URGENT Legislative Request: Prioritize Funding for Steelhead Fisheries (possibility of Skagit in 2027?)

[32mm]

This was sent out from Trout Unlimited yesterday, highlighting a potential funding option in the state legislature via an amendment that would re-allocate WDFW funding and give them more flexibility with fisheries they can and/or would possibly fund.

The session ends on Thursday, so I'm assuming no time to waste with this:

We're contacting you at an urgent moment in the 2026 Washington State legislative session.

As the budget-setting process continues in Olympia, wild steelhead anglers and advocates have a critical opportunity to help give the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) the flexibility they need to support important programs and staffing.

Tell your legislators to support a critical amendment giving WDFW much-needed budget flexibility by removing requirements that a portion of fishing license sales only be used to support invasive warm water gamefish.

The issue: An amendment by Senator Stanford on HB2675 would stop dedicating the 6.8% portion of all Washington State combination and freshwater fishing license sales that is currently required to be deposited in the WDFW’s warm water gamefish account, and eliminate that account.

Funds in this account are required by law to be used for “the development of warm water pond and lake habitat, culture of warm water game fish, improvement of warm water fish habitat, management of warm water fish populations, and other practical activities that will improve the fishing for warm water fish” (RCW 77.44.050).

Budget flexibility allows WDFW to prioritize steelhead fisheries

State budget shortfalls in the last two years have forced devastating cuts to the WDFW budget, including the loss of important programs like the Puget Sound salmon and steelhead monitoring, which funds the Quicksilver Portfolio and the popular Skagit River winter steelhead fishery, and reductions in the number of WDFW enforcement officers across the State.
Greater flexibility with the budget provided by fishing license sales could allow the Department to be able to fund these and other critical programs and prevent the loss of important staffing rather than being forced to support non-native species.

Action we are requesting: Contact your State Senator and tell them to support Senator Stanford's amendment to HB2675.

When: IMMEDIATELY! This bill is currently heading to the Senate floor for discussion and is urgent as we enter the final week of the legislative session.

Take Action here: https://www.votervoice.net/TU/3/Campaigns/135158/Respond

 

[flybill]

A friend sent this too me! I just filled it out! Quick and easy! Do it!

 

[32mm]

At this point, anything is worth a shot!

 

[Brian Miller]

I gave it a shot!

 

[M_D]

ditto

 

[_WW_]

Dunk. This is the way. Provide them with the answer.

 

[Jim F.]

Done

 

[the_chemist]

Done and death to ditch pickles (in Washington).

 

[Smalma]

I have to wonder what makes people think that if this bill passes that a portion of that "new" money would be used for the Skagit spring fishery?

At the first NOF meeting there was talk of budget short fall for enforcement officers (I think it was said they are down 9 positions) and some undefined monitoring support for salmon fisheries. Also suspect that the warm water folks would be expecting at some of that money staying with that program.

The latest angler preference study (2023) for Washington anglers showed that salmon, bass, walleye were all more popular than winter steelhead.

Curt

 

[_WW_]

If it's a popularity contest then the state fish should be a bass. Someone needs to introduce that bill.

 

[32mm]

I have to wonder what makes people think that if this bill passes that a portion of that "new" money would be used for the Skagit spring fishery?

At the first NOF meeting there was talk of budget short fall for enforcement officers (I think it was said they are down 9 positions) and some undefined monitoring support for salmon fisheries. Also suspect that the warm water folks would be expecting at some of that money staying with that program.

The latest angler preference study (2023) for Washington anglers showed that salmon, bass, walleye were all more popular than winter steelhead.

Curt

All valid points, Curt. But at this point, if this might be the only chance to find some potential funding for a 2027 Skagit season, it's worth a shot. Even if WDFW decides enforcement or another native fish program that is not warmwater fisheries needs the support, it's an improvement.

If this amendment does pass, then I guess it would be up to us Skagit advocates to put some pressure on Cunningham and Co. to use the funds for the Skagit. Unless he still wants legislators and anglers to feel the pain of no fishery because the direct request was not funded.

It's all creative and maybe a long shot, but it's better than having no chance for a 2027 season.

 

[Denwor54]

Reply sent

 

[Paige]

I have to wonder what makes people think that if this bill passes that a portion of that "new" money would be used for the Skagit spring fishery?

At the first NOF meeting there was talk of budget short fall for enforcement officers (I think it was said they are down 9 positions) and some undefined monitoring support for salmon fisheries. Also suspect that the warm water folks would be expecting at some of that money staying with that program.

The latest angler preference study (2023) for Washington anglers showed that salmon, bass, walleye were all more popular than winter steelhead.

Curt

Maybe if there was more than 6 rivers open, winter steelheading would be more popular

 

[32mm]

This is the updated message at the TU action link, which is at least movement in the right direction:

UPDATE: Thanks for making your voice heard! The Washington Senate adopted the proposed amendment this afternoon allowing greater WDFW funding flexibility.

More updates to come when the legislative session wraps up on Thursday. Stay tuned!