Important ODFW information

Until last week, Governor Kulongoski’s nominees for the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission had been Skip Klarquist and Dr. Dan Edge. They were to replace outgoing commissioners Jeff Feldner and Paul McCracken whose terms had expired.

Mr. Klarquist is an attorney and on the board of the Oregon Wildlife Heritage Foundation. He has spent decades working to improve riparian habitat. Dr. Edge is the head of the wildlife department at OSU. He is also the coordinator between OSU and the Alsea River Hatchery Research Center partnership.

This week we just received word that a third candidate has been added and Commission Chairman John Esler would not be reappointed. The person nominated to replace Commissioner Esler is Jon Englund, owner of Englund Marine Supply Co., and the chief supplier of nets and other gear for the commercial fleet in the Columbia.


If you care to comment about commission appointments, you have a very short window to do so. The nominees will be confirmed by a Senate Committee that is listed below. Here is a link to find your state (Not Wyden or Smith who are Federal Senators) senator:

http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/findset.htm


You need to call your state senator right away, especially if they are on the list below. Even if they are not on the committee, contact them now.


Following is the contact information for the Governor's three nominees to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. Also included is information on how to contact members of the Senate Rules Committee, who will be meeting on April 7th to vote on the slate of new commission members. Feel free to contact these people, they are expecting to hear from interested groups.

First Congressional District

Jon Englund, Astoria

Owner and CEO, Englund Marine Supply Co.

503.325.4341 mjenglund@earthlink.net


Third Congressional District

Ken "Skip" Klarquist. Portland

Attorney, Zalutsky & Klarquist, PC

503.248.0300 skip@erisalaw.com


Westside At-Large

William "Dan" Edge, Corvallis

Professor & Department Head, OSU Department of Fisheries & Wildlife

541.737.2910 daniel.edge@oregonstate.edu


The Rules committee members can be reached as follows:


Co-chair Senator Kate Brown - D - 503-986-1700 (sen.katebrown@state.or.us)

Co-chair Senator Roger Beyer - R - 503-986-1950 (sen.rogerbeyer@state.or.us)

Senator Ginny Burdick - D - 503-986-1718 (sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us)

Senator Jason Atkinson - R - 503-986-1702 (sen.jasonatkinson@state.or.us)
Senator Richard Devlin - D - 503-986-1719 (sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us)
Senator Bill Fisher - R - 503-986-1701 (sen.billfisher@state.or.us)

[skein]

Stew, they also sell us sport fishermen a lot of tuna and salmon lures as well as halibut rigging, etc.

I don't see his nomination or appointment as any particular threat. In fact, the last time I was in the Astoria store, I was asked if I wanted to sign a petition aimed at controlling the burgeoning sealion population.

I'm actually more comfortable with him than I am with the folks at OSU, since I don't remember the university being a particular hotbed of pro-hunting or fishing ideology.

Can you educate me some?

Skein

[Sky-Guy]

Skein,

Assuming that Englunds makes a tidy profit on all the Commericial equipment sold each year, don't you think it would be a major conflict of interest to have Englund on a commision of this caliber?

Originally posted by Sky-Guy:
Skein,

Assuming that Englunds makes a tidy profit on all the Commericial equipment sold each year, don't you think it would be a major conflict of interest to have Englund on a commision of this caliber?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">Exactly! I don't see Mr.Englunds potential appointment as good news for sports fishers.

[skein]

Sky-Guy,

I thought about that, and, no, I don't think so. I think he would have a DEFINITE interest in keeping the runs healthy and the seasons open. And he would bring a lot of knowledge, both local and historical, to the table.

But what do I know?

Skein

[cosmo]

Having the owner of the largest commercial fishing gear supplier on the Fish and Wildlife Commission is appointing the fox to watch the hen house. How possibly can you appoint a person with a direct financial tie to Commission decisions. Gill netting, trawling, allocation issues etc.

Englunds sport business is a drop in the bucket compared to the commercial gear.

Do not get me wrong. Mr. Englund is as good a guy is as out there. There is just too much potential conflict of interest.

[Sky-Guy]

Making more money is at the root of his interest in the position on this commission, it's as plain as day. In Many areas of Business, prominent figures in the business community strive to attain positions such as these, because they are then in a position to make policy decisions that are benficial to their own business.

From what I know, Englunds make MOST of their money selling commercial gear, rigging, supplies to commercial fishing businesses.

When he is eventually faced with making a decision about allocation for Sporties or Commercials, who do you think he will lean towards? ...especially with Commercial lobbyists tapping on his shoulder with "backroom deals" that are beneficial to his finances.

This is a crock if I ever saw one. To quote Scott's thread, "It's like having the Fox in the henhouse!"

[Full Freezer]

I would wager that alot of Gill killers are writing & calling their reps right now to tell 'em how great of a person Mr.Englund is and how nice it would be if he were appointed!

[Point-of-Sale Clerk]

This is the info I have...

From Bill Bakke NFS
"THE BOOTING GAME: This is a game of politics and it was recently played out in Oregon. Governor Kulongoski wanted to appoint two new commissioners to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission. He picked Chris Klarquist, a tax attorney from Portland, and Dr. Dan Edge, the head of the fish and wildlife department at OSU in Corvallis. These two would replace Jeff Feldner, a commercial fisherman from the north coast, and Paul McCracken, owner of Tumac Lumber in Portland.
In order to get his two new commissioners seated; the Guv must get confirmation from the Senate. A Democratic controlled Senate should improve the Guv’s hand but not necessarily, a Republican Senate is primarily a no vote, but Oregon has an evenly divided Senate, putting all the chickens in the air. So the candidates were identified. They are now targets and round one of the Booting Game has been completed.
Round Two: Enter Senator Joan Dukes (D) of Astoria. She wants a commissioner that will carry the water for commercial fishermen and none of the candidates survived her filter. There is no requirement that the ODFW commission must have a commercial fisheries rep on it, but that is a mere formality. Dukes thinks that one should be on it to replace Feldner. So she attacks the appointment of Dr. Dan Edge. She wants to replace a respected scientist with John Englund of Astoria who owns a number of marine supply stores. To bolster her case, Senator Dukes goes to the coastal caucus for support. Being suspicious of book learnin’ and against wild salmon taking over property rights, they eagerly grant Dukes the support she wants. Now they engage the Guv. What does he do? He either capitulates or sticks to his guns. He does both, so lets start the Booting Game.
Round Three: The Guv now has the problem of three fish and wildlife commission candidates and only two holes to plug. He reasons, like a good horse trader, that if he doesn’t go along with Senator Dukes and the coastal caucus, both his candidates will not be confirmed. So he must find a way to make room for the good Senator’s candidate. He must find a commissioner to boot. So he chooses John Esler, the Chairman of the Commission.
Now Esler is an unusual commissioner because he likes what he does which is solving complex divisive problems in front of citizens at commission meetings. He has not always been successful, but on the whole his work has made the commission seem more progressive and able to take on the hard issues. For those interested in fish, you should know that Esler loves fishing, all fishing, and he cares about conservation and good management by the agency. To that end this affable loquacious chairman extends respect to the public and is unusually accessible compared to most commissioners. He believes in the public process and makes sure it is applied sometimes to the shock of staff whose natural tendency is to run the show from inside. His accomplishments are many; chief among them is the adoption of a Native Fish Conservation Policy and the Hatchery Management Policy, creating a conservation structure for native fish protection and agency accountability. He has stood for selective harvest of salmon and steelhead in commercial fisheries and made sure the staff know that there would be a public hearing on the proposal to increase the kill on threatened steelhead in the lower Columbia commercial chinook fishery.
So how does a commissioner with John Esler’s capabilities and accomplishments get the boot so that a commercial fisherman can be appointed to the commission? That’s the logic of the Booting Game. It has nothing to do with reason, qualifications, or the right thing, no, it is just pure politics played by a Governor with no real interest in natural resource conservation and by Democrats that lack conviction as well. They are playing a game where ego and power are the objective and nature is the trade wood.
Esler got booted after he took a strong stand against increasing the kill of ESA-listed steelhead in this spring’s gill net fishery for hatchery spring chinook. The Democrats decided to back a commercial fisherman to replace Esler, hoping to find a commissioner with a more flexible worldview than Esler does.
In case you were interested, John Englund sells gill nets and fishing gear for bottom fishing, tuna, and shellfish. All these fisheries are regulated by ODFW. Could there be a conflict of interest in having a commissioner with a financial investment in the fishery involved in regulating the fishery? Since conservation management often gets in the way of commercial fishing, it seems that Englund would have a conflict of interest. Apparently, this little problem did not bother the Guv who booted Esler"
Bill Bakke/ NFS


I do not know if having a Commercial Interest person on the Commission is inherently bad. I believe we should look at how this was done as a blue print for how we at Ifish can get a Sport Fishing interest appointed

Thanks *** :smile: I received the same info.Still comes down to conflict of interest to me.

[Mark Vickers]

I know Dan Edge (my mother worked with him). I feel confident that he is a very good choice for this appointment. He is a friend of sportsmen, being one himself. As well, he has a solid grounding in science which I feel serves us all well.

[Pete]

Didn't something similar happen in Idaho a couple years ago? I think sportsfishers rallied in such numbers that they got the appointment reversed. I don't see any reason it can't happen in Oregon. Let's keep tuned in to his important issue and stand ready to make our opinion known!

[Blue Tip Spinner]

ttt

[Blue Tip Spinner]

here is what i wrote to all the senators on the list that was provided to us:

To Whom It May Concern:



As an avid recreational sportsman and registered voter, I feel that the appointment of Jon Englund of Englund Supply Co. to the Commission Chairman of the ODFW would be a conflict of interest for the recreational sportsmen of our state. Jon Englund is the President and CEO of Englund Supply Co. His company is the chief supplier for commercial fisherman on the Columbia River. Having him in a position of power would surely help the commercial fisherman without benefiting the sport fisherman. I have spoke to people that have done business with Mr. Englund and they have nothing but good things to say about his integrity and honesty, but I feel that a conflict of interest outweighs the benefits in this case. Please do the right thing and appoint someone who does not have a potential of profiting from this appointment. I don’t speak for all recreational sportsmen in general, but I do feel that if someone has a potential of profiting from a position of power, then the solutions to our state’s fish and wildlife issues will only be worsened by the bias opinions from special interest groups that will surely be on his doorstep. I know that the decision at hand is a difficult one for all of you to make, but I think you will do the right thing.





Thank you for you time,



Robert Skoro

Thanks to whatever mod moved this back over here

[STGRule]

<font color="red"> Copied from the old board </font>

Posted by trollin4trout (Member # 5345) on 03-18-2004, 08:48 PM:

emails sent to all Rules Committee members listed above!

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Posted by roadsend (Member # 188) on 03-19-2004, 03:21 AM:

Almost any commission appointment is a potential conflict of interest including the appointment of academics.
I dont understand how any of the posters on this board know how much Englund makes on sport gear vs. gillnets. I know he does a booming sport business including many guides. Englund also deals in lots of other stuff including hydraulics, logging and machine shop stuff. Either way, Englund supports sustainable harvest unlike many of the PETA type folks out there who would love to see fishing restricted to the point where folks just give it up.
Jon Englund is an honest and honorable man and as such is badly needed in public service.

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Posted by Bill Monroe (Member # 828) on 03-19-2004, 05:19 AM:

So let's see here...

We're losing a level-headed lawyer who's father's name is on a state wildlife area, a pure commercial fisherman who makes it his business and a river manager keen on habitat...all three are quality people and all three bring something to the table.

We're getting a level-headed lawyer (is he the son of Ken Klarquist, a former F&amp;W commissioner?), a less direct commercial fishing representative with strong sports ties as well and a superb business head respected along the entire coast and a professional biologist and educator keen on habitat and bringing in a nationwide reputation...all three are quality people and replace what was lost at the table.

I don't see the problem and furthermore think you're jumping to conclusions way too early.

As troubled as I've been to watch the department move under Salem's tighter grip, this may be a case where the system seems to have worked.

Oh, and by the way...this is a seven-member commission.

Pete,
give me a call this morning if you can

[ 03-19-2004, 05:24 AM: Message edited by: Bill Monroe ]

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Posted by Hoosier Daddy (Member # 597) on 03-19-2004, 08:00 AM:

No one has mentioned that Esler is also a PGE bigwig. Anyone see a conflict of interest there?

Don't misunderstand me. I don't see it. Esler has actually been pretty good about dealing with both hats. The point is, Englund may be able to do so as well.

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Posted by fishinlady97140 (Member # 844) on 03-19-2004, 08:36 AM:

Stew, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I followed the links and got to my reps' email addresses and sent this letter:

I wish to raise an objection and request you NOT vote to endorse the nomination of Jon Englund to the ODFW Commission. This is a blatant conflict of interest since Mr. Englund is the owner and CEO of the largest supplier of gillnetting equipment to commercial fisherman, Englund Marine Supply Company! Surely the votes and opinions of the sport fishermen are important to yourself and the Governor, as well as the continued success of the salmon sport fishery in the Northwest and the profit generated by the sportsmens' purchase of boats, gas, rods, reels, lures, lines, etc. This is a delicate balance that should be maintained between commercial and sport fishermen --- sanctioning Jon Englund as a commissioner would be a bomb to that balance.

I signed it with my name and address, followed by "Registered Voter"

Mr. Englund may be a very nice man and definitely has a great business, but I agree this is a conflict of interest and needs to be nipped in the bud.

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Posted by Norm (Member # 248) on 03-19-2004, 08:54 AM:


quote:
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Originally posted by Bill Monroe:
So let's see here...

We're losing a level-headed lawyer who's father's name is on a state wildlife area, a pure commercial fisherman who makes it his business and a river manager keen on habitat...all three are quality people and all three bring something to the table.

We're getting a level-headed lawyer (is he the son of Ken Klarquist, a former F&amp;W commissioner?), a less direct commercial fishing representative with strong sports ties as well and a superb business head respected along the entire coast and a professional biologist and educator keen on habitat and bringing in a nationwide reputation...all three are quality people and replace what was lost at the table.

I don't see the problem and furthermore think you're jumping to conclusions way too early.

As troubled as I've been to watch the department move under Salem's tighter grip, this may be a case where the system seems to have worked.

Oh, and by the way...this is a seven-member commission.

Pete,
give me a call this morning if you can
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Thanks Bill, I think that's a reasonable assessment of the situation. I think all sides of the game should have representation on the board. I don't think Jon Englund has done anything to make me think he has a pure commercial fishery's agenda.

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Posted by *** Clerk (Member # 881) on 03-19-2004, 09:19 AM:

Thanks bill for the additional information

I think this is the perfect opportunity for we sport fishing advocates to take advantage. Arguing over whether the state should appoint persons who may have a vested interest in the decisions the board they are appointed to, will in the long run, not be affective. That is just how it is done in Salem. We should instead write to people like Senator Dukes and ask why Commercial interests should be represented and not Sportfishing? We should quote NSIA figures regarding the size of the sport fishing industry in Oregon and leverage a position on the commission at a future date. Then over time apply steady pressure on key votes in the Senate. Jen should also form an Ifish PAC and use the collected monies to pay the Ifish guides to take various State Representatives fishing and lobby them the whole trip (totally legal).

There are many things we can do to be successful but unorganized whining will not accomplish much of anything. We may need to support these nominations in an effort to get what we want down the road. (PS I think Jen already has a relationship with Sen. Dukes, that could be useful)

Regards

***

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Posted by Clamman (Member # 451) on 03-19-2004, 09:27 AM:

It should also be known that Jon Englund and his entire family are avid outdoors people. They hunt and fish RECREATIONALLY in Oregon. There is no more conflict of interest in his appointment than of any of the past commissioners.

As a coastal resident I want MY voice heard through someone who is well respected not only in the commercial and recreational communities up and down the coasts of Oregon, Washington and California but also within the community he and his family reside. Jon is a smart, educated, level-headed, practical and progressive gentleman who do well in finding resolutions to ALL issues.


Clam

<font color="red">If you are concerned about the makeup of the ODFW please address your concerns to the state senators listed below
</font>
Received this alert from Bill Bakke, Director of the Native Fish Society

Recently, Governor Kulongoski attempted to nominate two new commissioners to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission. He suggested Ken Klarquist, a tax attorney from Portland, and Professor Dan Edge, Chair of the Fish and Wildlife Department at OSU in Corvallis. These two would replace Jeff Feldner from the 5th Congressional District and Paul McCracken who currently represents the 3rd Congressional District.

Enter Senator Joan Dukes (D) of Astoria. She insisted that a commercial fishing interest of her choosing be represented on the Commission and threatened to align with the so-called coastal caucusto block the Governors initial nominations. She made it abundantly clear in a secret meeting with the Governor that she would like him to nominate John Englund of Astoria who owns a number of marine supply stores catering primarily to the Columbia River gill net industry.

But in order preserve his original nominations the Governor decided he must remove one of two other Commissioners whose terms have technically expired. So he chooses to dishonorably discharge John Esler, the Chairman of the Commission without cause or due process rather than risk the Senate confirmation of Professor Edge.
This is an important issue so those of you that are concerned about the makeup of ODFW please address your concerns to the state senators listed below.
Apparently, Chair Esler is guilty of misconduct and treason because he likes what he does, which is solving complex divisive problems in front of citizens at commission meetings. He believes in the public process and makes sure it is applied - sometimes to the shock of staff whose natural tendency is to run the show from inside. His accomplishments are many; chief among them is the adoption of a Native Fish Conservation Policy and the Hatchery Management Policy, creating a conservation structure for native fish protection and agency accountability. He has stood for selective harvest of salmon and steelhead in commercial fisheries and made sure staff knew that there would be a public hearing on a recent proposal to increase the kill on threatened steelhead in the lower Columbia commercial chinook fishery.

Despite Eslers demonstrated commitment to the Department and the citizens of Oregon, the Governors Natural Resource Policy Advisor, Jim Myron, sent the nominations of Dan Edge, Ken Klarquist and Jon Englund to the Oregon Senate on March 11, 2004, effectively beheading John Esler unfairly for his outstanding service to all of us.

The nominations are scheduled for consideration by the Senate Rules Committee on April 7, 2004 and it is critical that our voices be effectively heard. The following is a sample letter to send to Senators Burdick, Develin and Brown who have the ability to suspend this dubious process and hold the Governor accountable for his growing anti-conservation agenda. Contact information is included for your convenience so please act on this request immediately.


Sample Letter:

Dear Senator __________:

I am writing to express unconditional support for John Eslers continued service on the Oregon Fish &amp; Wildlife Commission. The Governors proposed nomination to replace the Chairman of the Commission without cause represents a blatant conflict of interest, which is unacceptable.

The implications of such a drastic change on the ODFW Commission is of concern to a broad range of interests given that ODFW plays a critical advisory role to the Department of Forestry, the Ocean Policy Advisory Committee and many other agencies involved with state, Federal and tribal natural resource management activities. The loss of Mr. Eslers experience and knowledge of the many complicated issues is irreplaceable and could result in an imbalance on the Commission favoring commodities extraction interests.

I am also willing to support the nomination of Professor Dan Edge of Oregon State University to the Commission but cannot support Mr. Eslers unwarranted removal to accommodate his appointment at this time.

Thank you very much for your consideration of these comments.

Sincerely, etc.


Contact Information (please use interim contact information where applicable):

Rules Committee Co-Chair:
Senator Kate Brown
Party: D District: 21
Capitol/Interim Phone: 503-986-1700
Capitol/Interim Address: 900 Court St. NE S-323, Salem OR 97301
Capitol Fax:503-986-1080
Email Address: sen.katebrown@state.or.us
Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/brown/

Senator Ginny Burdick
Party: D District: 18
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1718
Interim Phone: 503-244-1444
Interim FAX :503-452-8739
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-317, Salem OR 97301
Interim Address: 4641 SW Dosch Road, Portland OR 97239
Email Address: sen.ginnyburdick@state.or.us
Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/burdick/

Senator Richard Devlin
Party: D District: 19
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1719
Interim Phone:503-691-2026
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE S-316, Salem OR 97301
Interim Address: 10290 SW Anderson Court, Tualatin OR 97062
Email Address: sen.richarddevlin@state.or.us
Web page Address: http://www.leg.state.or.us/devlin/

[fishinlady97140]

Wow, I musta got caught in the ifish import gillnet! I posted earlier today, but it seems to be gone. Thanks Stew, for the information....I've followed the links and sent an email to my reps....it's a blatant conflict of interests and we need to let them know our opinion of it!

[STGRule]

Posted by fishinlady97140 (Member # 844) on 03-19-2004, 08:36 AM:

Stew, thank you for bringing this to our attention. I followed the links and got to my reps' email addresses and sent this letter:

I wish to raise an objection and request you NOT vote to endorse the nomination of Jon Englund to the ODFW Commission. This is a blatant conflict of interest since Mr. Englund is the owner and CEO of the largest supplier of gillnetting equipment to commercial fisherman, Englund Marine Supply Company! Surely the votes and opinions of the sport fishermen are important to yourself and the Governor, as well as the continued success of the salmon sport fishery in the Northwest and the profit generated by the sportsmens' purchase of boats, gas, rods, reels, lures, lines, etc. This is a delicate balance that should be maintained between commercial and sport fishermen --- sanctioning Jon Englund as a commissioner would be a bomb to that balance.

I signed it with my name and address, followed by "Registered Voter"

Mr. Englund may be a very nice man and definitely has a great business, but I agree this is a conflict of interest and needs to be nipped in the bud.

It is up above. I copied the "missing" stuff over.

[SandySteel]

Just bumping this back to the top. We need the commission to listen to sport needs.