FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING via CONFERENCE CALL*
January 9, 2009 - 8:30 a.m.
Olympia, Washington
| ATTENDANCE: |
| Commission | Public, Olympia Office |
| Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair | Carl Burke, NSIA and Fish Northwest |
| Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair | Marty Whitman, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| Ken Chew | Frank Betrozoff, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| Gary Douvia | Ken Komasawa, Anadromous Adv. Group |
| Conrad Mahnken | Andrew Marks, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| George Orr | Don Knudson |
| Chuck Perry | |
| Shirley Solomon | |
| |
| Commission Staff: | Public, Vancouver Office |
| Susan Yeager | Al Thomas, Columbian |
| Nancy Burkhart | Harry Barber, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| Randy Woolsey, NSIA |
| Department | Tom Ecclesten, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| Phil Anderson, Interim Director | Joe Sorenson, Coastal Conservation Assn. |
| Joe Stohr, Deputy Director | Dave Grogan |
| Guy Norman | Winston Falls |
| Dave Brittell | John North, ODFW |
| Jo Wadsworth | Travis Chaquette |
| Heather Bartlett | Ed Wickershan |
| Bill Tweit | |
| Pat Pattillo | |
| Craig Burley | |
| Craig Bartlett | |
| Darren Friedel | |
| Steve Pozzanghera | |
| Joe Shorin, AGO | |
| Bill Frymire, AGO | |
| Fronda Woods, AGO | |
| |
*NOTE: Due to extreme weather conditions across the state, the Commission meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday, January 9-10, was changed to a one-day meeting on January 9, taking place via telephone conference call. A speakerphone was set up in the meeting locations to enable the public to listen to the call, and to provide public input during the North of Falcon Fisheries agenda item.
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m., and the Commission reviewed the revised agenda. The following items originally scheduled for January 9 will take place at future meetings:
- TIMBER SALVAGE AND THINNING PROJECT UPDATE – BRIEFING
- PILOT GRAZING STATUS UPDATE AND WILD HORSE CRM PLAN – BRIEFING
- COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS
- SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS
- ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR (to Jan. 16 conference call)
COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING AND SUMMER CHINOOK ALLOCATION POLICIES – ACTION:
Interim Director Anderson and Guy Norman reviewed proposed policy updates to Commission Policies C-3618 Mainstem Columbia River Summer chinook Allocation for Non-Indian Fisheries Below Priest Rapids Dam, and C-3617 Mainstem Columbia River Spring chinook Management and Allocation for Non-Indian Fisheries, both of which expired December 31, 2008. The Commission held a public hearing on the proposed policy updates at its December 12-13, 2008, meeting in Olympia.
In order to allow more time for discussions at the Columbia River Compact hearing, the Commission, by consensus, continued action on the policies to its January 16, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call.
Chair Gutzwiler announced that, due to the severe weather situation, the deadline for public input is extended to January 13, 2009.
NORTH OF FALCON FISHERIES – POLICY BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Pat Pattillo briefed the Commission on the current status of the Commission’s North of Falcon Policy (C-3609) and provided recommended updates for 2009-2010. The Commission will consider adoption of an updated policy at its February 6-7, 2009, meeting in Olympia.
One person testified on the proposed policy during this portion of the meeting:
Andrew Marks (Federal Way) read comments written by Dave Kundson.
Chair Gutzwiler announced that, due to the weather situation, the deadline for written public comments is extended to January 30, 2009.
GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED 2009-2011 BUDGET OVERVIEW – BRIEFING:
Dep. Director Joe Stohr briefed the Commission on the Governor’s proposed 2009-2011 operating and capital budgets for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE NON-TREATY COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERIES IN WASHINGTON STATE – BRIEFING:
Craig Burley, along with Tom Wegge of TCW Economics (via speakerphone), briefed the Commission on a report titled, “Economic Analysis of the Non-Treaty Commercial and Recreational Fisheries in Washington State.”
MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF/GENERAL DISCUSSION:
Commissioners and Department staff discussed recent activities and items of interest, including: developing a DRAFT Commission Policy for Department Budget-Driven Reorganization and potential agenda items for the Commission’s Annual Meeting with Governor.
PROPOSED COMMISSION POLICY (C-4001), BUDGET REDUCTIONS FY2009-11:
Commissioner Solomon moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to adopt proposed Commission Policy C-4001 as presented by Chair Gutzwiler and discussed. The motion carried unanimously (Commissioner Orr was absent for the discussion and vote on this item).
Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 1:50 p.m.
