By John McGlenn
When the House of Representatives announced its capital construction budget last month, slashing funding for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) by 50 percent – from $100 million to $50 million – supporters of the program had an unusual response: we cheered.It’s a huge – but not total – loss.Why? Because the House of Representative did something right. Even while cutting the program, they kept its essential pieces intact so it can thrive in future, more prosperous years.The WWRP funds its projects statewide based on an independent ranking criteria that decide on the best projects, a process that demonstrates integrity and competition. Every community has an equal opportunity to get a project funded, whether it is saving the migration grounds of Washington’s largest elk herd, creating parks for our children, or keeping farms in production. It also means there is no chance of earmark politics getting in the middle of the careful project selection process.But all that has been put at risk by the counter proposal outlined by the Washington state Senate. Their proposal doesn’t just further decimate the WWRP’s funding by slicing $30 million from the House’s proposal – it also moves $16 million into a different fund for hand-chosen projects, in key districts, rather than funding projects based on their merits.The Senate proposal threatens the very core of the WWRP. This sets a dangerous precedent: if legislators are allowed to cherrypick pet projects, won’t faith be lost by hard-working and long-waiting community groups proposing the best projects to a time-tested, objective, non-political ranking process?The Senate’s budget slashes funding for a trailhead at Duthie Hill and for the Cougar Mountain project, which would create an Issaquah entrance to the park. These projects make our community a great place to live – unfortunately, the Senate doesn’t seem to agree.Statewide, renewing WWRP funding is an essential investment in our long term prosperity. Outdoor recreation generates $8.5 billion in retail dollars and millions in tax dollars, supporting 115,000 jobs in Washington. Over the last 21 years WWRP has taken root as one of the state’s most popular programs, enjoying bipartisan support and successfully funding over 1,000 projects that preserve our quality of life. But all that is put at risk by the Senate’s dangerous proposal, which taints a time-tested, proven, fair process and breaks the rules to choose earmarks over well ranked projects.
John McGlenn is a longtime resident of Yarrow Point and a founding board member of the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition, which has been securing funds for habitat and outdoor recreation since 1989.
