MEETING MINUTES
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP
November 5-6, 2004
Campbell's Resort and Conference Center
104 West Woodin Avenue
Chelan, Washington

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5:

Chair Roehl called the workshop to order at 1:03 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

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

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:
Jim Lux provided a status report on the Department's budget.

BUDGET PRIORITIES:
At the request of the Office of Financial Management (OFM), the Commission discussed and considered approving a priority order for the Department's 2005 budget request items that were approved by the Commission in August 2004 and submitted to OFM.

The Commission postponed action to Saturday, November 6, 2004.

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

SUSTAINABILITY -- BRIEFING:
Scott Loerts and Nicole Ricketts briefed the Commission on efforts to modify business practices and move toward long-term sustainability goals identified in the 2004 WDFW Sustainability Plan.

CANADIAN-ORIGIN SPORT FISH LANDINGS -- RULE ACTION:
Evan Jacoby presented proposed housekeeping amendments to WAC 220-56-156, Landing Canadian origin food fish and shellfish, which would address a Whatcom County District Court finding.

No oral testimony on the proposed amendments was received during the workshop.

Commissioner Hunter moved, seconded by Commissioner Shiosaki, to continue the public hearing and consideration to the Commission's December 3-4, 2004, meeting in Ocean Shores. The motion carried unanimously.

INTEGRATION OF HYDRAULICS AND FOREST PRACTICES PERMITS ON NONFISH BEARING STREAMS -- RULE ACTION:
John Mankowski and Jane Banyard presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 220-110-035, Miscellaneous hydraulic projects -- Permit requirements and exemptions, which would integrate hydraulics and forest practices permits for nonfish bearing streams.

Three individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed amendments during the workshop.

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Hunter, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 220-110-035, Miscellaneous hydraulic projects -- Permit requirements and exemptions, with an effective date of June 1, 2005. The motion to approve the amendments carried unanimously.

POSSESSION OF WILDLIFE OFF-RESERVATION -- RULE ACTION:
Dick Stone presented for repeal WAC 232-12-224, Possession of wildlife off an Indian reservation legally possessed on reservation. The Commission was briefed on the proposal at its October 1-2, 2004, Workshop.

No oral testimony was received during this portion of the workshop.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Ozment, to repeal WAC 232-12-224, Possession of wildlife off an Indian reservation legally possessed on reservation. The motion carried unanimously.

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

Chair Roehl recessed the workshop at 5:10 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6:

Chair Roehl called the workshop back to order at 9:02 a.m.

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

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS:

The motion to approve the land transaction carried unanimously.

2004 WILDFIRES ON DEPARTMENT LANDS -- BRIEFING:
Dan Budd and Beau Patterson briefed the Commission on the extent of wildfire damage to WDFW lands during the 2004 fire season, and on wildlife winter feeding needs related to the loss of forage.

CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP) AND NATIVE SHRUBSTEPPE WILDLIFE HABITAT -- BRIEFING:
Mike Schroeder briefed the Commission on the CRP and efforts to restore habitat that may be used by grassland and shrubsteppe wildlife in the Columbia River Basin.

COASTAL DUGENESS CRAB FISHERY UPDATE -- BRIEFING:
Phil Anderson and Heather Reed briefed the Commission on the status of changes and actions within the coastal Dungeness crab fishery.

LANDING CANADIAN-CAUGHT SALMON INTO WASHINGTON -- BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Pat Pattillo provided a briefing on developing rule proposals or options that would allow, in some form and circumstances, landings of recreationally caught salmon from Canadian waters into Washington state. The Commission may consider adopting permanent rule amendments at its February 4-5, 2005, meeting in Olympia.

2005-2006 SPORT FISH RULE PROPOSALS -- BRIEFING and PUBLIC HEARING:
Ross Fuller and Pat Michael briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to sport fish regulations for the 2005-2006 rule cycle. The Commission will consider final adoption of rule amendments at its February 4-5, 2005, meeting in Olympia. No further public testimony will be accepted at that meeting.

Two individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed amendments during the workshop.

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

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Hunter, to support the work done by Department staff on prioritization of the 2005-07 operating budget request, and the 2005 request legislation. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Roehl was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

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

Chair Roehl adjourned the workshop at 1:07 p.m.

These minutes, plus the audio recording, constitute the full minutes.

MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE NOVEMBER 5-6, 2004
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP, RICHLAND

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

Commissioners in Attendance:
Will Roehl, Chair
Ron Ozment, Vice Chair
John A. Hunter
Holly Ledgerwood
Lisa Pelly
J. Pete Schroeder
Fred Shiosaki
Bob Tuck