April 13, 2013 Audio Transcripts

1. Call to Order

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3. Call to Order

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4. Director’s Report

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The Director will brief the Commission on various items, including:

5. 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.

6. The Department's Role in Forest Habitat Protection/Forest Practices - Briefing

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Department staff will brief the Commission on why, how and to what end the agency is involved in the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat on Washington’s forestland, particularly on the 10.5 million acres of state and private forestland.

Staff Report:
David Whipple, Habitat Program Forest Policy Coordinator
Terry Jackson, Habitat Program Forest Habitats Section Manager

7. Proposed Transfer of Certain Management Responsibilities from the Enforcement Program to the Wildlife Program - Briefing

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Department staff will brief the Commission on transitioning the management responsibilities of the Hunter Education Program from the Enforcement Program to the Wildlife Program.

Staff Report:
Nate Pamplin, Assistant Director, Wildlife Program
Chief Bruce Bjork, Enforcement Program

8. Giant Pacific Octopus - Briefing

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Department staff will provide a briefing to the Commission on the draft recommendations from the ad hoc advisory group and seek additional guidance on refinements of management options being considered.

Staff Report:
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager, Fish Program

9. Spring Bear Seasons and Regulations - Decision

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendments to spring bear seasons and regulations.

Amend: WAC 232-28-286 2013, 2014, and 2015 Spring black bear seasons and regulations

Staff Report:
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Large Carnivore Section Manager, Wildlife Program

10. Small Game Seasons and Regulations – Decision 

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Department staff will request the Commission approve amendments to small game seasons and regulations.

Amend: WAC 232-28-342 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 Small game and other wildlife seasons and regulations

Staff Report:
Brian Calkins, Upland Bird and Furbearer Section Manager, Wildlife Program

11. Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat Seasons and Permit Quotas – Decision

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Department staff will brief the Commission on moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.

Amend: WAC 232-28-273 2012-2014 Moose seasons, permit quotas, and areas.
Adopt: WAC 232-28-622 2012-2014 Bighorn sheep seasons and permit quotas and WAC 232-28-623 2012-2014 Mountain goat seasons and permit quotas

Staff Report:
Rich Harris, Ph.D., Special Species Section Manager, Wildlife Program

12. Deer and Elk Areas and GMU Boundaries – Decision

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Department staff will request that the Commission adopt newly proposed rules and amend existing rules regarding deer and elk areas and GMU boundary regulations.

Amend: WAC 232-28-248 Special closures and firearm restriction areas, WAC 232-28-334 Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions – Region four, WAC 232-28-336 Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions – Region six, and WAC 232-28-337 Elk area descriptions
Adopt: WAC 232-28-624 Deer area descriptions

Staff Report:
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

13. Deer General and Special Permit Seasons and Regulations – Decision

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendments to deer general and special permit seasons and regulations.

Amend: WAC 232-28-357 2012-2014 Deer general seasons and definitions and WAC 232-28-369 Deer special permits

Staff Report:
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

14. Elk General and Special Permit Seasons and  Regulations – Decision

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendments to elk general and special permit seasons and regulations.

Amend: WAC 232-28-358 2012-2014 Elk general seasons and definitions and WAC 232-28-360 Elk special permits

Staff Report:
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

15. Importation and Retention of Dead Nonresident Wildlife – Decision

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendments to regulations regarding the importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife.

Amend: WAC 232-12-021 Importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife

Staff Report:
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager, Wildlife Program

16. Landowner Hunting Permits – Decision 

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendment to regulations regarding landowner hunting permits.

Amend:  WAC 232-28-296 Landowner hunting permits

Staff Report:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program

17. Lighted Nocks for Archery Equipment – Decision 

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Department staff will request that the Commission approve amendments to regulations regarding lighted nocks for archery equipment.

Amend: WAC 232-12-054 Archery requirement – Archery special use permits

Staff Report:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program

18. 2012 Puget Sound Crab Season Results, Management and Enforcement – Briefing

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Department staff will provide a briefing to the Commission on the outcomes of the 2012 Puget Sound Crab Season.

Staff Report:
Rich Childers, Puget Sound Shellfish Manager
Deputy Chief, Mike Cenci, Enforcement Program

19. 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.

20. American’s with Disabilities Advisory Committee – Briefing

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Department staff will brief the Commission on the current makeup of the Americans with Disabilities Advisory Committee and the work they have been doing.

Staff Report:
Dolores Noyes, ADA Program Manager

21. Commission Committee Objectives and Discussion

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The Commissioners will discuss the objectives of the committee process and recent activities of the various Commission committees.

22. 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.

23. Executive Session

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Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(g), the Commission will meet in executive session 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.