Washington’s Best Available Science Policy: Your Opportunity to Provide Feedback

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is seeking public input on a draft Best Available Science Policy. The commission has been working on this policy for some time and aims to finalize it in the coming summer. According to a news release, the commission is asking for feedback on the policy until May 24. John Lehmkuhl, a commissioner and chair of the panel’s Big Tent Committee, emphasized that public feedback is crucial in enhancing the policy to ensure that the best available science is utilized in decision-making processes.

The draft policy is a concise two-page document outlining how the commission and department should handle scientific information. It includes guidelines on avoiding bias when interpreting studies and utilizing social science to inform decisions. The policy also addresses scenarios where there are conflicting interpretations of science, specifying that information provided by WDFW should be considered acceptable and sufficient.

Individuals interested in providing feedback on the policy can do so by submitting comments online or via email to bestavailablescience@publicinput.com. A link to the complete policy can be found on the WDFW website.