MEETING MINUTES

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
June 6-7, 2008
Shilo Inn and Conference Center
707 Ocean Shores Boulevard Northwest
Ocean Shores, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Department (continued)
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair	Lorna Wargo
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair	Andy Appleby
Ken Chew	Kirt Hughes
Gary Douvia	Rich Childers
Conrad Mahnken	Kyle Guzlas
George Orr	Scott Harris
Chuck Perry	Sandra Jonker
Shirley Solomon	Dora Austin
	Bill Frymire, AGO
	Joe Shorin, AGO
Commission Staff:	Robin Ehlke
Susan Yeager	Other Department staff
Nancy Burkhart
	Public
Department	Bob Schlecht, SW WA Land Access Coalition
Phil Anderson, Deputy Director - Resource Policy	Vern L. Eaton, SW WA Land Access Coalition
Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations	Georg Ziegltrum, WA Forest Protection Assn
Bruce Bjork	Rich Erickson
Lew Atkins	Richard Connol, WA Sardine Advisory Board
Dave Brittell	Mike O'Koniewski, WA Sardine Advisory Board
Guy Norman	Pete Kruger, Sr., Squaxin Island Tribe
Jo Wadsworth	Les Clark, NW Gillnetters Assn
Morris Barker	Frances Clark, NW Gillnetters Assn
Craig Burley	Rich Struna, OFM
Craig Bartlett	Nona Snell, House of Representatives
Dan Budd	Kathy Greer, Surfrider Foundation
Bill Phillips	Fred Woodruff, Quinault Natural Resources-Policy
Glenn Gerth	Bonita Cleveland, Quinault Natural Resources-Policy
Cathy Cody	Karen Epps, Senate committee Services
Steve Pozzanghera	Robert Sudar
Tim Smith	Joe Schumecker
Brie Van Cleve	Tim LaFontaine
Michele Culver	Bruce Beatty
Sean Carrell	Betty Beatty
Heather Bartlett	Harley Edwards
Guy Norman	Rick Anderson, Coastal Cons. Assn
Dave Ware
Pat Michael

FRIDAY, JUNE 6:

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Douvia, to approve the minutes of April 11-12, 2008, Commission meeting. The motion carried unanimously. (Commissioners Chew and Mahnken were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2008, Commission conference call. The motion carried unanimously.

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

Fir Island snow goose plan
Whale-watching harassment
August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting plans
Columbia River fishery stakeholder process
Wolves
Master Hunter Program

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

Fishery disaster and federal funding
Groundfish/rockfish and Intergovernmental Policy Group
Pacific Salmon Treaty
Governor's Fish Policy Group
Pacific Council

OPERATIONS AND BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr provided an update to the Commission on the Department's budget and operations.

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

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTION - DECISION:
Dan Budd presented one proposed land transaction.

No oral testimony on the proposed transaction was received during the meeting.

Commissioner Solomon moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the following:

- Salvaging (360 acres) and thinning (239 acres within the 260 salvage acres) timber on the Olympic and Johns River Wildlife Areas in Grays Harbor County. The revenue will be used to reimburse the Wildlife Areas for project costs of timber management or to contribute to Pittman-Robertson project income on wildlife areas.

DEPARTMENT'S 2009-2011 STRATEGIC PLAN - DECISION:
Deputy Director Stohr presented the Department's proposed 2009-2011 Strategic Plan for approval and submission to the Office of Financial Management.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Douvia, to approve the Department's 2009-2011 Strategic Plan for submission to the Office of Financial Management as presented and amended. The motion carried unanimously.

DRAFT 2009-2011 DEPARTMENT CAPITAL BUDGET PROPOSAL - BRIEFING:
Bill Phillips, Glenn Gerth, and Kathy Cody briefed the Commission on the status of developing the Department's 2009-2011 Capital Budget proposal. The Commission will consider final approval during the August 8-9, Commission meeting in Lynnwood.

PUBLIC SURVEY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS - BRIEFING:
Steve Pozzanghera updated the Commission on the development of public survey questions and provided a briefing on the Colorado State University survey study process and results.

MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEES IN COASTAL COUNTIES - BRIEFING:
Tim Smith and Brie VanCleve briefed the Commission on 2007 Legislation requiring the establishment and coordination of Marine Resources Committees in the coastal counties of Washington.

Because so many entities are doing similar work under state RCW, the five committees will meet and determine perimeters and the best way to achieve, in collaboration, the desired result.

SARDINE FISHERY - BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Michele Culver and Deputy Director Anderson briefed the Commission on the Department's proposal for a transition of the Experimental Purse Seine Sardine Fishery into an established commercial fishery beginning in 2009. The Department is considering including this as part of its 2009 Legislative Proposal package, which will be provided to the Commission at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood.

The following individuals provided oral testimony on the proposal during the meeting:

Richard Carroll (Westport)
Mike O'Koniewskim (Woodland)
Rick Anderson (Vancouver)

SPECIAL TRAPPING PERMITS - BRIEFING:
Sean Carrell briefed the Commission on special trapping permits issued to authorize the use of body-gripping traps.

DEER AND ELK DAMAGE CLAIMS - BRIEFING:
Sean Carrell briefed the Commission on the status of deer and elk damage claims and methods to reduce damage.

TRIBAL HUNTING UPDATE - BRIEFING:
Nate Pamplin and Deputy Director Anderson briefed the Commission on the progress of ongoing meetings with nine tribes signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliott to develop a tribal-state hunting management agreement for game species in the tribes' ceded areas in eastern Puget Sound and a portion of the Kitsap Peninsula.

No individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed tribal- state hunting agreement during the meeting.

CONSERVATION BENEFITS OF SPRING CHINOOK POLICY C-3617 - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Heather Bartlett and Guy Norman briefed the Commission on an assessment of the conservation benefits associated with Policy C-3617, Mainstem Columbia River Spring Chinook Management and Allocation for Non-Indian Fisheries, which the Commission amended and adopted in February 2008.

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

Robert Sudar (Longview) - Columbia River ramp deliveries; allocation of Columbia River spring chinook
Les Clark (Chinook) - Tangle net fisheries

Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, JUNE 7:

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting back to order at 8:37 a.m.

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

Bruce Beatty (University Place) - Small-scale prospecting rules

GAME MANAGEMENT PLANNING UPDATE - BRIEFING:
Dave Ware briefed the Commission on the 2003-2009 major accomplishments, summarized the 2008 public opinion survey, identified new issues, and provided a status report on updates for the new plan. The Commission will hold a public hearing on the Department's 2009-2015 Game Management Plan at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood, and will consider final adoption at the September 5-6, 2008, Commission meeting in Olympia.

MOUNT ST. HELENS ELK HERD MANAGEMENT PANEL - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Sandra Jonker, Tim LaFontaine (Weyerhaeuser), Bob Schlecht (Land Access Coalition), and Vern Eaton (Land Access Coalition) briefed the Commission on the status of the Mount St. Helens Land Access Program.

OCEAN SPOT SHRIMP QUOTAS AND CONTINUING LICENSE PROVISIONS - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Morris Barker presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 220-88B-030, Emerging commercial fishery-Eligibility for coastal experimental fishery permits-Terms and conditions of use-Renewal-Vessel restriction-Incidental catch. These amendments would reduce the total allowable annual catch of ocean spot shrimp to a more sustainable level and repeal the continuing landing provision for maintaining a valid permit. The Commission will consider adoption of the permanent amendments at its June 20, 2008, regular conference call meeting.

No individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed amendments during the meeting.

COMMERCIAL SEA URCHIN FISHERY SIZE LIMITS - RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING:
Morris Barker and Lorna Wargo presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 220-52-073, Sea urchins, which would clarify the maximum and minimum size limits for the commercial sea urchin fishery. The Commission will consider adoption of the permanent amendments at its June 20, 2008, regular conference call meeting.

No individual provided oral testimony on the proposed amendments during the meeting.

2007 PUGET SOUND RECREATIONAL CRAB FISHERY - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Rich Childers briefed the Commission on the results of the 2007 Puget Sound recreational Dungeness crab fishery, including the effectiveness of the new catch record card rules.

PUBLIC RECORDS REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS - BRIEFING:
Joe Shorin (Assistant Attorney General) briefed the Commission on the legal requirements for retention and disclosure of public records. The Department will provide specific guidance to the Commission in its new records retention policy, which is scheduled for completion by sometime next year.

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

SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS:
Commissioners will review the Summary of Commission Requests at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Solomon, to request the Department provide a review on the history of the Columbia River "SAFE" areas; including location, output, returns, costs, source of funding, who harvests, value of harvest, and potential for expansion in Columbia River and Willapa Bay. A 1-2 page memo on the status of Willapa SAFE area analyses is to be given to the Commission by June 30, 2008. A full briefing to the Commission is to be provided at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood on all the above-listed items. The motion carried unanimously. (Commissioners Chew and Mahnken were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

Commissioner Solomon moved seconded by Commissioner Wecker, to request the Department brief the Commission at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood on: (1) how the Colorado State University (CSU) and 2008 surveys were developed to support sound and credible decisions and meet the intent of Goal IV, Objective 1B, of the Director's Performance Agreement; (2) how the CSU study was developed to not be redundant with the 2008 survey, but additive where possible; and (3) a workplan and timeline for the CSU survey project. The motion carried unanimously. (Commissioners Chew and Mahnken were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

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

MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
Commissioner Perry will attend the July 11-16, 2008, WAFWA meeting in Rapid City, South Dakota.

A joint meeting between the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and the Fish and Wildlife Commission will be held August 7, 2008, in Lynnwood prior to the Fish and Wildlife Commission's August 8-9, 2008, Regular Meeting.

Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 3:36 p.m..

MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE JUNE 6-7, 2008
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, OCEAN SHORES

Approval of Commission Minutes	- Motion by Wecker, second by Douvia, to approve the minutes of the April 11-12, 2008, Commission meeting. The motion carried unanimously. * - Motion by Wecker, second by Mahnken, to approve the minutes of the April 18, 2008, Commission conference call. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Land Transaction	- Motion by Solomon, second by Perry, to approve the following: - Salvaging (360 acres) and thinning (239 acres within the 260 salvage acres) timber on the Olympic and Johns River Wildlife Areas in Grays Harbor County. The revenue will be used to reimburse the Wildlife Areas for project costs of timber management or to contribute to Pittman-Robertson project income on wildlife areas. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of the Department's 2009-2011 Strategic Plan	- Motion by Wecker, second by Douvia, to approve the Department's 2009-2011 Strategic Plan for submission to the Office of Financial Management as presented and amended. The motion carried unanimously.
Commission Requests to the Department	- Motion by Wecker, second by Solomon, to request the Department provide a review on the history of the Columbia River "SAFE" areas; including location, output, returns, costs, source of funding, who harvests, value of harvest, and potential for expansion in Columbia River and Willapa Bay. A 1-2 page memo on the status of Willapa SAFE area analyses is to be given to the Commission by June 30, 2008. A full briefing to the Commission is to be provided at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood on all the above-listed items. The motion carried unanimously. * - Motion by Solomon, second by Wecker, to request the Department brief the Commission at the August 8-9, 2008, Commission meeting in Lynnwood on: (1) how the Colorado State University (CSU) and 2008 surveys were developed to support sound and credible decisions and meet the intent of Goal IV, Objective 1B, of the Director's Performance Agreement; (2) how the CSU study was developed to not be redundant with the 2008 survey, but additive where possible; and (3) a workplan and timeline for the CSU survey project. The motion carried unanimously. *

* Commissioners Chew and Mahnken 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
Shirley Solomon