At the recent Grays Harbor/Willapa Bay fish projections meetings given by WDFW, they started off the meeting using the new WDFW buzz word, “Transparency”! However, it very soon became apparent it was just lip service. There was a huge hole in the data shared by WDFW. The information missing was the Tribal data. We raised the question; if we are truly co-managing, why is the Tribal information not shared in these meetings? They could give no real answer other than they are working with the tribes. It is apparent that not only are we not allowed into the “Secret Meetings” but, they don’t want to share even the smallest details of what is being negotiated until after the deals are done! ABOUT OUR LETTER: We've received a signature receipt for the letter sent, so it has been delivered. Now the ball is in NWIFC's (Lorraine Loomis) court. It will be interesting to see what, if any answer we receive. If she ignores us, it is clear she is only giving lip service to cooperation and trust. After all, how can she declare she wants more cooperation and still obstruct transparency? If she releases another statement along the same lines as the last, objecting to any sort of openness, then it is clear she is not truly wanting to work together, but rather demands to have things her way only. Our true hope is she reaches out in a gesture of true cooperation and opens a dialogue on how we can have full disclosure for all, and still allow the discussions to take place without interruption. One thing is clear. The WDFW’s say they want open meetings, and have said it's the Tribes that are the roadblock. So, now, lets see if NWIFC truly want to just "talk the talk, or walk the walk"! We sent a copy of the letter to Director Unsworth and the WDFW Commission, urging the Director to listen to the voice of 2600 citizens and reach out to Chairwoman Loomis personally and ask her to end her opposition. It is evident that there is no justification in keeping these meetings closed. It is very simple to set up a live video stream of these meetings that would allow the public to see and listen to these proceedings without interrupting them. There could be no “mis-characterizing" anybody, because everyone will see whats going on. The ONLY reason they could possibly want these meetings to remain closed is if they are doing things in these meetings they want to keep hidden from the public! Here is the contact information to Chairwoman Lorraine Loomis, Northwest Indians Fisheries Commission so you can send letters letting her know how you feel about these secret meetings. 6730 Martin Way E. Olympia, WA 98516 Phone: (360) 438-1180 FAX: (360) 753-8659