F&W biologist charged with ethics violations
Lou Marzeles
News Editor
A biologist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (Fish and Wildlife) has been charged with significant ethics violations—many of them impacting Klickitat County——by the Washington State Executive Ethics Board (Board).
In a 13-page board determination filed March 10, the Board charged William Weiler, a habitat biologist at Fish and Wildlife, with using his position to promise special treatment to wind energy companies in exchange for donations to a non-profit organization he founded and led. The complaint further cites Weiler with conflict of interest with his role as president of a non-profit organization and with using his state computer inappropriately.
Weiler is the founder and president of the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute (CGEI). CGEI is a non-profit environmental organization based in Hood River. Weiler did not disclose his relationship with CGEI to Fish and Wildlife. As a Fish and Wildlife biologist, Weiler was in regular contact with wind farms in Klickitat County.
The Board contacted the State Auditor’s Office and obtained assistance in seizing and running a full forensic analysis on Weiler’s computer. The analysis showed that over a period of 80 work days, Weiler used his state-owned computer to visit 711 social networking sites, 641 news and sports sites, 118 banking sites, and had 8,060 non-work related emails. He also used his Fish and Wildlife computer to write and market a series of promotional materials for his non-profit, create and market religious writings regarding the Baha’i faith, write and send requests for grants and state and federal funds for his non-profit, and write and sell articles to environmental magazines.
“This investigation found evidence that substantiated the following alleged violations,” the determination states, following with, “conflict of interest when he worked with power companies to develop wind turbine mitigation plans that would benefit his outside non-profit agency’s interests; financial interest in a transaction with the state when he endorsed and submitted grants on behalf of his non-profit organization to [Fish and Wildlife]; special privileges when he used his position and knowledge of the projects to avail his non-profit organization of grant monies and to be the administrator of state funds without giving other environmental groups the ability to vie for these funds; inappropriate use of state resources when used his state computer for producing or editing correspondence for non-state entities; drafting and editing books for sale; corresponding with individuals regarding non-state business; managing an outside organization; and using the internet for non state business.”
The complaint says Weiler was trying to find projects for wind companies that would benefit his organization, steering projects out of county and away from where wind turbines were being erected.
“According to the Klickitat County Planning Department,” the complaint says, “when energy companies were working to complete their environmental impact statements (EIS) on the proposed sites, they would contact [Fish and Wildlife], specifically Mr. Weiler, who was the Regional Habitat Biologist for that area, to learn about possible impacts. Armed with knowledge for these proposed wind farms, Mr. Weiler would work with these companies to develop mitigation projects that would further the agenda of his non-profit organization, CGEI.
Evidence indicates that Mr. Weiler negotiated with energy companies whereby the energy companies would fund the publication of CGEI’s educational programs in return for his support of their project.” The determination says Weiler proposed projects even when they were completely contrary to the county’s needs, for sake of moving money in his company’s direction. “According to the county planners,” the complaint states, “mitigation projects or money is usually made to the affected county. However, due to Mr. Weiler’s position, he had prior knowledge of proposed wind farms and their impact on the habitat. He then worked with the energy companies, usually unbeknownst to the county, to convince the energy company to propose the mitigation projects he wanted in exchange for Fish and Wildlife’s support for the wind farm project.”
The two most serious instances of this occurred when Weiler had Fish and Wildlife use CGEI to manage monies received from energy companies to fund a ferruginous hawk (raptor) study and to fund educational material for CGEI. Two checks made payable to CGEI were sent from Windy Point Partners to the non-profit, one for $16,000 on March 16, 2007, and one for $14,000 on April 13, 2007.
More recently, Windy Point Partners proposed a wind farm in Klickitat County in January of this year and submitted a conceptual wetland and stream mitigation plan for it. Normally such plans are supposed to be done in or near the areas that would be affected. In this case, Windy Point proposed two alternatives for off-site mitigation, through persuasion from and cooperation with Weiler, rather than through the county. Weiler convinced Windy Point that this would be appropriate. The alternative sites were ones that would directly benefit Weiler’s organization.
Search and Rescue finds body of WS man
At approximately 8 p.m. last Wednesday, the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office received a report that an 18-year-old White Salmon resident, Brandon Phelps, had failed to arrive at a scheduled appointment. Phelps’ description and that of his vehicle was provided to local law enforcement to attempt to locate him.
Within a couple of hours the Phelps’ locked vehicle was located in the Condit Dam/Northwestern Lakes area. An initial search in the area proved unsuccessful and Phelps was not located. Shortly after midnight, the Klickitat County Search and Rescue was activated.
Phelps’ body was located by search volunteers along the White Salmon River at about 8:25 p.m. last Thursday. The area was sealed from public access and Sheriff Investigators along with a Deputy Coroner responded to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation.
No cause of death is presently speculated.
Seventeen volunteers responded to initiate an on-scene search. Among the searchers were two man-trackers, one from Klickitat County and one from Wasco County in Oregon. A field team from the White Salmon fire department brought in a handheld thermal imaging camera. The search team also included a white-water rescue team in kayaks searching along the banks of the White Salmon River.
Homecoming meeting comments favor tradition
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
If the size of the crowd was an indication of level of interest about the Goldendale High School Homecoming policy, most people seem to be disinterested. About a dozen people showed up in the high school gym to voice their opinions on Homecoming and the changes that have been made in the program over the past two years.
One person spoke in favor of the changes which open up the Homecoming court to other students, not just football players. Logan Humphreys said the change which switched funding from the football team to ASB and the fact volleyball also plays at the same time and has no reserved spots on the court are arguments that have him in agreement with the changes.
All other comments were against the change and in favor of preserving tradition. “I’m appalled at how one student body could change tradition,” said Chad Ross. Ross argued that the homecoming tradition was in part responsible for some students turning out for football and, indeed, staying in school.
Other comments stressed the importance of the event for alumni and the community. “It’s a valued community tradition,” said Denise Ross. She went on to stress the tie to football. “People come home for the game, not the coronation.” Chris Twohy pointed out that it is the one event that celebrates football. “There are no banners [in the gym] recognizing football.”
Other aspects of the tradition have also been lost, said Tanya Gaston. She recalled that the classes used to have a parade and show downtown and had memories of an annual bon fire. “It [the tradition] is already dwindling,” said Gaston.
Those present seemed to agree that some other types of celebrations need to be created for students in other sports and non-sport students; they just want Homecoming to celebrate the football team. Several also pointed out that Homecoming is not just for the current students, but past students feel the connection and that connection by parents and grandparents is something the school needs. Dave Telford expressed the concern that perhaps the student leadership wasn’t fully aware the importance of the tradition. “All students need to understand it is more complex than it appears,” said Telford.
The ball now is in Superintendent Mark Heid’s hands. Heid began the evening by explaining he would be the sole arbiter of the issue. Heid said he wanted to shield his principal, the ASB and the school board from having to make the controversial decision. He said he had received several letters on the issue and encouraged more of the public to contact him either directly or in writing. He said he will make a decision after spring break.
Heid was confident that good weather and conflicts were the cause of the low turnout. He believes the community cares about the issue and he wants to hear their voices.
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