All I know is that as part of the deal to sellthe last increase, the PGC created a Habitat Improvement Advisory Committee made up of hunters (most of whom represented groups), legislators and other govt. officials.
Afterthis committee found out that the dedicated habitat funds were being applied against the costs of timbering (even though the PGC had promised not to do that), the committee was summarilydisbanded.
Vern Ross was the Ex. Director and I am not a mindreader; you should ask him about his motivation.
BTW, unlike what you have stated, those operating funds did not decrease -- they were siphoned off and misapplied.