STATE OF WASHINGTON
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
FISH PROGRAM
600 Capitol Way North
Olympia, WA 98501-1091


November 3, 2004


TO: WDFW Advisory Groups, and Interested Citizens
FROM: Lew Atkins, Assistant Director, Fish Program
SUBJECT: New License Plate Backgrounds Opportunities

Vehicle owners may have several new options for specialized license plates next
year, if a proposal from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is
approved. Two of the new options, featuring a salmon and Dungeness crab are
part of a series called "Washington's Wildlife". Two of the special backgrounds
feature a salmon and a Dungeness crab. Proceeds from the sale of these plates
will be used in programs benefitting fish and shellfish management in
Washington.

In order for the new background license plates to be implemented, the department
must acquire at least 2,000 signatures for each plate design from
potentially-interested patrons. Signatures will be presented to the Department
of Licensing Special License Plate Review Board, the first step in the approval
process. The board's recommendation will then be provided to the 2005
Legislature as a bill for final deliberation.

The department needs help in acquiring the needed signatures. Signature sheets
are available by clicking on the link supplied on this page.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/fish_plates.htm A physical signature, not
electronic, is required. Deadline for mailing completed sheets is now November
19, 2004. Send forms directly to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
at the address listed below.

Signing the form does not obligate one to eventually buy the plate, but gives
the department the ability to contact the individuals with follow-up information
should the proposal pass. Please note that you can indicate interest in more
than one set of plates. The proposed price of the special background plate is
$40 for new, and $30 for renewals.

The department is seeking approval for a series of backgrounds which include,
wildlife viewing, endangered species, game management as well as fish and
shellfish management. These backgrounds will feature the bald eagle, orca
whale, elk, deer, black bear, duck, and pheasant in addition to the salmon and
Dungeness crab to benefit wildlife viewing activities, game management, and fish
and shellfish management.

DEADLINE: November 19, 2004

Please return signed sheets to:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Fish Program
600 Capital Way North,
Olympia, WA 98501-1091

i am a little skeptical about where the money would actually end up.

I , too , am real skeptical but will sign up. I can assure you I will get back here with research on this.

Sorry about posting this same info... Gutz and I must be on the same e-mail list.

Why should you guys be skeptical of where the money ends up? Just because... hold it; I'm not going to get started on waste in state government.

However, if the monies are dedicated to fisheries enhancement and not something like payroll for clerical staff or the general fund, then they've got my money.

Keith

It would seem that a wild steelhead stuck in a gillnet would be a more accurate depiction for your licence plates.

Sorry, had to go there.

Why a pink salmon as the emblem for the fish plate? Doesn't even come close to being the most popular gamefish in the state. Would have figured a king, silver or steelhead.

looks like a chum to me

I looked a little closer and I agree now, its a pink. I was looking at the teeth.

NO thanks i'll pass

Signing the petition does not obligate you to buy a plate. They need 2000 signatures by Nov 19th (2 weeks from now) to proceed with the program. I will sign now, but buy a plate only after I am convinced that 100% of proceeds go to salmon management.

I think the plates would be good exposure/advertising to promote sportfishing causes.

The picture of the humpy illustrates just how out of touch some of the officials in WDFW are.

I wonder if purchasing a crab license plate would be a better investment?

Aunty I think you are on the right track unfortunately. The short sentence about where the proceeds will go only says that the money will help fund fish and shellfish management. To me that means it will go into the general budget to keep WDFW afloat. That means the commission will still refuse to listen to us and WDFW managers will continue to shine us on while they support commercial fishing everywhere in the state. I think money would be much better spent funding the Washington Sportsfishing PAC and the RFA which are two entities in Washington that will spend ALL the money fighting for sports fishing and against abuses. Dollar for dollar I think it isn't even a contest as far as where your money will do the most good. I do like the idea of the license plates though. I'll keep looking for the silver lining and get back to you.

GP,

I agree that the best bang for the buck is donating to WA Sportfishing PAC.

But, I believe it is in the best intrest of all sportanglers to sign the petition so that ALL licensed vehicle owners in the State will be asked if they want a "salmon" plate.

I think it just helps general awareness of our cause.

SQ ... I agree, whether or not you'll buy one for sure, it is a good idea to give this opportunity for the benefit of the fish. And, yes, I always have doubts as to the money will actually end up where it is supposed to.

A humpy? No kidding on the WDFW being out of touch with reality. And it's a boot humpy to boot

There are lots of good hard working folks at WDFW. I will be signing the paperwork and encourage others to do so if they like the plates as I do. I think 2005 will mark the beginning of greater accountability at WDFW and they are seriously underfunded.

It's interesting that the choice for fish was not a steelhead, since it is the state fish.

I saw the petitions at the "roundtable" meeting at Aberdeen. I'm offended by their choice of subject for the fish plate. I didn't sign for support, nor will I pay this selective tax to fund a department geared toward commercial (over)harvest.

No matter if you like the plate or care about where the money goes, sign the petition. This gives every citizen a chance to help support the department. What will they do with the money - who knows? But YOU don't have to buy a license to let others who want to do so do so. This is a chance at some free money for the department that only comes from those suckers, ah I mean citizens, who want to voluntarily pay more to the state.

P.S. I wrote to the person listed as the contact and asked why a humpy instead of a steelhead. I will share the answer – if there is one.

I read posts on various things and respect alot of you here, but I for one can not sign for more funding for an agency that continues to snub their noses at us, the people who pay their salaries, that they work for and that they are supposed to serve.
It seems that every time the agency has an opprotunity to do something right, they go out of their way to fail us sports fishers.
I am still very frosted over this years crab season! More money will not create more eqiutable behavior in OUR Dept. of Fish and Wildlife.

Change the HUMPY to a King,Coho or Steelhead and I'd get one.No way I'm purchasing a humpy plate.They are way out of touch like mentioned above.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

I did the same last Friday and also sent him a link to this thread and as expected, no response and I really dont think Ill get one. Im just a sport fisherman