By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
Following months of rancor surrounding a lawsuit against the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife by the Sportsmen’s Alliance, a national outdoors group, and a court ruling last Friday, Gov. Bob Ferguson has reportedly decided to investigate allegations involving members of the Fish and Wildlife Commission, the Washington State Standard is reporting.
The investigation was in response to a letter sent to the governor by Fish & Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind. In his letter, dated Aug. 5 and published by Columbia Insight, Susewind stated, “As you are aware, documents produced pursuant to recent public disclosure requests call the conduct of several Commissioners into question. I have reviewed a sufficient number of these documents to believe further investigation is warranted.”
Under fire from the Sportsmen’s Alliance specifically are Commissioners John Lehmkuhl, Barbara Baker, Lorna Smith and Melanie Rowland.
Last Friday, a Thurston County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the WDFW on the public records litigation launched by the Sportsmen’s Alliance.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance, which is headquartered in Ohio, had requested copies of communications between members of the commission. They filed a lawsuit against the commission back in January, alleging the commission had delayed the release of those files, allegedly in violation of the state Public Records Act. The group launched a petition to Gov. Ferguson to remove the four commissioners.
Much of the controversy involved allegations that members of the commission, appointed by former Gov. Jay Inslee, had not been acting in the interests of Evergreen State hunter and anglers. The catalyst for controversy may have been cancellation of the traditional spring black bear hunt almost three years ago. To a lesser degree, the commission also moved back the fall grouse hunting opener, from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15 four years ago ostensibly to improve hen survival during the first part of the season. Critics argued the move was also to eliminate Labor Day weekend conflicts between bird hunters and other recreationists.
One person who has covered the Fish and Wildlife Commission for years is Andy Walgamott, editor of Northwest Sportsman magazine. In an exchange of emails with TGM Monday, Walgamott wrote, “Hopefully clearing things up through this investigation will get Washington fish and wildlife management and conservation back to a more rational, even-keeled place than where it’s been in recent years.”
Coincidentally, the commission met last Friday to elect a new chairman and vice-chair. Walgamott covered that meeting. He noted that an environmental group, Washington Wildlife First, has called for the firing of Director Susewind because of his letter to the governor.
Supporters of the four embattled wildlife commissioners have contended that Susewind favors the interests of Washington hunters. The WDFW notes on its website its mission is: “To preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.”
