February 8-9, 2013 Minutes

MEETING MINUTES
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WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE
COMMISSION MEETING
February 8-9, 2013

Natural Resources Building, Room 172, Olympia, Washington

Friday, February 8, 2013

Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.

1. Call to Order:

Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to approve the minutes from the February 1, 2013 conference call. Motion carried unanimously.

2. Open Public Input :
The following people signed up to provide public input during this item:

• Paul Wiltberger – Sportfishing rules/Stillaguamish River
• Bob Lake – Available safe areas in Washington

• New Community Outreach Coordinator – Jason Wettstein
• WDFW staff participating in Winter Sports Shows
• Mazama Pocket Gophers
• Columbia River Policy implementation team
• Grays Harbor – Spring Chinook
• Wolves
  • Update on recent public wolf meetings
  • Upcoming meeting in Northeast Washington
  • New Wildlife Conflict Section Manager – Stephanie Simek
  • New Wildlife Conflict Specialist – Jay Shepherd
  • Paul Frame departing, currently recruiting for his replacement
  • Moving forward with Citizen Advisory Group and Wolf Interagency Committee
  • Field activities – aerial surveys and captures
  • Meetings with livestock producers
  • Wolf hearings/bills
  • Blue Mountains: meetings with livestock producers and aerial surveys
• Director Anderson, Commissioner Carpenter and Jim Scott met with NOAA
  • Puget sound Chinook harvest management plan
  • Hatchery reform
  • Green & Skokomish river
  • Mitchell Act funding
  • Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee appointments: Kevin Lanier
• Governor Inslee
  • Cabinet meetings
  • Legislative liaison group, possible change in FWC conference call timing
• Pacific Salmon Commission
• Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
  • Requested meeting regarding enforcement
  • Adopted hatchery policy
• Legislative update – Joe Stohr, Deputy Director

4. 2013 North of Falcon Policy C-3608 - Decision
Pat Pattillo, Salmon Policy Coordinator and John Long, Statewide Salmon Manager provided a briefing of the North of Falcon Policy C-3608 and proposed modifications for consideration for the January 2013 through December 2014 policy.

Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, to accept the policy draft as presented with floor amendments.  Motion carried unanimously.

5. Climate Change - Briefing
Lynn Helbrecht, Climate Change Coordinator, Habitat Program provided a briefing to the Commission on the impacts of climate change on natural resource management in Washington.

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

6. Proposed Land Transaction – Decision
The Commission considered approval a land transaction recommended by Dennis Beich, Region Twoi Director, and Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program, for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat, enhancement of public recreation opportunities, and responsible property management.

• Proposed purchase of 24.83 acres on the Wenatchee River in Chelan County for public fishing and boating access

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to approve the proposed land transaction as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

7. Enforcement Program Staffing Study - Briefing
Chief Bruce Bjork and Deputy Chief Mike Cenci of the Enforcement Program provided a briefing to the Commission on current staffing levels. 

8. 2013 - 2014 Sportfishing Rule Proposals - Briefing and Public Hearing
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager, Fish Program briefed the Commission on the upcoming Sportfishing rules and regulations for the 2013-14 season. The Colville Tribe made a presentation regarding Lake Roosevelt Walleye regulations and management and Sturgeon.

The following people provided public testimony on this item:

9. Puget Sound Recreational Clam and Oyster Season Changes - Briefing and Public Hearing
Rich Childers, Puget Sound Shellfish Manager briefed the Commission on proposed changes to the recreational clam and oyster seasons on Puget Sound public beaches.

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 4:44 p.m.