MEETING MINUTES

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
January 11-12, 2008
Red Lion Hotel at the Quay
100 Columbia Street
Vancouver, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Public (continued)
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair	Mike Harris
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair	Don Overby
Ken Chew	Steve Grutbo
Gary Douvia	Buzz Ramsey, NW Sport Fishing Industry
Conrad Mahnken	Steve Fransen
George Orr	John Crocott, Salmon For All
Chuck Perry	Hank Mills, NW Steelheaders
Will Roehl	Jason Kohl
Shirley Solomon	Mike Willger
	Randy Doucet, 3 Rivers Marine
Commission Staff:	Alan Nelson
Susan Yeager	Derek Clare
Nancy Burkhart	Arlene Andreason
	Nathan Burck
	Larry Whalen
Department	Jerry r. Thorp
Jeff Koenings, Director	Brent Wilson, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Phil Anderson, Deputy Director - Resource Policy	Jack Mattice
Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations	Steve Harrison
Guy Norman	Dale Dean
Bill Frymire, AGO	Kent Martin
Dave Brittell	Bruce Buckmaster
Lew Atkins	Les Clark
Bruce Bjork	Heather Bartlett
Mike Cenci	Kenneth P. Campbell
Bill Phillips	roy dowell
Steve Pozzanghera	Pete Morris
Murray Schlenker	George Trott, Wahkiakum County
Dan Ayers	Ryan Bigley, 3 Rivers marine
Craig Bartlett	Russ Fowler
Steven Jefferies	Dave Autrby, Fish First
Jo Wadsworth	Jerry Larson
Brian Calkins	Marshall W. Tarrents
Dean Pyzik	Allen Estes
Eric Holman	John Divittorio, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Lauren Ridenour	Brad Schoenborn, Bob's Sporting Goods
Pat Frazier	Bill Weeks, Mt. St. Helens' Rescue
Ron Warren	Joan Lambert, Fred's Marina
Melani Gonzalez	Michael Stockman
Jim Scott	Louis Porter
Margaret Ainscough	Larry Mann
Bill Joplin	Ed Orcutt
Jim Skalski	Gregg Cowles
Joey McCanna	J. Roy Pickner, Fish First
Gary Wiles	Jack Glass
Kirt Hughes	Richard Erickson, Lower Col. Economic Council
Karen Varshock	Thad Tyler
Sandra Jonker	Jack Kaeding, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Dave Ware	Jim Wells, Salmon For All
Derek Stinson	Mark Stetz
Mick Cope	Bob Schneider, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Rocky Beach	Glen Johnson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Mik Mikitik	Gary Geis, NW Guides & Anglers Assn.
Mike Kuttel	Joe Schwab
John Wisner	Steve Bailey
Heather Bartlett	Peter Roscoe, City of Astoria
Cindy LeFleur	Chris Vertopoulous, NW Angling Experience
Andy Appleby	Jay Daley
Pat Pattillo	Lyle Cabe, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Sara LaBorde	Hank Mills
Other Department staff	Hobe Kytr, Salmon For All
	Vern Dower, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Public	Scott Warter, Fish NW Commission
Steve Wood	Eric Towers
Jeremy Warter, Fish NW Commission	Dennis Pyles
Chris Doumit, Bristol Pacific Fish Co.	Ron Andreason
Tony Kastella, Vancouver Wildlife League	Jack L. Baxter
Todd Dielman, Dielman's NW River Guides	Richard S. Littel
Don Swartz	John Huddleston, Fish first, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Jim Malinowski, Fish First	Steve Leonard, NW Guides and Anglers Assn.
Scott Atkinson	John McKinley
Turner Odell	John Cleary
Larry Passart	Edward L. Barnes
Alex Mattila	Gary L. Johnnson, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Les Greear, Fish First	Clint Muns, Puget Sound Anglers, RFA
Mike Larocco, Fish First	Frances Clark
Bruce Hunter, Fish First	Tom Marinett
Darryl Jones, fish First /Coastal Cons. Assn.	Robert Sudar
Bob Groger, Fisherman's Marine	Francis Estalilla
Richard Williams, Coastal Cons. Assn.	Marshall Allen, Fish First
Steve Fick, Salmon For All	Jesse Mattila
Kevin A. Kuhel	Brian Adams
Ross Logan, NWMP	Bob Suhlecht, Bob's Sporting Goods
Kent Berry, Fish First	Bill Hunsinger, Port of Astoria
Larry Hoehne, NW Steelheaders	Al Jenkins
Paul Mattila	Jim Harmon, SW Washington Anglers
Paul W. Larson, Fish First	Lynda Estes
Larry Swanson, Vancouver Wildlife League	Bryce Divine
Randy Woolsey, NSIA, Coastal Cons. Assn.	Paul Schreiber
Kevin Newell	Bill Leistritz, Fish First
Greg Frogner	Jerrie Munson, Takin' Line Guide Service
Dave Lane	rosie Smith
Jason Matthiessen	Robert Toews
Steve Clark	Richard Potenski, Fish First
Ted Fountain, NW Steelheaders	Bruce Barnes, Mt. St. Helens' Rescue
Marty Keller	Cheryl McKellar, PSA, CCA, LLBC
Mark Pearsall	Tom Effber, Fish First
Desmond Dean	Brandon Glass
Walter Wright	David Goodroe, Lower Col. Economic Council
Stephan Gray	Gene Laddusow, SW Washington Anglers
Roger Stecker	Tom Peacher, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Chuck Halva	Pat Resser
Ron L. Pritchard	Richard Hunt, Wild Steelhead Coalition
Brian Tarabochia	Mike Rythar
Douglas Peacher, Fish First	Scott Landis
Joe Salvey	Mark Cedergreen, WA Charterboat Assn.
Chuck Bryan	Harry Barber, Lower Col. Fish Enhancement Group
Lacey DeWeert	Bob Fehlen, Coastal Cons. Assn.
David Eng, Frank Amato, Inc.	Rick Andersen, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Gary Kish	robert Graf, Coastal cons. Assn.
Bob Rees, NW Guides & Anglers Assn.	Dean Swanson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Barney currigan	Larry Swanson, Vancouver Wildlife League
Dan Porter	John Wisner
Fred Ostling	Bob Holtfretter, AHE Focus Group
James E. Marks	Don Goetschius
Ken Willis	Wendy Gardner
Ken Wirkkala	Polly Dyer, Olympic Coast Alliance
Wayne Ritter	Jessica Walz, Gifforn Pinchot Tack Force
Matthew Clark	Steve Link, WA State Bowhunters Assn.
John Clark	Kent Martin
Keith G. Sakai	Dan Grogan
Brandon McGarran	Matt Olson
Leonard Parson	Bob Morgan, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Al Thomas	Ed Wickersham
Jim Davis, North Cascades Cons. Council	Joe Broz, Coastal Cons. Assn.
John Blankenship, Wolf Working Group	Jim Pearson, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Carl Burke, NSIA-Fish NW	Del Swanson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn.
Julia DeGraw, Gifford Pinchot Task Force	Scott Atkinson
M. Dennis Way, Clark-Skamania fisherman	Ron Vely
John Grocott

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11:

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Roehl, to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2007, Joint Meeting with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The motion carried unanimously.

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

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

CAPITAL PLANNING, LICENSE SYSTEM REVIEW, AND BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr, Bill Joplin, Bill Phillips, and Jim Skalski updated the Commission on capital planning, the license system, and the Department's budget.

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

Matt Olson (Vancouver) - Salmon/steelhead recovery
Harry Barber (Washougal) - Salmon/steelhead conservation
Bob Morgan (Washougal) - Salmon/steelhead conservation
Robert Fehlen (Washougal) - Selective fisheries
Joe Broz (Camas) - Conservation of wild fish
Ed Wickersham (Ridgefield) - Derelict nets; salmon/steelhead conservation
Rick Anderson (Vancouver) - Drelict nets; salmon/steelhead conservation
Scott Atkinson - Small-scale mining

WILDLIFE CLASSIFICATION - RULE ACTION:
Rocky Beach presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-011, Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished, which would down-list the bald eagle from threatened to sensitive in Washington state based on the biological status of the species. The Commission held a public hearing regarding these proposed rules at its December 7-8, 2007, Commission meeting in Port Angeles.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-011, Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.

MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM - RULE ACTION:
Chief Bruce Bjork presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-073, Master hunter program, to address deficiencies in the requirements for certification and penalties for unethical or unlawful behavior by Master Hunters. The Commission held a public hearing regarding these proposed rules at its December 7-8, 2007, Commission meeting in Port Angeles.

Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-073, Master hunter program, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.

MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM OVERVIEW - BRIEFING:
Mik Mikitik and John Wisner briefed the Commission on the status of plans for future development within the Master Hunter Program.

HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Deputy Chief Mike Cenci briefed the Commission on its role in homeland security and responses to natural and man-made disasters.

PRIVATE LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM UPDATE - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Mick Cope and Joe McCanna provided a status update on the Department's Private Lands Access Program.

RAZOR CLAM GROWTH AND MORTALITY STUDY - BRIEFING:
Dan Ayers briefed the Commission on the highly popular recreational razor clam fishery and discussed ongoing work the Department is conducting to better understand razor clam growth and natural mortality.

WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Steve Pozzanghera, Rocky Beach, Virgil Moore (Deputy Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game), Fred Trevey (Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner), and Steve Nadeau (Wolf Coordinator, Idaho Department of Fish and Game) briefed the Commission on the current status of the wolf in Washington state and development of a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.

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

Polly Dyer (Seattle) - Wolves
Kent Martin (Skamokawa) - Commercial fishery and selective harvest
Robert Sudar (Longview) - Columbia River spring/summer chinook
John Blankenship (Tenino) - Wolves
Steve Link (Seattle) - Habitat acquisition; wolves
Jim Davis (Seattle) - Wolves
Wendy Gardner (Portland, OR) - Wolves
Julia DeGraw (Portland, OR) - Wolves

Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting at 5:50 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12:

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting back to order at 8:06 a.m.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concerning during this portion of the meeting:

Tony Kastella (Vancouver) - Hunting access on private lands
Bruce Barnes (Vancouver) - Elk herd feeding; creek restoration; Washougal River
Frances Estalilla (Aberdeen) - North of Falcon fisheries process`
Jack Kaedings (Vancouver) - Selective harvest; ESA-listed fish
Edward L. Barnes (Vancouver) - Mount St. Helens' elk herd
Robert Graf (Selah) - Hunting permits on private lands
Richard Hunt (Everett) - Co-management meeting with tribes in November 2007
Paul Mattila (Battleground) - Chinook salmon

COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING AND SUMMER CHINOOK ALLOCATION POLICIES - BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Cindy LeFleur, Heather Bartlett, and Bill Tweit briefed the Commission on the current Commission Policies C-3615 and C-3616, which expired on December 31, 2007. The Commission will consider the approval of new policies at its February 1-2, 2008, Commission meeting in Olympia.

The following individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed policies:

Kenneth Campbell (Vancouver)
Nathan Burck (Kalama)
Roy Dowell (Washougal)
John Grocott (Ilwaco)
Francis Estalilla (Aberdeen)
Hank Mills (Milwaukie, OR)
Joe Schwab (Columbia City, OR)
Jim Hermon (Vancouver)
Randy Woolsey (Tigard, OR)
Dan Grogan (Vancouver)
Peter Roscoe (Astoria, OR)
Chris Doumit (Cathlamet)
Chris Vertopoulos (Tillamook, OR)
Clint Muns (Shelton)
Buzz Ramsey (Klickitat)
Scott Atkinson (Vancouver)
Dave Lane (Seattle)
Bryce Divine (Longview)
Lacey DeWeert (Woodland)
Bill Hunsinger (Astoria, OR)
Kevin Newell (Woodland)
Don Swartz (Milwaukie, OR)
Steve Grutbo (Portland, OR)
Walter Wright (Cathlamet)
Rayn Bigley (Lynnwood)
Steve Clark (Kenai, AK)
Randy Doucet (Lynnwood)
Rev. Irene Martin (Skamokawa)
Robert Graf (Selah)
Barney Currigan (Portland, OR)
Steve Fransen (Olympia)
John McKinley (Skamokawa)
Bob Rees (Tillamook, OR)
Marty Kuller (Cathlamet)
Gary Kish (Sauvie Island, OR)
Fred Ostling (Cathlamet)
Steve Bailey (Garden Home, OR)
Mark Pearsall (Wilsonville, OR)
Paul Mattila (Battleground)
John Cleary (Portland, OR)
Richard Hunt (Everett)
Steve Fick (Astoria, OR)
Brian Tarabochia (Astoria, OR)
Steve Gray (Seaview)
James Wells (Astoria)
Liz Hamilton (Oregon City, OR)
Joe Salvey (Scappoose, OR)
Carl Burke (Olympia)
Gregg Cowles (Lake Oswego, OR)
Roger Stecker (Longview)
Glen Johnston (Aberdeen)
Cheryl McKellar (Bremerton)
Richard Erickson (Cathlamet)
Brandon Glass (Troutdale, OR)
Jack Glass (Troutdale, OR)
Jason Matthiessen (Tacoma)
Gene Laddusaw (Vancouver)
Ed Orcutt (Kalama)
Kent Martin (Skamokawa)
Jay Daly (St. Helens, OR)
George Trott (Cathlamet)
Bruce Buckmaster (Astoria, OR)
Scott Warter (Tacoma)
Steve Wood (Vancouver)
Jack Baxter (Battleground)
Hobe Kytr (Astoria, OR)
Mike Wullger (Chinook)

NORTH OF FALCON FISHERY - BRIEFING:
Pat Pattillo provided a briefing on the Commission's current North of Falcon Policy (C-3608) which has a termination date of December 31, 2008.

ALL "H" INTEGRATION - BRIEFING:
Sara LaBorde and Andy Appleby briefed the Commission on the coordination of actions among the "H-sectors", Harvest, Hatchery and Habitat (inclusive of hydro), which work together toward the goal of recovering self-sustaining, harvestable salmon runs.

HATCHERY REFORM PROGRESS - BRIEFING:
Jim Scott, Ron Warren, and Sara Laborde briefed the Commission on the status of hatchery reform implementation, including systematic application of scientific principles to help recover and conserve naturally spawning populations and to support sustainable fisheries.

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

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

MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
Commissioner Gutzwiler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission after passage of the Farm Bill. The briefing is to include information on funds available from 2008 Federal Farm Bill for hunter access on private lands and action steps/time frames to secure these funds. Explore all possible avenues for securing funds to achieve: (1) additional support for securing additional access to private lands by the hunting public; (2) increased value of habitat provided by private lands for wildlife; and (3) improved communications and hunting administration between private landowners and the hunting public. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

Commissioner Gutzwiler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission at the June 6-7, 2008, meeting in Ocean Shores. The briefing is to include an expansion of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and conservation activities. Possibilities for collaborating on road use and/or closure policies, recreation access, or other items of mutual interest that further Department's agenda are to be included. Contact state and regional BLM offices, USFWS, and NPS to obtain information per the President's directive to Federal agencies to advance "Hunter Heritage". The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

POLICY DOCUMENT - DECISION:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to adopt the October 25, 2007, Policy Document as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

2008-09 DEPARTMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - DECISION:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to adopt the January 8, 2008 Goals and Objectives for the Department as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

The Department will provide a status report to the Commission at the November 7-8, 2008, or December 5-6, 2008, meeting.

Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.

Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.

Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Gary Douvia
Conrad Mahnken
George Orr
Chuck Perry
Will Roehl