Minutes and audio/video recordings
Natural Resources Building
1111 Washington Street SE
Olympia WA 98501 – Room 172
- Committee Meetings
8:00am - 10:00am – Big Tent Committee - Commissioners Lehmkuhl, Baker, Parker, Smith
To listen, dial: 253-215-8782 and enter ID# 838 1391 5324
Agenda Topics:
- Washington Results from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation
- Conservation Policy Update
- Best Available Science Policy
- Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion
10:00am - 12:00pm – Habitat Committee - Commissioners Linville, Lehmkuhl, Ragen, Myers
To listen, dial: 253-215-8782 and enter ID# 826 5642 4115
Agenda Topics:
- Habitat Program: Growth Management Act Update (Land Use Conservation & Policy - How we engage in supporting/influencing local governments)
- Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion
1:00pm - 3:00pm – Fish Committee - Commissioners Anderson, Linville, Ragen, Parker
To listen, dial: 253-215-8782 and enter ID# 883 6243 6853
Agenda Topics:
- Puget Sound Shellfish Monitoring & Management
- Policy C-3609: Puget Sound Crab Fishery
- Policy C-3610: Puget Sound Shrimp Fishery
- Future Meeting Planning & Discussion
3:00pm - 5:00pm – Wildlife Committee - Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Rowland, Myers
To listen, dial: 253-215-8782 and enter ID# 852 6623 7597
Agenda Topics:
- Cougar Management Framework Discussion
- Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion
- Regular Meeting Hybrid/Olympia
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2024 - OLYMPIA/HYBRID MEETING
If you are interested in providing comments online during a hybrid meeting, please register online.
The following virtual registration deadlines are in effect:
- Registration for those wishing to provide virtual comments closes at 5pm the day before the meeting begins.
- Open Public Input is intended for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda.
- Registrants will be called upon and typically have three minutes to speak.
- If you are unable to participate you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page.
In-Person Participation:
The following in-person deadlines are in effect:
- If you haven’t pre-registered, complete a Public Testimony form, available at the registration table.
- The form must be submitted 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.
To listen to the meeting please access it using the Zoom Link or TVW Link
Or by phone by dialing 1-253-205-0468 and entering webinar ID# 881 7581 5830
8:00am - 8:30am – 1. Call to Order
Commissioners Discussion
Meeting Minutes Approval
Committee Reports
8:30am - 10:00am – 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.
10:00am - 10:15am – Break
10:15am - 10:45am – 3. Director's Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items.
10:45am - 11:15am – 4. Land Transaction - Briefing, Public Comment, Decision
The Commission will consider approval of a land transaction for Violet Prairie Phase 3, recommended by the department.
Staff Report: Karen Edwards, Real Estate Manager
11:15am - 12:00pm – 5. L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Plan - Briefing
Staff will brief the Commission on the L.T. Murray Wildlife Area Plan
Staff Report: Holly English, Lands & Recreation Planner and Hannah Bate, Region 3 Lands Operations Manager/Assistant Wildlife Program Manager
12:00pm - 1:00pm – Lunch
1:00pm - 1:30pm – 6. Petition: Steelhead Bait Ban & Date Changes - Briefing, Decision
Staff will brief the Commission and ask for a decision on the request to change regulations that will ban the use of bait in all rivers and tributaries in the Puget Sound and delay the opening of fishing season until mid-June in Puget Sound Rivers.
Staff Report: Kirt Hughes, Fish Management Division Manager
1:30pm - 2:00pm – 7. Petition: Change to the Yellow Perch Limit on Fish Lake in Chelan County - Briefing, Decision
Staff will brief the Commission and ask for a decision on the request that the limit for Yellow Perch on Fish Lake in Chelan County to be changed from 25, to no limit.
Staff Report: Chad Jackson, Region 2 Fish Program Manager
2:00pm - 2:40pm – 8. Petition: Wildlife Control Operators - Briefing, Decision
Petition withdrawn - Item struck from the agenda
Staff will brief the Commission on requested changes to Wildlife Control Operators (WCO) Training and expanding authority to operate. The proposal will allow WCOs to respond to wildlife conflicts involving ungulates and apex predators.
Staff Report: Fenner Yarborough, Landowner Services Division Manager
2:40pm - 3:00pm – 9. Petition: Creation of Eastside & Westside Deer Tags - Briefing, Decision
Staff will brief the Commission and ask for a decision on the request to begin rulemaking to create Eastside and Westside deer tags, requiring deer hunters to choose between the Eastside and Westside of the state.
Staff Report: Kyle Garrison, Ungulate Section Manager
3:00pm - 3:30pm – 10. Orca Whale Periodic Status Review - Briefing, Public Comment, Decision
Staff will brief the Commission on the status of Orca Whales.
Staff Report: Taylor Cotten, Conservation Assessment Section Manager & Jessica Stocking, Marine-Coastal-Flyway Section Manager
3:30pm - 5:00pm – 11. Science & Policy Discussion Regarding Cougar Rulemaking
Pursuant to the Commission vote in December, the Commission and staff will discuss policy considerations of rulemaking.
Staff Report: Dr. Donny Martorello, Wildlife Program Science Division Manager, Eric Gardner, Wildlife Director & Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager
- Regular Meeting Olympia/Hybrid
SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2024 - OLYMPIA/HYBRID MEETING
If you are interested in providing comments online during a hybrid meeting, please register online.
Virtual Participation:
The following virtual registration deadlines are in effect:
- Registration for those wishing to provide comments closes at 5pm the day before the meeting begins.
- Open Public Input is intended for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda.
- Registrants will be called upon and typically have three minutes to speak.
- If you are unable to participate you can submit your comments on the Commission contact page.
In-Person Participation:
The following in-person deadlines are in effect:
- If you haven’t pre-registered, complete a Public Testimony form, available at the registration table.
- The form must be submitted 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the agenda item you wish to testify on.
To listen to the meeting please access it using the Zoom Link or TVW Link
Or by phone by dialing 1-253-205-0468 and enter Webinar ID# 858 6048 8509
8:00am - 9:30am – 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.
9:30am - 9:45am – Break
9:45am - 11:15am – 13. Wolf Periodic Status Review - Briefing, Public Comment
Staff will brief the Commission on the status of wolves.
- Summary Sheet
- Periodic Status Review for the Gray Wolf
- Wolf Periodic Status Review Briefing Materials
- Presentation
Staff Report: Julia Smith, Endangered Species Recovery Section Manager
11:15am - 12:00pm – 14. Meeting Debriefing and Future Meeting Planning
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before, during, or after the meeting and consider future agenda planning
12:00pm - 1:00pm – Executive Session
Item struck from the agenda
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(i), the Commission will meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency matters relating to agency enforcement actions, or to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency, the governing body, or a member acting in an official capacity is, or is likely to become, a party, when public knowledge regarding the discussion is likely to result in an adverse legal or financial consequence to the agency.