MEETING MINUTES

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP
November 21-22, 2003
Red Lion Hotel - Hanford House
802 Geroge Washington Way
Richland, Washington

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21:

Chair Roehl called the workshop to order at 9:17 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.

BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Peck provided a status report on the Department's current biennial budget.

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

WATCHABLE WILDLIFE DECAL - BRIEFING:
Frank Hawley and Evan Jacoby briefed the Commission on WAC 220-20-115, Watchable wildlife program, which would implement the Watchable Wildlife Decal established by SSB 5204. The Commission will consider adopting a permanent rule at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS:
Dan Budd presented two proposed land transactions for the Commission's consideration and approval.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Cahill, to approve the following land transactions:

The motion to approve the land transactions carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Tuck was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

COMMERCIAL LEASING OF WDFW LAND FOR OIL, GAS, AND WIND POWER - BRIEFING:
Mark Quinn and Jeff Tayer and Bob Suda (Washington Department of Natural Resources) briefed the Commission on the potential for commercial leasing of WDFW land for oil and gas exploration and wind-power development. The Department requested approval to proceed with development of a wind-power lease package which, when completed, would be brought to the Commission for approval.

Commissioner Van Gytenbeek moved, seconded by Commissioner Hunter, to direct the Department to proceed with the development of a lease package for potential wind-power development on WDFW property in Kittitas County and to develop a set of conditional requirements to guide DNR leasing of WDFW-nominated lands for oil and gas exploration. After completion, the Department will bring the package to the Commission for approval.
The motion carried.
(Commissioner Tuck was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

WILDLIFE AREA OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ENHANCEMENT FUNDING - UPDATE:
Mark Quinn updated the Commission on the budget enhancement received for operation and maintenance activities on Department Wildlife Areas.

RELIEF FROM ACTIVE DUTY PAYMENT PROCEDURE FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE OFFICERS - RULE BRIEFING:
Bruce Bjork and Evan Jacoby briefed the Commission on WAC 220-20-110, Fish and wildlife enforcement officer relief from active duty procedure, the process by which the Department needs to follow in order to relieve an officer from active duty. The Commission will consider adopting a permanent rule at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

PROPOSED TRAPPING POLICY DIRECTION - BRIEFING:
Bruce Bjork briefed the Commission on possible policy changes to include in the Commission's Report to Governor Locke as requested in Governor Locke's veto message on SSB 5179, a bill relating to body-gripping traps.

NUISANCE WILDLIFE CONTROL OPERATORS - RULE BRIEFING:
Bruce Bjork briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 232-12-086, Director or his designee is empowered to enter agreements to control nuisance or problem wildlife, for administering and managing nuisance wildlife control operator certification. The Commission will consider final action on the amendments at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

COOPERATIVE COMPLIANCE AND REVIEW PROGRAM (CCRP) - UPDATE:
Dave Karl and Bruce Bjork updated the Commission on the progress of the CCRP program during the past year.

HYDRAULIC PROJECT APPROVALS (HPA) - UPDATE:
At the request of the Commission, Greg Hueckel updated the Commission on the progress of the implementation of the HPA Task Force recommendations.

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

The Commission went into Executive Session to discuss the performance and salary of a public employee.

Chair Roehl called the workshop back to order at 5:00 p.m.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Cahill, to increase the Commission Executive Assistant's salary by 6 percent retroactive to October 24, 2003.
The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Tuck was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

Chair Roehl recessed the workshop at 5:05 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22:

Chair Roehl called the meeting back to order at 8:05 a.m.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
One individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern was received during this portion of the workshop.

2004-2005 SPORTFISH RULE PROPOSALS - BRIEFING:
Ross Fuller, Bob Gibbons, Morris Barker, and Pat Michael briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to the sportfish regulations for the 2004-2005 rule cycle. The Commission will take public testimony at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend, and will consider final adoption of rules at its February 6-7, 2004, meeting in Olympia.

SALMONSCAPE - INTERNET ACCESS TO DEPARTMENT SALMON DATA - BRIEFING:
Marnie Tyler briefed the Commission and provided a demonstration of the SalmonScape online application which provides the public with easy access to Department data relevant to salmon recovery.

BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT - BRIEFING:
Scott Smith briefed the Commission on the status of the Department's ballast management program and the Ballast Water Work Group report.

SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS TO THE DEPARTMENT:
The Commission review and updated the Summary of Commission Requests to the Department.

AMENDMENTS TO VOLUNTEER COOPERATIVE PROGRAM RULES - BRIEFING:
Deputy Director Peck briefed the Commission on proposed rule amendments to establish one annual open application period per year, during which the public may apply for ALEA Grant funds administered by the Department, and to allow volunteer groups more time to use funds generated from the authorized sale of surplus salmon carcasses and eggs. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rule amendments at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

AMENDMENTS TO INFESTED WATERS AND NONNATIVE SPECIES CLASSIFICATION LISTS UPDATE - RULE BRIEFING:
Scott Smith briefed the Commission on proposed rule amendments to classify additional nonnative animal species as prohibited species, and add to the list of infested waters. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rule amendments at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

AMENDMENTS TO THE OYSTER RESERVE SALE NOTICE PUBLICATION - RULE BRIEFING:
Morris Barker briefed the Commission on proposed rule amendments to WAC 220-60-010, Publishing notice of sale, which would change the publishing requirement for oyster reserve invitation-to-bid notices. The Commission will consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its December 5-6, 2003, meeting in Port Townsend.

MISCELLANEOUS AND WORKSHOP DEBRIEF:
The Commission discussed items that arose immediately before or during the workshop but after the agenda was published.

Commissioner Cahill moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to request the Department to bring to the Commission the proposal from People for Puget Sound, Seattle Aquarium, and Seattle Parks Commission for Marine Protected Areas on Seattle's shoreline. The Department is to include WACs and public testimony is to be taken. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

Commissioner Hunter moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to request the Department provide a report documenting potential (or lack of) for opening fisheries on the Wenatchee and Entiat Rivers. The report is to put forth a process for achieving opening of rivers. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

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

Chair Roehl adjourned the workshop at 1:39 p.m.

MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE NOVEMBER 21-22, 2003
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP, RICHLAND

* Commissioner Tuck was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.

Commissioners in Attendance:
Will Roehl, Chair
Ron Ozment, Vice Chair
Russ Cahill
John A. Hunter
Lisa Pelly
Fred Shiosaki
Bob Tuck
Van Van Gytenbeek