September 8-9, 2017 meeting transcript

Audio Transcripts

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
September 8-9, 2017

Red Lion Hotel - 221 North Lincoln
Port Angeles, WA 98362
Juan de Fuca Room

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8-9, 2017

8:00 AM 1. Call to Order

Download MP3 File

  1. Commissioners' Discussion
  2. Meeting Minute Approval
8:15 AM 2. Open Public Input

Download MP3 File

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.

8:35 AM 3. Director's Report

Download MP3 File

The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

 

- Director's Report - PDF Format (828 Kb)

9:20 AM

4. Land Transactions - Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision - This Item was removed from Agenda

The Commission will consider approval of various land transactions recommended by the Department for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat and for the enhancement of public recreation opportunities.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (311 Kb)

Staff Report: Julie Sandberg, Real Estate Section Manager

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

9:40 AM 5. Federal Rules on Overfishing Determination - Briefing

Download MP3 File

Department staff will provide the Commission a briefing on NOAA's determining factors for considering a stock as overfished, and the interface between federal agencies and state fisheries management relative to conservation objectives.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (229 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (1 Mb)

Staff Report: Michele Culver, Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Manager

10:10 AM 6. Overview of Protecting Species with State Classifications - Briefing 

Download MP3 File

Department staff will brief the Commission on the State classification process in WAC 220-610-110, describe potential implications of various listings, and compare and contrast our state system with the federal Endangered Species Act.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (553 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (4 Mb)

Staff Report:  Hannah Anderson, Listing and Recovery Section Manager and Penny Becker, Diversity Division Manager, Wildlife Program

10:20 AM 7. Periodic Status Review (Fisher, Blue Whale, Fin Whale, Sei Whale, Northern Right Whale, and Sperm Whale) - Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision

Download MP3 File

Department staff will brief the Commission on the Periodic Status Reviews compiled for Fisher, Blue Whale, Fin Whale, Sei Whale, Northern Right Whale, and Sperm Whale in accordance with WAC 220-610-110.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (558 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (3 Mb)
- Periodic Status Review for the Fisher - PDF Format (2 Mb)
- Periodic Status Review for Blue, Fin, Sei, North Pacific Right, and Sperm Whales - PDF Format (2 Mb)

Staff Report:  Hannah Anderson, Listing and Recovery Section Manager, Wildlife Program

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

10:40 AM 8. Periodic Status Review (Loggerhead Sea Turtle) and Status Report (Yellow-billed Cuckoo) - Decision

Download MP3 File

Department staff will request approval on the Periodic Status Review compiled for Loggerhead Sea Turtle and the Status Review for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in accordance with WAC 220-610-110.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (776 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (1 Mb)

Staff Report: Hannah Anderson, Listing and Recovery Section Manager, Wildlife Program

10:50 AM 9. Monitoring and Recovery Status of Endangered Species Act (ESA) Listed Fish Populations - Briefing

Download MP3 File

Department staff will provide the Commission a statewide geographic overview of ESA-listed fish populations, communicate methods utilized in the monitoring of these species, as well as highlight on some example trends of listed species either experiencing an improved population status or a declined status.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (59 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (3 Mb)

Staff Report: Erik Neatherlin, Fish Program Chief Scientist

11:20 AM 10. Shared Values Alliance - Briefing

Download MP3 File

Department staff will brief the Commission on what the Enforcement Program is doing to expand citizen awareness and support from a larger constituency base.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (113 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (4 Mb)

Staff Report: Deputy Chief, Mike Cenci and Becky McRoberts, Community Outreach Liaison

11:50 AM

Commissioning of New Enforcement Chief

Download MP3 File

Director Unsworth will deliver the new Chief his Oath of Office

1:30 PM 11. 2017-19 Strategic Plan, Performance Agreement - Proposal/Briefing

Download MP3 File

Department staff and Commissioners will discuss the 2017-19 Strategic Plan, Performance Agreement.

 

- Summary Sheet - PDF Format (116 Kb)
- 2017-2019 Strategic Plan - PDF Format (3 Mb)
- Performance Agreement - PDF Format (472 Kb)

Staff Report: Rob Geddis, Lean Performance Manager

2:00 PM 12. 2018 Supplemental Capital Budget Request - Briefing and Possible Decision

Download MP3 File

Department staff will provide an informational briefing and request approval on the agency's 2018 Supplemental Capital Budget.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (113 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (1 Mb)

2:20 PM 13. Open Public Input

Download MP3 File

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.

2:50 14. Elwha Moratorium Briefing and Tour

Download MP3 File

Department staff will provide a briefing on the status of Elwha River salmon and steelhead populations following the removal of two dams, and discuss the extension to the fishing moratorium initially implemented in 2011.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (124 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (6 Mb)

Staff Report: Annette Hoffmann, Region 6 Fish Program Manager and Joe Anderson, Senior Research Scientist

Available Commissioners and Department staff will tour the Elwha River watershed. The public may attend but must provide their own transportation.

The meeting will recess immediately following the tour.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

8:00 AM 15. Open Public Input

Download MP3 File

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.

8:30 AM 16. Columbia River Spring Chinook Recreational Fisheries 2013-2017 Review - Briefing

Download MP3 File

Department staff will provide the Commission a review of the Columbia River recreational fisheries for spring chinook from 2013-2017, including the impact of the 75/25 allocation, catch balancing and run size buffers.  Staff will also brief the Commission on the agency response to several recent letters from local governments in SE Washington about spring chinook recreational fishing opportunities and on the implementation status of the draft harvest framework for non-treaty fisheries in the upper Columbia.

 

- Summary - PDF Format (156 Kb)
- Presentation - PDF Format (1 Mb)

Staff Report: Bill Tweit, Special Assistant

9:30 AM 17. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief

Download MP3 File

The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.

 

 

- 2018 Meeting Dates - Decision

9:45 AM Adjourn

Contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission Office for further information:
Phone 360-902-2267
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov