March 25-27, 2021 Agenda - Fish and Wildlife Commission

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
REVISED Agenda
March 25 – 27, 2021
Via Zoom Webinar

PDF Agenda (PDF)

Watch with TVW
Friday or Saturday

Thursday, March 25, 2021 - Committee Meetings

8:00 AM

Wildlife Committee Meeting – Commissioners Thorburn, Smith, Anderson, Linville
Location:  Zoom Link (https://zoom.us/j/96665351866)
Join by telephone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 966-6535-1866

Agenda topics:
- Chronic Wasting Disease Plan (PDF)
    - Draft Washington State Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Plan (PDF)
Update on disabled hunting points question (added 3/22/21)
- Lands 20/20 (added 3/23/21)

    - Comment - s (PDF)ummary, (PDF) letters (PDF), individual responses (PDF)
- Preview of Predator-Prey Research Project video (added 3/23/21)
- General discussion – current events

10:00 AM

Big Tent Committee Meeting – Commissioners Baker, Thorburn, McIsaac, Koontz
Location:  Zoom Link (https://zoom.us/j/95596340205)
Join by telephone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 955-9634-0205

Agenda topics:
- Conservation policy (PDF)
- DFWs education curriculum  (PDF)
- Mission statement  
- General discussion – current events

1:00 PM

Fish Committee Meeting – Commissioners Carpenter, McIsaac, Anderson, Baker
Location:  Zoom Link (https://zoom.us/j/96325835499)
Join by telephone: 1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) Webinar ID:  963-2583-5499

Agenda topics:
- Hatchery reform 
Columbia River emerging commercial fishery (PDF)
- General discussion – current events 

Friday, March 26, 2021 – Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.)

If you are interested in providing verbal public comment, please pre-register here.  The following pre-registration deadlines are in effect:

  • Pre-registration for all Friday public comment agenda items will close at 8 am Friday and pre-registration for all Saturday public comment agenda items will close at 8 am on Saturday.
  • Open Public Input is for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda with separate public comment periods.

Registrants will be called upon and have three minutes to speak unless the Chair sets a lesser time at the agenda item onset. All information entered in the pre-registration form is subject to public disclosure.

Additional information on verbal and written comment can be found on the public testimony section on the Commission webpage.

To view the Commission meeting please access it here, or by phone with the following phone numbers below.

1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) 

Then you’ll be prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 995-6269-8701

8:00 AM

1. Call to Order
Commissioner’s Discussion

Meeting Minutes Approval
- February 25-27, 2021 Draft Minutes (PDF)
- March 12, 2021 Draft Minutes (PDF)

Committee Reports

8:45 AM

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.

9:45 AM

3. Director’s Report
The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

10:00 AM

4. Lands 20/20 – Briefing and Public Comment
Staff will provide a briefing on the Lands 20/20 process and seek funding for projects approved through this process.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Cynthia Wilkerson, Lands Division Manager, and Lisa Coffman, Lands 20/20 Coordinator

Public Comment – This Item Only

10:45 AM - Break

11:00 AM

5. Sage Grouse Periodic Status Review – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on the Periodic Status Review of the Sage Grouse. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation  (PDF)

Staff Report:  Derek Stinson, Wildlife Biologist, and Taylor Cotten, Conservation Assessment Section Manager

Public Comment – This Item Only

12:00 PM

6. Hunting Boundaries– Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Hunting Boundaries.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation  (PDF)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Ungulate Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

12:20 PM - Lunch

1:00 PM

7. Hunting Restrictions and Equipment– Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Hunting Restrictions and Equipment.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Ungulate Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

1:25 PM

8. Furbearers, Small Game and Upland Game Birds – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Furbearers, Small Game and Upland Game Birds. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Stephanie Simek, Carnivore, Furbearer, Small Game and Upland Bird Section Manager, Game Division 

Public Comment – This Item Only

1:55 PM

9. Fall Black Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Fall Black Bear Hunting Seasons and Regulations.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Stephanie Simek, Carnivore, Furbearer, Small Game and Upland Bird Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

2:05 PM

10. Waterfowl Equipment and Regulations– Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Waterfowl Equipment and Regulations.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Kyle Spragens, Waterfowl Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

2:20 PM

11. Migratory Game Bird Seasons and Regulations– Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Migratory Game Birds Seasons and Regulations. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Kyle Spragens, Waterfowl Section Manager, Game Division 

Public Comment – This Item Only

2:50 PM

12. Landowner Hunting Permits – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Landowner Hunting Permits. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Ciera Strickland, Private Lands Access Program Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

3:05 pm

13. Bighorn Sheep, Moose and Mountain Goat – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Bighorn Sheep, Moose and Mountain Goat. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Ungulate Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

3:25 PM

14. Deer General Seasons and Special Permits – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Deer General Seasons and Special Permits. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Ungulate Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

4:05 PM

15. Elk General Seasons and Special Permits – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Elk General Seasons and Special Permits.

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Brock Hoenes, Ungulate Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

4:45 PM

16. Game Reserves – Waterfowl Closures – Briefing and Public Hearing
Staff will brief the Commission on rule changes and updates regarding Game Reserves - Waterfowl Closures. 

- Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Presentation (PDF)

Staff Report: Kyle Spragens, Waterfowl Section Manager, Game Division

Public Comment – This Item Only

5:00 - Recess

Saturday, March 27, 2021 - Regular Meeting (The Commission meeting will be held via Zoom Webinar.)

If you are interested in providing verbal public comment, please pre-register here.  The following pre-registration deadlines are in effect:

  • Pre-registration for all Friday public comment agenda items will close at 8 am Friday and pre-registration for all Saturday public comment agenda items will close at 8 am on Saturday.
  • Open Public Input is for comments on matters not found elsewhere on the agenda with separate public comment periods.

Registrants will be called upon and have three minutes to speak unless the Chair sets a lesser time at the agenda item onset. All information entered in the pre-registration form is subject to public disclosure.

Additional information on verbal and written comment can be found on the public testimony section on the Commission webpage.

To view the Commission meeting please access it here, or by phone with the following phone numbers below.

1-253-215-8782 or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) when prompted to enter the Webinar ID: 995-6269-8701

8:00 AM

17. 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.

9:00 AM

18. C-3619 Hatchery and Fishery Reform Policy – Briefing and Public Comment
Staff will provide a briefing on the current state of the policy review process for Policy C-3619.  The Commission will take public comment as part of the public hearing process and schedule final action.  

- (PDF) (PDF)Summary Sheet (PDF)
- Policy C-3619 Review Process, including draft Policy C-3624
- Presentation (PDF)
- Tribal Letter (PDF)

Staff Report: Ron Warren, Director of Fish Policy, and Ken Warheit, Supervisor, Genetic and Fish Health Laboratories

Public Comment – This Item Only

11:00 AM

19. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before, during, or after the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published and consider future agenda planning.

- Year-at-a-Glance (PDF)

11:15 PM

20. Executive Session
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110, the Commission will meet in executive session.

No action will be taken during executive session and the public is not permitted to attend.