April 4-6, 2019 meeting agenda

Meeting Agenda

Download PDF version (PDF)

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION- SPECIAL MEETING
April 4-6, 2019

Watch meeting via live steam video:

8:30am: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2019041020

1pm: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2019041021

2:45pm: https://www.tvw.org/watch/?eventID=2019041022

Natural Resource Building – 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia, WA 98501

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2019 - SPECIAL MEETING

2:00 P.M. Big Tent Committee Meeting – Commissioners Thorburn, Smith, Baker, Graybill
Location: Director’s Conference Room (537) – must have a badge from reception for access

 

Agenda topics

- Public Affairs Update, Carrie McCausland
- Strategic Planning Update, Rob Geddis

3:00 P.M. Fish Committee meeting – Commissioners Carpenter, Kehoe, Graybill, McIsaac
Location: Room 175 A & B – first floor near cafeteria

Agenda topics

- Willapa Bay
- Puget Sound Crab and Shrimp update

4:00 P.M. Executive Session
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110, the Commission will meet in executive session. No action will be taken during executive session and the public is not permitted to attend.

Meeting Agenda
Download PDF version (PDF)

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION - REGULAR MEETING
April 5-6, 2019

FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2019

7:00 A.M. Wildlife Committee Meeting – Commissioners Thorburn, Holzmiller, Baker
Location: Room 175 A & B – first floor near cafeteria

 

Agenda topics

- Hunt recommendation update
- Hunting contests

 

- Hunting contests summary (PDF)
- Wildlife Society Issue Statement: Wildlife Killing Contests (PDF)
- Antler Point Restrictions Fact Sheet (PDF)
- WAFWA Antler Point Restrictions Fact Sheet (PDF)

8:30 A.M. 1. Call to Order

- Commissioners’ Discussion
- Meeting Minute Approval (PDF)
- Committee Reports if available
- PRC March 14, 2019 meeting notes (PDF)

8:45 A.M. 2. Open Public Input
The Commission is a direct link between the 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.

9:45 A.M.

3. Director’s Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

 

- Presentation (PDF)

10:15 A.M. 4. Land Transactions – Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision
The Commission will consider approval of land transactions recommended by the Department for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat and for the enhancement of public recreation opportunities.

Staff Report: Julie Sandberg, Real Estate Section Manager

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

10:35 A.M. 5. Cougar Update
Director Susewind will provide an update on existing cougar management policy and provide an analysis of options for addressing potential changes to cougar management.

 

- Summary (PDF)

10:50 A.M. 6. Small Game – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on proposed rules for small game and furbearers.

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report:  Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

10:55 A.M. Break
11:05 A.M.

7. Migratory Waterfowl Seasons and Regulations – Decision

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on migratory waterfowl seasons and regulations.

Staff Report: Kyle Spragens, Waterfowl Section Manager

11:15 A.M. 8. Landowner Hunting Permits – Decision
Department staff will request approval from Commission on landowner hunting permits.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report:  Ciera Strickland, Private Lands Access Program Manager

11:20 A.M. 9. Hunter Orange – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on hunter orange requirements

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

11:25 A.M. 10. Deer General Seasons and Special Permits – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on deer general seasons and special permits.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report:   Brock Hoenes, Deer and Elk Section Manager

11:45 A.M. 11. Hunting Boundaries and Equipment – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on hunting boundaries and equipment.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report:  Brock Hoenes, Deer and Elk Section Manager

11:50 A.M. 12. Reducing the Spread of Hoof Disease – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on elk game management unit changes.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF) 

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Deer and Elk Section Manager

12:00 P.M. Lunch
1:00 P.M. 13. Elk General Seasons and Special Permits – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on elk general seasons and special permits.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF) (revised)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Deer and Elk Section Manager

1:15 P.M. 14. Bighorn Sheep Seasons and Auction, Raffle, and Special Permits – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on bighorn sheep seasons and on new auction, raffle, and special permit opportunities.

- Summary (PDF)

- Presentation (PDF) (revised)

Staff Report: Richard Harris, Ph.D., Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose Section Manager

1:25 P.M. 15. Mountain Goat Seasons – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on mountain goat seasons.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Richard Harris, Ph.D., Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose Section Manager

1:30 P.M. 16. Moose Seasons – Decision
Department staff will request approval from the Commission on moose seasons.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Richard Harris, Ph.D., Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, and Moose Section Manager

1:35 P.M. 17. Annual Wolf Report – Briefing
Department staff will provide the annual wolf update.

 

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
- 2018 Annual Report

 

Staff Report: Benjamin Maletzke, PhD, Statewide Wolf Specialist and Dan Brinson, Conflict Section Manager, Wildlife Program

2:35 P.M. Break
2:50 P.M. 18. Requirements for Testing Commercial Fishing Gear – Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision
Department staff will brief the Commission and request approval on changes needed to amend rules to clarify the requirements for testing commercial fishing gear.

Staff Report: Scott Bird, Agency Rules Coordinator

- Summary (PDF)

 

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

3:05 P.M.

19. Abalone Status Review and Preliminary Listing – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will summarize the public comment received during the review period and peer review of the preliminary status review document.

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

Staff Report: Hank Carson, Fish and Wildlife Research Scientist and Chris Eardley, Puget Sound Policy Coordinator

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

3:35 P.M.

20. Pass Lake Sport Fishing Rules – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on proposals to allow harvest of all game fish except trout at Pass Lake in Skagit County.

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

Staff Report: Edward Eleazer, Region 4 Fish Program Manager and Justin Spinelli, Fish and Wildlife Biologist

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

4:05 P.M. 21. HPA Suction Dredging Rules – Briefing and Public Hearing
Department staff will brief the Commission on the proposed amendments to the hydraulic code rules for suction dredging.

Staff Report: Randi Thurston, Protection Division Manager, Pat Chapman, Regulatory Services Coordinator and Teresa Scott, Special Projects Coordinator, Habitat Program

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

5:05 P.M. Recess

 

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2019

8:00 A.M.

22. Future Meeting Planning – Discussion
Commissioners and staff will discuss upcoming meetings and conference calls.

- Year at a glance (PDF)

8:30 A.M. 23. Open Public Input
The Commission is a direct link between the 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.

9:30 A.M.

24. Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy C-3622 – Briefing, Public Comment and Policy Direction
Department staff will brief the Commission on progress of the comprehensive review for the Willapa Bay Basin Salmon Management Policy C-3622, and provide options for Commission direction for fishery planning.

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

Staff Report: Chad Herring, South Coast Fishery Policy Analyst and Kirt Hughes, Statewide Salmon and Steelhead Manager

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

10:30 A.M.

25. Grays Harbor Salmon Management Policy C-3621 Review – Briefing and Public Comment
Department staff will provide the Commission an annual review on Grays Harbor salmon management as stipulated in Policy C-3621, providing guidance for Grays Harbor salmon fisheries.

- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

Staff Report:  Chad Herring, South Coast Fishery Policy Analyst and Mike Scharpf, District Biologist

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

11:30 A.M.

26. Commercial Fishing Guide Logbook Requirements – Briefing and Public Comment
Department staff will brief the Commission on a proposal establishing logbook requirements for gamefish guides, food fish guides, and combination game fish and food fish guides.


- Summary (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

 

Staff Report: Kelly Cunningham, Fish Program Deputy Assistant Director and Chris Donley, Region 1 Fish Program Manager

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

12:30 P.M. 27. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.
12:45 P.M. Adjourn

Contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission Office for further information:
Phone 360-902-2267
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov