Audio Transcripts

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
June 5-6, 2009
Natural Resources Building ~ First Floor, Room 172
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia, Washington 98501

* Agenda is subject to change.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5

8:30 AM	1. CALL TO ORDER 1a & b Approval of Meeting Minutes & Commissioners' Discussion Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [8.6MB] 1c Director's Report (Phil Anderson) Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [11.8MB] 1d & 2 Operations and Budget Update (Joe Stohr) and Open Public Input Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [16.0MB] 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 on those issues not on this agenda for action.)
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	3. DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR POSITION DESCRIPTION AND SEARCH PROCESS – DISCUSSION, PUBLIC INPUT AND ACTION: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [20.0MB] The Commission will discuss evaluation criteria, interview questions and the general process by which the Commission will select a new director for the Department [pursuant to RCW 77.04.055, Commission – Duties(7)]. Commissioners will also discuss final edits to and consider Commission approval of a job description for the Department Director position, pending input from the Governor. The public is invited to provide testimony to the Commission relating to the search process and candidate criteria during this portion of the meeting. - Greensheet - PDF format (24 KB) - Draft job announcement for director position - PDF format (58 KB) - Dept. of Personnel - Executive Careers Recruitment Services - PDF format (44 KB) - Director Search Process Timeline - PDF format (81 KB) PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 4. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS - DECISION: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [4.6MB] The Commission will consider approval of the following proposed land transactions: Proposed acquisition of a 2,560-acre property in Kittitas County; Proposed acquisition of a 147-acre property in Franklin County; and Proposed acquisition of a 3,816-acre property in Cowlitz County. - Greensheet - PDF format (1,434 KB) Staff Report: Dan Budd, Real Estate Manager, Wildlife Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 5. HUNTER EDUCATION TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS – RULE ACTION: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [3.2MB] The Commission will 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. The Commission held a public hearing on the proposals at its March 6-7, 2009, meeting in Ellensburg. Action on this item was continued from the April 3-4, 2009, Commission meeting to this meeting. - Greensheet - PDF format (1.8 MB) Staff Report: Bruce Bjork, Chief, Enforcement Program
12:05 P.M.	LUNCH BREAK:
1:00 P.M.	6. BALLAST WATER MANAGEMENT – RULE ACTION: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [11.0MB] The Commission will consider adoption of permanent ballast water regulations to implement 2008 Legislation (E2SSB 5923), which will reduce environmental impacts from non-indigenous species discharges of ballast water. The Commission held a public hearing on these rule proposals at its May 8-9, 2009, meeting in Olympia. NEW CHAPTER 220-150 WAC Ballast Water Management WAC 220-150-010 Purpose, stakeholder consultation, and cooperative management. WAC 220-150-020 Definitions WAC 220-150-030 Reporting forms, waivers, safety exemptions, and recordkeeping WAC 220-150-033 Vessel inspections WAC 220-150-035 Vessels carrying high risk ballast water WAC 220-150-037 Temporary compliance plans and alternative Strategies WAC 220-150-040 Interim open sea exchange requirements WAC 220-150-043 Interim open sea exchange alternative WAC 220-150-050 Treatment requirements WAC 220-150-060 Treatment notification and promising treatment waiver process WAC 220-150-070 Ballast tank sediment WAC 220-150-080 Penalties and enforcement REPEALERS WAC 220-77-090, Ballast water management and control -- Reporting and sampling requirements; WAC 220-77-095, Interim ballast water discharge standard approval process. - Greensheet - PDF format (1 MB) Staff Report: Allen Pleus, Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator, Fish Program 7. PUGET SOUND ROCKFISH STATUS – BRIEFING: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [15.9MB] The request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on rockfish populations in Puget Sound and the status of developing a recovery plan with long-term options for recovery and sustainable fisheries. - Greensheet - PDF format (365 KB) Staff Report: Wayne Palsson, Research Scientist, Marine Fish Science Division, Fish Program 8. PROPOSED COMMISSION POLICY ON HATCHERY REFORM – BRIEFING & PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Briefing: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [11.2MB] Public Testimony: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [15.6MB] At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on a draft proposed Commission Policy on Hatchery Reform (C-3619) and accept public testimony. The Commission will consider approval of a final policy at its July 10-11, 2009, meeting in Olympia. - Greensheet - PDF format (57 KB) - Public Comments - Draft Hatchery and Fishery Reform Policy C-3619 - PDF format (2.35 MB) Staff Report: Andy Appleby, Hatchery Reform Coordinator, Fish Program; Sara LaBorde, Special Assistant to the Director; and Heather Bartlett, Salmon and Steelhead Resources Manager, Fish Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)
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	8. RESUME - Item #8 9. COMMERCIAL HAGFISH LOGBOOK SUBMISSION SCHEDULE – RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [12.2MB] Department staff will brief Commissioners on proposed amendments to WAC 220-88E-040 that would require logbooks on a monthly, rather than quarterly, basis to more closely monitor the fishery. The Commission will consider final adoption of these amendments during its June 19, 2009, meeting via conference call. - Greensheet - PDF format (432 KB) Staff Report: Lorna L. Wargo, Coastal Marine Fish Biologist, Fish Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 10. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [13.7MB] 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 on those issues not on this agenda for action.)
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SATURDAY, June 6

8:30 AM	11. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [7.6MB] 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. 12. RECREATIONAL LICENSE DEALER’S FEES FOR MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING -- RULE BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [2.8MB] Department staff will brief the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-55-115, Recreational license dealer’s fees, which would help cover the costs associated with the hunter authorization program by allowing license dealers to collect a 50-cent fee for each authorization document issued. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rules at its July 10-11, 2009, Commission meeting in Olympia. - Greensheet - PDF format (382 KB) Staff Report: Don Kraege, Waterfowl Section Manager, Wildlife Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 13. COUGAR PILOT RULES – BRIEFING & PUBLIC HEARING: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [26.0MB] Department staff will brief the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 232-28-285, 2010 Pilot cougar hunting seasons with the aid of dogs, which would implement legislation (ESHB 2438, 2009 Legislature) extending the pilot for three years in the same five counties. The proposed amendments also include the addition of the one county that requested inclusion in the program. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent rules at its July 10-11, 2009, Commission meeting in Olympia. - Greensheet - PDF format (753 KB) Staff Report: Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Carnivore, Furbearer, and Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) 14. PHEASANT RELEASE PROGRAM UPDATE – BRIEFING: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [12.1MB] At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on the status of the Department’s pheasant release program and potential for continuing the program in future years. - Greensheet - PDF format (231 KB) Staff Report: Mick Cope, Upland Game Section Manager, Wildlife Program
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	15. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [4.1MB] Commissioners will review the current list of Commission requests to the Department and consider new requests. - Summary of requests - PDF format (21 KB) 16. COMMISSION POLICY DECISIONS REVIEW: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [7.3MB] Commissioners will discuss the existing Commission Policy Decision documents and consider current relevance. - Commission policy decision documents - PDF format (7,908 KB) 17. MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF: Stream MP3 Audio | Download MP3 File [20.4MB] The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published. 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.
12:30 PM	ADJOURN

*Agenda is 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.

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