WDFW Refuses To Turn Over Public Records: WDFW RULES COORDINATOR SCOTT BIRD SUBPOENAED

IF ANYONE still thinks that the WDFW is willing to be OPEN AND TRANSPARENT, THIS LATEST UPDATE WILL REMOVE ALL DOUBT!

Here is the newest update from the Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy (THFWA) on the lawsuit.

"June 3, 2019 Update #3- WDFW refuses to turn over records of salmon season setting, Advocacy responds with subpoena for WDFW Rules Coordinator Scott Bird to appear in a video deposition

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) requires that WDFW maintain a record of rule making proceedings available for public review (RCW 34.05.370).  On May 29, 2019, Advocacy attorney Joe Frawley notified AAG Mike Grossman that he and Advocacy President Tim Hamilton would be arriving at 3 o'clock the following afternoon at the office of Scott Bird located at 600 Capitol Way N. in Olympia to review the file for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Both Grossman and Bird asked the Advocacy to cancel the visit.  The request was denied, and both were notified the visit would take place as planned.

Upon arrival at Mr. Bird's WDFW office, the counter staff informed the delegation that Mr. Bird was not in his office and that Mr. Bird was in the Natural Resources Building in the Enforcement Division Headquarters.  The delegation proceeded to the location which has high security darkened windows with a microphone and security teller drawer.  

Mr. Hamilton asked to speak to Mr. Bird and the staffer went behind closed doors and returned with a letter addressed to Mr. Frawley containing a public document request form and a letter from Grossman making it clear we could not review the public file.  The security glassed in counter with a locked door made it clear access to Mr. Bird was denied as well.

The following day, the THWFA's Attorney, Mr. Frawley transmitted a letter to Grossman outlining the Advocacy's position that the Department was not operating in compliance with the public transparency laws of the State of Washington.  He attached a copy of a subpoena for Mr. Bird to appear in a video deposition on July 1, 2019 at 10 am in Olympia.

WDFW is expected to fight the subpoena of its staff.  The Advocacy will likely have to file a motion with the court to compel his appearance.  The Department would likely file a motion to quash.  

One way or another, the Advocacy is committed to opening closed doors and blackened windows to allow the public the ability to see how WDFW and its co-managment partners are setting salmon seasons in Washington state.  Frawley's letter to Grossman is an interesting read.  The letter and the subpoena issued to Mr. Bird are available for viewing or downloading HERE"

YOU HAVE GOT TO READ THE LETTER THAT THE THFWA ATTORNEY WROTE TO THE WDFW LAWYER!  YOU CAN READ IT BY CLICKING LETTER TO WDFW LAWYER GROSSMANN

The Advocacy is working hard to bring this culture of secrecy at WDFW to an END. They NEED YOUR HELP!  

MAKE A DONATION TO HELP IN THIS FIGHT, DO YOUR PART BY CLICKING HERE