LETTER: Wildlife advocate calls attention to state Fish & Wildlife Board openings

September 3, 2024

An open Letter to Gov. Phil Scott:

To quote Yogi Berra, “It’s deja vu all over again.” 

Once again, there are members of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Board whose terms have expired, this time as of last February, yet they are still active members. According to the regulations, “A member serving a full six-year term shall not be eligible for reappointment.” 

One of these board members caused quite a stir earlier this year after engaging in name-calling, derisively referring to wildlife advocates as “bunny huggers.” Despite the fact that Vermonters want a board that’s more reflective of the people of Vermont and not just privileged special interests, the political agenda to maintain the status quo, which is both undemocratic and unjust, persists.

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department and the governor’s office should be publicly promoting open board positions in an effort to attract diverse applicants, but the reality is that the entire process of selecting and appointing board members is ridiculously opaque. The reason for that is because the primary unwritten criterion for board membership is that each member must be actively engaged in the activities (hunting, trapping, fishing) that the board is supposed to regulate. Conflict-of-interest concerns raised by groups like Protect Our Wildlife have been ignored by the governor and department where board members have voted on matters that may financially impact them. On any other board, those members would recuse themselves but we know that this board operates with impunity.

Upon reviewing emails I obtained from a public records request to the department, there was a board applicant in April who had non-game interests, with a particular interest in birding, who came highly recommended. On the surface, it would seem that she would have been an excellent candidate who could have offered some balance to the board. But it is no surprise to those of us who have observed the process for years that her application, like those of many similar applicants before her, simply vaporized into the ether.

I emailed the commissioner about this, and his July 15th response to me said: “There have been no decisions ... a reminder these appointments are made by the Governor.”

 The commissioner punts the issue to the governor, but we know the governor relies heavily on recommendations from the cCommissioner. And so the powers that be have maintained radio silence, and the seats remain unfilled as of the date of this letter. 

All of this begs the question of why this board even exists. Why does the department, after collecting public comment from all Vermonters through public hearings, grant the final say on regulations to the board, composed entirely of hunters and trappers who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo? Why is the process such that a select group of Vermonters (i.e., trappers, anglers, and hunters) has power over everyone else? Wildlife is considered a public trust resource, and Fish and Wildlife is mandated to protect and conserve wildlife for all, which means considering all voices. The current paradigm is in direct conflict with this statutory requirement (title 10 §4081). Official statements from the governor’s office and the department are full of inclusive media bytes about preserving the health of Vermont’s wild places and creatures for all to enjoy, whatever their priorities. But wildlife advocates know for whom they are really working. And it isn’t us.

Thank you,

Lisa Jablow

Brattleboro