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Home My WebLink AboutCorrespondence - BOCCGRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA MEETING REQUEST FORM (Must be submitted to the Clerk of the Board by 12:00pm on Thursday) REQUESTING DEPARTMENT:130CC REQUEST SUBMITTED BY:CEMANELL CONTACT PERSON ATTENDING ROUNDTABLE.. CEMANELL CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION: DYES IONO DATE. 0$/06/2026 PHONE:x2931 OF DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED., (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY), -TYRE-(S-) --- OAgreement / Contract OAP Vouchers - ----- ---- - - OAppointment / Reappointment 7ARPA Related 7 Bids / RFPs / Quotes Award OBid Opening Scheduled F1 Boards / Committees 0 Budget 7 Computer Related 0 County Code 0 Emergency Purchase El Employee Rel. ❑Facilities Related El Financial El Funds Ell-learing 0 Invoices / Purchase Orders ❑Grants — Fed/State/County Ell -eases OMOA / MOIL 11 Minutes E10rdinances FlOut of State Travel 0 Petty Cash 7 Policies [I Proclamations El Request for Purchase DResolution 7Recomilmendation FlProfessional Serv/Consultant ElSupport Letter ElSurplus Req. 7Tax Levies FIThank You's OTax Title Property 71WSLC:B I ISUGGESTED WORDING FOR `��ENDA-,: (Who, What, When, WhV, Term, cost, etc.7 Joint Letter from the Eastern Washington Council of Governments (EWCOG) to the Governor and Attorney General regarding the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife {Vi/DFW) Commission. If necessary, was this document reviewed by accounting? 0 YES F NO 54 N/A If necessary, was this document reviewed by legal? R YES 0 NO El N/A DATE OF ACTION: DEFERRED OR CONTINUED TO: APPROVE: DENIED ABSTAIN Di: D2: D3: '7 WITHDRAWN: 4/23/24 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner DATE: August 10, 2026 TO: Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown (via E Message) FROM: Eastern Washington Council of Governments (EWCOG) RE: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commission Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown, On December 19, 2024, the Ruckelshaus Center released its report identifying significant dysfunction within the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Commission and outlining three (3) options to address these issues. No apparent action was taken by the administration following the report's release. On May 6, 2025, WDFW Director Kelly Susewind delivered to Thomas R. Knoll, Jr., Criminal Justice Legal Liaison, two (2) boxes of correspondence between WDFW Commissioners and outside special -interest groups. Ten (10) days later, Knoll submitted a memo to the Director summarizing his findings, identifying numerous policy violations and improper or illegal behavior by Commissioners Smith, Rowland, and former Commissioner Ragan. His report focused primarily on Commissioners Smith and Rowland because their inappropriate conduct was most evident in the reviewed records. The memo was unequivocal in its assessment: "There is no question in my mind that Commissioners Rowland and Smith present serious risks to WDFW in terms of failure to fully abide by the CR..." and "...Smith's belief that she can engage in activity that may be unlawful, so long as that activity is not observed cuts directly against the expectation WDFW should have for their Commission Members: each of them should be above all, honest and trustworthy." The Knoll Memo reinforced the conclusions of the earlier Ruckelshaus Report. The conduct of the named commissioners significantly contributes to the documented dysfunction. Twenty-one months after the Ruckelshaus Report and fifteen months after the Knoll Memo, Commissioners Smith and Rowland continue to serve on the Commission. Despite clear evidence warranting removal, the administration instead initiated another review, contracting with Transformative Workplace Investigations (TWI) on June 20, 2025. Although the results were initially expected in November 2025, multiple delays pushed the release to July 31, 2026. c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner Key findings of the TWI report include: 1. Commissioners "did not consistently comply" with the Public Records Act (PRA). Several used personal devices for government business, failed to conduct complete records searches, and submitted inaccurate or incomplete declarations. Some resisted disclosure "until compelled." 2. Commissioners engaged in serial meetings in which a majority (quorum) discussed agency business. "Documentary evidence corroborates coordination on votes, policy drafting and leadership elections conducted through private communications," the report stated. Although TWI concluded the evidence did not establish a knowing violation of the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA), this finding strains credibility. 3. Several commissioners engaged in repeated, undisclosed communications with advocacy groups in violation of the Commission's Rules of Procedure. 4. There has been a "significant breakdown in trust" between certain commissioners and department administrators. TWI's repeated use of terms such as "partially unsubstantiated" and recommendations that the governor "should consider appropriate remedial action" including training on the PRA, OPMA, and Commission Rules appears to reflect the lengthy review timeline and multiple rewrites. The Eastern Washington Council of Governments (EWCOG) believes the report should have stated the obvious: the identified commissioners should be removed. EWCOG County Commissioners conclude that Commissioners Smith and Rowland and, to a lesser degree, Commissioners John Lehmkuhl and Woody Myers have violated Washington laws and policies. Findings 2 and 3 alone constitute sufficient grounds for dismissal. Removing these commissioners would be an important step toward restoring trust and confidence in the Department, the Commission, and the Administration. The Eastern Washington Council of Governments, consisting of fifteen counties Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman urges you to act in the best interests of Washington State residents and remove Commissioners Smith and Rowland from the WDFW Commission immediately. Thank you, [Signatures on following pages.] c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner cc: Special Assistant Natural Resources Owen Rowe — owe xowe e % gov.wasov Managing Assistant Attorney General Joe Panesko — `oe. anesko &rjat .wa. Gov Representative Andrew Engell — A.nd •ew.engellt leg.wa. xov Representative Hunter Abell — hunter.abell.�,�;l.e g.wa. ov Senator Shelly Short — shell .shot1L&l e .wa,. ov Northeast Washington Wildlife Group (NWWG) — nwwg202 ei rgail.cotn Ruckelshaus Report: https://wdfw.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/wdfw-organizational-review-final-report.pdf Knoll Memo: https://sportsmensalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WA-Knoll-Memo-SA.pdf Transformative Workplace Investigations Report: https://imgl.wsimg.com/blobby/go/9341723a-6a63-4c40-818b- c578159314bd/downloads/1 e5352a8-094d-4a77-8155- 450e637bb5ee/WDFW%20Commission%20Final%20Report%20%2B%20Addendum.pdPver=1785534071651 *Space intentionally left blank. * c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADAMS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ASOTIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa-gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COLUMBIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY. COMMISSIONERS DOUGLAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FERRY COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FRANKLIN COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GARFIELD COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GRANT COUNTY, WASHINGTON DATED this day of 2026. ````irman `,\ F 0 U NT r �. L.Cn SLe �'_.:� _� = Vice -Chairman , � C) Z :OF �; ATT T. Commissioner Clerk of the oarde Prosecutor's Approved ac c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/ jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice-Chairman,lV lark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026 ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS LINCOLN COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026 ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OKANOGAN COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PEND OREILLE COUNTY, WASHINGTON DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STEVENS COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WALLA WALLA COUNTY, WASHINGTON DATED this day of 2026. ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa-gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122 EASTERN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS (EWCOG) Chairman, Art Swannack, Whitman County Commissioner Vice -Chairman, Mark Burrows, Stevens County Commissioner Secretary, Robert Dean, Ferry County Commissioner Treasurer, Jo Gilchrist, Lincoln County Commissioner *Signature page to EWCOG Letter to Governor & Attorney General re: WDFW Commission* DATED this day of 2026 ATTEST: Clerk of the Board Prosecutor's Office: Approved as to form BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WHITMAN COUNTY, WASHINGTON Chairman Vice -Chairman Commissioner c/o Stevens County Jonnie R. Brown, Clerk of the Board Mailing: 215 S. Oak Street, Colville, WA. 99114 Phone: 509-684-3751 Email: commissioners@stevenscountywa.gov/jrbrown@stevenscountywa.gov Meetings: Lincoln County Courthouse, Commissioner's Meeting Room, 450 Logan, Davenport, WA 99122