecting Our Legacy: The Gregoire Plan for Washington's Economy." Of interest is her direct mention of recreational economic benefits and expressly mentioning that she would promote and expand recreational salmon fishing. For those of you with longer memories than I, correct me if I am wrong, but I think this is a first for a gubernatorial to expressly support sportfishing promotion and expansion. The full version of the write-up can be found on Gregoire's website (www.gregoire2004.com)





RESTORING AND PROTECTING

WASHINGTON’S RIVERS AND STREAMS

Washington’s economic prosperity and environmental health are directly linked to our rivers and streams and to Puget Sound. Our rivers such as the Columbia, Spokane, Skagit, Wenatchee and Nisqually are central to our heritage. We depend on water from streams for farming and food, power, industry, drinking water, fish and wildlife habitat, and recreation. While the benefits of hydropower, agriculture and industry are clearly understood, the economic benefits of clean water flowing in our streams are also significant and will become more so in the future. Recreational fishing contributed $1 billion to Washington’s economy in 2001. Wildlife viewing, such as Issaquah Salmon Days, the Skagit Bald Eagle festival, and the Othello Crane festival also contributed more than a billion dollars. Our state’s fish and wildlife depend upon clean and plentiful water. Unfortunately, 150 years of cumbersome and outdated water management has reduced stream flows in every watershed, leaving some rivers dry and many with inadequate water to support recreation, fish and water quality. Over time, water use has been authorized that exceeds the available supply. Current water use is not well documented or regulated, with many water rights no longer exercised and many ongoing water uses unpermitted. The current system is a bad combination of inadequate protections for stream flows and uncertainty and unpredictability for water users. While we have made significant gains in improving the quality of water in our state, we continue to face major challenges in keeping contaminants out of Puget Sound, Hood Canal, Lake Roosevelt, the Spokane River and elsewhere.

A sound environmental and economic future depends on our bringing certainty and clarity

to water management. We must:

Base our water decisions on sound science, developing better data systems and improving how we measure our use of water;

Provide economic incentives for more efficient use of water and nurture the development of an active water market;

Step up enforcement actions to protect streams and create a level playing field for farmers;

Set and achieve in-stream flows on a systematic basis;

Bring clarity and certainty to water right holders through a selective use of adjudications; Strengthen the government-to-government relationship with Washington Tribes;

Promote and expand recreational salmon fishing;

Explore and invest in environmentally sound water storage projects to ensure instream flow for fish and water availability for farmers and municipalities;

Develop and enforce modern rules to manage stormwater runoff; and

Increase investment in youth service programs based on the AmeriCorps model to help restore streams and protect water quality and fish habitat.

Sounds like a clear pro sports fishing adgenda with specific step to achieve results we need.

I am going to vote for Dino. I hurt my back and could not make it to the Rossi meeting. I know Christine Gregoire or Dino both are looking to help with sportsfishing. Hopefully whichever wins will follow through. With Locke and Sims now out of the picture, I already feel better.

Dave

Of course the idea of me leaning to a Republican is no bigger surprise than you leaning to a Democrat... Of course the fishing organizations we both are involved in are not specifically endorsing either one. I am sincerely bringing this up after attending a face to face meeting you were invited to I think...Gregoire has been invited to do the same type of forum but has not answered yet.

That nice young man 4Salt has a point about so much more to consider in a governor than fishing. I think either one of the two candidates will be a much better friend to sports fishing than Gary Locke. Gary did say early in his career that he wanted to restore Washington's sports fishing reputation of 20 years ago...Like so many of his intiatives that one failed too.

I just thought maybe we can all dig into the issues that effect sports fishing as one barometer to judge these two candidates by. It is unfortunately inevitable that voting will be along party lines no matter how attractive the opposition is.

Thanks for the info on Gregoire.

This is from Rossi:
CANDIDATE QUESTIONAIRE
Do you currently sport fish? Yes. When I was young my father took me fishing, and
now when I have the chance I take my children fishing.
Do you consider sportfishing an important part of the economy? Yes.
Why? Sportfishing is both a tourist draw and a popular pastime for Washington
residents.
What is your dollar estimate of the economic impact of sportfishing in Washington State
is? I believe the combined impact of sportfishing, hunting and other outdoor
recreational activities is well over $2 billion.
In your opinion, how many residents sport fish? I know that in 2003, the WDFW
processed almost 1 million fishing license transactions.
Do you believe that accessing fish and wildlife on public lands and waters is a right or a
privilege? I believe it is a right. Why? Fishing and outdoor recreation are part and
parcel of our lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest. On public lands, the public has a
right to responsible use of our great outdoors.
Do you believe the WDFW is properly funded? Our struggling economy and weak
business climate have caused budget problems for the state. My goal as
governor is to help get people back to work and get our economy moving again –
that way, we can adequately fund all the necessary functions of state
government.
What, in your opinion, could be done to adjust WDFW funding to the proper level?
We’ve got to improve the economy and help get people back to work – that will
provide more funds for government services and agencies such as WDFW.
Do you believe that science should be a primary factor in resource management? Yes.
Why? When the government makes decisions about managing our natural
resources, those decisions should absolutely be based on scientific findings.
The people deserve to know that government policy is based on facts.
Have you heard of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group recommendations for hatchery
reform? Yes.
If so, what is your opinion of the recommendations? When I served in the state
Senate I secured funding for the Issaquah hatchery, so I’m a strong believer in
fish hatcheries. But, as the group report notes, we can’t lose sight of the
importance of restoring wild salmon runs.
Do you support funding the recommendations? As governor I will continue to
support funding for hatcheries and for salmon restoration.
In your opinion, what can be done legislatively or otherwise to increase sportfishing
opportunity? The state government can first of all make sure we are promoting and
not stifling sportfishing opportunities. On the economic side, we have
tremendous opportunities to work with state and local-level economic
development councils to promote tourism and to market our sportfishing
resources around the country and the world.
Any additional comments: I look forward to working with sportfishers to make sure
we are fully supporting this important part of our economy and Northwest way of
life.

And the same questions too Gregoire:

CANDIDATE QUESTIONAIRE
Do you currently sport fish?
I don’t get to fish nearly as much as I would like to (and never catch as much as I’d like when I
do get out) – but take a look at the attached picture of my family and me after a recent outing at
Westport.
Do you consider sportfishing an important part of the economy? What is your dollar
estimate of the economic impact of sports fishing in Washington State? In your opinion,
how many residents sports fish?
Without a doubt, sports fishing is a huge part of the economy. Last year, it approached $2 billion
in estimated economic impact, including support of 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. The
combination of state and federal tax revenues generated because of sports fishing is over $120
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Washington Sportfishing PAC
Supporting Those Who Support Sportfishing
million annually. Nearly one million Washington citizens got a license to fish last year. Sport
fishing has a major positive affect on our well-being.
Do you believe that accessing fish and wildlife on public lands and waters is a
right or a privilege?
I believe that access to public lands and waters is a right that should be enjoyed by our
citizens – and shared with others in a responsible, law-abiding fashion.
Do you believe the WDFW is properly funded?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is funded by a combination of state general funds,
user fees, and federal dollars. The challenge is to find an appropriate balance between the general
fund (where all taxpayers contribute) and user fees (where a greater responsibility falls on those
who are receiving direct services from the department). There is no right or wrong formula for
this balance, but in my opinion, the legislature has leaned hard on the state Wildlife Fund in
recent years.
What, in your opinion, could be done to adjust WDFW funding to the proper level?
The operating level of funding for the department has remained fairly constant in recent
years (about $275 million per biennium). The biggest hit to the department has been on the
capital budget side. The current capital budget is now about half of what it was in the 1993-95
biennium. We need to change this momentum if we want to fund the recent recommendations for
hatchery reform. I also think we need to re-examine some user fees, particularly the out-of-state
license fees, and bring them on par with commensurate fees paid in other states.
Do you believe that science should be a primary factor in resource management?
Absolutely. I think science should be the paramount factor in resource
management. Sound science is the cornerstone for good environmental policy and
practice. Science provides a reminder that the physical world is more powerful and
lasting than political rhetoric. It is my belief that science is the most reliable path to
follow when seeking solutions to difficult problems.
Have you heard of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group recommendations for
hatchery reform? What is your opinion of the recommendations? Do you support
funding the recommendations?
I am very impressed by the four-year effort of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group. It
has been a prototype of the kind of problem solving that I advocate, with a group of top-notch
scientists, committed leaders from a range of involved parties, and very active participation by
communities across the state. I believe the principles of adaptive management, on an ecosystemby-
ecosystem basis, provide a sound strategic approach to hatchery management.
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Washington Sportfishing PAC
Supporting Those Who Support Sportfishing
P.O. Box 11956 Olympia, WA 98508-1956
Wasportfishingpac@comcast.net
(360) 480-6646
Implementation of this effort will require support from all of the parties who now operate
hatcheries: the state, our native tribes, and the federal government. Although the Governor’s
powers are limited in this arena, I will assist in getting the necessary funding to take us down the
path of reform. We need to keep in mind that the state general fund is in a major deficit, and the
most fruitful course might be a combination of federal money and the state capital budget. The
full package will cost about $150 million over the next 10 or 15 years.
In your opinion, what can be done legislatively or otherwise to increase
sportfishing opportunity?
We need a clear state policy, articulated by the legislature, to provide guidance to the
state Fish and Wildlife Commission on an appropriate allocation of fishing for sports fishermen
and commercial fishermen, in order to optimize the economic benefits of fishing.

Those are good answers. I wish he had choosen to answer my questions about closing Puget Sound to nets. And to tell us if he would, as govenor, petition the Feds to keep our roadless areas roadless.

I must say I am torn. Gregoir is a fisher and and knows how to use a centrepin reel. That impresses me. Her position is also fully in support of sports fishing. I think that no matter who gets elescted, we may see some much needed changes.

I am right there with ya Dave Don't know YET!!!!

I don't think either candidate has a deep grasp of the fishing issues we all discuss but they both have done some homework and have the talking points down. It helped out to have the Sports Fishing PAC take Gregoire out fishing on a charter...I know she got some real info that day and remembered alot of it. Rossi seems to be attentive to our issues as well.

Both candidates atleast have us on their radar screens and either one would do a good job of listening to us and acting. Now the question I have is which one would help the economy recover so we have enough funding for the programs we argue that we need. The current administration and legislature has had a long run to get us where we are today which means budget shortfalls for WDFW and lack of funding for critical salmon restoration efforts. In an environment of unemployment soaring and businesses leaving town I don't see our fisheries funding moving to the top of the list.

Maybe we need to make changes higher up. I know Bush says the economy is doing just fine. It sounds like you disagree? Maybe with both cantidates talking about sport fishing, we need to go with the one who will be best at protecting our environment!

Yes , Dave, I think here locally we should give both candidates for governor a good look. I think the fishing groups will endorse both of them. Personally I don't know much about either one which is why I advocate educating ourselves. I don't say that in the sense of only looking at Rossi.

Gramps, YB and Dave, thanks for all the good info. It's a fascinating political season, both nationally and here, with massive ramifications. It's great to see both gubernatorial candidates have at least a grasp on sportfishing issues. It'll be a tough choice.

Wouldn't it be interesting if none of us knew which political party Rossi and Gregoire were from? Without the bias that knowledge would automatically bring our decisions might be easier.

EVERY SINGLE ONE has said just about the same and all failed to do what they promised.So either one to me wouldn't make any differance.They both have some good points and bad.

From what I've read about Gregoire (this is taking more into account than fishing) she seems to be more of the status quo. From the same vein as Locke and Lowry.

There are at least 3 areas in politics that are tough if not impossible to change. Primarily because the system is so defined with each side dug in.

Education- Teachers unions vs. Taxpayers

Environment- Business/economy vs. govt. and protection groups.

Taxes- citizens and business vs. govt and politicians.

You almost never see any movement in any of these areas and if you do it's minor or countered by a new law that negates another one.

So politicians are just telling you what you want to hear because there is not much they can do about it.

Regardless of the amount of $$$ sports fishing generates for the state ecomony, neither canidate will do much to help us because we are not "organized" like big business or the commerical fishing crowd. Until we do, & can speak in numbers, you are only kidding your self. This will probably never happen because sportsman romance in some fashion & always want to be independant. Look at the accomplishments the organization, Foundation of North American Wild Sheep(FNAW) put in place. When they speak, the States & Feds listen & act. I wish there was some other way, but alas! Raft-Cat

Raft Cat: Take a look at the Recreational Fishing Alliance. This is their first year in operation in the Northwest and yet they have already sponsored cantidates forums on sportfishing as well as gotten very positive commnets from both cantidates. See my recent post on what thier newsletter posted from Gregoir

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That's why Gregoire is endorsed by both Locke and Lowry. Even Ron Simms thinks she'll make a great governer.

Yo Rory - I always thought you was a politically savvy guy... OF COURSE Locke, Sims et. al. endorse Chris Gregoire... Ready for this... She's a democrat too! :p

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I can't get anything past you.

I vote Tom Nelson for Governor

Chris has got my vote - "We need a clear state policy, articulated by the legislature, to provide guidance to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission on an appropriate allocation of fishing for sports fishermen and commercial fishermen, in order to optimize the economic benefits of fishing." This is the one issue that really turns me on, and she is the only political candidate, other that Ike Eickmeyer, who has ever supported this issue.

I will be interested to ask Gregoire about the strong financial support she has received during this campaign from the commercial fishing lobby and also ask her what she says to the Eastern Washington interests like those who irrigate and the Bonneville folks.

I just can't sift through the "talking points" and always feel like I am being patronized by hearing what the candidate thinks I want to hear. It takes alot of effort to pierce this veil. That is why we had the Rossi forum and will host the Gregoire forum...try to meet in person and see if we can glean the information that really counts.

"I just can't sift through the "talking points" and always feel like I am being patronized by hearing what the candidate thinks I want to hear. It takes alot of effort to pierce this veil."

too bad we can't just tazor 'em and hook 'em to a lie detector:(
darn poloticians