Commission approves land transactions, discusses Snake River fish and other issues

CLARKSTON - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved several land transactions and heard briefings on Snake River fish issues and other topics at a public meeting June 2-3 in Clarkston.

The commission is a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

During the first day of the meeting, the commission approved the purchase of three small floodplain properties totaling about 78 acres adjacent to the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area in Yakima County.

The properties will provide habitat for fish and wildlife and enhance public recreation in the Wapato Reach of the Yakima River. Acquiring the parcels also will assist with efforts to restore habitat and reduce flooding on private property.

The commission also approved the purchase of about 18 acres adjacent to the Ebey Island Unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area in Snohomish County for public recreational access; and renewed a long-term lease with the U.S. Navy for a navigational warning light on WDFW's Point Whitney shellfish lab property on Dabob Bay in Hood Canal in Jefferson County.

In addition, the commission filled two open positions on its advisory committee for persons of disabilities.

In other business, the commission received briefings on fish passage at the Lower Granite Dam on the Snake River, the Lower Snake River Compensation Plan, the Wooten Flood Plain Management Plan, and the department's Hunter Education program.

On Saturday, some commissioners attended a tour of WDFW wildlife areas in southeast Washington.

The meeting agenda, including presentation summaries, is available at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2017/06/agenda_jun0217.html