MEETING MINUTES
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WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE
COMMISSION MEETING
March 1, 2013
Civic Center, Moses Lake, Washington
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ATTENDANCE:
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Commission
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Department
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Public
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Miranda Wecker, Chair
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Phil Anderson, Director
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Greg Harris
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Gary Douvia, Vice Chair
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William Frymire, AGO
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Nate Schnuffer
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Larry Carpenter
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Chad Jackson
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Wanda Clifford
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David Jennings
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Jerry Nelson
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Jim Sutton
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Conrad Mahnken
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Donny Martorello
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Gary Main
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Jay Kehne
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Rich Harris
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Dave Smith
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Rolland Schmitten
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William Meyer
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Matt Marsh
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Jason Smith, DOT
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Larry Pryor
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Commission Staff:
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Dave Ware
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Paul W. Nichols
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Tami Lininger
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Stephanie Simek
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John Bruce
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Erin Gariépy
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Dan Budd
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Jerry Hickman
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Dennis Beich
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Bruce Barns
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Craig Burley
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David Coward
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Jim Scott
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Ken Shields
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Brian Calkins
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Deana Shields
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Friday, March 1, 2013
Chair Wecker called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.
1. Call to Order:
- Commissioners’ Discussion
- Commissioner Schmitten gave compliments to Region Two staff and Regional Director Dennis Beich for the tour focusing on sage grouse in Region 2 the previous day.
- Commissioner Kehne reported on several public meetings held by the Department in Northeast Washington regarding its activities on wolves and how the public can assist with wolf management.
- Commissioner Jennings mentioned recent news articles featuring wolverine and rare creatures
- Chair Wecker and Director Anderson discussed the results of a recent meeting with tribal leaders in Lynnwood regarding state and tribal enforcement issues including how we can work together to effectively enforce state and tribal fishing and hunting regulations.
- Meeting Minutes Approval
- February 8-9, 2013 – Meeting Minutes
- February 15, 2013 - Conference Call Minutes
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to approve the minutes from the February 8-9, 2013 meeting and February 15, 2013 conference call. Motion carried unanimously.
2. Open Public Input :
The following people signed up to provide public input during this item:
- Gary Main – Raised concerns about the reduction in pheasant releases in eastern Washington
- Matt Marsh – raised concerns about the proliferation of deer hunters using bait as part of their hunting activities.
- John Bruce – Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association - Grants
- Jerry Hickman – Columbia Plateau Wildlife Management Association - Grants
- Bruce Barnes – Repeated his concerns that he raised at the February meeting regarding the hoof rot problem in the Mt. St. Helens herd and the potential health risks it poses to people who consume the meat. (late arrival, spoke after Director’s report)
3. Director's Report:
The Director briefed the Commission on various items including:
- Wolves – current numbers and upcoming outreach
- State revenue forecast is expected on March 20, 2013. The Senate will likely release its budget within a week after the revenue forecast comes out followed by the House budget. The Department expects an overall state revenue shortfall of at least 2 billion dollars when the McCleary decision regarding education is factored in to the forecast.
- Nate Pamplin, Assistant Director, Wildlife Program provided an update on the Department’s efforts to address the hoof rot issue.
4. 2013 – 2014 Sportfishing Rule Proposals – Decision
Craig Burley, Fish Management Division Manager requested approval from the Commission of the proposed Sportfishing rules and regulations for the 2013-14 season.
Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to adopt permanent amendments to:
WAC 220-55-220 Two-pole endorsement
WAC 220-56-235 Possession limits-Bottomfish
WAC 220-56-240 Daily limits forage fish and other food fish not otherwise provided for
WAC 220-56-250 Lingcod-Areas and seasons
WAC 220-56-310 Shellfish-Daily limits
WAC 220-56-265 Forage fish-Lawful gear
WAC 220-56-282 Sturgeon-Areas, seasons, limits and unlawful acts
WAC 232-28-619 Washington food fish and game fish-Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules as presented by staff.
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to amend proposed Rule 4 – statewide fishing closure for sixgill, sevengill, and thresher sharks, to allow catch and release of all three species instead of prohibiting fishing for those species. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Schmitten moved, seconded by Commissioner Carpenter, to amend Rule 6 – Statewide white sturgeon rules catch and release – Columbia River from Bonneville dam downstream, Coast and Puget Sound and their tributaries January 1, 2014; by reducing the annual bag limit from 2 fish to 1 fish beginning May 1, 2013. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to amend Rule 15 – by changing the bag limits for walleye on Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane Arm of Lake Roosevelt to a 16 fish daily bag limit and having a year round season on the Spokane Arm. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten to amend Rule 65- Cabezon minimum size requirement Marine Areas 4-11 and 13 daily by implementing a 1 fish daily bag limit and reducing the season to May 1 – June 15. Motion passed unanimously.
Commissioner Carpenter moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken to amend Rule 66- rockfish only open to retention of black, blue and yellowtail rockfish by returning to the current regulations for rockfish species retention (release canary and yelloweye rockfish) . Motion failed 3 yes, 4 no.
Commissioner Carpenter moved, seconded by Commissioner Kehne to adopt Rule 67- tuna daily limit no daily limit for these species. Motion passed, 6 yes, 1 no.
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten to retain the current regulation for Rule 69 – Reduce lingcod season in Marine Area 4B as status quo. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion carried unanimously.
5. Proposed Land Transaction – Decision
The Commission considered approval of various land transactions recommended 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 easements on four properties along Issaquah Creek in King County
- Proposed acquisition of 1613.78 acres in Asotin County
- Proposed acquisition of 195.01 acres in Pacific County
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
Vice Chair Douvia moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten, to approve the proposed land transactions as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
6. I-90 Wildlife Crossing Project - Briefing
William Meyer, Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Habitat Program and Jason Smith, Department of Transportation briefed the Commission on the I-90 Wildlife Crossing Project.
7. Spring Bear Seasons and Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Donny Martorello, Ph.D., Large Carnivore Section Manager, briefed the Commission on spring bear seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-28-286 2013, 2014, and 2015 Spring black bear seasons and regulations
Public Input:
David Coward – Hound hunter, depredation permits
Nate Schauffer – Hound hunter, depredation permits
8. Small Game Seasons and Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Brian Calkins, Upland Bird and Furbearer Section Manager, briefed the Commission on small game seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-28-342 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 Small game and other wildlife seasons and regulations
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
9. Moose, Bighorn Sheep, and Mountain Goat Seasons and Permit Quotas – Briefing and Public Hearing
Rich Harris, Ph.D., Special Species Section Manager briefed the Commission on moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat seasons and regulations. The Commission requested an amendment for district 8 reducing the take from 12 to 10. 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 2013-2014 Big horn sheep seasons and permit quotas
WAC 232-28-623 2013-2014 Mountain goat seasons and permit quotas
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
10. Deer and Elk Areas and GMU Boundaries – Briefing and Public Hearing
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager briefed the Commission on deer and elk areas and GMU boundary regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-28-334 Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions - Region four
WAC 232-28-336 Game management units (GMUs) boundary descriptions - Region six
WAC 232-28-337 Elk areas descriptions
WAC 232-28-248 Special closures and firearm restriction areas
Adopt:
WAC 232-28-624 Deer area descriptions
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
11. Deer General and Special Permit Seasons and Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager briefed the Commission on deer general and special permit seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-28-357 2012-2014 Deer general seasons and definitions
WAC 232-28-359 2013 Deer special permits
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
12. Elk General and Special Permit Seasons and Regulations – Briefing and Public Hearing
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager briefed the Commission on elk general and special permit seasons and regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-28-358 2012-2014 Elk general seasons and definitions
WAC 232-28-360 2013 Elk special permits
Public Input:
Ken Chields – Cow tags for archery hunters
13. Importation and Retention of Dead Nonresident Wildlife – Briefing and Public Hearing
Jerry Nelson, Ph.D., Deer and Elk Section Manager briefed the Commission on the importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife regulations. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-12-021 Importation and retention of dead nonresident wildlife
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
14. Landowner Hunting Permits – Briefing and Public Hearing
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager briefed the Commission on landowner hunting permits. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC232-28-296 Landowner hunting permits
No one signed up to provide public input for this item.
15. Lighted Nocks for Archery Equipment – Briefing and Public Hearing
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager briefed the Commission on regulations regarding lighted nocks for archery equipment. The Commission will consider final adoption at its April 12-13, 2013 meeting.
Amend:
WAC 232-12-054 Archery requirements—Archery special use permits
The following people provided public input:
Jim Sutton
Ken Chields
16. Miscellaneous and Meeting Debrief
The Commission discussed the following:
Commissioner Kehne moved, seconded Commissioner Schmitten to request a Blue Sheet describing the pros and cons of legalizing big game baiting.
Motion was withdrawn by Commissioner Kehne, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten.
Commissioner Jennings moved, seconded by Commissioner Schmitten for a blue sheet on Puget Sound Rockfish/Groundfish. Motion passed unanimously.
Chair Wecker recessed the meeting at 4:13 p.m.
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