Column: WDFW needs to back off of land acquisitions

Earlier this month, state Department of Fish and Wildlife Director officials said they needed an additional $26 million to effectively manage its existing lands and programs. They said that if they didn’t receive additional money from the Legislature this coming session, they will have to reduce staffing and services.

Agency Director Kelley Susewind himself said it would be “pretty catastrophic” if his agency doesn’t get more money.

Why then is the agency simultaneously pushing to acquire an additional 18 land tracts totaling more than 6,900 acres? The proposed acquisitions for 2020 include ar...