FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
MEETING
March 4-5, 2010
Spokane Convention Center
334 West Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, Washington
| ATTENDANCE: |
Commission |
Public (cont.) |
Miranda Wecker, Chair |
Jeb Race |
Gary Douvia, Vice Chair |
tony Wylie |
Brad Smith |
Eric Dinges |
Rollie Schmitten |
Jerry Barron, Northwest Sportsmans Club and WWC |
Connie Mahnken |
Cathy Barron |
David Jennings |
Vince Janson |
|
George Kirwin |
Commission Staff: |
Jim Culverwell |
Susan Galloway |
Jan Calson |
Darlene Bartlett |
Al Martz, Northeast Washington Wildlife Group |
|
John Magart, Northeast Washington Wildlife Group |
Department |
Michael B. Wisor |
Phil Anderson, Director |
Clyde Cramer |
Joe Stohr, Deputy Director |
Brian Cramer |
Jim Scott |
Chris McCarthy |
Nate Pamplin |
Kyle Walker |
Dan Budd |
Matt Mimnaugh |
Dave Ware |
Dale Magart |
Mick Cope |
David Miller |
Greg Schirato |
Matt Alwine |
Donny Martorello |
Dick Donley |
Jerry Nelson |
Tim Chestnut |
Steve Pozzanghera |
Larry J. Walker |
Bill Frymire, AGO |
Dave Murphy |
Kevin Robinette |
Fred Zitterkopt |
Madonna Luers |
John Bruce |
Woody Myers |
Tony Delgado |
Dennis Beich |
Mike Mann |
Mike Whorton |
C.K. Citts |
John Whalen |
Ken Hoff |
Brian Trickel |
Dave Colton |
Joey McCanna |
Lothar Walner |
|
Freddie Giannecchini |
Public |
Tony Johnson |
George Orr |
Mike Jones, Mule Deer Foundation |
Kim Thorburn |
Lynette Miller |
B.J. Thorniley, WA State Trappers Assn. |
Bruce Vails |
Shelia Stalp, foe Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers |
Wanda Clifford, Inland Northwest Wildlife Council |
Don Dashiell, Stevens County Commissioner |
Carlos Enriquez |
Joey J. McCanna |
Pam Douvia |
John Bigley |
Chuck Potter |
Rich Landers, Spokesman Review |
Paul Weekley |
Jim Sutton |
Ed Pohle |
LaFawn Sutton |
Jim Phillip |
Mike Poulson, for Congresswoman McMorris-Rodgers |
Emily Phillip |
Vivian Adams |
Jason Prince |
Marc Gauthier |
|
| |
|
|
|
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2011
Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
1a. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES:
The Commission continued this item to its March 18, 2011, meeting via conference call.
1b. COMMISSIONERS’ DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest, recognized Commissioner George Orr for his contribution to the Fish and Wildlife Commission and the State of Washington.
1c. DIRECTOR’S REPORT AND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:
Director Anderson reviewed significant Department issues and activities, including:
- Department request legislation status
- Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Management Plan and Orca’s
- Federal budget issues
- State budget issues
- License revenue data
1d. OPERATIONS AND BUDGET UPDATE:
Director Anderson provided an update to the Commission on the Department’s budget and operational issues.
2. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
Two individuals testified on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
- Kim Thorburn (Spokane) – Legislation affecting the Fish and Wildlife Commission
- George Orr (Spokane) – Whitetail deer study and point restriction
3. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS – DECISION:
Dan Budd presented to the Commission for approval three land transactions recommended by the Department for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat, to provide public recreational opportunity and address responsible property management.
- Proposed acquisition of 77.9 acres in Grays Harbor County
- Proposed acquisition of 473.11 acres in Douglas County; and
- Proposed conservation easement on 320 acres in Okanogan County
No public signed up to testify on the proposals during this portion of the meeting.
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to approve the land transactions as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
4. PUGET SOUND RECREATIONAL CLAM AND OYSTERS SEASON – RULE ACTION:
Jim Scott presented to the Commission permanent amendments to WAC 220-56-350 Clams other than razor clams, mussels–Areas and seasons, and WAC 220-56-380 Oysters–Areas and seasons. The Commission held a public hearing on the proposals at its February 4-5, 2011, meeting in Olympia.
Commissioner Mahnken moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve permanent amendments as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
5. 2011 SALMON FORECASTS, CONSERVATION NEEDS AND FISHING OPPOTUNITIES – BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Jim Scott provided a summary of the 2011 salmon abundance forecasts and discuss implications for addressing conservation of stocks and fisheries planning through the North of Falcon process, including outcomes of discussions with stakeholders at the first 2011 North of Falcon public meeting that was held March 1, 2011, in Olympia.
6. HUNT TAG DRAWINGS STATUS REVIEW - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Dave Ware provided a briefing on results from rules implemented last year that created new categories for permit hunts.
7.PUBLIC CONDUCT ON PRIVATE LANDS UPDER COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT -UNLAWFUL ACTS – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Mick Cope briefed the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 232-13-160 Public conduct on private lands under cooperative agreement with the Department-Unlawful acts, creating a new section to allow enforcement of private lands access rules that are mutually agreed to by the landowner and the Department. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments at its April 8-9, 2011, meeting in Olympia.
No public signed up to testify on these proposals during this portion of the meeting.
8. LANDOWNER HUNTING PERMITS – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Mick Cope provided the Commission with information on proposed amendments to WAC 232-28-295 Landowner hunting permits, which would help increase hunter access and address damage issues. The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments at its April 8-9, 2011, meeting in Olympia.
No public signed up to testify on these proposals during this portion of the meeting.
9. BALD EAGLE PROTECTION – RULE BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Greg Schirato brief the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 232-12-292 Bald eagle protection rules, which would remove the requirement for a Bald Eagle Management Plan unless the bald eagle is federally or Washington state listed as endangered or threatened, and shifting responsibility for bald eagle management to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
No public signed up to testify on these proposals during this portion of the meeting.
10. ELECTED OFFICIAL – PANEL DISCUSSION:
Senator Cathy McMorris Rodger’s Agriculture and Natural Resource Policy Director, Mike Poulson and Stevens’ County Commissioner Don Dashiell presented information about various fish and wildlife issues pertinent to their constituents with the Commission.
11. WILDLIFE COMMITTEE REPORT:
Commissioners discussed recent activities of the Commission’s wildlife committee.
12. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals testified on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
- Jim Sutton (Spokane) – Lighted nocks
- LaFawn Sutton (Spokane) – Lighted nocks
- Marc Gauthier (Spokane) – Wolf management and wilderness areas
- Derrick Knowles (Spokane) – Wilderness areas and conservation
Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 4:50 p.m.
