April 3-5, 2025 Meeting agenda - WDFW Fish and Wildlife Commission

Minutes and audio/video recordings

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Meeting location

Natural Resources Building 
1111 Washington St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501 - Room 172

- Committee Meetings

9:00am - 10:00am – Big Tent Committee - Commissioners Lehmkuhl, Baker, Parker, & Smith

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 846 2847 5164

Agenda Topics:

  • Budget & Legislation Discussion
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

10:00am - 12:00pm – Fish Committee - Commissioners Anderson, Lehmkuhl, Parker

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 858 1445 1710

Agenda Topics:

  • Annual Puget Sound Crab (C-3610) and Shrimp (C-3609) Policy Report
  • Lamprey Update
  • Commercial Dungeness Crab Rules - Coastal Comprehensive Line Marking Rules
  • Budget & Legislation Discussion
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

1:00pm - 3:00pm – Wildlife Committee - Commissioners Smith, Anderson, Myers, Rowland

To listen, dial 253-215-8782 and enter Webinar ID# 818 0835 6676

Agenda Topics:

  • Crop Damage WAC Revision
  • Deleterious Exotic Wildlife WAC Revision
  • GMP Update
  • Budget & Legislation Discussion
  • Future Meeting Planning & General Discussion

- Regular Meeting Hybrid/Olympia

If you are interested in providing public 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 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 (3) 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 at least 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, TVW AM Session Link, or the TVW PM Session Link

or by phone by dialing 1-253-205-0468 and entering Webinar ID# 825 9079 3517

8:00am - 8:30am – 1. Call to Order

Commissioner 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.

Public Comment - This Item Only

10:00am - 10:15am – Break

10:15am - 10:45am – 3. Director's Report

The Department of Fish & Wildlife Director will brief the Commission on various items.

10:45am - 11:15am – Coastal Crab Fishery - Comprehensive Line Marking Rule - Decision

Staff will request a decision from the Commission on the Coastal Crab Fishery Comprehensive Line Marking Rule that addresses marine life entanglements, improves monitoring, and clarifies current rules. 

Staff Report: Lorna Wargo, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Coordinator and Megan Hintz, Coastal Marine Fisheries Whale Entanglement Coordinator 

11:15am - 11:45am – 5. Land Transaction(s) - Briefing, Public Comment, Decision

The Commission will consider one land transaction for acquisition of 655+ acres in Pacific County, that is part of the North Willapa Bay Project in the Johns River Wildlife Area, as recommended by department staff.

Staff Report: Matthew Trenda, Real Estate Manager

Public Comment - This Item Only

11:45am - 12:45pm – Lunch

12:45pm - 1:45pm – 6. Cougar Season Setting - Decision

Staff will request a decision from the Commission on the 2025-2027 Cougar Season Setting and other sealing-related rulemaking.

Staff Report: Stephanie Landry, Carnivore, Small Game, and Furbearer Section Manager and Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

1:45pm - 2:00pm – Break

2:00pm - 3:00pm – 7. Black Bear Season Setting - Decision

Staff will request a decision from the Commission on 2025-2027 Black Bear Season Setting.

Staff Report: Stephanie Landry, Carnivore, Small Game, and Furbearer Section Manager and Anis Aoude, Game Division Manager

3:00pm - 3:45pm – 8. Blue Mountain Calf Survival Report - Briefing

Staff will brief the Commission on the Blue Mountain Calf Survival Report.

Staff Report: Kyle Garrison, Wildlife Ungulate Section Manager and Will Moore, Wildlife Ungulate Specialist

3:45pm – Recess

- Regular Meeting Olympia/Hybrid

If you are interested in providing public 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 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 (3) 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 at least 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# 814 5259 1192

8:00am - 9:30am – 9. 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.

Public Comment - This Item Only

9:30am - 9:45am – Break

9:45am - 10:45am – 10. Annual Wolf Report - Briefing

Staff will brief the Commission on the 2024 annual Wolf Conservation Management Report.

Staff Report: Benjamin Maletzke, Statewide Wolf Specialist, Subhadeep Bhattacharjee, Wolf & Grizzly Bear Policy Lead, and Mick Cope, Wildlife Program Director

10:45am - 11:15am – 11. 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.

11:15am – Adjourn