January 11-12, 2013 Minutes

MEETING MINUTES
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WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE
COMMISSION MEETING

January 11-12, 2013

Columbia Room, Legislative Building, Olympia, Washington

ATTENDANCE:
Commission
Public
Public (cont.)
Miranda Wecker, Chair
Gene Laddusaw
Joe Klobucnik
Gary Douvia, Vice Chair
Mike Clancy
Larry Burnstad
Larry Carpenter
Chet O'Brien
Joseph M Slepsh
David Jennings
Tom Paulu
Rick Durrkin
Jay Kehne
Dave Bayley
Joe Townley
Conrad Mahnken (via phone for item 12)
Kimber Roberts
Greg Johnson
Chuck Perry
Joe Durham
Brooks Eilerson
Rolland Schmitten
Francis Estalilla
Mike Sexton
Brad Smith
John Wicklund
Jeff Ashe
 
Charles Gauthier
Dominick Reale
Commission Staff:
G.W. "Bill" Osborn
Roger Goodan
Tami Lininger
Bob Krause
Bruce Crookshanks
Erin Gariépy
Ed Wickersham
Dale Beasley
 
Dave Knutzen
Liz Hamilton
Department Staff
Rick Lindquist
Jim Martin
Phil Anderson, Director
Geore Harris
Randy Prengel
Joe Stohr, Deputy Director
Brian Walter
Derrick Robbings
Joe Shorin, AGO
John Rabey
Keith Isaacson
William Frymire, AGO
Mike Mudgett
Leon Guilford
Mike Grossman, AGO
Cliff Richard
Dan Coleman
David Giglio
Kris Thomas
Ron Rinear
Owen Rowe
Zachary Thomas
C. John Campbell
John Long
Ramona Bringas
Scott Sigmon
Val Tribble
Carl Rienstra
Gary L Gregg
Joanna Eide
Russell Bassett
Tom Bergren
Pat Pattillo
Rick Purtright
Jerry Massoy
Dan Budd
Ron Moijlie
Sheri Massoy
Timothy Quinn
Steve Tucker
Fred Pentt
Bruce Bjork
R Scott Attridge
Moulia Peiret
Craig Burley
Pete Kauffman
Joe Verdoes
Guy Norman
Frank Haw
Linda Saunders
Jim Scott
Louie Morton
Mark Plunkett
Charmane Ashbrook
Norma Jo Dauer
Mike Racine
 
Carl Asch
Andrew Marks
 
J. Edward Gallant
Heath Heikkila
 
Steve Gray
Frank Urabeck
 
Ken Wirkkala
Earl Betts
 
Jeff McKean
Norm Reinhardt
 
Nello Picinich
Steve Fransen
 
Chuck Hickey
Alyce Asch
 
Glen Johnston
Ken Rathbun
 
Arnold Zachariasen
Dale Scott
 
Randy LeDuc
Dave Reese
 
Robert Sudar
Derek Anderson
 
Harry Barber
 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:29 a.m.

1. Call to Order:

  1. Commissioners’ Discussion
    • Meeting at Central Washington University hosted by WDFW - Colockum Elk Study & Winter Range Closure Area
    • Agenda Change: Items 7 and 8 were deferred
    • Marbled Murrelet study
    • Lincoln County farmer with several deer eating hay for herd –adequate resources for wildlife
  2. Meeting Minutes Approval
    • January 4, 2013 – Conference Call Minutes

Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Jennings, to approve the minutes from the January 4, 2013 conference call. Motion carried unanimously.

2. Open Public Input :
The following people signed up to provide public input during this item:

  • Joe Verdoes – Spot Shrimp policy

3. Director's Report:
The Director briefed the Commission on various items including:

  • WAFWA meeting, Tucson, AZ
    • Council to Advance Hunting and Shooting Sports
    • Evolving role of non-government entities in wildlife management
    • Discussion with Dan Ashe, Director of USFW service and Gary Frazer, Assistant Director for Endangered Species, regarding Columbian White-tailed Deer, Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge, pocket gophers and wolves.
    • Director met with counterparts from other states
  • Wolves
    •  Upcoming meetings scheduled regarding wolf management in Washington with Mike Jimenez - NRM Wolf Management Coordinator USFW Service Wyoming, Carter Niemeyer – retired wolf specialist with USFW Service and Department of Agriculture and Donny Martorello - Carnivore Section Manager WDFW.
    • Delisting
  • Moving Deer to a wildlife area Ridgefield area due to failing dyke at Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge
  • Sturgeon – discussion with ODFW Director, Roy Elicker
  • Community Outreach
    • New staff member Jason Wettstein, Community Outreach Coordinator
    • Staff attending sport shows throughout the state to share opportunities for consumptive and non-consumptive users.
    • Joint radio ads with Cabella’s promoting outdoor recreation opportunities for Yakima, Ellensburg and Tri-Cities areas.  Possibly looking into other areas as well.
  • Budget update by David Giglio, Assistant Director and Owen Rowe, Budget Director 

4. WAC 220-20-010 – Structural Improvements and Updates - Decision
Joanna Eide requested approval on the proposed amendments to WAC 220-20-010 to split this rule apart. The changes will clarify, reorganize, and restructure the content of the WAC.

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, to adopt the amendments to WAC 220-20-010 and new sections 220-20-116, 220-20-117, 220-20-118, 220-20-119 (including floor change to subsection 2(b) striking “attended or unattended” from language), 220-20-120, 220-20-121, 220-20-122, 220-20-123, 220-20-124, 220-20-125 and 220-20-126 as proposed.  Motion carried unanimously.

5. 2013 North of Falcon Policy C-3608 – Briefing and Public Hearing
Pat Pattillo, Salmon Policy Coordinator and John Long, Statewide Salmon Manager provided a briefing on the North of Falcon Policy C-3608 and proposed modifications for the Commission’s consideration to the 2013- 2014 policy.

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

6. Proposed Land Transaction – Decision
The Commission considered approval of a land transaction presented by Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program, for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat, enhancement of public recreation opportunities, and responsible property management.

  • Proposed sale of the 19.4 acre Colville Fish Hatchery property to Stevens County

No one signed up to provide public input for this item.

Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Smith, to approve the proposed land transaction as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.

7. Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project – Briefing
Item deferred to allow time for an Executive Session.  Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), the Commission met in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency is, or is likely to become, a party.
No action was taken in executive session, and the public was not permitted to attend the executive session. 

8. Enforcement Program Staffing Study – Briefing
Item deferred to allow time for an Executive Session.  Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), the Commission met in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency is, or is likely to become, a party.

No action was taken in executive session, and the public was not permitted to attend the executive session. 

9. 2013 – 2014 Sportfishing Rule Proposals – Briefing
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager briefed the Commission on the upcoming Sportfishing rules and regulations for the 2013-14 season.

10.  Giant Pacific Octopus – Briefing
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager presented a briefing on giant pacific octopus.  The Commission reviewed the proposed procedure and schedule.  Direction was given to the Department to move forward with recommendations.

Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 4:48 p.m.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Chair Wecker called the meeting back to order at 8:32 a.m.

11. Open Public Input
The following people signed up to provide public input:

Frances Este – Harvest in Grays Harbor
Steve Gray - Sturgeon

12. Columbia River Fishery Management – Briefing
Jim Scott, Assistant Director, Fish Program and Guy Norman, Regional Director briefed the Commission on revisions to the previously proposed draft Columbia River Basin Salmon Management policy; the Department’s SEPA review of the draft policy; and the background, including the Washington-Oregon Workgroup process.  Each Commissioner made comments on the revisions to the policy.  Commissioners and Department staff discussed the draft policy and made minor changes outlined in the motion language.

The following people provided public input for this item:

Andrew Marks
Frank Urabeck
Steve Fransen
Kris Thomas
Nello Picinich
Steve Gray
Ken Wirkkala
Gene Laddusaw
George Harris
Brian Walter
Glen Johnston
Robert Sudar
Francis Estalila
Keith Isaacson
Ed Wickersham
Harry Barber
Roger Goodan
Bruce Crookshanks
Dale Beasly
Heath Heikkila
Randy Prengel
Tom Bergren
Kimber Roberts

Commissioner Schmitten moved, seconded by Vice Chair Douvia, to adopt the revised draft Columbia River Basin Salmon Management Policy with the following changes:

Spring Chinook Salmon Item 3:
  • In 2013 the Department shall assign 65% of the ESA-impact for upriver spring Chinook stocks to mainstem recreational fisheries.  Assign the balance (35%) to off-channel and mainstem commercial fisheries.
  • During 2014-16, the Department shall assign 70% of the ESA-impact for upriver spring Chinook stocks to mainstem recreational fisheries. Assign the balance (30%) to off-channel and mainstem commercial fisheries.
Summer Chinook Salmon Item 4(c)
  • The Recreational-Commercial allocation beginning in 2017 will be determined following additional discussions with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.  

and cancel Policy C-3617 and Policy C-3618.  Motion carried unanimously.

13. Executive Session:
Deferred to February 8-9, 2013 meeting

14. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief :
Chair opened floor for discussion.  Nothing was brought forth.

Chair Wecker adjourned the meeting at 2:20 p.m.