Hi gang.
This has been sent to me by my friend Les Johnson. It concerns an important
friend WE all have on the Wildlife Commission. If any of you wish to help,
the mailing lists are at these addresses:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/nrs/default.htm and
http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/scs/wm/admin/members.htm
(I didn't know how to attach the links)
Thanks,
Leland.
ALERT!
I am writing about a critical situation regarding Wildlife Commissioner
Pete Van Gytenbeek. There is a strong probability that Pete will not be
confirmed by the Natural Resources Committee. The vote could take place
this week. The reason for this action is very likely due to Pete's strong
stand and promotion of catch and release of all wild steelhead. There are
some old school "sportsman's" clubs that still believe in killing every
steelhead they catch who are coming on strong against Pete -- and they do
carry some clout with the Natural Resources Committee. If we lose Pete you
can count on catch-and-release of all wild steelhead being a much tougher
battle in the future.
I have attached the link for the Natural Resources Committee which includes
the people you should write to if you support Pete's confirmation onto the
Fish and Wildlife Commission and catch-and-release of all wild steelhead.
Be sure to send letters to Ken Jacobson, Harriet Spanel and Bob Oke.
Sending your letter to all of them would be best.
This is a very haphazard approach to the problem but we are so short on
time that I can handle it no other way. I am pleading for support. Please
send your letters and please try to get the word out to your various clubs
to get a ton of letters on the way this week. I would like to be copied on
all letters. We need Pete on the F&W Commission!
Finally, please get back to me with the names and vital information on the
right people to contact in your club so that we can begin building a proper
e-mail tree. Banding our clubs together to become a real legislative force
is going to be an important tool in our ongoing battle to save our fish and
natural resources. I am not asking your clubs to take a stand. I am asking
the individual members of your clubs to take a stand. I promise you that
the Wild Steelhead Coalition, an organization of which I am a board member,
will take the fight to Olympia for all conservation-minded men and women
whether they carry fly rods or drift rods..
Your help is critically important and greatly appreciated. Please get your
letters out today and pass the word to your memberships to do the same.
Thank you.
Les Johnson
Wild Steelhead Coalition
