State mulls potential hunting, fishing license fee increase

THE STATE IS hurting for cash.

Soon, the North Olympic Peninsula outdoor community could feel the pain as well.

With a possible budget shortfall of up to $20 million on the horizon, the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife may be forced to make even more reductions in staff, facilities and fisheries in the next year.

One thing that would help maintain the status quo: A proposal to increase hunting and fishing license fees almost across the board for the first time in 14 years.

That includes increases for resident freshwater fishing licenses ($26 to $29.50), combination freshwater-saltwater-shellfish licenses ($48.20 to $54.25) and elk hunting licenses ($45.20 to $57).

Commercial fishing licenses would also increase, while fees for youth, seniors and disabled veterans would decrease.

“We’re not in a position to trim around the edges,” Fish and Wildlife Director Phil Anderson said during a phone interview Wednesday.

“We’re going to have to make some hard choices if we don’t get any help on the revenue side.”

Some of those “hard choices” could be the closure of 7 to 11 fish hatcheries, cuts of up to 20 wildlife enforcement jobs, closure of some of the agency’s 700 public access areas and reductions in recreational fisheries.

Catch-and-release steelhead fishing in some Puget Sound-area rivers (not the coastal rivers on our Peninsula) could be put on the chopping block.

“We’re not going to be able to provide the same level of fishing and hunting . . . if we get those kinds of reductions,” said Anderson, whose department cut $32 out of its budget during the 2009-11 biennium.

Explaining issues

License increases require the approval of the state Legislature, and Anderson is making the rounds to drum up public support during the next few months.

Now in his second year in the job, the director will make appearances around the state explaining the budget situation and potential license increases and seeking comments.

He will visit the Grays Harbor Community College Hub, 1620 Edward P. Smith Drive, in Aberdeen on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Other meetings are tentatively planned, Anderson said, although nothing is concrete.

“We’re connecting with our constituent base and letting them know what’s going on with the agency and the kinds of challenges we are facing,” Anderson said.

“I don’t want to take people by surprise.

“Obviously, increased fees are not a popular thing, and unless we have a level of support from our customers for that I think our chances of success in the Legislature will not be very good.”

Other measures to increase revenue to maintain Fish and Wildlife’s current budget are being considered as well.

Among them would be the creation of an “Explore Washington Pass” in conjunction with the state Department of Natural Resources.

Anglers and hunters currently buy a $10 vehicle use permit for access to one million acres of land managed by Fish and Wildlife.

The Explore pass would grant access to 4 million additional acres of land under DNR’s purview.

Another measure to funnel money from saltwater fishing and shellfish from the state’s General Fund to its

Wildlife Account could also give the department more autonomy (although this would not increase revenue).

State lawmakers approved a 10 percent surcharge on hunting and fishing license fees earlier this year, but that ends on June 30, 2011.

________

Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in Sports

The top three finishers in the women's masters short course race of the Gravel Unravel this weekend celebrate in Quilcene receiving their medals. From left are Jennifer Ritter of Boise, Idaho, third, Emiko Atherton of Seattle, first, and Shaun Baesman of Bainbridge, second. (David Goetze)
GRAVEL UNRAVEL: Big hills, thick clouds and close finishes

It wasn’t as muddy as some past years, but the… Continue reading

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state championship Sunday by beating the Bonney Lake Firecrackers 13-3 in the title game. From left, top row, are Jenessa Balch, assistant coach Leeah Faris, coach Warren Stevens, Teyah Elofson, Riley Nichols, Brooklyn Rondeau, Misty McNeely, McKenna Cox, Sophia Calderon, Britney Rowland and Greg Faris. From left bottom row, are Ayla Balch, Kylin Weitz, Alexia Fuller, Mattie Messenger, Tyann Connary, Kailyn Crowder and Pearl Salazar.
STANDALONE PHOTO: Illusion 14U are state champs

The Port Angeles Illusion fastpitch softball team won the 14U C state… Continue reading

Wilder Baseball Club.
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Wilder Jr. shuts out Wollochet behind DeLeon

Wilder Junior completed a sweep over Wollochet with four-hit… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties swept by first-place Apple Sox

Despite a grand slam home run from Jeremy Giesegh, the… Continue reading

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From left, kneeling (not including children), are Kaye Thomas, Kelsey Kuhn, Beckie Lee, Mel Messineo, Taryn Asmus, Victoria Jones and Jack Waknitz. From left, standing, are Sam Havens, Ian Miller, Christine Loewe, Alli Roth, Aaron Lee, Kyle Henderson, Jimmy Quigley, Luke Strong-Cvetich, Zach Gray, Isaiah Jindrich and Minh Pham-Bui.
PENINSULA SOCCER LEAGUE: Strait Slice league champions

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From… Continue reading

Wilder Senior’s Bryant Laboy hits a chopper against Whatcom Post No. 7 while Landen Olson waits in the on-deck circle. Wilder Senior was able to win the pitchers’ duel with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh by Braydan White. (Pierre LaBossiere/Peninsula Daily News)
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Senior wins four straight

Senior’s Ethan Staples fires no-hitter

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties drop pair of games to Wenatchee

The Port Angeles Lefties couldn’t have had two more different… Continue reading

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Lefties first baseman Will White tries to catch Seattle Gumberoos baserunner Eoin Buechs off the bag during Thursday's game at Port Angeles Civic Field.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties sweep the Gumberoos after 9-1 victory

The Port Angeles Lefties completed a three-game sweep over… Continue reading

Crab season begins in marine areas surrounding the North Olympic Peninsula on July 3. (Annie Johnson/WDFW)
OUTDOORS: Recreational crabbing season to open July 3

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Puget Sound… Continue reading

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife completed the purchase late last month of the Sekiu boat ramp. (WDFW)
OUTDOORS: WDFW completes purchase of Sekiu boat launch

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finalized its… Continue reading

Westport won its second straight Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championship, beating Local 155 6-3 on Wednesday. Front row, on knee, is Kade Johnstad. Middle row, from left, is bat boy Hans, Tristan Konopaski, Kayden Morrison, Zach Clay, Abe Brenkman, Easton Prchal, Parker Pavlak, Lane Wilson, Noah Johnstad, Jay Lieberman, Easton Prchal, Aidan Smith, Dakota Morrison and assistant coach Jared Johnstad. Back row, from left, is assistant coach Nick Cannady, head coach Carey Pavlak and assistant coach Matt Prchal.
OLYMPIC JUNIOR BABE RUTH: Westport wins back-to-back titles

Westport won back-to-back Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championships, beating… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties win second straight over Seattle

The Port Angeles Lefties beat the Seattle Gumberoos 7-2… Continue reading