June 7-8, 2013 Minutes

• Commissioner Schmitten reported a truly positive experience at the Habitat Summit. Thanked Assistant Director Lisa Veneroso and her staff for inviting him to be a speaker and for their leadership.


• Commissioner Kehne coordinated with Eyes in the Woods to do training on the importance of wildlife and to deter poaching.  He was impressed with the response from Jim Brown and WDFW staff.


• Commissioner Perry has heard complaints that the Access Permit requirement is being not being enforced.


• Commissioner Jennings discussed an article that reported the decline of the amphibian population across the US and the biological challenges that are coming up in the next few years


• Chair Wecker shared compliments from Ron Garner and other stakeholders for Heather Reeds work with sportfishers.

• Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten to approve the minutes from the May 3, 2013 conference call and the May 31, 2013 Special Conference Call as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Jennings and Commissioner Carpenter abstained from vote due to absence.

3. Director’s Report
The Director briefed the Commission on various items including:

• Responded to some of the concerns presented during item 2 Open Public Input
• Public Affairs/Outreach update
• Columbia River update
• Wolves - Federal delisting
• Colockum/Whiskey Dick update
• North of Falcon
• Chelan PUD
• Co-Management relationship with tribes
• Chief Bruce Bjork retiring
• Introduction of Clay Sprague
• Jay Holzmiller - new commissioner appointed by Governor Inslee

4. Cabezon Sportfishing Regulations – Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager briefed the Commission and provided options for approval of the proposed Cabezon Sportfishing Regulations.

The following people signed up to provide public input during this item:

Commissioner Mahnken moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith to retain the current Cabezon season of year-round in Marine Area 4 and May 1 through November 30 in Marine Areas 5-11 and 13. Motion passed unanimously.

5. Giant Pacific Octopus – Briefing and Public Hearing
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager provided a briefing to the Commission on the draft recommendations and public comments received to date.

The following people signed up to provide public input during this item:

Ron Garner

6. Instream Flows – Briefing – Deferred

7. Proposed Land Transaction – Decision
The Commission considered approval of various land transactions presented by 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 Conservation Easement on 487 acres in Okanogan County
• Proposed Acquisition of 4 acres in Mason County
• Proposed Renewal of Pipeline Right of Way in Grant County
• Proposed Easement for a Hatchery in King County
• Proposed Easement for a Fish Bypass Pipe in Yakima County
• Proposed Correction to a Transaction in Okanogan County

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

Commissioner Perry moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten to approve the land transactions as presented. Motion passed. 7 yes, 1 no.

8. Status of Southern Resident Killer Whales and Effects of Salmon Fisheries – Briefing
Pat Pattillo, Special Assistant to the Director, Larry Rutter, Sr. Policy Assistant, Salmon Management Division, Northwest Region of NOAA Fisheries Service and Lynne Barre, Branch Chief, Protected Resources Division, Northwest Region of NOAA Fisheries Service provided the Commission with an overview of the key issues of concern regarding the status of Southern Resident Killer Whales and implications of the recently concluded scientific review of the effects of fisheries on prey availability.

9. Colockum Elk Herd Status and Management – Briefing
Ted Clausing, Region 3 Program Manager briefed the Commission on the Colockum Elk Herd.

10.  Wildlife Rehabilitation Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Tricia Thompson, Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator and Joanna Eide, Administrative Regulations Analyst briefed the Commission on proposed rule amendments and new WAC sections to partition the wildlife rehabilitation rule and provide additional detail and direction for wildlife rehabilitators.

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

11. Commercial Sea Cucumbers/Sea Urchins Buy-Back Program - Briefing and Public Hearing
Rich Childers, Shellfish Policy Manager briefed the Commission on the commercial license buy-back program for the sea cucumber and sea urchin fishery and the recommendation to increase the maximum bid prices for permits.

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

12. New WILD System Overview and Project Timeline – Deferred
 
Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 4:34 p.m.