Fish and Wildlife Commission
December 3-5, 2020
*Via Zoom Webinar
Thursday, December 3, 2020 - Committee Meetings
10:00 AM
Wildlife Committee Meeting – Commissioners Thorburn, Baker, Anderson, Linville
Location: Zoom Link (https://zoom.us/j/98801162723)
Join by telephone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 988-0116-272
Agenda topics:
- Non-lead Partnership update
- Bear/Cougar tooth aging process
- Spring Bear Hunt WAC
- PSR process, including loon PSR
- Grazing rule/policy update
- Fire response on WDFW-owned lands
1:00 PM
Fish Committee Meeting – Commissioners Carpenter, Graybill, Kehoe, McIsaac
Location: Zoom Link (https://zoom.us/j/92088447679)
Join by telephone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 920-8844-7679
Agenda topics:
- Willapa Bay policy update
- Hatchery policy update
Friday, December 4, 2020 - Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.)
If you are interested in providing public comment, please pre-register here. Pre-registering will help the facilitators ensure public comment goes more smoothly in this new digital setting. Please note that you can join the webinar and still provide comment during the meeting even if you don’t pre-register or indicate that you wanted to comment on your registration.
To join the Commission meeting by phone please choose a phone number:
1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free)
Then you’ll be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 972-7453-7186
You can also watch without registering at TVW.
8:00 AM
1. Call to Order
- Commissioner’s Discussion
- Meeting Minutes Approval
- October 23-24, 2020 Draft Minutes (PDF)
- November 20, 2020 Draft Minutes (PDF)
- Committee Reports
8:30 AM
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.
9:30 AM
3. Director’s Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items, including an update on Covid-19 matters.
10:00 AM
4. Land Transactions – Briefing, Public Comment, Decision
The Commission will consider approval of land transactions recommended by the Department.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Julie Sandberg, Real Estate Section Manager
Public Comment – This Item Only
10:10 AM - Break
10:15 AM
5. Spring Bear Hunting Seasons – Briefing, Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on proposed amendments to WAC 220-415-080 Spring black bear special permits.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Anis Aoude, WL Game Division Manager
Public Hearing – This Item Only
11:15 AM
6. Commercial Whale Watching – Briefing, Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on two options for a rule package regarding commercial whale watching of Southern Resident Killer Whales. The briefing will include an early analysis and presentation of comments received on the proposed options.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- P (PDF)resentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Dr. Julie Watson, Killer Whale Policy Lead
Public Hearing – This Item Only
12:45 PM
7. Promoting Washington's Sustainable Seafood - Briefing
Staff will brief the Commission on WDFW's management role and the resulting impact on locally harvested seafood.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Raquel Crosier, Special Assistant to the Director and Carrie McCausland, Director of Public Affairs
1:15 PM - Lunch
2:15 PM (This item was moved to the January 29-30, 2021 meeting)
8. Blue Sheet: Pinniped Conservation and Management – Briefing
In response to a F&W Commission request, staff will present an update on pinniped conservation and management efforts in the Columbia River and Puget Sound.
- Blue Sheet (PDF)
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Nate Pamplin, Director of Budget and Government Affairs; Kessina Lee, Southwest Region Director; Dr. Scott Pearson, Senior Research Scientist, Wildlife Program; and Dr. Joe Anderson; Senior Research Scientist, Fish Program.
3:45 PM
9. WDFW Managed Nonlethal Pursuit Training Program– Briefing, Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on the proposed nonlethal pursuit pass program will help to ensure opportunity for handlers to keep dogs trained for quick and skilled action for public safety calls for service. This program will be monitored and administered through the enforcement program.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Rebecca Bennett, Community Outreach Liaison and Captain Jeff Wickersham, WDFW Enforcement
Public Hearing – This Item Only
5:00 PM - Recess
Saturday, December 5, 2020 - Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.)
If you are interested in providing public comment, please pre-register here. Pre-registering will help the facilitators ensure public comment goes more smoothly in this new digital setting. Please note that you can join the webinar and still provide comment during the meeting even if you don’t pre-register or indicate that you wanted to comment on your registration.
To join the Commission meeting by phone please choose a phone number:
1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free)
Then you’ll be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 972-7453-7186
You can also watch without registering at TVW.
8:00 AM
10. 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.
9:00 AM
11. Hatchery Policy (C-3619) Review – Briefing, Public Comment
The Commission will take public comment and consider next steps for the revised language to Policy C-3619.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
- Fish Committee Recommendation (PDF)
Staff Report: Ron Warren, Director of Fish Policy
Public Comment – This Item Only
10:00 AM
12. Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy (C-3622) – Briefing, Public Comment
Staff will brief the Commission on revisions to the Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy and seek guidance on next steps.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Ron Warren, Director of Fish Policy
Public Comment – This Item Only
11:00 AM
13. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before, during, or after the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published and consider future agenda planning.
11:15 AM
14. 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.
1:15 PM - Adjourn