MEETING MINUTES
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP
November 15, 2002
Natural Resources Building
Room 172
1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia, Washington

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15:

Vice Chair Roehl called the workshop to order at 8:35 a.m.

COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest and provided status reports on Commission committees.

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

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

The Commission requested the Department's enforcement staff meet with nuisance control groups to discuss possible solutions to the problem of public who illegally release animals that have been trapped legally.

Commissioner Reynolds suggested adding educational information to the Department's website regarding native and non-native animals, and the problems that can arise when people release trapped animals.

The Commission requested the Department follow-up with Lewis County PUD regarding solutions to the problems associated with fishing at the release dock near the dam on the Upper Cowlitz River.

The Commission requested the Department contact the U.S. Forest Service regarding its litter control program and sign postings in Oregon.

BUDGET UPDATE:
Jim Lux provided a status report on the Department's current biennial budget.

ADVANCED HUNTER EDUCATION -- BRIEFING:
Lembit Ratassepp and Evan Jacoby briefed the Commission on a rule proposal to formally establish an Advanced Hunter Education program and certificate suspension mechanism. The Commission will consider adoption of the rule proposal at its December 6-7, 2002, Commission meeting.

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS:
Dan Budd presented numerous proposed land transactions for Commission consideration of approval.

Commissioner Van Gytenbeek moved, seconded by Commissioner Reynolds, to approve the following land transactions:

- Acquisition of the .20-acre Melick property in Clallam County for $69,000;
- Acquisition of the .50-acre White property in Clallam County for $67,000;
- Acquisition of the 15.78-acre Andrew property in Jefferson County for $243,000;
- Acquisition of the 2.46-acre Pressler property in Clallam County for $35,000; and
- Acceptance of the .23-acre Kerr donation property in Skagit County.

The motion to approve the land transactions carried.

MANAGEMENT STATUS OF KEY GAME SPECIES AND THE THREE-YEAR HUNTING SEASON PACKAGE -- BRIEFING
Jerry Nelson and Donny Martorello briefed the Commission on the population status of key game species and discussed management updates related to the three-year hunting season package.

TURKEY TRANSLOCATION -- BRIEFING:
Mick Cope, Joe McKenna, and Tom McCall briefed the Commission on the Turkey Translocation Program.

WDFW AND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LAND EXCHANGE -- BRIEFING:
Mark Quinn and Robin Estes (Department of Natural Resources) briefed the Commission on DNR's eastside land exchange as it relates to the Department of Fish and Wildlife's recently completed Land Ownership Review.

COOPERATIVE MULE DEER PROJECT; NORTH COLVILLE COUGAR STUDY -- BRIEFING:
Woody Myers briefed the Commission on the Mule Deer Project and on grizzly bears in northeastern Washington. Hugh Robinson (Washington State University graduate student) briefed the Commission on the North Colville Cougar Study.

The Commission requested the Department brief the Commission on the caribou project at a future workshop.

COASTAL POLLOCK FISHERY MANAGEMENT -- BRIEFING:
Phil Anderson and Michele Robinson briefed the Commission on coastal pollock fishery management.

LAKE ROOSEVELT STURGEON -- BRIEFING
John Whalen, at the request of the Commission, briefed the Commission on mortality rates for sturgeon in sport catch-and-release fisheries, and the status of sturgeon in Lake Roosevelt.

2003-2004 SPORTFISH RULE PROPOSALS -- BRIEFING
Bob Gibbons, Morris Barker, and Pat Michael briefed the Commission on the 2003-2004 sportfish rule proposals.

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

The Commission requested that the Fish Committee meet and decide on how to update the Commission on the implementation of the Wild Salmonid Policy.

Vice Chair Roehl adjourned the workshop at 5:38 p.m.

MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE NOVEMBER 15, 2002
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, OLYMPIA

Commissioners in Attendance:
Will Roehl, Vice Chair
Ron Ozment
Lisa Pelly
Dawn Reynolds
Fred Shiosaki
Bob Tuck
Van Van Gytenbeek
Kelly White