REVISED* AGENDA

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
April 3-4, 2009
Natural Resources Building ~ First Floor, Room 172
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia, Washington 98501

* Revised 3/30/09
Times are approximate and subject to change.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

9:00 AM	1. CALL TO ORDER Commissioners' Discussion Director's Report (Phil Anderson and Joe Stohr) Legislative Update (Tom Davis)
	BREAK
	2. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. (NOTE: The public is encouraged to comment only on those issues not scheduled for action at this meeting.) 3. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS - DECISION: The Commission will consider approval of the following proposed land transactions related to protection of critical wildlife habitat and provide public recreation opportunity: Acquisition of a 1.07-acre property in Snohomish County, and Donation of a 8.66-acre property in Whatcom County. - Greensheet - PDF format (922 KB) Staff Report: Dan Budd, Real Estate Manager, Wildlife Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 4. AQUACULTURE OVERVIEW - BRIEFING: At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on the economic importance of shellfish in Washington State. Staff Report: Bob Sizemore, Fish Program; and Russell Rogers, Fish Program
12:00 P.M.	LUNCH - DISCUSSION: The Commission has invited newly-elected Commissioner of Public Lands, Peter Goldmark, to join them for lunch in the meeting room (NRB Room 172) and to discuss natural resource issues of mutual concern. The public is welcome to attend; however, no public input will be accepted during the discussion.
1:00 P.M.	5. WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS (WACD) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT LAND ACQUISITIONS – BRIEFING: At the request of the Commission, Department staff – along with John Larson, WACD Executive Director – will brief the Commission on recommendations developed by the WACD Task Force on WDFW Land Acquisition Land Management and Wildlife Conflict. - Greensheet - PDF format (329 KB) Staff Report: Don Larsen, Environmental Planner, Wildlife Program; Steve Pozzanghera, Deputy Assistant Director, Wildlife Program; and Jennifer Quan, Lands Division Manager, Wildlife Program 6. ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWING ON PUBLIC LANDS – BRIEFING: Department staff will brief the Commission on the significant negative environmental and public safety impacts caused by large-scale illegal marijuana cultivation that occurs on public lands and tactics used by law enforcement for addressing the problem. Staff Report: Mike Cenci, Deputy Chief, Enforcement Program 7. DEPARTMENT LANDS USAGE – BRIEFING: Department staff will brief the Commission on the impacts of the increasing non-traditional public use of WDFW lands. Staff Report: Chris Anderson, Region 2 Captain, Enforcement Program; and Richard Mann, Region 3 Captain, Enforcement Program 8. HUMAN/WILDLIFE CONFLICTS - BRIEFING: Department staff will brief the Commission on building cooperative relationships with landowners and tools used for resolving human/wildlife conflicts in both urban and rural areas. Staff Report: Mike Whorton, Region 1 Captain, Enforcement Program; Bill Hebner, Region 4 Captain, Enforcement Program; Dan Brinson, Region 6 Captain, Enforcement Program; Sean Carrell, Problem Wildlife Coordinator, Enforcement Program; and Martha Jordan, WDFW Volunteer, Wildlife Biologist, and Director of Tucker's KBD Fund
	BREAK
	9. WILDLIFE AREAS AND HYDRAULIC PROJECT APPROVAL HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS (HCPs) – BRIEFING: Department staff will brief the Commission on the progress made since 2006 on the development of two HCPs; one for activities conducted on agency-owned or -managed wildlife areas, and the other for activities conducted under the Hydraulic Project Approval authority. Staff Report: Matt Niles, Hydraulic Project Approval HCP Project Manager, Habitat Program; and Richard Tveten, Wildlife Areas HCP Project Manager, Wildlife Program 10. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. (NOTE: The public is encouraged to comment only on those issues not scheduled for action at this meeting.)
5:00 PM	RECESS

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

8:30 AM	11. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. (NOTE: The public is encouraged to comment only on those issues not scheduled for action at this meeting.) PROPOSED THREE-YEAR HUNTING REGULATIONS PACKAGE – OVERVIEW: Department staff will provide the Commission with an overview on the proposed 2009-2011 hunting regulations package, which is on today’s agenda for rule action (items 12-27). The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (24 MB) Staff Report: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program 12. SPECIAL SEASONS AND HUNTING RESTRICTIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments and a proposed new section to the following WAC rules, which would generate funding to expand the hunter access program into priority areas of the state: - WAC 232-28-294, Multiple season permits; - WAC 232-28-291, Special hunting season permits; - WAC 232-12-055, Hunting – Hunter orange clothing requirements; and - WAC 232-12-062, Party hunting. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (2 MB) Staff Report: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program 13. HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNTERS WITH DISABILITIES AND THE TERMINALLY ILL – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to the following WAC rules that would authorize the Department to develop criteria for issuing special-use permits: - WAC 232-12-840, Hunting and fishing opportunities for terminally ill persons; and - WAC 232-12-828, Hunting of game birds and animals by persons with a disability. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.2 MB) The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. Staff Report: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program 14. TRAPPING SEASONS AND REGULATIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-516, Trapping seasons and regulations, and repeal of WAC 232-28-515, Trapping seasons and regulations, consistent with reduced harvest resulting from passage of the voter Initiative 713. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (934 KB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program 15. BIG GAME AND WILD TURKEY AUCTION, RAFFLE AND SPECIAL INCENTIVE PERMITS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-282, Big game and wild turkey auction, raffle, and special incentive permits, which would establish seasons for all big game auction and raffle hunts and expand the bighorn sheep raffle permit consistent with population status. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.4 MB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program
	BREAK
	16. SPRING BLACK BEAR SEASONS AND REGULATIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-286, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Spring black bear seasons and regulations. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.1 MB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program 17. MOOSE, BIGHORN SHEEP AND MOUNTAIN GOAT SEASON AND PERMIT QUOTAS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-273, Moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and permit quotas, which would allow hunting through a permit-only system. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (2.1 MB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program 18. BLACK BEAR AND COUGAR HUNTING REGULATIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments and a proposed new section to the following WAC rules which would establish 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 seasons: - WAC 232-28-272, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Black bear and cougar hunting seasons and regulations; and - WAC 232-28-287, 2009-2010, 2010-2011, and 2011-2012 Cougar permit seasons and regulations. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.9 MB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program 19. HUNTING EQUIPMENT RESTRICTIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to the following WAC rules which would amend hunting equipment regulations: - WAC 232-12-051, Muzzleloading firearms; - WAC 232-12-054, Archery requirements—Archery special use permits; and - WAC 232-12-047, Unlawful methods for hunting. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (2.7 MB) Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program 20. SPECIAL CLOSURES AND BOUNDARY REGULATIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to the following WAC rules which would provide means to address wildlife damage issues by modifying or creating new deer and elk areas: - WAC 232-28-248, Special closures and firearm restriction areas; - WAC 232-28-333, Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions—Region three; - WAC 232-28-335, Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions—Region five; - WAC 232-28-336, Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions—Region six; and - WAC 232-28-337, Deer and elk area descriptions. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (6.8 MB) Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program
12:25 P.M.	LUNCH BREAK
1:00 P.M.	21. DEER GENERAL SEASONS AND SPECIAL PERMITS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rule amendments that 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, 2009-2011 Deer general seasons and definitions; and - WAC 232-28-353, 2009 Deer special permits The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (6.4 MB) Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program 22. ELK GENERAL SEASONS & SPECIAL PERMIT REGULATIONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rule amendments to WAC 232-28-352, 2009-2011, Elk general seasons and definitions; and WAC 232-28-354, 2009 Elk special permits, which would make minor adjustments to deer and elk general seasons to address emergent issues and fine-tune hunts designed to alleviate agricultural damage. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (6 MB) Staff Report: Jerry Nelson, Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program 23. SMALL GAME SEASONS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-342, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 Small game seasons, which would provide hunting opportunities for small game species. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (2 MB) Staff Report: Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager, Wildlife Program 24. LANDOWNER HUNTING PERMITS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-295, Landowner hunting permits, which would help address deer and elk damage problems and provide hunter access to private lands. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.2 MB) Staff Report: Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager, Wildlife Program 25. DAMAGE PREVENTION PERMIT HUNTS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-266, Damage prevention permit hunts, which would help address turkey damage problems and provide hunter access to private lands. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (975 KB) Staff Report: Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager, Wildlife Program 26. NON-TOXIC SHOT REQUIREMENTS – RULE ACTION: The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-068, Nontoxic shot requirements, which would expand non-toxic shot requirements to address concerns associated with lead. The Commission held a public hearing on these proposed rules at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.8 MB) Staff Report: Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager, Wildlife Program 27. HUNTER EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS – RULE ACTION: The Commission may consider adoption of permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-227, Hunter education training program requirements, to ensure that only eligible hunter education graduates or individuals currently identified as hunting-license buyers may purchase a license. - Greensheet - PDF format (965 KB) Staff Report: Bruce Bjork, Chief, Enforcement Program; and/or Mik Mikitik, Hunter Education Coordinator, Enforcement Program 28. FIREARM SAFETY AWARD PRESENTATION: Department staff will announce this year’s recipient of the annual Terry Hoffer Memorial Firearm Safety Award as determined by an independent committee comprised of representatives from the Washington Hunter Education Instructors Association, the Washington Game Wardens Association and former recipients of the Award. Staff Report: Bruce Bjork, Chief, Enforcement Program; and/or Mik Mikitik, Hunter Education Coordinator, Enforcement Program 29. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The public is encouraged to share views of Department programs and topics of concern during this portion of the meeting.
	BREAK
	30. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Commissioners will discuss activities of the various Commission committees. 31. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS: Commissioners will review the current list of Commission requests to the Department and consider new requests. - Summary of Commission Requests - PDF format (32 KB) 32. MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF: The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.
	ADJOURN

* Revised 3/30/09
Times are approximate and subject to change.

Directions and Access to the Natural Resources Building: From I-5, take State Capitol exit (105). The exit puts you on 14th Avenue. Go through the tunnel and turn right onto Capitol Way. Turn right onto 11th Avenue. Turn right onto Washington and into the visitor parking lot. Parking costs 50 cents per hour, payable at the meters. There is no charge for parking in the NRB visitor lot on weekends.

Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington St SE
First Floor, Room 172
Olympia, Washington 98501

Public access to the Natural Resources Building after 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday will be available only through the rotunda doors located on the west end of the building. Contact Susan Yeager at (360) 902-2267 if assistance for persons with disabilities is needed.

Contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission Office for further information:
Phone (360) 902-2267
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov