Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Minutes
WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
MEETING
June 1-2, 2007

Mirabeau Park Hotel & Convention Center
1100 North Sullivan Road
Spokane Valley, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission Department (continued)
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair John Whalen
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair Kevin Robinette
Ken Chew Officer Lenny Hahn
Gary Douvia Jon Anderson
Conrad Mahnken Dennis Beich
Chuck Perry Gary Larson
Will Roehl Bill Frymire, AGO
Fred Shiosaki Capt. Chris Anderson
Shirley Solomon Sgt. Dan Rahn
Other Department Staff
Commission Staff:
Susan Yeager
Nancy Burkhart Public
Jim Pearson, CWSCI
Scott Fink
Department Dale Magart
Jeff Koenings, Director B.J. Thorniley, WA for Wildlfie Conservation; WEA State Trappers Assn.
Larry Peck, Deputy Director Tony Delgado, Stevens County Commissioner
Guy Norman Dan Bell, Stevens County Fish/Wildlife Advisory Committee
Steve Pozzanghera Kelly White
Lenore Miller Roger Reynolds
Heather Bartlett Robert L. Heath
Dan Budd Dick Odell
Mark Quinn Deb Pittack, E.C.O. Foundation
Dale Swedberg Fred Zitterkopf
Cindi Confer Ralph Engel
Don Kraege
Sean Carrell
Capt. Mike Whorton

FRIDAY, JUNE 1:

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon: Commissioners and Department staff toured the Sprague Lake area and discussed rehabilitation efforts.

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Commission immediately went into Executive Session to discuss the performance of and future expectations for a public employee or employees, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). No action took place during the Executive Session, and the public was not permitted to attend.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
Five individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of the:

- January 12-13, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- February 2-3, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- March 9-10, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- March 23, 2007, Commission Conference Call;
- April 6-7, 2007, Commission Meeting; and
- April 20, 2007, Commission Conference Call
as proposed and with an amendment to correct a typographical error in the March 9-10, 2007, minutes. The motion carried unanimously.

COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Koenings reviewed significant Department issues and activities.

PERFORMANCE AND ACCOUNTABLITY UPDATE:
Deputy Director Peck and Steve Pozzanghera updated the Commission on the Department's performance and accountability process.

BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Peck provided an update on the Department's budget.

CAPITAL PROGRAM ACTION PLAN UPDATE:
Lenore Miller updated the commission on the Capital Program Action Plan.

ALIGNING HABITAT, HYDROPOWER, HARVEST, AND HATCHERIES IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER - BRIEFING:
Guy Norman and Heather Bartlett briefed the Commission on Columbia River hatchery production, harvest management, and conservation needs for the future.

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS - DECISION:
Dan Budd presented for approval various proposed land transactions.

No oral testimony on the proposed land transactions was received during the meeting.

Commissioner Solomon moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the following land transactions:

- Acquisition of the 19.21-acre Serka property in Okanogan County for $300,000;
- Acquisition of the 264.06-acre Riise property in Okanogan County for $2,124,430;
- Acquisition of the 3,337-acre Elder property in Okanogan County for $3,000,000;
- Grant of road easement and permit in Clallam County to the National Park Service for $42,170; and
- Approval of exchange of easements with private landowner near Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County.
The motion carried unanimously.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
No oral testimony on issues of concern was received during this portion of the meeting.

Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting at 5:34 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2:

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting back to order at 8:32 a.m.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
Six individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

PUBLIC CONDUCT IN WILDLIFE AREAS AND ACCESS SITES OWNED OR CONTROLLED BY THE DEPARTMENT - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Mark Quinn, Dale Swedberg, and Cindi Confer briefed the Commission on the development of new rules (Chapter 232-13) that would ensure the proper use of Department lands, protect fish and wildlife resources, and ensure public safety.

Based on additional public comment received and the need for further review, staff recommended continuing the formal rule proposal presentation and oral public hearing to the August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes, with final consideration at the October 12-13, 2007, Commission meeting in Olympia.

Three individuals provided oral testimony on the rule proposals during the meeting.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to continue the oral public hearing for these WACs from today, June 2, 2007, to the August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes. Also, the date of Commission-intended action on these rules is changed from the August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting to the October 12-13, 2007, Commission meeting in Olympia. The motion carried unanimously.

NORTH POTHOLES GAME RESERVE - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Don Kraege briefed the Commission on proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-16-600, North Potholes Game Reserve, which would restrict public access to the North Potholes Game Reserve to protect colonial nesting species and migrating waterfowl habitats. The Commission will consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes.

Two individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed rule amendments during the meeting.

FIR ISLAND FARM GAME RESERVE - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Don Kraege briefed the Commission on proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-16-780, Fir Island Farm Game Reserve, which would permanently modify the reserve boundary to improve hunter ethics and reduce snow goose wounding losses. The Commission will consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes.

One individual provided oral testimony on the proposed rule amendments during the meeting.

WATERFOWL REGULATIONS, USE OF DECOYS AND CALLS - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Don Kraege briefed the Commission on proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-12-257, Use of decoys and calls, which would bring the rule in line with other wildlife area rules currently under considerations. The Commission will consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes.

Two individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed rule amendments during the meeting.

PUBLIC SAFETY COUGAR REMOVALS - BRIEFING:
Sean Carrell and Steve Pozzanghera briefed the Commission on results from the 2006-2007 season for public safety cougar removals with the aid of dogs.

SPECIAL TRAPPING PERMITS - BRIEFING:
Sean Carrell provided the Commission with a report on special trapping permits that authorize the use of body-gripping traps.

DEER AND ELK DAMAGE CLAIMS - BRIEFING:
Sean Carrell briefed the Commission on deer and elk damage claims and methods to reduce damage.

TAGGING REQUIREMENTS, HOUSEKEEPING CHANGE - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Captain Mike Whorton briefed the Commission on proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-12-061, Tagging requirements, which would clarify that the tagging requirement applies to all big game animals and turkeys, including black bear and cougar. The Commission will consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes.

No oral testimony on the proposed rule amendments was received during the meeting.

COMMISSION POLICY DOCUMENT:
Commissioners reviewed and discussed possible changes to the 1996 Policy Document, which describes the role of the Commission in developing policy.

COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Commissioners discussed activities of the various Commission committees.

SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS:
Commissioners reviewed the current list of Commission Requests to the Department.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
No oral testimony on issues of concerning was received during this portion of the meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
Commissioners discussed items that arose immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda was published.

Commissioner Shiosaki announced his retirement from the Commission effective July 31, 2007.

Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 2:23 p.m.





MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE JUNE 1-2, 2007
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, SPOKANE VALLEY



Approval of Minutes

- Motion by Wecker, second by Perry, to approve the minutes of the:

- January 12-13, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- February 2-3, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- March 9-10, 2007, Commission Meeting;
- March 23, 2007, Commission Conference Call;
- April 6-7, 2007, Commission Meeting; and
- April 20, 2007, Commission Conference Call
as proposed and with an amendment to correct a typographical error in the March 9-10, 2007, minutes. The motion carried unanimously.*
Approval of Land Transactions

- Motion by Solomon, second by Perry, to approve the following land transactions:

- Acquisition of the 19.21-acre Serka property in Okanogan County for $300,000;
- Acquisition of the 264.06-acre Riise property in Okanogan County for $2,124,430;
- Acquisition of the 3,337-acre Elder property in Okanogan County for $3,000,000;
- Grant of road easement and permit in Clallam County to the National Park Service for $42,170; and
- Approval of exchange of easements with private landowner near Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County.
The motion carried unanimously.
Public Conduct in Wildlife Areas and Access Sites Owned or Controlled by the Department Rules - Motion by Wecker, second by Perry, to continue the oral public hearing for these WACs from today, June 2, 2007, to the August 3- 4, 2007, Commission meeting in Anacortes. Also, the date of Commission-intended action on these rules is changed from the August 3-4, 2007, Commission meeting to the October 12-13, 2007, Commission meeting in Olympia. The motion carried unanimously.






Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Gary Douvia
Conrad Mahnken
Chuck Perry
Will Roehl
Fred Shiosaki
Shirley Solomon

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