Capitol Forest volunteers discovered last week that a bill was presented to the Legislature to eliminate DNR law Enforcement presence on forest trust lands throughout the state.  This bill was submitted by Senators Doumit and Jacobsen.    As you know, Fish and Wildlife officers are mandated to enforce game and fish violations.  They are known to be very understaffed with their current obligations.  They will unlikely staff additional officers specifically for protection of forest resources, campground vandalism, extended homeless camping, drug labs, ATV violations, stray target practice, abandoned stolen vehicles, garbage and other problems that ran rampant in the forests when DNR officers were not present.    This bill makes no sense at all.  DNR officers are already dedicated to the protection of the state forest resources.  Fish & Wildlife have other enforcement focuses than to protect forest lands.    This will be a lose, lose for all concerned if this legislation is passed.  Our homeless problem will return.  Vandalism and theft of forest products will increase without the presence of dedicated DNR law enforcement staff.  The system has worked well in recent years.  It seems strange the legislature wants to fix something that is not broken. Contact your legislators and let them know how you feel about this change in trust forest protection. SENATE BILL 5818 _____________________________________________ State of Washington            59th Legislature            2005 Regular Session By Senators Doumit and Jacobsen Read first time 02/08/2005.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.  AN ACT Relating to natural resources' agencies' law enforcement programs; and adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON: NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:  (1) The authorities, functions, and personnel of the department of natural resources' law enforcement program are transferred to the department of fish and wildlife's law enforcement program July 1, 2006.  (2) The department of natural resources and department of fish and wildlife shall coordinate the transfer set forth in subsection (1) of this section. The department of natural resources and department of fish and wildlife shall, not later than December 31, 2005, present a transition plan to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the senate and house of representatives. The transition plan must include:  (a) A review of the law enforcement authorities and functions affected by the transfer;  (b) Procedures for integrating the department of natural resources' law enforcement program into the department of fish and wildlife's law enforcement program;  (c) Procedures for integrating affected department of natural resources' employees and full-time equivalent positions into the department of fish and wildlife;  (d) Identification of training necessary to integrate affected department of natural resources' employees into the department of fish and wildlife;  (e) Recommendations for any funding necessary to carry out this section; and  (f) Recommendations for any additional legislation necessary to carry out this section.