Declining revenues have prompted at least three western states to consider consolidating their fish and wildlife agencies with other parts of government, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. While aimed at reducing costs, some proposals also could affect how wildlife policies, including hunting and fishing regulations, are set by changing the role or make up of citizen commissions.

In New Mexico, a Government Reorganization Task Force recommended eliminating the Game and Fish Commission and converting the Game and Fish Department from a stand-alone agency to a division within the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. Legislation was introduced to implement these recommendations, including turning the authority to set hunting and fishing rules over to the Secretary of the Department. New Mexico officials indicated that the limited amount of money that would have been saved, the risk of losing federal aid funds if license fees were misused, and support for retaining a citizen commission led lawmakers to hold off making any changes this session. This is not the first time merging the department has been proposed, however, and with continued economic strain, it may not be the last.

In Colorado, SB11-208 merges the Division of Wildlife with the Division of State Parks and combines the Wildlife Commission and the Board of Parks and Recreation into a single regulatory body. The new 16-member Parks and Wildlife Board would initially include all the current members, duties and powers of the two separate bodies. The Board is charged under the bill with overseeing the merger of the divisions and recommending future changes in size or authorities of the new board. This merger would create a structure similar to the former Colorado Division of Game, Fish and Parks. When that agency was split into two divisions in 1972, the Division of Wildlife leased lands purchased with game cash to State Parks for a 25-year period, which was determined to be a diversion of federal aid in 1998. As a result Colorado had to exchange almost $25 million in real estate to regain eligibility for federal aid. SB11-208 calls for careful monitoring to avoid diversion of license fees or federal funds. SB11-208 passed out of committee unanimously on March 31 and officials in Colorado expect the bill to progress quickly through the legislature.

In Washington State, the initial draft of SB 5669 merged the Department of Fish and Wildlife with the State Parks and Recreation Commission and several smaller bureaus. The bill also changed the Fish and Wildlife Commission from a regulatory body to an advisory council and gave rule-making authority to the Secretary of the new Conservation and Recreation Department, who would be appointed by the governor. These changes reverse two elements of the citizen initiative that created the Department of Fish and Wildlife and gave the Commission the power to hire the agency director. In response to concerns from citizens about the loss of an independent, rule-making commission, the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Marine Waters amended the bill to retain most of the Commission's existing powers. However, the amended bill retains the change, giving the governor authority to appoint the agency head. At this point, officials in Washington are uncertain what the final outcome will be for SB 5669. (cs)