New endorsement stamp for WA anglers

Starting April 1 if you're a WA angler and want to fish the Columbia system (includes many rivers in WA state, check the map) you need a new endorsement stamp. See link and copied text below.

Z

From the WDFW site:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/crss_endorsement/
Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement

•   List of proposed endorsement fee waters
•   Frequently Asked Questions
•   
Senate Bill 5421
Establishing the upper Columbia river recreational salmon and steelhead pilot stamp program.

•   
Columbia River salmon, steelhead endorsement will take effect April 2010 (News Release)

CLICK TO ENLARGE MAPS (Maps below)
 

Starting April 1, anglers who fish for salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River and its tributaries will be required to purchase a new endorsement that will help maintain and improve fishing opportunities throughout the basin.

The Columbia River Recreational Salmon and Steelhead Pilot Program endorsement was authorized by Senate Bill 5421 during the 2009 Legislative session. The annual endorsement fee was one of several license fee changes approved by the Legislature earlier this year to help offset a $30 million cutback in state funding for WDFW.

The total charge of the endorsement, after transaction and dealer fees, will be $8.75. The endorsement and recreational fishing licenses for the licensing year that begins April 1, 2010 can be purchased beginning Dec. 1, 2009.  

Funds generated from the endorsement fee will support the evaluation of selective fisheries in the Columbia River Basin. Funds also will be used for other management activities, including fisheries enforcement, data collection and monitoring.

The endorsement will be required, along with a fishing license, for anglers 15 years of age and older to fish for salmon and steelhead on the Columbia River and its tributaries when open to fishing for those species.

WDFW, working with the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Recreational Advisory Board, has proposed a list of rivers, lakes and other waters in the Columbia River basin where the endorsement will be required. That list is one of more than 100 other proposed sportfishing rules for 2010-12. The entire sportfishing rule-proposal package can be found on the department’s website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/fish/regs/rule_proposals.

Thanks for the hedzup, Zee. I used to fish those waters, but not that often. Hope it isn't money wasted. I support the idea of "user fees" most of the time.

However, my gut reaction is:
"Aaaargh! Gettin' nickeled and dimed into poverty.  >:(That's the equivalent of around 20% inflation in my fishing licensing fees). Gas is going up again this summer, too, as always. Wonder what excuses the oil industry will come up with for their annual summer price gouging this time, as they conspire with the Saudi's to limit supply."

Total Crap.  How in the world do they justify charging for Riffe/Mayfield/Cowlitz/Tilton area?!!!  I'm pretty sure that area is already HEAVILY subsidized by Tacoma Power.  GRRRRR  They don't even stock Riffe anymore!

"Aaaargh! Gettin' nickeled and dimed into poverty.  >:(That's the equivalent of around 20% inflation in my fishing licensing fees). Gas is going up again this summer, too, as always. Wonder what excuses the oil industry will come up with for their annual summer price gouging this time, as they conspire with the Saudi's to limit supply."

add another Aaargh! here.

I don't mind paying more for oil or fishing if its justified... At least the state is not likely to intentionally screw you over.  The oil guys --- well that's no longer conspiracy theory.

Yeah it's pretty uncomfortable. But good things are that the Buoy 10 area are exempt from this stamp and also they're not nearly expensive as what OR has done this year. For an out of state annual license it's $126 plus the invasive species permit!!!  And yes, I bought one...

Z

Yeah it's pretty uncomfortable. But good things are that the Buoy 10 area are exempt from this stamp and also they're not nearly expensive as what OR has done this year. For an out of state annual license it's $126 plus the invasive species permit!!!

Yikes!

Yeah it's pretty uncomfortable. But good things are that the Buoy 10 area are exempt from this stamp and also they're not nearly expensive as what OR has done this year. For an out of state annual license it's $126 plus the invasive species permit!!!  And yes, I bought one...

Z

What would someone have to pay to fish at the ORC?

OR non-res licenses are:
1 Day Angling License $16.75
2 Day Angling License $31.50
3 Day Angling License $46.25
4 Day Angling License $58.00

Z

Yeah it's pretty uncomfortable. But good things are that the Buoy 10 area are exempt from this stamp and also they're not nearly expensive as what OR has done this year. For an out of state annual license it's $126 plus the invasive species permit!!!  And yes, I bought one...

Z

Hi Zee: Please let us know where you purchased the Oregon state annual license.
Thank you,
holt

I bought my OR license online. Their system is pretty nice.

Z

Note on Licensing Fees:  If you're disabled or a Veteran rated 30% or more, you get a discounted license.  Salt+Fresh = $9

Note on Licensing Fees:  If you're disabled or a Veteran rated 30% or more, you get a discounted license.  Salt+Fresh = $9

Since Oregon and Washington typically follow each other with regards to the Columbia waterways, it's only a matter of time until we get taxed like this down here... 

This fee was the idea of a former head of NOAA Fisheries (he was director when it was NMFS) and some Wenatchee area fishers. It was originally opposed by the WDFW because the original budget projection were for a loss for several years. (It takes a while to recoup the costs of instituting a new fee.) They were worried that the budget cuts would mean there was nobody to do the fisheries monitoring needed to keep open fisheries that impact ESA listed fish. My take was that the feds and the PUD hydro operations should have payed for the monitoring, because it was their mitigation that leads to excess hatchery fish, and their operations that have the greatest impact on listed species. I don't see why the little guy has to take it in the shorts so that the bigs can make more money.

Note on Licensing Fees:  If you're disabled or a Veteran rated 30% or more, you get a discounted license.  Salt+Fresh = $9

I knew I should've gone to those darn appointmernts at the VA before I got out.