HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 91-4671, by Haugen, R. King, Basich, Orr, Spanel, Fuhrman, Hochstatter, Wilson, Padden and Morris

     WHEREAS, Adequate enforcement of the fish and wildlife laws of the state of Washington is essential; and

     WHEREAS, The enforcement responsibilities of the departments of wildlife and fisheries often overlap; and

     WHEREAS, Both departments have inadequate enforcement staffs, and should seek efficiency in enforcement procedures;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives request that the departments of fisheries and wildlife examine ways to better coordinate enforcement efforts between the departments, with particular attention to:

     (1) Developing ways for the departments of fisheries and wildlife to achieve better coordination of existing enforcement personnel;

     (2) Developing ways to better coordinate use of enforcement vessels, planes, and motor vehicles between existing enforcement staff;

     (3) Recommending whether the enforcement programs of the departments of fisheries and wildlife, including enforcement support for hydraulic projects, should be combined into a single program; and

     (4) Identifying the costs, if any, of combining the departments of fisheries and wildlife enforcement programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to Curt Smitch, director of the department of wildlife, and to Joe Blum, director of the department of fisheries.