Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission
FEBRUARY 17-19, 2022
AGENDA
PDF Agenda (PDF)
Via Zoom Webinar
Watch on TVW - Friday & Saturday
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2022 – Committee Meetings
8:00 AM
Big Tent Committee – Commissioners Thorburn, Baker, McIsaac
Location: TVW Link
Agenda topics:
- Intros of climate change coordinator and sustainability coordinator
- Climate resilience overview (PDF)
- DFW preparing for climate change report (PDF)
- Introduction and overview of the agency sustainability plan and progress made to date (PDF)
- Update on the Commission policies review
10:30 AM
Habitat Committee – Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Linville
Location: TVW Link
Agenda topics:
- Shrub-steppe proviso update (PDF)
1:00 PM
Fish Committee – Commissioners McIsaac, Anderson, Baker
Location: TVW Link
Agenda topics:
- Commercial shellfish regulation proposals (PDF)
- Coastal Steelhead Plan update (PDF)
- Willapa Bay Policy review, revised process, and schedule (PDF)
- 1 slide power point (PDF)
Friday, February 18, 2022 – Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.
If you are interested in providing verbal public comment, please register here. The following registration deadlines are in effect:
- Registration for public comment begins at 8am on the Thursday prior to the meeting and closes at 8am on Friday, prior to the meeting beginning. Open Public Input (OPI) is for comments on matters that are not found elsewhere on the agenda with identified specific public comment periods.
- Registrants will be called upon (no more “raised hands” will be recognized) and have three minutes to speak, unless the Chair sets a lesser time at the onset of the agenda item.
- All information entered into the form is subject to public disclosure.
Additional information on verbal and written comment can be found here. To listen to the meeting please access it here, or by phone with the following phone numbers below.
1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free)
Then you will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 868-6736-2574
8:00 AM
1. Call to Order
Commissioner’s Discussion
Meeting Minutes Approval
- January 13-14, 2022, webinar draft meeting minutes (PDF)
- January 21, 2022, special web conference meeting minutes (PDF)
- January 28, 2022, web conference meeting minutes (PDF)
Committee Reports
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.
9:45 AM
3. Director’s Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items.
10:30 AM - Struck from agenda
4. Land Transactions - Briefing, Public Comment and Decision
The Commission will consider approval of a land transaction recommended by the Department for the enhancement of public recreation opportunities.
Staff Report: Karen Edwards, Real Estate Manager
Public Comment – This Item Only
11:00 AM - BREAK
11:15 AM
5. Commercial Shellfish Regulation Proposals – Briefing, Public Hearing
Staff will provide the Commission with a briefing on proposed revisions to commercial regulations for shellfish.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Chris Eardley, Puget Sound Shellfish Policy Coordinator, and Aaron Dufault, Puget Sound Shellfish Manager
Public Hearing – This Item Only
12:15 PM
6. South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Plan – Briefing
Staff will brief the Commission on the newly finished South Puget Sound Wildlife Area Plan.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
- SPS Wildlife Area Plan (PDF)
Staff Report: Cynthia Wilkerson, Lands Division Manager; Lauri Vigue, Lands Planner; and Darric Lowery, Wildlife Area Manager
12:45 PM - LUNCH
1:30 PM - THIS ITEM WAS TABLED AND MOVED TO SATURDAY.
7. New Cowlitz Wildlife Area Program Grazing Permit - Briefing
Staff will provide the Commission with an update on the grazing program implementation.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Cynthia Wilkerson, Lands Division Manager, and Jeff Burnham, Range Ecologist
1:50 PM
8. Lower Columbia White Sturgeon Population Status and Management Annual Policy (C-3001) Review – Briefing, Public Comment
Staff will provide the Commission an annual review briefing on the lower Columbia River sturgeon population status, as stipulated within Policy C-3001, and discuss plans for 2022 fisheries.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Laura Heironimus, CRMU Sturgeon/Smelt/Lamprey Unit Lead
Public Comment – This Item Only
2:40 PM
9. European Green Crab – Briefing
Staff will provide the Commission a briefing on the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation for European green crab and status of implementation.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Allen Pleus, Aquatic Invasive Species Policy Coordinator and Kelly Cunningham, Director of Fish Program
3:15 PM - RECESS
Saturday, February 19, 2022 – Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.)
If you are interested in providing verbal public comment, please register here. The following registration deadlines are in effect:
- Registration for public comment begins at 8am on the Thursday prior to the meeting and closes at 8am on Friday, prior to the meeting beginning. Open Public Input (OPI) is for comments on matters that are not found elsewhere on the agenda with identified specific public comment periods.
- Registrants will be called upon (no more “raised hands” will be recognized) and have three minutes to speak, unless the Chair sets a lesser time at the onset of the agenda item.
- All information entered into the form is subject to public disclosure.
Additional information on verbal and written comment can be found here. To listen to the meeting please access it here, or by phone with the following phone numbers below.
1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free)
Then you will be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 868-6736-2574
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
7. CONTINUED - New Cowlitz Wildlife Area Program Grazing Permit - Briefing
Staff will provide the Commission with an update on the grazing program implementation.
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
Staff Report: Cynthia Wilkerson, Lands Division Manager, and Jeff Burnham, Range Ecologist
9:30 AM
11. Wolf Population Model – Briefing
The staff from the University of Washington will present the wolf population model and scenario outputs.
*NOTE: The presentation will be posted once approved by the USGS.*
- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)
University of Washington Staff: Sarah Converse, Beth Gardner, and Lisanne Petracca
10:10 AM
12. Meeting Debrief and Future Meeting Planning
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before, during, or after the meeting and consider future agenda planning.
10:55 AM - ADJOURN