December 12, 2014 meeting transcript

2. Call to Order

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a. Commissioners' Discussion
b. Meeting Minute Approval

3. Open Public Input

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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.

4. Director's Report

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The Director will brief the Commission on various items.

5. Petition to Change Rules - Decision

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The Commission will formally consider a petition for changes to rulemaking pursuant to RCW 34.05.330:

- Grazing Petition (PDF) (Kavanaugh) 
- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (45 Kb)

Staff Report: Clay Sprague, Lands Division Manager, Wildlife Program

6. Coastal Commercial Dungeness Crab Rules - Decision

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Department staff will request approval on revisions to coastal commercial Dungeness crab rules 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 (536 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (688 Kb)

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

7. ALEA Grant Program Overview and Proposal to Offer Grants once per Biennium - Briefing and Public Hearing

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Department staff will provide the Commission with an overview of the ALEA grants program, as well as propose a modification to the application submittal requirement from an annual to a biennial timeframe.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (715 Kb
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)

Staff Report: Josh Nicholas, ALEA Grants Manager

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

8. Game Management Plan - Decision

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Department staff will brief the Commission and request adoption of the proposed 2015-2021 Game Management Plan.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (536 Kb)
- Plan (PDF) - PDF Format (4 Mb) 
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)

Staff Report: Dave Ware, Game Division Manager

9. 2015 - 16 North of Falcon Policy C-3608 - Briefing

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Department staff will provide a briefing of the Commission's North of Falcon Policy C-3608 (currently in effect until December 31, 2014) and propose modifications for the Commission's consideration of a January, 2015 through December, 2016 policy.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (125 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (378 Kb)

Staff Report: Ron Warren, Deputy Assistant Director, Intergovernmental Salmon Management and John Long, Statewide Salmon Manager

10. 2015 - 16 Sportfishing Regulation Proposals - Briefing and Public Hearing

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Department staff will brief the Commission on the upcoming Sportfishing rules and regulations for the 2015-16 season and provide a summary of public comments received to date.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (3 Mb)

Staff Report: Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager; Chris Donley, Inland Fish Program Manager; Jeff Korth, Region 2 Fish Program Manager; John Easterbrooks, Region 3 Fish Program Manager; and John Weinheimer, Fish and Wildlife Biologist

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

11. Open Public Input

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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.

12. Hatchery Scientific Review Group Willapa Bay Planning Model - Briefing

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A member of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group will brief the Commission on the principles of hatchery reform and a planning model developed to analyze options for the Willapa Bay Salmon Management Policy.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (18 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (1 Mb)

Briefing: Andy Appleby, Hatchery Scientific Review Group

13. 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 (27 Kb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format ( 976 Kb)

Staff Report: Steve Thiesfeld, Region 6 Fish Program Manager

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)

14. Lower Columbia River Sturgeon Population Status and Management Annual Review - Briefing

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Department staff will provide an annual review regarding management and population status of Lower Columbia River sturgeon to the Commission as set forth per policy C-3001.

- Summary (PDF) - PDF Format (2 Mb)
- Presentation (PDF) - PDF Format (3 Mb)

Staff Report: Brad James, Fish and Wildlife Biologist and Ron Roler, Columbia River Policy Coordinator

15. Director Recruitment Discussion - Discussion

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Commissioners will discuss the qualifications of finalists for the position of Director.

16. 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.