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 will say it again, i am a little skeptical were the money would end up.

I would buy the one with the Dungeness crab, but I would only pay 1/4 of the required price because we got only 1/4 of a season. Maybe the picture should show a disappearing crab!

Dave......

why should we pay more and get less every year, so no, screw them, they arent gettin anymore of my money than they have too.. i spend enough on gas, boat maintenance, tackle, rods.. and less oppurtunity to fish and crab

why should we pay more and get less every year, so no, screw them, they arent gettin anymore of my money than they have too.. i spend enough on gas, boat maintenance, tackle, rods.. and less oppurtunity to fish and crab

WHAT HAPPEN TO THE STEELHEAD PLATE!

Why do the hunters get 5 choices, http://wdfw.wa.gov/license_plates/management_plates.htm , and we only get two, and the salmon is a pink? Where is the king, silver, sockeye and steelie?????

Maybe the state doesn't like Steelhead?

I though that my $40+ that I already pay for an annual license was supposed to "be used in programs benefitting fish and shellfish management in Washington. ".
Silly me

I'm with ya on that PM

Doesn't the money actually just go into the general fund?

Not saying it is a great idea, but if the money is like the University or stadium plate program then the money does go to the designated end user. It doesn't mean that the legislature will not take this money into account when allocating money from the general fund. Remeber that this a way to not only try and get the DFW a few extra bucks, but you also end up with a cool license plate to boot. If you think the plate is cool, you can afford it and you don't mind throwing alittle extra to the DFW there are worse things you can do with $40.00.