WDFW invites public to discuss revenue and spending priorities

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled six public workshops in early August at which the public can comment on the department's proposals to expand conservation programs and provide more fishing and hunting opportunities through a combination of state funding and license fee increases.

The workshops are part of WDFW's multi-year initiative, "Washington's Wild Future: A Partnership for Fish and Wildlife," an effort to strengthen the department's relationships with communities, increase support for conservation and outdoor recreation, and help ensure WDFW programs and services meet the public's needs.

Last fall, thousands of Washingtonians shared their ideas at seven public open houses, through email submissions, social media and online comments, and during meetings with advisory committees and other groups. The proposals being prepared for submission to the Governor and Legislature in September would enable the department to continue to meet its legal responsibilities and to respond to public input.

"We heard many good ideas last fall, and almost all of them called for more outdoor opportunities and expanded conservation efforts," said WDFW Director Jim Unsworth. "The Wild Future package reflects the input we received and identifies both our spending priorities and how we could pay for them. The workshops offer a great opportunity for Washingtonians to help us refine these strategies."

Documents describing the draft spending and revenue proposals are available on WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wildfuture/, where people can also provide comments.

Each of the following workshops will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.:

Aug. 2 – Center Place, 2426 N. Discovery Place, Spokane Valley.

Aug. 3 – Selah Civic Center, 216 S 1st St, Selah.

Aug. 8 – Water Resources Education Center, 4600 S.E. Columbia Way, Vancouver.

Aug. 9 – Chelan County Public Utility District Auditorium, 327 N. Wenatchee Ave, Wenatchee.

Aug. 10 – WDFW Mill Creek Office, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek.

Aug. 11 – Willapa Harbor Community Center, 916 W. First St., South Bend.

The workshops will include a brief presentation from a WDFW regional director, describing proposals to maintain and improve fish, habitat, and wildlife management in Washington. Participants will be invited to talk in greater detail with representatives of the department's Fish, Wildlife, Enforcement, Licensing, and Habitat programs.