The Spokesman-Review from Spokane, Washington • 20

Pag B8 Wednesday, November 15, 1995 The Spokesman-Review The Region Outrage over boys ranch abuse unlikely to stir Legislature Associated Press OLYMPIA Outrage at state mishandling of widespread sexual abuse and beatings at the OK Boys Ranch is giving new energy to an old notion a cabinet-level agency whose sole duty is to protect children. But legislative leaders said Tuesday theyre not about to rush into reorganizing the giant Department of Social and Health Services, which oversees Child Protective Services. And already there are signs such an effort yvill bog down over money and ideology. The department got a tongue-lashing Monday from Attorney General Christine Grcgoire for its failure to address drugs, violence and sex among troubled boys at the group home that was closed last year. Gregoire announced that felony charges of criminal mistreatment were filed against three former top officials of the ranch, operated under contract to the state.

But she said the law was too narrow to be used against DSHS officials, though at least 20 agency employees had knowledge of the abuse between 1988 and 1994. DSHS failed to react to numerous warnings that things were going terribly wrong at the ranch. Even a DSHS internal audit (in 1989), which gave clear and direct warning of terrible problems at the ranch, wasnt enough to end the violence and sex abuse, Gregoire said. She recommended creation of a separate agency charged with protecting children, saying it would make state officials more accountable. Republican House Speaker Clyde Ballard of East Wenatchee and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder of Long Beach said they were appalled at Gregoire 's findings and that the developments were sure to stir lawmakers to action.

They also expressed caution, however, saying any changes must be thoroughly justified and ensure protection for children. Reorganization of DSHS, created in 1970 by former Gov. Dan Evans, has been mulled by both houses for years. Creation of a separate children's agency has long been one of the options considered. Now 1 think there is the will and energy to do it, said Sen.

Kevin Quigley, D-Lake Stevens, who is sponsoring one of a growing number of proposals for reorganization. But he and others anticipate a real struggle over such legislation, and say a big snag will be money. We have social workers whose caseloads, are twice or more what they should be. We need more resources," Quigley said. I think whats going to become apparent; very quickly is the difference between those; who recognize this and those who won't spend a dime if its going to cut into tax break for canola farmers, he said.

Snyder tpicxtioned whether lawmakers' would have enough time to make substantive; changes at DSHS in the 60-day session that; begins in January. Species act needs enough latitude to create habitat, think tank says It could be changed to factor in economics through tax incentives. PonfoDo Kloftfi Two public hearings to receive public testimony will be held at the regular meeting of the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) Board of Directors on Wednesday, November 22, 1995, p.m., in Spokane Transit Authoritys Multipurpose Auditorium (south side, second floor), 1229 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington. At the hearings, interested persons or agencies may submit evidence and recommendations orally or in writing regarding any of the two subjects. Written comments may be sent to the Chairperson, STA Board of Directors, 1230 West Boone Avenue, Spokane, Washington 99201.

1- STA 1996 Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Update and Goals 2. STA 1996-2001 Transit Development Plan The Plan outlines STA goals, objectives, standards, capital improvement program, operating, and financial programs for the years 1996-2001, The Plan: 1) Provides A General Direction For Future Delivery Of Public Transportation) Assigns AGeneral Timeline For Future ImprovementsTo Public ransportation Services; And 3) Assigns General Cost And Revenue Requirements For Future Improvements To The Public Transportation System. Copies of items one and two are available for public inspection beginning Friday, November 3, 1995 at: during their time in the ocean. The federal agencies could maintain their oversight role under a modified act, the report said. The states would gather data to support listings, as well as planning and implementing recovery.

It is worth considering whether more money made available to the states might be more effective and more efficient than building the federal fish and wildlife regulatory bureaucracy, the report said. Rather than waiting for the population of a species to get low enough to worry about extinction, potential problems could be identified and mitigated before the Endangered Species Act is invoked, the report said. If that cannot be done through cooperation, then the sanctions in the law become necessary, the report said. Associated Press LEWISTON The Endangered Species Act cotdd be improved by Osing its existing flexibility and fostering cooperation between government and the public, a University of Idaho think tank says. But the Forest, Wildlife and Range Policy Analysis Groups latest assessment questions whether there is enough latitude in the 23-year-old act to do so.

The solution in most cases is providing adequate habitat. 2 -The debate centers on how we could save species more effectively by potting limited species conservation budget resources where they will do the most good, which implies a mechanism of choice that is currently absent in the ESA, said group director Jay O'Laughlin and research associate Phillip Cook in their report. 'The act requires federal agencies to try to save everything, whatever the cost, the report said, and the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have extended their scope to private land through regulatory powers the U.S. Supreme Court upheld this year.

It could be changed to factor in economics through such means as tax incentives for private landowners who provide habitat, the report said. The responsibility for salmon recovery in the Northwests rivers should be shifted from the fisheries service to the Fish and Wildlife Service, the report said. The fisheries service should oversee the runs only Angler explains remains of fish that drew probe Spokane Transit Authority Administrative Office North Side, Second Floor 1230 West Boone Avenue Spokane, WA 99201 I Copies of these two documents will also be available for public inspection beginning Friday, November 3, 1995, at other locations throughout the STA service area. Please call 325-6000 for details of these locations. Alternative formats of these documents will be produced upon request.

Associated Press The mystery of two chinook salmon and a steclhead found on the Clearwater River hist month has been solved. Neither species can be legally caught from the Clearwater River. After hearing about a news report on the discovery of three carcasses at the Fink House boat ramp, a Clarkston, fisherman realized the fish must be those that he caught legally in Oregon and discarded in a trash container there. Officials at the Idaho Fish and Game Department did not name the angler. The agency has been investigating the incident as a possible violation of the Endangered Species Act.

The fisherman said he caught the two chinook near Tillamook on the Oregon coast and the steclhead on the Deschutes River. 1 Then he drove to Idaho on business and camped at the Pink House site, where he discarded the filleted carcasses. i A raccoon or other animal probably dragged the plastic bag containing the fish out of the trash can and onto the boat ramp, said an investigating officer. Spokane Transit 328-RIDE 'TDD 456-4327 Gays: More efforts predicted NTRODUCING Prince predicted several more years of anti-gay efforts as conservative religious forces continue to press for their various social concerns in the Legislature. When youve got people who say the Bible tells them this is what theyve got to do, thats very difficult to head off," he said.

Theres been more wars and more people killed in the name of God, I hope Im not offending somebody, but that is very true if you go down through the history of man. equal rights, he said afterwards. Thats where I come from. Im not going to pick on anyone. While in the House, Prince voted in favor of a gay rights bill but cautioned against passing it in 1994 for fear of provoking the very initiatives looming now.

The 1994 gay rights bill the 18th proposed by the late gay state Sen. Cal Anderson died in the Senate. Continued from 81 district, he said. "That type of district hasnt moved along as far as some others, and their thinking hasn't changed as much. But thats part of the game.

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