FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
January 16-18, 2020
Natural Resource Building
1111 Washington Street SE Olympia, WA 98501, Room 172
Friday, January 17, 2020 - Regular Meeting
8:00 AM
1. Call to Order
- Commissioners' Discussion
- Meeting Minutes Approval (PDF)
- Committee Reports, if available
8:45 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.
9:15 AM
3. Director's Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items.
9:45 AM
4. Land Transactions – Briefing, Public Comment, 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
Public Comment – This Item Only
10:15 AM
5. Coastal Dungeness Crab Whale Entanglement – Decision
Staff will seek a Commission decision for the 2019-2020 proposed season measures intended to reduce the risk of whale entanglements.
Staff Report: Michele Culver, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Manager and Heather Hall, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator
10:45 AM - Break
11:00 AM
6. Puget Sound Partnership – Briefing
Laura Blackmore, Executive Director with the Puget Sound Partnership will brief the Commission on their current activities and partnerships with the Department.
Staff Report: Jeff Davis, Director of Conservation
12:30 PM
7. Hydraulic Project Implementing Bill 1579 – Briefing, Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on the implementation of the hydraulic project bill 1579.
Staff Report: Margen Carlson, Habitat Director, Randi Thurston, Protection Division Manager, and Pat Chapman, Regulatory Services Coordinator
Public Hearing – This Item Only
1:15 PM
8. 2020 Forest Restoration Projects – Briefing, Decision
Staff will brief the Commission on current and completed work of forest thinning and prescribed burning project efforts and request approval of two new projects, Weatherly and Windy Point, which will continue to address forest restoration thinning.
Staff Report: Richard Tveten, Forest Management Team Lead
1:45 PM
9. 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. Location: NRB, Room 172
2:45 PM
10. Commissioner Workshop
No audio
Location: Natural Resources Building (NRB), Room 172
Agenda topics:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Committee procedures
4:15 PM - Recess
Saturday, January 18, 2020
8:00 AM
11. Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy C-3622- Briefing, Public Comment
Staff will provide a review of fishery management objectives utilized during the 2019 North of Falcon process. Staff will also provide preliminary harvest estimates from the 2019 fishery season in relation to pre-season predicted estimates of harvest and discuss fishery management guidance for the 2020 fishery season.
Staff Report: Chad Herring, South Coast Fishery Policy Analyst, Ron Warren, Director of Fish Policy, and Kirt Hughes, Statewide Salmon and Steelhead Fishery Manager
Public Comment – This Item Only
9:00 AM
12. 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.
10:00 AM
13. Puget Sound Chinook Resource Management Plan – Briefing, Public Comment
Staff will update the Commission on the current timeline and process for the Puget Sound Chinook Resource Management Plan.
Staff Report: Ron Warren, Director of Fish Policy
11:30 PM
14. Future Meeting Planning – Discussion
Commissioners and staff will discuss upcoming meetings and conference calls.
12:00 PM
15. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.
12:15 PM - Adjourn