Washing department of fish and wildlife letter

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Bigdummy

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The State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs.

The property owners' response in the second letter is EPIC.

Letter from Washington Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife:

Dear Landowner:
WDFWR Staff will be conducting surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs & other amphibians over the next few months. As part of this research we would like to survey the creek on your property. I am writing this letter to request your permission to access your property.

Recent research indicates that foothill yellow-legged frogs have declined significantly in recent years and are no longer found at half their historic sites. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and will help contribute to the conservation of this important species.

Please fill out the attached postage-paid postcard and let us know if you are willing to let us cross your property or not.

If you have any concerns about this project please give us a call. We would love to talk with you about our research.

Sincerely

Steve Niemela

Conservation Strategy Implementation Biologist

***************************** ******************************
****************************** *****************************

RESPONSE FROM LANDOWNERS:

Dear Mr. Niemela:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter.

We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the "Frog Survey License" ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a "Frog Habitat" parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle).

You will also need an "Invasive Species" stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add'l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for Non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle.

If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your "Creek Habitat" stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident).

Survey units open between 8 am. And 3 PM. But you cannot commence survey until 9 am. And must cease all survey activity by 1 PM.

Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2" diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18 in handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6' from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles.

After 1 PM. You can use a net with a 3" diameter if you purchase the "Frog Net Endorsement" ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident).

Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed.

As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our "Premium Survey" units and application is again only $8.00 per application.

However, all fees can be waived if you can verify "Native Indian Tribal rights and status".

You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of "Frog Surveys" and your "Comprehensive Course on Frog Identification, Safe Handling Practices, and Self-Defense Strategies for Frog Attacks."

This course is offered on-line through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Larry & Amanda Anderson.
 
Sounds about right. They forgot about applying for a permit for at least 8 years in a row then possibly get drawn for a tag
 
The State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs.

The property owners' response in the second letter is EPIC.

Letter from Washington Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife:

Dear Landowner:
WDFWR Staff will be conducting surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs & other amphibians over the next few months. As part of this research we would like to survey the creek on your property. I am writing this letter to request your permission to access your property.

Recent research indicates that foothill yellow-legged frogs have declined significantly in recent years and are no longer found at half their historic sites. Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and will help contribute to the conservation of this important species.

Please fill out the attached postage-paid postcard and let us know if you are willing to let us cross your property or not.

If you have any concerns about this project please give us a call. We would love to talk with you about our research.

Sincerely

Steve Niemela

Conservation Strategy Implementation Biologist

***************************** ******************************
****************************** *****************************

RESPONSE FROM LANDOWNERS:

Dear Mr. Niemela:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter.

We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the "Frog Survey License" ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a "Frog Habitat" parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle).

You will also need an "Invasive Species" stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add'l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for Non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle.

If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your "Creek Habitat" stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident).

Survey units open between 8 am. And 3 PM. But you cannot commence survey until 9 am. And must cease all survey activity by 1 PM.

Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2" diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18 in handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6' from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles.

After 1 PM. You can use a net with a 3" diameter if you purchase the "Frog Net Endorsement" ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident).

Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed.

As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our "Premium Survey" units and application is again only $8.00 per application.

However, all fees can be waived if you can verify "Native Indian Tribal rights and status".

You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of "Frog Surveys" and your "Comprehensive Course on Frog Identification, Safe Handling Practices, and Self-Defense Strategies for Frog Attacks."

This course is offered on-line through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00.

Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry.

Sincerely,

Larry & Amanda Anderson.
Ok funniest thing I have read in a long time. Straight up funny.
Disclaimer; I work for Game and Fish as a Hunters Education Instructor! Still funny!
 
You forgot the boundary descriptions for units and penalties for not knowing how to interpret them !

ie... unit 1 starts at th northwestmost blade of grass zigzagging to every 3rd dandelion commencing on to the inclination of dirtmound 5 unless the varience of grade is not optimal in which case will lead to northerlymost slug trail then .........
 
Ha! That’s awesome! Reads about like the trout fishing guide in Michigan!
 
The worst part is that they'd probably pay all the fees and think nothing of it and then charging it back to Joe Public.
 
Sounds like the truth to me.

Honestly, he wouldn't want them on the property as they will close down his own property if those animals are found there. We have had multiple dirtbike trails closed in Colorado because of a mouse that lives in the vicinity. They might pay a little money for access, but as soon as they access the land it will become "protected" land.
 
Reminds me of some friends that owned a big dairy milking 1200 cows. One day EPA showed up wanting to cross their property to investigate if runoff was getting into Sipsey river. They denied him access so he pulled his card out and said with this card he could go anywhere he wanted to so they said go ahead. In a few minutes they heard him screaming for help. When they looked to see what was going on their big bull had run him up a tree. Scott told him to show bull that damn card and turned around and went back to barn.
 
I did endangered species work. I learned early on that US Fish & Wildlife had 3 types of employees - educated incompetents, self-anointed environmental saviors, and soulless bureaucrats.

Ironically, the soulless bureaucrats were the most pragmatic and solution driven… as long as it benefitted their careers.

BTW, great response letter.
 
Reminds me of some friends that owned a big dairy milking 1200 cows. One day EPA showed up wanting to cross their property to investigate if runoff was getting into Sipsey river. They denied him access so he pulled his card out and said with this card he could go anywhere he wanted to so they said go ahead. In a few minutes they heard him screaming for help. When they looked to see what was going on their big bull had run him up a tree. Scott told him to show bull that damn card and turned around and went back to barn.
That's an old joke still funny though
 
this one actually happened. That family were something else if they liked you fine but if not wouldn't give you time of day. IRS came after them one time and Mr Vannie told them he didn't owe anything. Agent told him they had records that showed how much he had been paid but Mr Vannie argued that he didn't owe anything. After it got pretty heated Mr Vannie told him that he may have the paper that it was writ on but he hadn't cashed them and until he did he didn't owe it! Old man was smarter than they gave him credit
 
this one actually happened. That family were something else if they liked you fine but if not wouldn't give you time of day. IRS came after them one time and Mr Vannie told them he didn't owe anything. Agent told him they had records that showed how much he had been paid but Mr Vannie argued that he didn't owe anything. After it got pretty heated Mr Vannie told him that he may have the paper that it was writ on but he hadn't cashed them and until he did he didn't owe it! Old man was smarter than they gave him credit
Heck Yeah! Sticking it to the Man!
 
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