FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING
September 5-6, 2008
Natural Resources Building, Room 172
1111 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington
| ATTENDANCE: |
| Commission |
Department (continued) |
| Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair |
Kirt Hughes |
| Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair |
Bill Joplin |
| Ken Chew |
Bob Sizemore |
| Gary Douvia |
Rich Childers |
| Conrad Mahnken |
Dave Ware |
| George Orr |
Greg Schirato |
| Chuck Perry |
Bobby Brown |
|
Todd Walker |
|
Mike Cenci |
| Commission Staff: |
Dave Geiger |
| Susan Yeager |
Craig Burley |
| Nancy Burkhart |
Other Department staff |
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Public |
| Department |
Walt Christensen, WA State Muzzleloaders Assn. |
| Jeff Koenings, Director |
Jessica Walz, Gifford Pinchot Task Force |
| Phil Anderson, Deputy Director - Resource Policy |
Dr. Jack Havens |
| Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations |
Kent Martin |
| Dave Brittell |
Ron Judd, Governor's Office |
| Bruce Bjork |
Brad Wood WA Falconers Assn. |
| Jo Wadsworth |
Rich Liebel, Traditional Bowhunters of WA |
| Bill Frymire, AGO |
Martha Jordan, The Trumpeter Swan Society |
| Steve Pozzanghera |
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5:
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting
to order at 8:35 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Chew moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2008, Commission Conference Call. The motion carried unanimously
(Commissioner Wecker was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest and provided status reports on Commission committees, including the Commission’s role in activities of the newly-formed Columbia River fish Working Group (CRFWG). Commissioners Gutzwiler, Douvia, and Mahnken serve on the CRFWG.
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to accept the Columbia River Fish Working Group’s stakeholder advisory committee members as presented by Chair Gutzwiler. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Wecker was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Koenings and Deputy Director Anderson reviewed significant Department issues and activities.
BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr updated the Commission on the Department’s budget.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Kent Martin (Skamokawa) – Columbia River selective harvest
Jessica Walz (Portland, Oregon) – Wolf Management Plan
PUGET SOUND DUNGENESS CRAB CATCH RECORD CARD – RULE ACTION:
Rich Childers presented proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 220-56-175, Catch record cards, which would implement legislation passed in 2008 granting authority to the Commission to assess a penalty of up to $10 for Puget Sound sport crab fishers who fail to comply with catch-reporting requirements. The Commission held a public hearing on these rule proposals at its
August 8-9, 2008, meeting in Lynnwood.
Commissioner Chew moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to amend WAC 220-56-175, Catch record cards, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Wecker was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS – DECISION:
Dan Budd presented proposed land transactions for the Commission’s consideration and approval.
One individual provided oral testimony on the proposed transactions:
Jessica Walz (Portland, Oregon)
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to approve the following:
- Acceptance of the transfer of six parcels totaling approximately 604 acres in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties from the Cascade Land Conservancy;
- Acquisition of the 815-acre Mitzner property in Okanogan County for $2,440,000;
- Acquisition of the 641.68-acre Cook property in Yakima County for $578,000; and
- Acceptance of the 289.22-acre City of Yakima property in Yakima County.
The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Wecker was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
DEER AND ELK SPECIAL PERMITS – RULE BRIEFING, PUBLIC HEARING, AND RULE ACTION:
Steve Pozzanghera presented proposed permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-28-353, 2008 Deer special permits, and WAC 232-28-354, 2008 Elk special permits, which would eliminate special permit hunting opportunity on a restricted military reservation when safety and security issues are likely to eliminate public access.
No oral testimony on the proposed amendments was received during this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to amend WAC 232-28-353, 2008 Deer special permits, and WAC 232-28-354, 2008 Elk special permits, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioner Wecker was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE SALES DOCUMENTS – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Deputy Chief Mike Cenci briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-20-019, Requirement to provide sales documents, which would clarify record-keeping requirements for original receivers of fish and shellfish. The Commission will consider adopting rule amendments at its
October 3-4, 2008, meeting.
No oral testimony on the proposed amendments was received during this portion of the meeting.
COMMERCIAL FISH TRANSPORT TICKETS – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Deputy Chief Mike Cenci briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-69-300, Commercial food fish and shellfish transportation ticket, which would provide clarity and enforceability for transport-ticket requirements. The Commission will consider adopting rule amendments at its October 3-4, 2008, meeting.
No oral testimony on the proposed amendments was received during this portion of the meeting.
MINIMUM HUNTING AGE – BRIEFING:
Chief Bruce Bjork and Deputy Chief Mike Cenci provided a status report on the minimum hunting age, and reviewed updated information regarding the recent hunting incident at Sauk Mountain.
SHELLFISH RECEIVING TICKETS – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Bob Sizemore briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-69-26401, Distribution of copies of shellfish receiving ticket, which would simplify rule language in line with the Governor’s “Plain Talk” mandate. The Commission will consider adopting rule amendments at its October 3-4, 2008 meeting.
No oral testimony on the proposed amendments was received during this portion of the meeting.
LICENSING DIVISION UPDATE – BRIEFING:
Bill Joplin briefed the Commission on updates to the licensing system and on contractor performance.
COST SAVINGS REPORT – BRIEFING:
Deputy Director Joe Stohr presented the draft Cost Savings Report, which identifies improvements in resource management, reductions, and redirect of agency staff and budget. The Report also projects additional actions to be taken in the coming fiscal year.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Brad Wood – Hunting age for falconers
Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting at 3:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6:
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting
back to order at 8:35 a.m.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individual provided oral testimony
on issues of concern during this portion of
the meeting:
Martha Jordan (Everett) - Department volunteers
GAME MANAGEMENT PLAN – BRIEFING AND DISCUSSION:
Dave Ware presented the revised draft of the 2009-2015 Game Management Plan to the Commissioners for their consideration and adoption. The Commission held a public hearing on the draft plan, and discussed revisions to the draft at its August 8-9, 2008, meeting in Lynnwood. Department staff and Commissioners discussed other alternatives for long-term planning of game management.
No oral testimony on the draft 2009-2015 Game Management Plan was received during this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Douvia, to approve the 2009-2015 Game Management Plan as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSION MEETING COSTS – BRIEFING:
At the request of the commission Deputy Director Phil Anderson briefed the Commission on the costs associated with Commission meetings and discussed ideas for reducing travel and other Commission meeting expenses.
2009 COMMISSION MEETING CALENDAR – DISCUSSION:
The Commission discussed proposals for its 2009 Commission meeting calendar. the commission may adopt a 2009 meeting calendar at its October 3-4, 2008, meeting.
One individual provided oral testimony on the 2009 Commission meeting calendar:
Martha Jordan (Everett)
As a result of the Governor’s directive to reduce travel and expenditures, Commission Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to change the October 3-4, 2008, Commission meeting location from Ellensburg to Olympia, and the November 7-8, 2008, Commission meeting location from Leavenworth to Olympia. The motion carried unanimously. If necessary, an attendant will be at the Ellensburg location to facilitate a conference call to the main Olympia location during the public hearing on mineral prospecting rule proposals.
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 Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to request the Department brief the commission at its October 3-4, 2008, meeting information on the locations, creation, purpose, and rules related to Washington’s system of wildlife reserves. Include information on Commission’s authority to establish reserves and the effect on property rights. The motion carried.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to request the Department brief the Commission on its operations and capital budget priorities for the Lands Division, how the Lands Division is integrated into the Department to meet wildlife goals, and review whether it should be a separate program within the Department. Include a discussion on how funding could be improved within the existing budget over the next few years and responsibilities of the Habitat Program and Lands Division. The motion carried unanimously.
Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.
MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES
FROM THE SEPTEMBER 5-6, 2008
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, OLYMPIA
| Approval of Commission Minutes |
- Motion by Chew, second by Perry, to approve the minutes of the
May 16, 2008, Commission Conference Call. The motion carried unanimously.*
|
| Columbia River Fish Working Group Advisory Committee |
- Motion by Orr, second by Perry, to accept the Columbia River Fish Working Group’s stakeholder advisory committee members as presented by Chair Gutzwiler. The motion carried unanimously.*
|
| Approval of Puget Sound Dungeness Crab Catch Record Card Rules |
- Motion by Chew, second by Mahnken, to amend WAC 220-56-175, Catch record cards, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.* |
| Land Transactions |
- Motion by Perry, second by Mahnken, to approve the following:
- Acceptance of the transfer of six parcels totaling approximately 604 acres in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties from the Cascade Land Conservancy;
- Acquisition of the 815-acre Mitzner property in Okanogan County for $2,440,000;
- Acquisition of the 641.68-acre Cook property in Yakima County for $578,000; and
- Acceptance of the 289.22-acre City of Yakima property in Yakima County.
The motion carried unanimously.* |
| Approval of Deer and Elk Special Permit Rules |
- Motion by Perry, second by Orr, to amend WAC 232-28-353, 2008 Deer special permits, and WAC 232-28-354, 2008 Elk special permits, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.* |
| Approval of 2009-2015 Game Management Plan |
- Motion by Perry, second by Douvia, to approve the 2009-2015 Game Management Plan as proposed. The motion carried unanimously. |
| October 2008 and November 2008 Meeting Location Changes |
- Motion by Wecker, second by Orr, to change the October 3-4, 2008, Commission meeting location from Ellensburg to Olympia, and the November 7-8, 2008, Commission meeting location from Leavenworth to Olympia. The motion carried unanimously. |
| Commission Requests to the Department |
- Motion by Wecker, second by Mahnken, to request the Department brief the commission at its October 3-4, 2008, meeting information on the locations, creation, purpose, and rules related to Washington’s system of wildlife reserves. Include information on Commission’s authority to establish reserves and the effect on property rights. The motion carried.
- Motion by Perry, second by Orr, to request the Department brief the Commission on its operations and capital budget priorities for the Lands Division, how the Lands Division is integrated into the Department to meet wildlife goals, and review whether it should be a separate program within the Department. Include a discussion on how funding could be improved within the existing budget over the next few years and responsibilities of the Habitat Program and Lands Division. The motion carried unanimously. |
Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Gary Douvia
Conrad Mahnken
George Orr
Chuck Perry
Shirley Solomon
