Commission to weigh decisions on hunting contests, Columbia River salmon policy at September meeting 

ARCHIVED NEWS RELEASE

This document is provided for archival purposes only. Archived documents do not reflect current WDFW regulations or policy and may contain factual inaccuracies.

News release

Commission office, 360-902-2267, commission@dfw.wa.gov  

OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to decide on proposed changes to hunting contest rules, adopt changes to its Columbia River salmon policy, and hear updates on a variety of other topics during its online meeting Sept. 11-12.   

The Commission will begin at 9 a.m. Thursday with meetings of its Big Tent, Habitat, Fish, and Wildlife committees.   

During its regular meeting on Friday, the Commission is expected to decide whether to ban certain hunting contests in the state, as well as whether to adopt proposed revisions to its Columbia River Salmon Fishery Policy (C-3620). Also on Friday, commissioners will hear public comments and/or updates on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) efforts to combat climate change, the status of the North Cascades elk herd, and a draft 25-year WDFW strategic plan, as well as alternative gear research in the lower Columbia River.  

On Saturday, the Commission will receive briefings and hear public testimony on updates to the Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy (C-3622) and Hatchery Review Policy (C-3619). Commissioners will also receive an update on development of a licensing program for commercial whale watching and rules regarding commercial viewing of Southern Resident Killer Whales.  

The Commission will take general public comment Friday starting at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday at 8 a.m. To support COVID-19 social distancing guidelines, the meeting will be available to the public online or via conference call. For more information and to view an agenda, call 360-902-2267 or visit wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/meetings. The meeting will be recorded and posted online.  

The Commission is a citizen panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW is the primary state agency tasked with preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish and wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing and hunting opportunities.  

 

Request this information in an alternative format or language at wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/requests-accommodation, 833-855-1012, TTY (711), or CivilRightsTeam@dfw.wa.gov.