October 18-19, 2019 audio transcript

1. Call to Order

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a. Commissioners’ Discussion
b. Meeting Minutes Approval

   1. Draft September 13-14, 2019 Meeting Minutes

   2. Draft September 27, 2019 Conference Call Minutes 

c. Committee Reports, if available

2. Open Public Input

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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.

3. Director’s Report

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The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

- Summary

4. Land Transactions – Briefing, Public Comment and Decision

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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.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Comment – This Item Only

Staff Report: Julie Sandberg, Real Estate Section Manager

5. Spring Bear Season – Briefing, Public Hearing

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Staff will brief the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-415-080 2019-2020 Spring Black Bear Special Permits.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing– This Item Only

Staff Report: Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

6. Green (Duwamish) River Rule Change – Briefing, Public Hearing

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Staff will provide the Commission with a briefing to consider closing a section of the upper Green River to fishing in the Tacoma Municipal Watershed.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing – This Item Only

Staff Report: Edward Eleazer, Region 4 Fish Program Manager

7. Colville River Rule Change– Briefing, Public Hearing

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Staff will provide the Commission with a briefing to consider opening a section of the Colville River to year-round fishing.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing – This Item Only

Staff Report: Bill Baker, District 1 Fish Biologist

8. Marine Fish and Shellfish Sport Fishing Rule Simplification - Briefing, Public Hearing

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Staff will provide the Commission an overview on proposals under consideration to simplify and improve marine fish and shellfish recreational rules while addressing conservation objectives.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing – This Item Only

Staff Report: Heather Hall, Marine Fish Coastal Shellfish Policy Coordinator, Phill Dionne, Fish and Wildlife Research Scientist, and Chris Eardley, Puget Sound Shellfish Policy Coordinator

1:30 PM

9. Coastal Dungeness Crab Whale Entanglement – Briefing, Public Comment

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Staff will update the Commission on progress to address whale entanglements in the coastal crab fishery, and brief on proposed measures for the 2019-2020 season intended to reduce the risk of whale entanglements.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Comment – This Item Only

Staff Report: Michele Culver, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Manager and Heather Hall, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator

10. Sturgeon Sport Rules Update Briefing, Public Hearing 

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Staff will provide the Commission a briefing on rule proposals for sturgeon sport fishing while addressing conservation objectives.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing – This Item Only

Staff Report: Laura Heironimus, Region 5 Sturgeon/Smelt/Lamprey Unit Lead and Paul Hoffarth, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Bill Tweit, Special Assistant

11. Executive Session

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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.

12. Open Public Input

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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.

13. Cougar Management – Briefing, Public Comment

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Staff will brief the Commission on current cougar management, the science behind it and comparison to neighboring states. This will be background information preceding possible cougar rule changes that the commission will considered in March and April.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Comment – This Item Only

Staff Report: Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

14. Implementation of House Bill 1579, and Freshwater Gamefish Rule Housekeeping - Briefing, Public Hearing

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Staff will provide the Commission a briefing on rules liberalizing bag limits for walleye, bass, channel catfish, and freshwater gamefish in order to reduce the predation risk to salmon smolts.

- Summary

- Presentation

Public Hearing – This Item Only

Staff Report - Steve Caromile, Inland Fish Program Manager, and Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager

15. Future Meeting Planning – Discussion

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Commissioners and staff will discuss upcoming meetings and conference calls.

- Draft November 1 Conference Call Agenda

- Year at a Glace

- DRAFT 2020 Meeting Schedule 

16. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief

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The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.

17. Tumwater Hatchery Falls - Briefing

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Staff will brief the Commission on the renovation of the Tumwater Fall Hatchery.

- Summary

- Presentation

Staff Report: Eric Kinne, Hatchery Division Manager and Tim Burns, Capital & Assets Management Program Director