Below is a news release from the office of Washington Governor Bob Ferguson. After getting word, RMEF issued the following statement: “The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is very pleasantly surprised by Governor Ferguson’s reappointments of fish and wildlife commissioners Anderson and Linville, and we are optimistic that new commissioner Victor Garcia will prove to be a reasonable and balanced presence on the commission. Our frustration with the commission in recent years has been well-known, and thousands of our members have expressed that frustration as former Governor Inslee appointed activists beholden to a radical agenda that ignores and undercuts the professional wildlife managers at WDFW. Governor Ferguson’s appointments are a positive first step in getting wildlife policy in Washington back on the rails, but we all have a lot of work left to do.”
-Ryan Bronson, RMEF Director of Government Affairs
Governor Bob Ferguson announced the reappointments of Molly Linville and Jim Anderson and the appointment of Victor Garcia to serve on the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission. The three appointees will begin serving as Commissioners immediately while they await confirmation by the Washington state Senate.
The three appointments come after Governor Ferguson requested the Senate return two appointments by Gov. Jay Inslee that were still pending Senate approval. The Senate unanimously approved sending the appointments back.
The governor made this request in light of the Ruckelshaus report, and outreach from multiple individuals, entities, and tribes in order to conduct a thorough appointment process and carefully evaluate all eligible candidates. After the Senate agreed to call back the appointments, the governor had 60 days to offer new ones.
The Ruckelshaus report raised several concerns about the commission, including the appointment process. From the report: “Many referred to the Commission as being dysfunctional, politically polarized, and caught up in conflict. When asked how to address these issues, some proposed eliminating the Commission and moving to an entirely new governance structure.”
The nine-member Fish & Wildlife Commission establishes policies to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. These policies must be compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations. The commission’s governor-appointed members serve six-year terms. The commission holds meetings and hearings around the state and offers opportunities for the public to weigh in on fish and wildlife issues.
Garcia, an educator and former commercial fisherman, is new to the commission. Linville, a rancher and wildlife biologist, and Anderson, who has worked in natural resources for four decades, have previously served on the commission.
“Molly, Jim and Victor offer deep and varied experience, as well as unique perspectives to the Fish & Wildlife Commission,” Ferguson said. “The Ruckelshaus report raised serious concerns about the commission, and we believe these individuals will help to address those issues.”
Governor Ferguson chose the appointees after an extensive interview process, utilizing a diverse interview panel to evaluate all of the 14 eligible individuals who applied for the Commission over the past year.
About the appointees
Anderson has worked in natural resources for the past four decades, including working with two Indian Tribes prior to his time with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. He was originally appointed to the commission in July of 2019. He graduated from Washington State University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and earned a master’s degree in the same field in 1978. Anderson is an active fisher, hunter and outdoor recreationalist.
Garcia has taught AP Biology and other science courses for several Washington school districts, including Anacortes, Mount Vernon and Ocosta. After growing up in Grays Harbor, he also worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and a field biologist on both coasts. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine zoology from the University of Washington and a master’s in science education from Vanderbilt University.
Linville was also originally appointed to the commission in July of 2019. She is a Douglas County rancher and farmer from a fifth-generation wheat and barley farm near Reardan in Lincoln County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana and worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a wildlife biologist and a wildlife refuge manager. She began a master’s program at Washington State University before taking over a 100-year-old, 6,000-acre cattle ranch near Wenatchee with her husband David after her father-in-law’s death.
(Photo credit: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)