Audio Transcripts
FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
December 6-7, 2013
Natural Resources Building - 1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501
First Floor, Room 172
FRIDAY, December 6-7, 2013
| 8:30 A.M. | 1. Call to Order
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| 8:45 A.M. | 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: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that do not already have public input time on the agenda. |
| 9:15 A.M. | 3. Director’s Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items. |
| 10:30 A.M. | 4. HPA Rules – Briefing
Department staff will brief the Commission on four proposed new hydraulic code rules sections.
Staff Report: Randi Thurston, Protection Division Manager, Habitat Program |
| 11:00 A.M. | 5. Proposed Land Transaction – Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision
The Commission will consider approval of various land transactions recommended by the Department for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat, enhancement of public recreation opportunities.
Staff Report: Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 11:30 A.M. |
6. Dive Fishery Rules – Decision
The Commission will consider approval of proposed changes to commercial scallop, sea cucumber, and urchin dive fishery rules to reduce illegal geoduck harvest and streamline, clarify, and update rule language.
Staff Report: Mike Cenci, Deputy Chief, Enforcement Program. |
| 1:00 P.M. |
7. Batch 5 WAC Overhaul Technical Changes – Decision
The Commission will consider approval of the 5th batch of WAC overhaul technical changes. These changes include repealing outdated rules, consolidating rules, correcting references, and updating language for clarity. This project is focused on rules relating to state oyster reserve sales and fish receiving tickets.
Staff Report: Joanna Eide, Administrative Regulations Analyst and Mike Cenci, Deputy Chief, Enforcement Program |
| 1:30 P.M. |
8. Naselle River Internal Combustion Motors – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission and hold a public hearing on the reorganization of WAC 232-28-619, including changes on the Naselle River.
Staff Report: Ron Warren, Region 6 Fish Program Manager PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 2:00 P.M. |
9. San Poil Sixteen Walleye Daily Limit – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission and hold a public hearing on the reorganization of WAC 232-28-619, including increasing the daily bag limit for walleye on the lower San Poil River from 8 fish to 16.
Staff Report: John Whalen, Region 1 Fish Program Manager PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 2:30 P.M |
10. Technical Geographic Split WAC 232-28-619 – Briefing and Public Hearing
WAC 232-28-619 is a large rule, containing all water bodies of the state that have exceptions to the general statewide recreational fishing rules. At the request of the Code Reviser, and to maximize efficiency and understandability of the code, the department proposes splitting this massive rule into more manageable pieces based on geographic area. These changes are technical in nature and do not affect the underlying effect of the provisions.
Staff Report: Joanna Eide, Administrative Regulations Analyst PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 3:15 P.M. |
11. Using Descending Devices to Improve the Survivability of Released Rockfish – Briefing
Department staff will provide the Commission with a briefing on recent studies that show improved survivability of rockfish released back to the depth of capture using descending devices and report on actions taken through the Pacific Fishery Management Council to adopt lower mortality rates for coastal rockfish released with descending devices compared to rockfish released at the surface. Staff will provide an overview of outreach efforts to improve awareness of recreational anglers on the benefits of using descending devices to release rockfish and properly identifying the rockfish they catch and release.
Staff Report: Heather Reed, Coastal Marine Resources Policy Coordinator |
| 4:00 P.M. | 12. 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 will be taken in executive session, and the public is not permitted to attend the executive session. |
| 5:00 P.M. | RECESS |
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013
| 8:30 A.M. | 13. 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: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that do not already have public input time on the agenda. |
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| 9:00 A.M. |
14. Grays Harbor Salmon – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on Grays Harbor salmon fishery management and discuss challenges, provide an update on the public process and seek further guidance from the Commission on Grays Harbor Salmon Management Policy sideboards.
Staff Report: Ron Warren, Region 6 Fish Program Manager PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 10:45 A.M. |
15. Review of Lower Columbia River Sturgeon Management Policy
C-3001 – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff Report: Cindy Le Fleur, Region 5 Fish Program Manager and Brad James, Fish Biologist PUBLIC INPUT (This item only) |
| 11:45 A.M | 16. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published. |
| 12:15 P.M. | ADJOURN |
Contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission Office for further information:
Phone (360) 902-2267
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov