Science-Driven Policy: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Encourages Public Input

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public input on a draft policy that outlines how they use science to make decisions. The Best Available Science Policy is open for review until May 24, with commissioners aiming to finalize it this summer.

John Lehmkuhl, a commissioner and chair of the panel’s Big Tent Committee, emphasized the importance of public feedback in improving the policy and ensuring that the best available science is used in decision-making processes. The two-page document includes bullet points on dealing with science, such as avoiding bias in interpreting studies and using social science to inform decisions.

The policy also addresses how to handle conflicting studies or interpretations of science, stating that information from the Department of Fish and Wildlife should be considered acceptable and sufficient in such cases. A link to the full policy is available on the WDFW website, and comments can be submitted online or by email to bestavailablescience@publicinput.com.

Overall, the commission is committed to using the draft policy to enhance their decision-making process through the use of the best available scientific evidence.