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

Friday, January 11, 2013

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

1. Call to Order:

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

• 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.