Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson moved to reform the oft-described “dysfunctional” Fish and Wildlife Commission by making three appointments, including bringing back a rancher who former Gov. Jay Inslee ousted.

Douglas County cattlewoman Molly Linville, whose term expired at the end of last year and who was not retained by Inslee, was appointed to a new six-year term April 7 by Ferguson.

Ferguson also reappointed retired fisheries manager Jim Anderson and appointed retired teacher Victor Garcia. Garcia will replace Tim Regan, a former executive director of the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission. Conversation groups lobbied for Regan’s reappointment.

Garcia, an Anacortes resident, said he’s a conservationist and hunter. “I do both,” he said. “I don’t see them as mutually exclusive.”

The nine-member commission hires the Department of Fish and Wildlife director and sets policies related to fishing, hunting, conservation, recreation and predator control. In recent years, a majority has sided with environmental groups on issues related to cougars, bears and wolves.

Many observers see the commission as politically polarized, caught up in conflict and dysfunctional, according to a report last year by the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, run by the University of Washington and Washington State University.

Shortly before leaving office, Inslee — who over 12 years had molded the commission with his appointments — nominated Regan for a second term and nominated Ferry County resident Lynn O’Connor to replace Linville. Inslee took no action on Anderson, even though his term also expired at the end of the year.

Ferguson withdrew O’Connor’s and Regan’s nominations and held new rounds of interviews with 14 applicants.

“Molly, Jim and Victor offer deep and varied experience, as well as unique perspectives to the Fish and Wildlife Commission,” Ferguson said in a statement. “The Ruckelshaus report raised serious concerns about the commission, and we believe these individuals will help to address those issues.”

The Washington Cattlemen’s Association will be happy to have Linville back on the commission, the group’s lobbyist, Mark Streuli, said. “We’re very pleased to see the governor’s thoughtful, balanced approach to his appointments to the Fish and Wildlife Commission,” he said. Efforts to reach Linville were unsuccessful.

Anderson, who has been on the commission since 2019, continued serving on the board this year, even though his status was uncertain.

Anderson said he went through two rounds of interviews. “I had pretty good confidence I would get reappointed,” he said. “I’m not a lightning rod.”

Garcia taught biology and other science classes at several school districts. A native of Grays Harbor, he has worked as a biologist and commercial fisherman.

Besides hunting, Garcia said he enjoys being a citizen-scientist surveying spawning salmon.“I have something for everyone to hate,” he joked. “You might describe me as a redneck liberal.”

The Ruckelshaus report inspired a bill to eliminate the commission and allow the governor to appoint the Fish and Wildlife director. The bill didn’t advance this year.

Anderson said the commission has room to improve. “I don’t see a need for great structural governance change, but we need to operate in a smoother manner,” he said.

Mark Pidgeon, president of Hunters Heritage Council, said he was pleased Linville and Anderson will stay on the commission. “Molly has been good for us, and Jim has been good for us,” he said.