A Brief Explanation of the Public Trust Doctrine Lawsuit

CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
“dedicated to management of wildlife based on sound science and reasoned management principles”


1.   This lawsuit is based on the Public Trust Doctrine (PTD), which has its roots in the Magna Carta and is a core natural resources management principle of government, Case law, and our State and Federal Constitutions. The doctrine, simply stated, recognizes that sovereign  (representative government) has the sole and exclusive administrative obligation and responsibility to protect, manage and conserve navigable waters, fish and wildlife for the enjoyment and use by the public for transportation, commerce, recreational and related uses and purposes.  

2.   This lawsuit was filed by the CRWM Legal Fund, a stand-alone entity consisting of various state and national sportsmen's organizations, and has been researched and prepared by a reputable law firm that has successfully argued at the U.S. Supreme Court level. 

3.   If successful, this lawsuit would overturn both of the initiatives regulating fish and wildlife previously passed in Washington State (I655 & I713), as well as create a barrier against future such initiatives by creating an automatic dual subject condition; a condition specifically prohibited by the WA State Constitution.  

4.   The PTD lawsuit was first filed in Thurston County Superior Court who ruled in favor of the state.  That ruling was appealed and the case is now in the State Court of Appeals in Tacoma.  We are currently waiting for a ruling by the Appellate Court. 

Lawsuits and attorneys are expensive! 

It is critical that ALL hunters, fishers, trappers, and other concerned parties participate by donating money on a continual basis, actively raising funds, and helping out in any other way they can.

We anticipate that the Public Trust Doctrine suit will take between two-to-four years or more to wind its way through the court system, therefore, money must come in throughout this period. We encourage all concerned persons to budget a monthly amount and send it to the CRWM Legal Fund until the lawsuits are settled. All donations whether monthly or otherwise are, of course, welcome.