MEETING
MINUTES
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
April 11-12, 2008
Red Lion Hotel
2525 N. 20th Avenue
Pasco, Washington 99301
FRIDAY, APRIL 11 (Asotin Wildlife
Area Tour)
Available Commissioners, Department staff, and public
met in Clarkston and traveled to the Asotin Wildlife
Area for a tour of a pilot grazing project. No official
public input was accepted during the tour.
| ATTENDANCE: |
| Commission |
|
| Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair |
|
| Gary Douvia |
|
| George Orr |
Public |
| Chuck Perry |
Don Johnson |
| Will Roehl |
Linda Horchtly, WSU |
|
Taryn Clark, WSU |
| Department: |
K. Ruether, Advocates for the West |
| Kevin Robinette |
S. Fuchs |
| Dave Woodall |
Sam Ledgerwood |
| John Whalen |
Laura Applegate, WSU |
| Jennifer Quan |
Doug Mattson, Asotin County |
| Tom Schirm |
Jim Sizemore, WA Cattlemen's Assn. |
| Mel Asher |
|
| Glen Mendel |
|
| Jeff Tayer |
|
| John Andrews |
|
| Steve Pozzanghera |
|
| C. Alan Myers |
|
| Jerry Nelson |
|
FRIDAY, APRIL 11: (Regular Meeting)
| ATTENDANCE: |
| Commission |
Public |
| Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair |
Gary Hansen |
| Gary Douvia |
Steve Link |
| George Orr |
Richard Ruff |
| Chuck Perry |
Jim Pearson, CWSI |
| Will Roehl |
Tom Fritsch |
|
Dean H. Cook |
|
Tim Vlcek |
| Commission staff: |
Bruce Barnes, Mt. St. Helens Rescue |
| Susan Yeager |
Mike Estes, Richland Rod & Gun Club |
| Nancy Burkhart |
Greg Christensen, Small Scale Miners |
|
Candy Christensen, Small Scale Miners |
| Department: |
Bobbie Thorniley, WA For Conservation; WA State
Trappers |
| Jeff Koenings, Director |
Mike Urlacher |
| Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations |
Neil Werner, HCSEG / PNWJC |
| Bill Frymire, AGO |
|
| Jeff Tayer |
|
| Steve Pozzanghera |
|
| Peggy Crain |
|
| Dave Ware |
|
| Jerry Nelson |
|
| Ted Clausing |
|
| Madonna Luers |
|
| Dan Budd |
|
| John Easterbrooks |
|
| Paul Hoffarth |
|
| Other Department staff |
|
|
|
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to
order at 8:34 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded by
Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of the
following:
- August 20-21, 2007, Commission Work
Session;
- February 1-2, 2008, Commission Meeting;
- February 8, 2008, Commission Special Meeting via
Conference Call;
- February 14, 2008, Commission Special Meeting
via Conference Call; and
- February 15, 2008, Commission Meeting via Conference
Call.
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 reviewed significant Department
issues and activities, including North of Falcon,
ocean fisheries, and sea lion predation.
OPERATIONS UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr updated the Commission on the
status of ongoing projects, including the Department's
information technology software migration, Strategic
Plan, and CPAP.
SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS:
The Commission reviewed and updated the current list
of Commission Requests to the Department.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individual provided oral testimony on
issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Mike Estes (Kennewick) - Wolves; white
pelicans; cormorants
Greg Christensen (Bellingham) - Mineral prospecting
rules work group
Mike Urlacher (Pasco) - Blue Mt. elk herd
Tom Fritsch (Goldendale) - Hunting with dogs for
fall turkey season
Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting
at 6:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 12:
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting back
to order at 8:03 a.m.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND BUDGET PROCESS
UPDATE - BRIEFING:
Deputy Director Stohr briefed the Commission on the
process of developing the 2009-2011 Department budget
request package based on key strategic priorities.
During the Commission's April
18, 2008, conference call, Deputy Director Stohr will
review ideas for new revenue sources.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony
on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Don Holmes (Richland) - 2007 permit drawing
Bruce Barnes (Vancouver) - Mt. Saint Helens' elk
herd
Steve Link (Seattle) - Cowiche unit; need for improvement
in public participation of commenting on rules
Richard Ruff (Yakima) - Cowiche unit; need for improvement
in public participation of commenting on rules
Tom Vleck (Yakima) - GMU 368 boundary concerns
PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS - DECISION:
Dan Budd presented numerous proposed land transactions
for approval.
No individuals provided testimony during
this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded
by Commissioner Douvia, to approve the following:
- Acquisition of the 52.43-acre Johnson
property in Mason County for $1,685,000;
- Acquisition of the 7.62-acre McNae property in
Okanogan County for $61,000;
- Acquisition of the 45.69-acre O'Bannion property
in Okanogan County for $653,400;
- Accept the transfer of the 1.6-acre WSDOT public
fishing easement on the South Fork of the Snoqualmie
River in King County;
- Boundary line adjustment at Eloika Lake in Spokane
County;
- Approve the transfer of the 40-acre parcel on
the Nisqually River in Pierce County to the Nisqually
Land Trust;
- Approve the sale of 2,600 square feet of right
of way along Nile Road to Yakima County in Yakima
County; and
- Approve easements for wildlife fencing along Highway
97A to WSDOT in Chelan County.
The motion carried unanimously. CLASSIFICATION OF WILD BIRDS - RULE
ACTION:
Dave Ware presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-12-004, Classification of wild birds, which
would manage a new and rapidly spreading exotic species
(Eurasian collared dove) as a predatory bird. The
Commission held a public hearing on these proposed
rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting in Olympia.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded
by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-12-004, Classification of wild birds, as
proposed. The motion carried unanimously.
SMALL GAME SEASONS - RULE ACTION:
Dave Ware presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-28-342, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 Small
game seasons, which would establish more fall turkey
hunting opportunity, help control expanding turkey
populations, provide additional hunting opportunity
for mourning doves, and provide consistent goose season
regulations in Goose Management Area 3. The Commission
held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its
March 7-8, 2008, meeting in Olympia.
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded
by Commissioner Douvia, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-342, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 Small
game seasons, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office
and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
LANDOWNER HUNTING PERMITS - RULE
ACTION:
Dave Ware presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-28-295, Landowner hunting permits, which
would address damage concerns and provide public access
to private lands. The Commission held a public hearing
on these proposed rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting
in Olympia.
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded
by Commissioner Douvia, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-342, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 Small
game seasons, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office
and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
HUNTING EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS -
RULE ACTION:
Dave Ware presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-12-045, Hunting equipment restrictions,
which would restrict the use of radio telemetry equipment
for hunting. The Commission held a public hearing
on these proposed rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting
in Olympia.
Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded
by Commissioner Orr, to amend WAC 232-12-045, Hunting
equipment restrictions, by adding: "(2) It is unlawful
to use radio-telemetry equipment to locate and hunt
wildlife with transmitters attached to them."
The motion carried unanimously.
MOOSE, BIGHORN SHEEP, AND MOUNTAIN
GOAT SEASONS - RULE ACTION:
Dave Ware presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-28-273, 2006-2008 Moose, bighorn sheep,
and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas, which
would address increasing problems with moose, help
address the expanding ewe component of the bighorn
sheep population, and adjust mountain goat unit boundaries
on Mount Baker. The Commission held a public hearing
on these proposed rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting
in Olympia.
Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded
by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-273, 2006-2008 Moose, bighorn sheep,
and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas, as proposed.
The motion carried unanimously.
QUALITY HUNT PROGRAMS - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Dave Ware provided
an update on the status of ideas for funding quality
hunt programs.
DEER AND ELK AREA DESCRIPTIONS -
RULE ACTION:
Jerry Nelson and Ted Clausing presented proposed permanent
rule amendments to WAC 232-28-337, Deer and elk area
descriptions, which would help protect elk coming
down to active feeding areas during late archery season.
The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed
rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting in Olympia.
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded
by Commissioner Roehl, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-337, Deer and elk area descriptions,
as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and amended
by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
The Department is to work with
affected stakeholders on finding a solution to include
in the next 3-year hunting regulations process.
DEER AND ELK GENERAL SEASONS AND
DEFINITIONS, SPECIAL HUNTING PERMITS - RULE ACTION:
Jerry Nelson presented proposed permanent rule amendments
which would make minor adjustments to deer and elk
general seasons to address emergent issues and fine-tune
hunts designed to alleviate agricultural damage:
- WAC 232-28-351, 2006-2008 Deer general
seasons and definitions;
- WAC 232-28-352, 2006-2008 Elk general seasons
and definitions; and
- WAC 232-28-291, Special hunting season permits.
The Commission held a public hearing
on these proposed rules at its March 7-8, 2008, meeting
in Olympia.
Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded
by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-351, 2006-2008 Deer general seasons
and definitions; WAC 232-28-351, 2006-2008 Elk general
seasons and definitions; and WAC 232-28-291, Special
hunting season permits, as filed with the Code Reviser's
Office and amended by staff. The motion carried
unanimously.
DEER AND ELK SPECIAL PERMITS - PUBLIC
HEARING AND RULE ACTION:
Jerry Nelson presented proposed permanent rule amendments
to WAC 232-28-353, 2008 Deer special permits, and
WAC 232-28-354, 2008 Elk special permits, that would
respond to population changes, winterkill, agricultural
damage complaints, and other issues.
The following individuals provided oral
testimony on the proposed amendments:
Dean Cook (Naches)
Bobbie Thorniley (Republic)
Steve Link (Seattle)
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded
by Commissioner Roehl, to adopt the permanent amendments
to WAC 232-28-353, 2008 Deer special permits, and
WAC 232-28-354, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office
and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Commissioners discussed activities of the various
Commission committees.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individual provided oral testimony on
issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Jim Pearson (Yakima) - Radio-collaring
big game animals
MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
The Commissioners discussed items that arose immediately
before or during the meeting and after the preliminary
agenda was published.
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded by
Commissioner Roehl, to request the Department:
- Prepare a report on the Pilot Grazing Project,
to include information on partnerships with local
and county governments, cattle industry's responsibility,
environmental protection, WSU scientific studies,
and research, cost, legislative mandate, and public
benefit of increased lands for public use.
-
-
Develop a "press release" with
talking points for staff and Commissioners to
help public understand benefits of grazing project.
The report and press release are
to be finalized and a briefing is to occur at the
December 2008 or January 2009 Commission Meeting.
The motion carried unanimously.
Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting
at 1:40 p.m.
MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM
THE APRIL 11-12, 2008
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, PASCO
| Approval of Commission Minutes
|
Motion by Orr, second by Perry, to approve
the minutes of the following:
- August 20-21, 2007, Commission
Work Session;
- February 8, 2008, Commission Special Meeting
via Conference Call;
- February 14, 2008, Commission Special Meeting
via Conference Call; and
- February 15, 2008, Commission Meeting via
Conference Call.
The motion carried unanimously.
|
| Approval of Land Transactions
|
Motion by Perry, second by Douvia, to
approve the following:
- Acquisition of the 52.43-acre
Johnson property in Mason County for $1,685,000;
- Acquisition of the 7.62-acre McNae property
in Okanogan County for $61,000;
- Acquisition of the 45.69-acre O'Bannion
property in Okanogan County for $653,400;
- Accept the transfer of the 1.6-acre WSDOT
public fishing easement on the South Fork
of the Snoqualmie River in King County;
- Boundary line adjustment at Eloika Lake
in Spokane County;
- Approve the transfer of the 40-acre parcel
on the Nisqually River in Pierce County to
the Nisqually Land Trust;
- Approve the sale of 2,600 square feet of
right of way along Nile Road to Yakima County
in Yakima County; and
- Approve easements for wildlife fencing along
Highway 97A to WSDOT in Chelan County.
The motion carried unanimously.
|
| Approval of Classification of
Wild Birds Rules |
- Motion by Perry, second by Orr, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-004,
Classification of wild birds as proposed. The
motion carried unanimously. |
| Approval of Small Game Seasons
Rules |
- Motion by Orr, second by Douvia, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-342,
2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 Small game seasons,
as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and
amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
|
| Approval of Landowner Hunting
Permits Rules |
- Motion by Orr, second by Douvia, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-342,
2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09 Small game seasons,
as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and
amended by staff. The motion carried
unanimously. |
| Approval of Hunting Equipment
Restrictions Rules |
- Motion by Roehl, second by Orr, to amend
WAC 232-12-045, Hunting equipment restrictions,
by adding: "(2) It is unlawful to use radio-telemetry
equipment to locate and hunt wildlife with transmitters
attached to them." The motion carried
unanimously. |
| Approval of Moose, Bighorn Sheep,
and Mountain Goat Seasons Rules |
- Motion by Roehl, second by Orr, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-273,
2006-2008 Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain
goat seasons and permit quotas, as proposed.
The motion carried unanimously.
|
| Approval of Deer and Elk Area
Descriptions Rules |
- Motion by Orr, second by Roehl, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-337,
Deer and elk area descriptions, as filed with
the Code Reviser's Office and amended by staff.
The motion carried unanimously.
- Motion by Orr, second by Roehl, to direct
the Department work with affected stakeholders
on boundaries for an acceptable solution to
be proposed for the next 3-year plan. The
motion carried unanimously. |
| Approval of Deer and Elk General
Seasons and Definitions, Special Hunting Permits
Rules |
- Motion by Roehl, second by Orr, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-351,
2006-2008 Deer general seasons and definitions;
WAC 232-28-351, 2006-2008 Elk general seasons
and definitions; and WAC 232-28-291, Special
hunting season permits, as filed with the Code
Reviser's Office and amended by staff. The
motion carried unanimously. |
| Approval of Deer and Elk Special
Permits Rules |
- Motion by Orr, second by Roehl, to adopt
the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-353,
2008 Deer special permits, and WAC 232-28-354,
as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and
amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
|
| Commission Requests to the Department
|
- Motion by Orr, second by Roehl, to request
the Department:
- Prepare a report on the Pilot Grazing
Project, to include information on partnerships
with local and county governments, cattle
industry's responsibility, environmental
protection, WSU scientific studies, and
research, cost, legislative mandate, and
public benefit of increased lands for public
use.
- Develop a "press release" with talking
points for staff and Commissioners to help
public understand benefits of grazing project.
The report and press release are to be finalized
and a briefing is to occur at the December
2008 or January 2009 Commission Meeting. The
motion carried unanimously. |
Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Gary Douvia
George Orr
Chuck Perry
Will Roehl
