1. CALL TO ORDER
Approval of Minutes: Feb. 4-5, 2005, Meeting (Commission)
Commissioners' Discussion
Director's Report (Jeff Koenings)
Budget Update (Jim Lux, Asst. Director)
Legislative Update (Tom Davis, Leg. Liaison)

2. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The public is encouraged to share views of Department programs and topics of concern during this portion of the meeting.

3. GOLD AND FISH PAMPHLET UPDATE -- BRIEFING:
Department staff will brief the Commission on the status of issues associated with the Department's "Gold and Fish" pamphlet, which contains Hydraulic Code rules and regulations specific to mineral prospecting and placer mining in Washington state.

Staff Report:
Gayle Kreitman, Regulatory Services Section Manager, Habitat Program

4. 2005 DIRECTOR GOALS -- DISCUSSION:
The Commission and Department staff will review the 2004 WDFW Director Goals and discuss updates for 2005.

5. WOLF MANAGEMENT IN WASHINGTON STATE - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff and representatives from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Department of Agriculture will brief the Commission on the status of wolf recovery and management in the state of Washington.

Staff Report:
Harriet Allen, Threatened and Endangered Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program

6. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS -- DECISION:
The Commission will consider approval of proposed land transactions.

Staff Report:
Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program

7. HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM UPDATE - BRIEFING:
Department staff will provide the Commission with an update on the progress of respondingto the USFWS' January 2003 review of the program, along with a brief overview on the history of hunter education in Washington.

Staff Report:
Mik Mikitik, Hunter Education Coordinator, Enforcement Program

8. DISPOSAL OF HIDES - BRIEFING:
Department staff will brief the Commission on a proposal to reduce wastage of hides taken under depredation permits. The plan would reduce the Department's handling and storage costs and allow interested parties access to competitively acquire the hides.

Staff Report:
Sean Carrell, Statewide Problem Wildlife Coordinator, Enforcement Program

9. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The public is encouraged to share views of Department programs and topics of concern during this portion of the meeting.

10. COMMISSION HANDBOOK UPDATE - WORK SESSION:
The Commission and Commission Office staff will review components of the Commission Handbook on operations and procedures and discuss updates.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i),, the Commission will meet in Executive Session to discuss the performance of and future expectations for a public employee or employees. No action will be taken during executive session. The public is not permitted to attend the executive session; however, the Commission will reconvene in public session to consider action, if necessary.

RECESS

12. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110 (1)(i),, the Commission will meet in Executive Session to discuss the performance of and future expectations for a public employee or employees. No action will be taken during executive session. The public is not permitted to attend the executive session; however, the Commission will reconvene in public session to consider action, if necessary.

13. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The public is encouraged to share views of Department programs and topics of concern during this portion of the meeting.

14. RECREATIONAL CRAB RULE PROPOSALS -- BRIEFING:
Department staff will brief the Commission on proposed rule amendments to meet the Commission Policy Decision C-3609 - Puget Sound Crab Fishery. The Commission will consider permanent rule amendments and receive public testimony at a special meeting to be held on May 14, 2005, in Tumwater, Washington.

Staff Report:
Morris Barker, Ph.D., State Marine Resource Manager, Fish Program

15. SALE OF WILD SHELLFISH -- RULE ACTION:
The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rule proposals that would establish a trial fishery license for aquatic farmers that harvest wild embedded shellfish on private property, and to provide harvest accountability for purposes of better understanding wild shellfish populations:

Amendments:
- WAC 220-52-018, Clams--Gear; and WAC 220-52-020, Clams--Commercial harvest;
New Sections:
- WAC 220-88D-010, Emerging commercial fishery--Commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster shellfish fishery on nonstate tidelands and belands;
- WAC 220-88D-020, Designation of the commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster harvest on nonstate lands as an emerging commercial fishery;
- WAC 220-88D-030, Eligibility to participate in the nonstate lands commercial wild clams, mussels, and oyster shellfish fishery; and
- WAC 220-88D-040, Nonstate lands commercial wild clams, mussels, and oysters--Application requirements--Survey and notification requirements--Incidental take prohibited.

At its February 4-5, 2005, meeting in Olympia, the Commission continued the public hearing and rule action on the above item to this meeting to provide time for additional stakeholder involvement.

Staff Report:
Evan Jacoby, Fisheries Administrative and Criminal Law Specialist, Enforcement Program; and
Lisa Veneroso, Shellfish Policy Lead, Intergovernmental Resource Management

PUBLIC INPUT (Above Item Only)

16. NORTH COAST RECREATIONAL HALIBUT FISHERY -- BRIEFING:
Department staff will brief the Commission on the status of the North Coast (Neah Bay/LaPush) halibut fishery, management objectives, and consistency with Commission policy, and the public process to develop management tools for the short season.

Staff Report:
Phil Anderson, Special Assistant, IRM
Michele Culver, Marine Resource Policy Coordinator, IRM

17. BOUNDARY AGREEMENT WITH MEDICINE CREEK TREATY TRIBES - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will provide a briefing on the inter-local agreement between the Department, County prosecutors, and Medicine Creek Treaty Tribes that established a line relative to the southern boundary of the tribes' hunting area. Tribal governments that are not prt of the agreement will be provided an opportunity to comment.

Staff Report:
Phil Anderson, Special Assistant, IRM

18. NORTH OF FALCON PROCESS REPORT - BRIEFING:
Department staff will provide an overview and status report on the "North of Falcon" fisheries seasons annual planning process.

Staff Report:
Phil Anderson, Special Assistant, IRM

19. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS TO THE DEPARTMENT:
The Commission will review and update the summary list of Commission requests to Department staff and consider new requests.

20. MISCELLANEOUS AND WORKSHOP DEBRIEF
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.

21. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We encourage the public to share views of Department programs and issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

ADJOURN