Future of NWAC???

Following are the names of the key legislators on the House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means Committees who CAN make a difference in funding the NWAC in the current year and next year:<br><br>HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE MEMBERS<br>Helen Sommers - Chair (D)<br>Bill Fromhold - Vice Chair (D)<br>Gary Alexander - Ranking Minority Member (R)<br>Glenn Anderson - Asst Ranking Minority Member (R)<br>Joyce McDonald - Asst Ranking Minority Member (R)<br>Mike Armstrong (R)<br>Barbara Bailey (R)<br>David Buri (R)<br>Bruce Chandler (R)<br>Jim Clements (R)<br>Eileen Cody (D)<br>Steve Conway (D)<br>Jeannie Darneille (D)<br>Hans Dunshee (D)<br>Bill Grant (D)<br>Kathy Haigh (D)<br>Bill Hinkle (R)<br>Ross Hunter (D)<br>Ruth Kagi (D)<br>Phyllis Kenney (D)<br>Lynn Kessler (D)<br>Kelli Linville (D)<br>Joe McDermott (D)<br>Jim McIntire (D)<br>Mark Miloscia (D)<br>Kirk Pearson (R)<br>Skip Priest (R)<br>Shay Schual-Berke (D)<br>Pat Sullivan (D)<br>Gigi Talcott (R)<br>Maureen Walsh (R)<br><br>SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE MEMBERS<br>Margarita Prentice - Chair (D)<br>Karen Fraser - Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair (D)<br>Mark Doumit - Vice Chair, Operating Budget (D)<br>Joseph Zarelli - Ranking Minority Member (R)<br>Dale Brandland (R)<br>Darlene Fairley (D)<br>Mike Hewitt (R)<br>Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D)<br>Linda Evans Parlette (R)<br>Cheryl Pflug (R)<br>Craig Pridemore (D)<br>Marilyn Rasmussen (D)<br>Debbie Regala (D)<br>Pam Roach (R)<br>Phil Rockefeller (D)<br>Mark Schoesler (R)<br>Pat Thibaudeau (D)<br>

Here is a copy of the message I sent to each of my 3 state representatives. I wrote it quickly and I'm sure it could be better, but if anyone wants a quick template to cut and paste, then use the link above to find your representatoves, go ahead and use this, just add your name. Lets get involved and let them know we vote!<br><br>_______________________________________________<br><br><br><br>I would like to voice my strong support for funding of the Northwest Avalanche Center this coming legislative session. I have seen that cuts are being considered for the center that will, if enacted, lead to the eventual closure of the center. The NWAC provides a valuable public service for winter recreationists, scientists, and highway users among many others. They have done a superb job in collecting weather data to predict avalanche hazard across our major highway corridors and popular winter recreation areas. Elimination of the center will most certainly lead to a greater risk for backcountry users in the Cascades. The great public service that the center provides comes at a very reasonable cost I'm sure when compared with other government programs. This is the job of government, to provide public services llike the NWAC. Please support the funding of the NWAC as my representative in the Washinton State Legislature.<br><br>Thank you<br>Jonathan Ambrose

I just sent this to the membership and contacts of NWAC. It is an appeal to call your legislators and key members that we need to target with our phone calls.<br><br>The timing is crucial! You show of support this week could be the deciding factor.<br>

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<br>Dear Winter Adventurer,<br><br>We need your help today to convince the State Legislature and Governor to increase funding for the NW Weather and Avalanche Center. The legislature is currently negotiating the 2006 supplemental budget, and without additional funding, NWAC&#8217;s future is uncertain. Please take five minutes and write, email or call your legislators and the legislative targets below and ask them to increase funding for NWAC.<br><br>The funding and the future operation of NWAC are in jeopardy. NWAC is funded by government agencies, the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association, and the Friends of the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center thanks to your contributions. In recent years, government funds have either remained flat or declined. Combined with slowly increasing salary and equipment costs, this has placed the Center in a $35,000 budget hole this year. If this hole is not filled, NWAC will cease operating a month early. Center Director, Mark Moore, is estimating a $70,000 budget shortfall next year. If that budget gap is not plugged, the Center could cease operating next season. <br><br>You can help! Contact your legislators today (locate them here if you do not know how to contact your legislators). Also take an extra moment to contact the target offices listed below. Thank you for taking the time. For more information see the Background section below.<br><br>TALKING POINTS<br>-&gt;Please increase the funding for NWAC. Funding this agency is vital to public safety. 35k is needed this year and 70k is needed next year.<br>-&gt;Without an increase in funding, NWAC will close early this year and potentially for good. <br>-&gt;Closing NWAC puts the public at risk.<br>-&gt;Avalanche fatalities in Washington are far greater than those due to any other natural disaster related cause. <br><br>LEGISLATIVE TARGETS:<br><br>Senator Ken Jacobsen<br>102 Modular Building 1<br>PO Box 40446<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0446<br>(360) 786-7690<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Senator Margarita Prentice<br>113 Modular Building 1<br>PO Box 40411<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0411<br>(360) 786-7616<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Senator Mary Margaret Haugen<br>407 Legislative Building<br>PO Box 40410<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0410<br>(360) 786-7670<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Rep. Helen Sommers<br>204 John L. O'Brien Building<br>PO Box 40600<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0600<br>(360) 786-7814<br><br>Rep. Bill Fromhold<br>239 John L. O'Brien Building<br>PO Box 40600<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0600<br>(360) 786-7924<br><br>Senator Phil Rockefeller<br>110 Modular Building 1<br>PO Box 40423<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0423<br>(360) 786-7644<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Senator Jeanne Kohl-Welles<br>103 Joel M. Pritchard Building<br>PO Box 40436<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0436<br>(360) 786-7608<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Senator Marilyn Rasmussen<br>409 Legislative Building<br>PO Box 40402<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0402<br>(360) 786-7602<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Senator Dale Brandland<br>203 Irv Newhouse Building<br>PO Box 40442<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0442<br>(360) 786-7682<br>Fax: (360) 786-1999<br><br>Governor Christine Gregoire <br>Office of the Governor<br>PO Box 40002<br>Olympia, WA 98504-0002<br>(360) 902-411 <br><br>BACKGROUND<br>The NWAC now manages a comprehensive mountain data network comprised of over 40 remote weather stations and sub-stations that automatically give forecasters a variety of hourly weather data via phone, VHF, spread spectrum radio, satellite and meteor backscatter telemetry. <br><br>Despite the large aerial expansion and greatly increased services offered over the past 30 years of operation (the Center celebrated its 30th Anniversary on December 6, 2005), staffing of the Center has remained constant at three full-time forecasters from approximately October-June. And although the annual cost of the program is currently about $265,000, the value of the program (including in-kind support and contributed services) to all cooperators is now estimated at nearly $450,000. In this time of promoting partnerships and trying to stretch governmental dollars to the maximum, there are very few federal programs that do so much with so little. <br><br>Unfortunately, despite an annual federally mandated salary increase, recent cooperator contributions at both the state and federal levels have remained flat or have declined. As budget projections for future winter operations indicate, NWAC faces increasing shortfalls from 2006-2008 with deficits reaching ~$35,000 for FY 06 and $60-70,000 in FY07 and 08. Such funding shortages will result in either severe reductions in services or potential closure. With annual avalanche fatalities in Washington greater than those due to any other natural disaster related cause, and fatalities nationwide averaging almost 30/year, such reductions or a closure would have significant negative impacts on public safety.<br><br><br><br><br>

Donation to the friends of NWAC getting out.<br><br>Who can write to a rep? I have no voting rights in this country, can I still try to influcence them?<br><br>drC

Dr. Crash (and others lurking with the same ?)- <br><br>Please do not let your lack of voting rights, or lack of a residence keep you from taking the time to call or send an e-mail to the representatives listed in the most recent post by mfaoro. ANYONE has the right to make contact with the legislators who are there to serve US.<br><br>The reality of the situation in Olympia right now is that the final deal-making on this budget is happening now, and WILL be completed in time for the session to end on March 9th. Most of it after hours in the bars of Olympia. Between now and then is when the deal-making will occur that can ensure that the NWAC is adequately funded. We just have to make sure that enough of these folks have NWAC funding on their list of items to try to secure before the gavel falls next week.<br><br>For this reason, contacting the folks listed in mfaoro's latest e-mail alert is better than simply contacting the legislators that serve the area where you reside. These are the apparent deal brokers at this point in the process.<br><br>We really can make a difference in NWAC funding through our collective actions, so please do whatever you can (e-mail, phone, etc.) to help ensure that we all benefit from the great service provided by the NWAC.<br><br>Thanks to all who have already made contacts. If you have the time, consider sending a second round of support for this funding. It's our money they are spending - let's benefit from it!<br><br>J.P.

For those without time to compose and send an e-mail, consider programing the following number in your phone before you leave for work/ school/ or your tour this morning and send a message to at least one of the names posted above by mfaoro. <br><br>You may send a brief message through the in-state toll-free Hotline number: 800.562.6000<br><br>More info at www1.leg.wa.gov

J.P.