Fish and Game Commission
The legislature established the F&G Department under the F&G Commission. The Commission is comprised of 11 volunteer Commissioners appointed by the Governor and Council. One Commissioner represents each of the ten counties in the state and one Commissioner represents the seacoast.
Statue states the Commission is responsible for setting general policy regarding:
1. conservation, protection, and management of wildlife populations and habitats;
2. developing, funding, and implementing a strategic plan;
3. educating the public and building support for Department programs and objectives;
4. establishing Department positions on proposed legislation.
The Commission also has statutory authority for reviewing and approving administrative rules and dedicated account expenditures, as well as nominating the F&G Departments Executive Director. While statue requires Commissioners have extensive background and knowledge related to wildlife conservation and protection, it does not require Commissioners to have a background in finance, budgeting, accounting, or public management.
According to statue the Commission is responsible for setting general Department policy in the “development, funding, and implementation of a long-range strategic plan to direct the operation of the fish and game department.” However, all 11 Commissioners stated the Commission is not currently engaged in a new strategic planning process, although six of the 11 Commissioners stated the ten-year-old strategic plan should be updated. One Commissioner noted the Commission is too busy to engage in larger planning efforts. Ten current and former Commissioners suggest the Commission has a limited role in planning and establishing Department priorities. Three Commissioners stated priorities are established external of the Commission and are only presented for Commission approval, while two Commissioners stated the Commission is unclear of its role in establishing Department-wide priorities. Another noted it can be difficult to maintain a consistent vision for the Department because each year the make-up of the Commission changes.
The F&G *constituency has changed since the Department’s 1935 establishment; however, Fish and Game Commission members remain exclusively hunters and anglers. Statue allows sporting club boards to submit nominees for the Governor’s consideration, statue also requires Commissioners to be an active outdoorsman and hold a hunting or fishing license in at least five of the ten years preceding appointment. Statue defines a sporting club as an organization specifically interested in hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife and habitat conservation, which has acknowledged in its permanent bylaws the promotion and protection of hunting, fishing, or trapping and which accepts scientific wildlife management methods and tools. Legislative mandates have broadened F&G’s focus since its creation, including many responsibilities in addition to the Department’s traditional responsibility for game animals and fish in the State. Additionally, increased popularity of other outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, rafting, hiking and snowshoeing has broadened the F&G’s constituency base. While these responsibilities affect a wider range of constituent groups, many are still not represented on the Fish and Game Commission.
Ten Commissioners, two former Commissioners, and a former F&G Department Executive Director stated the reporting relationship between the F&G Commission and the F&G Department Executive Director is unclear. A former Executive Director reported being pulled in two directions because it was unclear whether the Executive Director works for the Governor or the Fish and Game Commission, especially if the Governor’s priorities conflict with those of the Commission. One Commissioner stated while interviewing candidates for the perviously vacant Executive Director position, the Commission was telling candidates they would be working for the Governor, not the Commission.
While the Commission plays an important role as a liaison between the F&G Department and its constituency, it is difficult, and perhaps unrealistic, for a volunteer, part-time Commission to adequately fulfill its broad statutory responsibilities.
Within the 2010 Fish and Game Budget of 32 million the F&G Commissions budget was $9,500.
[Commentary]
Given the fact that "other outdoor activities" are not represented in the F&G Commission, it's not surprising that the commission unanimously supported the
AMC/RMC hiker sleeping accommodation fee. Additionally, it's not a stretch to think the commission, and it's influence on the F&G Department policy, would support/propose those legislative actions that would favor hunting, fishing, snowmobiling etc. and not favor "other outdoor activities".
*Constituency (aka special interest group)
[/Commentary]
