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June 20, 2008 Agenda | Meeting Minutes

MEETING MINUTES

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
CONFERENCE CALL
June 20, 2008 - 8:30 a.m.
Olympia, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Department
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair	Jeff Koenings, Director
Miranda Wecker, Vice-Chair	Phil Anderson, Deputy Director - Resource Policy
Ken Chew	Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations
Conrad Mahnken	Jeff Olsen, Business Services
Shirley Solomon	Dan Budd, Wildlife Program
	Darren Friedel, Public Affairs
Commission Staff:	Morris Barker, Fish Program
Susan Yeager
	Public
	None

Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m.

OPERATIONS UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr introduced Jeff Olsen, the new Assistant Director of Business Services, and gave an update on Department operations.

OCEAN SPOT SHRIMP QUOTAS AND CONTINUING LICENSE PROVISIONS - RULE ACTION:
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 held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its June 6-7, 2008, meeting in Ocean Shores.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Solomon, to adopt the 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, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.

COMMERCIAL SEA URCHIN FISHERY SIZE LIMITS - RULE ACTION:
Morris Barker 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 held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its June 6-7, 2008, meeting in Ocean Shores.

Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 220-52-073, Sea urchins, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.

LAND TRANSACTION, WILEY SLOUGH PROJECT - DECISION:
Dan Budd presented for approval a proposed land transaction to acquire a 2.41-acre property in Skagit County that would provide enhancement of critical fish habitat for the Wiley Slough Restoration Project. This item received direct appropriation from the Legislature.

No individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed land transaction during the meeting.

Commissioner Solomon moved, seconded by Commissioner Chew, to approve the following:
- Acquisition of the 2.4-acre Wiley Slough property in Skagit County for $12,700.
The motion carried unanimously.

GENERAL DISCUSSION:
Commissioners, Director Koenings, and Deputy Director Anderson discussed numerous items, including:
- North of Falcon process;
- Columbia River stakeholder process;
- Pacific Salmon Commission;
- August 7, 2008, joint meeting with Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 10:07 a.m.

MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE JUNE 20, 2008
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING via CONFERENCE CALL, OLYMPIA

Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Conrad Mahnken
Shirley Solomon