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Customers Decentralization The agency continued with its efforts to develop a more efficient, accessible agency. By spreading personnel into regional and district offices, more matters are being decided at a community level. The department operations are divided into the following regions:
Employees in these regions and their accompanying districts are empowered to make many decisions, taking advantage of their up-close and personal knowledge of the resource challenges in each of their communities. Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permits The department has the authority to issue permits for any activity that alters state waterways. These permits, called Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permits, are issued each time a project -- large or small -- impacts fish and shellfish habitat. The department issues more than 8,000 HPAs annually. In 1997, however, the Habitat Management Program implemented a plan that transfers HPA signature authority to the regions, making issuance more efficient and accessible. The department also created self-help brochures that tell developers and bankside residents what kinds of activities they can conduct in and along the state’s waterways. Problem wildlife complaints The Enforcement Program has devoted more resources to public safety and animal damage complaints. A Fish and Wildlife officer typically is the first official to respond when a black bear strolls into a populated area or a deer or elk herd wanders into croplands. Department personnel received more than 50,000 problem wildlife complaints in 1997. The Seattle-area office, alone, received on average 150 problem wildlife calls daily. The Legislature in 1997 approved funding to hire five new officers for problem wildlife. Automated licensing system The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission in 1997 agreed to a streamlined hunting and fishing licensing system following a series of public meetings, dealer meetings and an analysis of more than 2,500 license survey responses. The new system will simplify the licensing process for recreational users as directed by the Legislature. Part of the streamlining package still under development is an automated licensing system which would replace paper licenses with permanent cards. The new structure should take effect in 2000.
Fairs and trade shows The department heard from both staff and constituents that the opportunity to meet and talk at fairs and trade shows was sorely missed. Following a commitment to resume these activities, where one-on-one contact is the rule rather than the exception, the department participated in nine regional events in 1997 and committed to 25 more throughout the state in 1998. Washington Watchable Wildlife The department launched the Washington Watchable Wildlife program in 1997, expanding its outreach to more customers by offering new opportunities for people interested in bird-and wildlife-watching, hiking, photography and scenic tours. Community policing Research shows that law enforcement is more effective when officers are highly visible and approachable in the communities they serve. That is why community policing continues to be a priority for the Enforcement Program. Officers devoted more hours in 1997 to attending community meetings and speaking to commu- nity groups and students. In addition to those responsi- bilities, officers made more than 170,000 contacts with the public, 15,000 arrests and wrote 3,000 warnings. Find it on the Internet Constituents can find a wealth of information on department activities and events through the Internet. New web offerings include educational materials, documents, hunting and fishing regulation pamphlets and press releases. All are accessible at: http://wdfw.wa.gov The web site also tells residents where to find the hottest fishing sites and wildlife viewing areas across the state. |
