Fish and Wildlife Commission meets virtually Feb. 14

CORRECTION: The link to the Commission meeting agenda has been updated.

OLYMPIA — The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually Feb. 14 to decide on commercial whale watching rule making, land transactions, and Columbia River salmon management and to hear briefings on Columbia River commercial fisheries and biodiversity.

The meeting will be virtual-only due to winter weather conditions and will be live-streamed, with webinar access available on the Commission webpage.

All committee meetings are canceled. The full Commission meeting will begin Friday, Feb. 14, with an open public input opportunity, followed by a report from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Director Kelly Susewind. 

The Commission will decide on proposed revisions to commercial whale watching rules, as well as four proposed land acquisitions across Grant, Okanogan, and Clallam counties, and a land-use agreement in Kitsap County. The proposed land transactions include acquisition of the Sekiu Water Access on Clallam Bay, which would provide year-round access to the only non-tide dependent boat launch between Port Angeles and Neah Bay.

The Commission will hear a briefing on the Columbia River Compact, implementation of the 2022 Columbia gillnet buyback budget proviso, and Columbia commercial fisheries monitoring. The Commission will also review and delegate the 2024 annual review of the Columbia River Salmon Fishery Management policy and hear a staff overview of WDFW’s 2023-2025 biodiversity funding.

The Commission will not meet Saturday. Those interested in providing verbal public comment during the meeting via webinar or phone must register in advance.

All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.

The full meeting agenda, including information about submitting public comment and accessing the meeting online or by phone, is available on the WDFW website. The meeting will be recorded and published on the Commission webpage so the public can watch afterward at their convenience.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.