Ms. JT Austin may not be a well known name to many of you, but it should be.  It just so happens that Ms. Austin is a very influential person when it comes to relationships between the WDFW and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission/Tribal co-managers.

You see, Ms. JT Austin is the Governors Senior Advisor for Natural Resources! 

How influential?  Well, take a look at what Director Susewind said about her in his sworn deposition when asked about her role in the North of Falcon by Attorney Joe Frawley:

Mr. Frawley· Okay.· Does she provide any input?

Dir. Susewind ·· She's the Governor's Office.· Of course she does.

Mr. Frawley ·· I'm trying to get to what it is that she provides input on.

Dir. Susewind· It's relationships, understanding tribal -- she's his

expert at tribal culture, tribal relationships. I believe

we got a number of staff that are as well, but it's always

good to have an extra set of eyes there.

Mr. Frawley· Um-hmm.

Dir. Susewind· Also the tribes put a lot of faith in her, and if she and I say the same thing, they're going to believe her before they believe me.

So, you see, Ms. Austin has a deep relationship with our tribal co-managers, so deep in fact, that Director Susewind says under oath: “they’re going to believe her before they believe me.”

Of course, that doesn’t speak very well to the “Trust”  between the department and the Co-mangers, but it does indicate that Ms. Austin could have a VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENDING THE SECRET MEETINGS.

After all, it seems impossible for us to believe that Ms. Austin would advise Governor Inslee that secret are good for the management of our natural resources. And as his senior advisor for these natural resources, I can’t imagine that she would not advocate for full and open management decisions, devoid of any secret meetings where the citizens of this state are prohibited. Right?  I mean, HOW HARD IS IT TO PUT A VIDEO CAMERA IN THE ROOM AND COMPLY WITH THE STATES OPEN PUBLIC MEETING ACT?

We’ve sent a letter to Ms. Austin and asked her to help end these trust killing secret meetings.  

We need all of you to do the same thing.  Send an email to jt.austin@gov.wa.gov

Copy her boss, the Chief of staff and the Governor

govoutbound@iq.governor.wa.gov  david.postman@gov.wa.gov keith.phillips@gov.wa.gov

Ask Ms. Austin if, the senior advisor for natural resources thinks secret meetings are good for our salmon.  Ask her why, after years of thousands of citizens of this state fighting for transparency, she has not “advised” the Governor to step in and end this.  Ask her if she understands how these secret meetings are destroying the trust between the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and the citizens of this state. And ask her to work with Governor Inslee to end the secrets in our fisheries now!

We are counting on everyone to send a email today.  We cannot wait, the salmon cannot wait.

Here is copy of our letter:

Washington State

Office of the Governor

Senior Policy Advisor, Natural Resources 

Ms. Austin, March 9, 2020

As the senior advisor for natural resources to Governor Inslee, I am writing you concerning an issue of grave importance in our salmon management and recovery.

I’m speaking about the prohibition of public oversight which is occurring during the negotiations between the Tribal co-mangers and the Department of Fish and Wildlife during the season setting process know as North of Falcon.

This continued restriction has resulted in a growing sense of distrust and suspicion within the public toward our department and tribal co-managers.  I believe you will agree that without that basis of trust, it is extremely difficult for true  cooperation to develop. Cooperation that is desperately needed to work toward real solutions to save our salmon.

What the citizens are asking for is basic. Real transparency in all aspects of management in our  fisheries and our natural resources.  We cannot agree to secret meetings, where our salmon are divided for harvest behind locked doors.

Having these meetings open would be a tremendous gesture of good will and trust building that would be very well accepted as a positive step to a commitment to work in unity with all parties to save our endangered salmon.

We have spent three years and thousands of hours attempting to work on a solution which provides both an environment free of interruptions and is compliant with the Open Public Meetings Act.  We have suggested that live streaming the meetings, much like is done with the Commission and other state meetings might be an appropriate solution.

I’m asking you to use your intimate  knowledge and influence with the North of Falcon to elicit the Governor to intervene and end this impasse.

It is our hope that all impediments to trust building and cooperation will be set aside, so every citizen can work in cooperation to save our salmon.  With your help and that of the Governor, we are confident a solution will be found quickly.

With respect

Washington Citizen Sportsmen

cc:Governor Jay Inslee

Mr. David Postman, Chief of Staff

PLEASE, SEND YOUR EMAILS NOW, AND SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE!  THERE IS NO PLACE FOR SECRETS IN THE FIGHT TO SAVE OUR SALMON!