FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING

November 3-5, 2011*
Airport Ramada - Spokane, Washington

* Note: The Commission concluded business by end of Friday and did not meet on Saturday, November 5th.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2011

Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:59 a.m.

Briefing and Discussion – Wolf Conservation and Management Plan:
Nate Pamplin, Harriet Allen and Rocky Beach briefed the Commission on theDepartment’s final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Recommended Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (Plan).  The briefing included an overview of the content of the EIS/Plan, a description of the planning process used to develop the EIS/Plan, and a summary of comments received from public and scientific peer reviews and the Wolf Working Group. 

Colville Tribe Wolf Management Presentation:
Joe Peone of the Colville tribe gave a presentation to the Commission displaying the cultural importance of the wolf and the management concerns for the Colville Reservation and its seated lands.

Briefing and Discussion – Wolf Conservation and Management Plan: Continued

Open Public Input:
The following individuals provided testimony on the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Recommended Wolf Conservation and Management Plan during this portion of the meeting:

Chair Wecker adjourned the meeting at 6:11.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m. and went directly into Executive Session.

Open session resumed at 8:46 a.m.

Executive Session:
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), the Commission will meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency is, or is likely to become, a party.  No action is taken in executive session, and the public is not permitted to attend the executive session. 

Call to Order:

Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to amend October 7-8 minutes.  The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to move the second sentence in 1b to a separate sentence.  The motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Douvia, to approve minutes as presented and amended as discussed:

• August 4, 2011, meeting;
• August 5-6, 2011, meeting;
• September 2, 2011, conference call;
• October 6, 2011, meeting
• October 7-8, 2011, meeting; and
• October 21, 2011, conference call

The motion carried unanimously.

b. Commissioners Discussion:

• Cattle Producers of Washington Meeting
• Suggestions for production of future Conservation and Management Plans
• Record Correction: A member of the public made an incorrect statement at the November 3, 2011 Work Session pertaining to Diffuse Knapweed.  The Department did not plant Diffuse Knapweed in Okanogan County.  Diffuse Knapweed came into Washington in the early 1900’s with Alfalfa seed.  In the 1950’s the Department gave out Bitterbrush seed packets.  Bitterbrush is a native plant and winter forage for Mule Deer.
• Spokane Tribe willing to work with WDFW on development of their Wolf Plan

c. Director’s Report / Operations Review:

• Governor Gregoire’s office contacted Secretary Clinton recommending the replacement of Jeff Koening on the Pacific Salmon Commission
• Positive results for the beginning of hunting season
• Puget Sound Dungeness Crab projections
• Salmon Virus - ISAV
• Trip to Washington D.C. to meet with US Fish and Wildlife and NOAA
• Budget – Revenue Forecast

Proposed Land Transaction – Decision:
Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program proposed to the Commission the acquisition of 7,711.2 acres in Kittitas County.  

Jeff Tayer, Regional Director, was recognized by the Commission for his work with various groups to help the acquisition come to fruition.

Public Input: No one signed up to provide testimony during this portion of the meeting.

Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the proposed land transaction as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

Importation and Retention of Dead Non-resident Wildlife:
Dave Ware briefed the Commission on the proposed amendments to WAC 232-12-021 Retention of Dead Nonresident Wildlife.

Commissioner Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Jennings, to approve the proposed amendment to WAC 232-12-012 as presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

Detecting Ungulate Population Declines:
Dave Ware briefed the Commission on the strategies used by the Department to monitor and maintain ungulate populations. 

Habitat Program Overview:
Lisa Veneroso, Assistant Director, Habitat Program briefed the Commission on the current structure, expertise, collaboration and proactive approach to protecting, conserving and restoring fish and wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on.

Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief:
Wolf Management and Conservation Plan

Open Public Input
No one signed up to provide testimony during this portion of the meeting.

Chair Wecker adjourned the meeting at 3:47 p.m.