Yesterday, The Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy released another update to keep everyone informed on the progress of it's lawsuits over WDFW violations of the Open Meetings Act. We invite you to read the update below.
There are links to the Advocacy's web page where you can find the legal depositions of WDFW Director, Kelly Susewind, Director of Fish Policy, Ron Warren and Kyle Addicks.
We highly encourage everyone to read these depositions as they are very enlightening on just how the "process" that the Department says is fair, open and transparent is really is done.
-------------------------- THFWA UPDATE --------------------------
January 20, 2020, Update #7 WDFW Director and senior staff deposed
For a general understanding of the litigation and the steps underway in the case Twin Harbors Fish & Wildlife Advocacy v- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, review the previous updates shown below.
The time consuming effort to establish the record for the upcoming trials in the cases that allege WDFW violated the Opening Meeting Act (OPMA), Administrative Procedures Act (APA) and the Public Records Act (PRA) during its North Of Falcon (NOF) salmon season setting in 2018 and 2019 is continuing on track. As for documents, WDFW is required to produce the documents with each page stamped with an individual number. Todate, WDFW has supplied thousands of pages of documentation to the Advocacy legal team and the discussion is underway as to which documents are to be selected into creating the trial record. If the two sides are unable to decide what goes into the trial record, a hearing is set and the presiding judge decides.
The second form of evidence comes in the form of testimony. In anticipation of calling witnesses to the stand during upcoming trials, the Advocacy has completed depositions of WDFW Director Kelly Susewind, Assistant Director Ron Warren, and senior staffer Kyle Addick. The depositions todate have been cordial and polite as each of individuals were simply asked to explain their roles in how seasons were set.
Since WDFW has announced a schedule for NOF in 2020, the Advocacy has been repeatedly asked if the litigation would have an impact on this year's season setting. The answer is any changes would be up to WDFW. The trials underway are expected to be completed in the spring and summer of this year as the 2020 seasons are in final stage of adoption if not already adopted.
Those who would like to read the depositions to gain greater understanding into how salmon seasons in WA are actually set can select the name below to be linked directly to the transcript of that individual's testimony.
----------------------------------END----------------------------------
Here is a link the the Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy's legal page if you would like to help this lawsuit with a financial donation. Every little bit helps get to the truth! Thank you.