November 7, 2014 meeting transcript

1. Call to Order

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1. Commissioners' Discussion
2. Meeting Minute Approval

2. Open Public Input

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The Commission is a direct link between 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.

3. Director's Report 

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The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

4. Proposed Land Transactions - Briefing, Public Hearing and Decision

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

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (4 Mb)

Staff Report: Julie Sandberg Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

5. Grazing Program Update - Briefing 

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Department staff will brief the commission on the department's grazing program and the results of a recent study conducted by Washington State University regarding grazing on department lands.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (56 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (6 Mb)

Staff Report: Clay Sprague, Lands Division Manager and Jeff Burnham, Range Ecologist, Wildlife Program

6. Coastal Commercial Dungeness Crab Rules - Briefing

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Revisions to coastal commercial Dungeness crab rules are needed to improve the intent and enforceability of rules for issuing replacement buoy tags and submitting coastal Dungeness crab logbooks. New provisions are needed to implement gear retrieval requirements to improve enforceability and minimize derelict crab gear. Changes to the pre-season gear set period are also proposed based on recommendations from the Tri-State Dungeness Crab Committee.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (35 Kb) 
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)

Staff Report: Heather Reed, Coastal Marine Policy Coordinator and Mike Cenci, Deputy Chief, Enforcement

7. HPA Rules Update - Briefing and Decision

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Department staff will provide a briefing on the recommended adjustments to the CR-102 rules and request repeal of Chapter 220-110 WAC and adoption of Chapter 220-660 WAC.

• Final Draft of Proposed HPA Rules (PDF)
  Final version of revised rules WDFW is proposing for adoption by the Washington the Fish and Wildlife Commission. (Shows changes made to the version released for public comment in July 2014.)
• Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PDF)

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (85 Kb)
- Summary of Recommended Changes (PDF) - PDF Format (271 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (521 Kb)

Staff Report: Jeff Davis, Habitat Program Assistant Director and Randi Thurston, Protection Division Manager, Habitat Program

8. Director Recruitment Discussion - Briefing and Public Input

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Commissioners will discuss the Director's recruitment.

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

9. Executive Session

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Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g), the Commission will meet in executive session to evaluate the qualifications of an applicant for public employment or to review the performance of a public employee. No action will be taken in executive session, and the public is not permitted to listen to the executive session.

10. Open Public Input

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The Commission is a direct link between 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.

11. Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy - Briefing and Public Hearing

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The Department will brief the Commission on Willapa Bay Salmon Management challenges, describe the public process, and seek guidance on draft policy sideboards.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (25 Kb) 
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)

Staff Report:  Steve Thiesfeld, Region 6 Fish Program Manager

12. Open Public Meeting Act - Briefing 

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Bill Frymire, Assistant Attorney General will provide training on open public meeting requirements.

- Attorney General Open Public Meetings Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (1 Mb)
- Attorney General's Office Open Public Meetings Act Training 

Staff Report:  Bill Frymire, Assistant Attorney General

13. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief 

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