FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING
May 8-9, 2009
Natural Resources Building, Room 172
1111 Washington Street Southeast
Olympia, Washington
| ATTENDANCE: |
| Commission | Public |
| Miranda Wecker, Chair | Kevin Reynolds, Ballast Water Task Force (BWTF) |
| Gary Douvia, Vice Chair | Michael Moore, PMSA Seattle, BWTF |
| Ken Chew | Christian Mollitor, Holland America Line/NWCA, BWTF |
| Conrad Mahnken | Bruce Wishart, People for Puget Sound, BWTF |
| George Orr | Michael Kern, HSRG |
| Chuck Perry | Marianne Mitchell, Steelhead Summit Alliance |
| Les Johnson, Wild Steelhead Coalition |
| Commission Staff: | Bob Young, Wild Steelhead Coalition |
| Susan Yeager | Robb Keller, Kayaking organizations |
| Nancy Burkhart | |
| |
| Department | |
| Phil Anderson, Interim Director | |
| Joe Stohr, Deputy Director | |
| Bruce Bjork | |
| Dave Brittell | |
| Jim Scott | |
| Greg Hueckel | |
| Darren Friedel | |
| Dave Ware | |
| Bill Frymire, AGO | |
| Gary Gertsen | |
| Rich Eltrich | |
| Dan Budd | |
| Kirt Hughes | |
| Andy Appleby | |
| Ron Warren | |
| Allen Preuss | |
| Steve Pozzanghera | |
| Other Department staff | |
| |
| |
FRIDAY, MAY 8
Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes of the following:
- December 10, 2008, Special Meeting;
- December 11, 2008, Joint Meeting with Oregon;
- January 28, 2009, Special Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 13, 2009, Special Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 20, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 27, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call; and
- April 10, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call.
The motion carried unanimously
COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Interim Director Anderson reviewed significant Department issues and activities, including North of Falcon fisheries and recent meetings of the Governor’s cabinet agencies on government reform.
Department staff will provide updates at future Commission meetings on the government reform process and progress.
OPERATIONS/BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr provided an update to the Commission on the Department’s budget and operational issues.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Robb Keller (Vancouver) – Wind River portage regulations & kayaker access
PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS – DECISION:
Dan Budd presented proposed land transactions for the Commissions consideration and approval.
No one signed up to testify on the proposed transactions during this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, moved to approve the following land transactions:
- Acquisition of the 14.92-acre Burger property in Yakima County for $60,000; and
- 50-year renewable trail agreement with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation on the Nooksack River in Whatcom County, with maintenance assumed by the County.
The motion carried unanimously.
SWAN RESERVE BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT – UPDATE:
As a follow-up to the October 3-4, 2008, Commission meeting briefing, Steve Pozzanghera and Lora Leschner provided updated information to the Commission about the history of the Johnson/Debay’s slough boundary line error, which was corrected temporarily by Commission rule action during its August 8-9, 2008, meeting in Lynnwood.
BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Allen Pleus, along with members from the Ballast Water Task Force (Bruce Wishart, Christian Mollitor, Michael Moore, and Kevin Reynolds), briefed the Commission on proposed updated ballast water regulations resulting from 2008 Legislation (E2SSB5923) to reduce environmental impacts from non-indigenous species discharges of ballast water:
New chapter
- 220-150 WAC Ballast water management
Repealers:
- WAC 220-77-090, Ballast water management and control—Reporting and sampling requirements; and
- WAC 220-77-095, Interim ballast water discharge standard approval process.
The Commission will consider final adoption of these proposed rule amendments at its June 5-6, 2009, meeting in Olympia.
The following individuals provided oral testimony on the above proposed rule amendments during this portion of the meeting:
Bruce Wishart (Olympia)
Christian Mollitor (Seattle)
Michael Moore (Seattle)
Kevin Reynolds (Seattle)
PROPOSED COMMISSION POLICY ON HATCHERY REFORM – BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Interim Director Anderson, Jim Scott, Andy Appleby, Sara LaBorde, and Heather Bartlett briefed the Commission on the progress in developing a draft Commission Policy on Hatchery Reform (C-3619).
The Commission will accepted public testimony on a proposed policy at its June 5-6, 2009, meeting in Olympia, and will consider approval of a final policy at its July 10-11, 2009, meeting in Olympia.
COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Commissioners discussed activities of the various Commission committees.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
No one signed up to testify during this portion of the meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
Commissioners and Department staff discussed topics with the Commission’s fish committee, including: Puget Sound crab, North of Falcon fisheries, ocean acidification, Columbia River fisheries run-size calculations, draft hatchery reform policy status and rockfish conservation.
Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 5:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, MAY 9:
Chair Wecker called the meeting back to order at 8:30 a.m.
PROCESS FOR DIRECTOR SEARCH AND JOB DESCRIPTION DEVELOPMENT – DISCUSSION, PUBLIC TESTIMONY, AND ACTION:
Commissioners discussed the search process for a permanent Director for the Department, including specific wording to update the official job description for the position. The Commission will accept public comments throughout the process.
One individual provided oral testimony during this portion of the meeting:
Commissioner Orr moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, that the search committee (Wecker, Douvia, Mahnken and Chew) review options and provide recommendations to the full Commission on search methods for seeking candidates to fill the Department Director position. The motion carried unanimously.
COMMUNICATONS STRATEGIES:
Commissioners and Interim Director Anderson discussed plans for strengthening Commission communications with constituents, the Legislature, Tribes, and Governor’s Office.
Interim Director Anderson reviewed the current list and status of the Department’s citizen advisory groups.
COMMISSION POLICY REVIEW:
Commissioners and Director’s Office staff will review the list of Commission Policy Decisions and discuss the current relevance of existing policies at the Commission’s June 5-6, 2009, meeting in Olympia.
MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
The Commission deferred discussion in order to allow time for an executive session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
The Commission met in Executive Session from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. to review the performance of a public employee or employees, pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g). No action was taken during the Executive Session, and the public was not permitted to attend.
Chair Wecker reconvened and adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m.
MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES
FROM THE MAY 8-9, 2009
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING, OLYMPIA
| Approval of Minutes
|
- Motion by Douvia, second by Perry, to approve the minutes of the following:
- December 10, 2008, Special Meeting;
- December 11, 2008, Joint Meeting with Oregon;
- January 28, 2009, Special Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 13, 2009, Special Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 20, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call;
- March 27, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call; and
- April 10, 2009, Meeting via Conference Call.
The motion carried unanimously
|
| Approval of Land Transactions
|
Motion by Perry, second by Orr, to approve the following land transactions:
- Acquisition of the 14.92-acre Burger property in Yakima County for $60,000; and
- 50-year renewable trail agreement with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation on the Nooksack River in Whatcom County, with maintenance assumed by the County.
The motion carried unanimously
|
| Approval of Process for Director Search and Job Description Development |
Motion by Orr, second by Perry, that the the search committee (Wecker, Douvia, Mahnken and Chew) review options and provide recommendations to the full Commission on search methods for seeking candidates to fill the Department Director position.
The motion carried unanimously
|
Commissioners in Attendance:
Miranda Wecker, Chair
Gary Douvia, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Conrad Mahnken
George Orr
Chuck Perry
