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Minutes WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 |
Red Lion Hotel at the Quay
100 Columbia Street
Vancouver, Washington
| ATTENDANCE: | |
| Commission | Public (continued) |
| Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair | Mike Harris |
| Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair | Don Overby |
| Ken Chew | Steve Grutbo |
| Gary Douvia | Buzz Ramsey, NW Sport Fishing Industry |
| Conrad Mahnken | Steve Fransen |
| George Orr | John Crocott, Salmon For All |
| Chuck Perry | Hank Mills, NW Steelheaders |
| Will Roehl | Jason Kohl |
| Shirley Solomon | Mike Willger |
| Randy Doucet, 3 Rivers Marine | |
| Commission Staff: | Alan Nelson |
| Susan Yeager | Derek Clare |
| Nancy Burkhart | Arlene Andreason |
| Nathan Burck | |
| Larry Whalen | |
| Department | Jerry r. Thorp |
| Jeff Koenings, Director | Brent Wilson, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Phil Anderson, Deputy Director - Resource Policy | Jack Mattice |
| Joe Stohr, Deputy Director - Operations | Steve Harrison |
| Guy Norman | Dale Dean |
| Bill Frymire, AGO | Kent Martin |
| Dave Brittell | Bruce Buckmaster |
| Lew Atkins | Les Clark |
| Bruce Bjork | Heather Bartlett |
| Mike Cenci | Kenneth P. Campbell |
| Bill Phillips | roy dowell |
| Steve Pozzanghera | Pete Morris |
| Murray Schlenker | George Trott, Wahkiakum County |
| Dan Ayers | Ryan Bigley, 3 Rivers marine |
| Craig Bartlett | Russ Fowler |
| Steven Jefferies | Dave Autrby, Fish First |
| Jo Wadsworth | Jerry Larson |
| Brian Calkins | Marshall W. Tarrents |
| Dean Pyzik | Allen Estes |
| Eric Holman | John Divittorio, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Lauren Ridenour | Brad Schoenborn, Bob's Sporting Goods |
| Pat Frazier | Bill Weeks, Mt. St. Helens' Rescue |
| Ron Warren | Joan Lambert, Fred's Marina |
| Melani Gonzalez | Michael Stockman |
| Jim Scott | Louis Porter |
| Margaret Ainscough | Larry Mann |
| Bill Joplin | Ed Orcutt |
| Jim Skalski | Gregg Cowles |
| Joey McCanna | J. Roy Pickner, Fish First |
| Gary Wiles | Jack Glass |
| Kirt Hughes | Richard Erickson, Lower Col. Economic Council |
| Karen Varshock | Thad Tyler |
| Sandra Jonker | Jack Kaeding, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Dave Ware | Jim Wells, Salmon For All |
| Derek Stinson | Mark Stetz |
| Mick Cope | Bob Schneider, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Rocky Beach | Glen Johnson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Mik Mikitik | Gary Geis, NW Guides & Anglers Assn. |
| Mike Kuttel | Joe Schwab |
| John Wisner | Steve Bailey |
| Heather Bartlett | Peter Roscoe, City of Astoria |
| Cindy LeFleur | Chris Vertopoulous, NW Angling Experience |
| Andy Appleby | Jay Daley |
| Pat Pattillo | Lyle Cabe, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Sara LaBorde | Hank Mills |
| Other Department staff | Hobe Kytr, Salmon For All |
| Vern Dower, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. | |
| Public | Scott Warter, Fish NW Commission |
| Steve Wood | Eric Towers |
| Jeremy Warter, Fish NW Commission | Dennis Pyles |
| Chris Doumit, Bristol Pacific Fish Co. | Ron Andreason |
| Tony Kastella, Vancouver Wildlife League | Jack L. Baxter |
| Todd Dielman, Dielman's NW River Guides | Richard S. Littel |
| Don Swartz | John Huddleston, Fish first, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Jim Malinowski, Fish First | Steve Leonard, NW Guides and Anglers Assn. |
| Scott Atkinson | John McKinley |
| Turner Odell | John Cleary |
| Larry Passart | Edward L. Barnes |
| Alex Mattila | Gary L. Johnnson, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Les Greear, Fish First | Clint Muns, Puget Sound Anglers, RFA |
| Mike Larocco, Fish First | Frances Clark |
| Bruce Hunter, Fish First | Tom Marinett |
| Darryl Jones, fish First /Coastal Cons. Assn. | Robert Sudar |
| Bob Groger, Fisherman's Marine | Francis Estalilla |
| Richard Williams, Coastal Cons. Assn. | Marshall Allen, Fish First |
| Steve Fick, Salmon For All | Jesse Mattila |
| Kevin A. Kuhel | Brian Adams |
| Ross Logan, NWMP | Bob Suhlecht, Bob's Sporting Goods |
| Kent Berry, Fish First | Bill Hunsinger, Port of Astoria |
| Larry Hoehne, NW Steelheaders | Al Jenkins |
| Paul Mattila | Jim Harmon, SW Washington Anglers |
| Paul W. Larson, Fish First | Lynda Estes |
| Larry Swanson, Vancouver Wildlife League | Bryce Divine |
| Randy Woolsey, NSIA, Coastal Cons. Assn. | Paul Schreiber |
| Kevin Newell | Bill Leistritz, Fish First |
| Greg Frogner | Jerrie Munson, Takin' Line Guide Service |
| Dave Lane | rosie Smith |
| Jason Matthiessen | Robert Toews |
| Steve Clark | Richard Potenski, Fish First |
| Ted Fountain, NW Steelheaders | Bruce Barnes, Mt. St. Helens' Rescue |
| Marty Keller | Cheryl McKellar, PSA, CCA, LLBC |
| Mark Pearsall | Tom Effber, Fish First |
| Desmond Dean | Brandon Glass |
| Walter Wright | David Goodroe, Lower Col. Economic Council |
| Stephan Gray | Gene Laddusow, SW Washington Anglers |
| Roger Stecker | Tom Peacher, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Chuck Halva | Pat Resser |
| Ron L. Pritchard | Richard Hunt, Wild Steelhead Coalition |
| Brian Tarabochia | Mike Rythar |
| Douglas Peacher, Fish First | Scott Landis |
| Joe Salvey | Mark Cedergreen, WA Charterboat Assn. |
| Chuck Bryan | Harry Barber, Lower Col. Fish Enhancement Group |
| Lacey DeWeert | Bob Fehlen, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| David Eng, Frank Amato, Inc. | Rick Andersen, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Gary Kish | robert Graf, Coastal cons. Assn. |
| Bob Rees, NW Guides & Anglers Assn. | Dean Swanson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Barney currigan | Larry Swanson, Vancouver Wildlife League |
| Dan Porter | John Wisner |
| Fred Ostling | Bob Holtfretter, AHE Focus Group |
| James E. Marks | Don Goetschius |
| Ken Willis | Wendy Gardner |
| Ken Wirkkala | Polly Dyer, Olympic Coast Alliance |
| Wayne Ritter | Jessica Walz, Gifforn Pinchot Tack Force |
| Matthew Clark | Steve Link, WA State Bowhunters Assn. |
| John Clark | Kent Martin |
| Keith G. Sakai | Dan Grogan |
| Brandon McGarran | Matt Olson |
| Leonard Parson | Bob Morgan, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Al Thomas | Ed Wickersham |
| Jim Davis, North Cascades Cons. Council | Joe Broz, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| John Blankenship, Wolf Working Group | Jim Pearson, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Carl Burke, NSIA-Fish NW | Del Swanson, Fish First, Coastal Cons. Assn. |
| Julia DeGraw, Gifford Pinchot Task Force | Scott Atkinson |
| M. Dennis Way, Clark-Skamania fisherman | Ron Vely |
| John Grocott | |
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11:
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Roehl, to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2007, Joint Meeting with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.
The motion carried unanimously.
COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:
Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest and provided status reports on Commission committees.
DIRECTOR'S REPORT:
Director Koenings and Deputy Director Anderson reviewed significant Department issues and activities.
CAPITAL PLANNING, LICENSE SYSTEM REVIEW, AND BUDGET UPDATE:
Deputy Director Stohr, Bill Joplin, Bill Phillips, and Jim Skalski updated the Commission on capital planning, the license system, and the Department's budget.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Matt Olson (Vancouver) - Salmon/steelhead recovery
Harry Barber (Washougal) - Salmon/steelhead conservation
Bob Morgan (Washougal) - Salmon/steelhead conservation
Robert Fehlen (Washougal) - Selective fisheries
Joe Broz (Camas) - Conservation of wild fish
Ed Wickersham (Ridgefield) - Derelict nets; salmon/steelhead conservation
Rick Anderson (Vancouver) - Drelict nets; salmon/steelhead conservation
Scott Atkinson - Small-scale mining
WILDLIFE CLASSIFICATION - RULE ACTION:
Rocky Beach presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-011, Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished, which would down-list the bald eagle from threatened to sensitive in Washington state based on the biological status of the species. The Commission held a public hearing regarding these proposed rules at its December 7-8, 2007, Commission meeting in Port Angeles.
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-011, Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously.
MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM - RULE ACTION:
Chief Bruce Bjork presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-073, Master hunter program, to address deficiencies in the requirements for certification and penalties for unethical or unlawful behavior by Master Hunters. The Commission held a public hearing regarding these proposed rules at its December 7-8, 2007, Commission meeting in Port Angeles.
Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-073, Master hunter program, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously.
MASTER HUNTER PROGRAM OVERVIEW - BRIEFING:
Mik Mikitik and John Wisner briefed the Commission on the status of plans for future development within the Master Hunter Program.
HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Deputy Chief Mike Cenci briefed the Commission on its role in homeland security and responses to natural and man-made disasters.
PRIVATE LANDS ACCESS PROGRAM UPDATE - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Mick Cope and Joe McCanna provided a status update on the Department's Private Lands Access Program.
RAZOR CLAM GROWTH AND MORTALITY STUDY - BRIEFING:
Dan Ayers briefed the Commission on the highly popular recreational razor clam fishery and discussed ongoing work the Department is conducting to better understand razor clam growth and natural mortality.
WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN - BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Steve Pozzanghera, Rocky Beach, Virgil Moore (Deputy Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game), Fred Trevey (Idaho Fish and Game Commissioner), and Steve Nadeau (Wolf Coordinator, Idaho Department of Fish and Game) briefed the Commission on the current status of the wolf in Washington state and development of a Wolf Conservation and Management Plan.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting:
Polly Dyer (Seattle) - Wolves
Kent Martin (Skamokawa) - Commercial fishery and selective harvest
Robert Sudar (Longview) - Columbia River spring/summer chinook
John Blankenship (Tenino) - Wolves
Steve Link (Seattle) - Habitat acquisition; wolves
Jim Davis (Seattle) - Wolves
Wendy Gardner (Portland, OR) - Wolves
Julia DeGraw (Portland, OR) - Wolves
Chair Gutzwiler recessed the meeting at 5:50 p.m.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12:
Chair Gutzwiler called the meeting back to order at 8:06 a.m.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The following individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concerning during this portion of the meeting:
Tony Kastella (Vancouver) - Hunting access on private lands
Bruce Barnes (Vancouver) - Elk herd feeding; creek restoration; Washougal River
Frances Estalilla (Aberdeen) - North of Falcon fisheries process`
Jack Kaedings (Vancouver) - Selective harvest; ESA-listed fish
Edward L. Barnes (Vancouver) - Mount St. Helens' elk herd
Robert Graf (Selah) - Hunting permits on private lands
Richard Hunt (Everett) - Co-management meeting with tribes in November 2007
Paul Mattila (Battleground) - Chinook salmon
COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING AND SUMMER CHINOOK ALLOCATION POLICIES - BRIEFING AND PUBLIC HEARING:
Cindy LeFleur, Heather Bartlett, and Bill Tweit briefed the Commission on the current Commission Policies C-3615 and C-3616, which expired on December 31, 2007. The Commission will consider the approval of new policies at its February 1-2, 2008, Commission meeting in Olympia.
The following individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed policies:
Kenneth Campbell (Vancouver)
Nathan Burck (Kalama)
Roy Dowell (Washougal)
John Grocott (Ilwaco)
Francis Estalilla (Aberdeen)
Hank Mills (Milwaukie, OR)
Joe Schwab (Columbia City, OR)
Jim Hermon (Vancouver)
Randy Woolsey (Tigard, OR)
Dan Grogan (Vancouver)
Peter Roscoe (Astoria, OR)
Chris Doumit (Cathlamet)
Chris Vertopoulos (Tillamook, OR)
Clint Muns (Shelton)
Buzz Ramsey (Klickitat)
Scott Atkinson (Vancouver)
Dave Lane (Seattle)
Bryce Divine (Longview)
Lacey DeWeert (Woodland)
Bill Hunsinger (Astoria, OR)
Kevin Newell (Woodland)
Don Swartz (Milwaukie, OR)
Steve Grutbo (Portland, OR)
Walter Wright (Cathlamet)
Rayn Bigley (Lynnwood)
Steve Clark (Kenai, AK)
Randy Doucet (Lynnwood)
Rev. Irene Martin (Skamokawa)
Robert Graf (Selah)
Barney Currigan (Portland, OR)
Steve Fransen (Olympia)
John McKinley (Skamokawa)
Bob Rees (Tillamook, OR)
Marty Kuller (Cathlamet)
Gary Kish (Sauvie Island, OR)
Fred Ostling (Cathlamet)
Steve Bailey (Garden Home, OR)
Mark Pearsall (Wilsonville, OR)
Paul Mattila (Battleground)
John Cleary (Portland, OR)
Richard Hunt (Everett)
Steve Fick (Astoria, OR)
Brian Tarabochia (Astoria, OR)
Steve Gray (Seaview)
James Wells (Astoria)
Liz Hamilton (Oregon City, OR)
Joe Salvey (Scappoose, OR)
Carl Burke (Olympia)
Gregg Cowles (Lake Oswego, OR)
Roger Stecker (Longview)
Glen Johnston (Aberdeen)
Cheryl McKellar (Bremerton)
Richard Erickson (Cathlamet)
Brandon Glass (Troutdale, OR)
Jack Glass (Troutdale, OR)
Jason Matthiessen (Tacoma)
Gene Laddusaw (Vancouver)
Ed Orcutt (Kalama)
Kent Martin (Skamokawa)
Jay Daly (St. Helens, OR)
George Trott (Cathlamet)
Bruce Buckmaster (Astoria, OR)
Scott Warter (Tacoma)
Steve Wood (Vancouver)
Jack Baxter (Battleground)
Hobe Kytr (Astoria, OR)
Mike Wullger (Chinook)
NORTH OF FALCON FISHERY - BRIEFING:
Pat Pattillo provided a briefing on the Commission's current North of Falcon Policy (C-3608) which has a termination date of December 31, 2008.
ALL "H" INTEGRATION - BRIEFING:
Sara LaBorde and Andy Appleby briefed the Commission on the coordination of actions among the "H-sectors", Harvest, Hatchery and Habitat (inclusive of hydro), which work together toward the goal of recovering self-sustaining, harvestable salmon runs.
HATCHERY REFORM PROGRESS - BRIEFING:
Jim Scott, Ron Warren, and Sara Laborde briefed the Commission on the status of hatchery reform implementation, including systematic application of scientific principles to help recover and conserve naturally spawning populations and to support sustainable fisheries.
COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Commission discussed activities of the various Commission committees.
OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
No oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.
MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
Commissioner Gutzwiler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission after passage of the Farm Bill. The briefing is to include information on funds available from 2008 Federal Farm Bill for hunter access on private lands and action steps/time frames to secure these funds. Explore all possible avenues for securing funds to achieve: (1) additional support for securing additional access to private lands by the hunting public; (2) increased value of habitat provided by private lands for wildlife; and (3) improved communications and hunting administration between private landowners and the hunting public. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
Commissioner Gutzwiler moved, seconded by Commissioner Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission at the June 6-7, 2008, meeting in Ocean Shores. The briefing is to include an expansion of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and conservation activities. Possibilities for collaborating on road use and/or closure policies, recreation access, or other items of mutual interest that further Department's agenda are to be included. Contact state and regional BLM offices, USFWS, and NPS to obtain information per the President's directive to Federal agencies to advance "Hunter Heritage". The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
POLICY DOCUMENT - DECISION:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Mahnken, to adopt the October 25, 2007, Policy Document as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
2008-09 DEPARTMENT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES - DECISION:
Commissioner Wecker moved, seconded by Commissioner Perry, to adopt the January 8, 2008 Goals and Objectives for the Department as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
(Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)
The Department will provide a status report to the Commission at the November 7-8, 2008, or December 5-6, 2008, meeting.
Chair Gutzwiler adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.
| Approval of Commission Minutes |
- Motion by Wecker, second by Roehl, to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2007, Joint Meeting with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. The motion carried unanimously. |
|---|---|
| Approval of Wildlife Classification Rules |
- Motion by Wecker, second by Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-011, Wildlife classified as protected shall not be hunted or fished, as proposed. The motion carried unanimously. |
| Approval of Master Hunter Program Rules | - Motion by Roehl, second by Orr, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-12-073, Master hunter program, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and amended by staff. The motion carried unanimously. |
| Commission Requests to the Department | - Motion by Gutzwiler, second by Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission after passage of the Farm Bill. The briefing is to include information on funds available from 2008 Federal Farm Bill for hunter access on private lands and action steps/time frames to secure these funds. Explore all possible avenues for securing funds to achieve: (1) additional support for securing additional access to private lands by the hunting public; (2) increased value of habitat provided by private lands for wildlife; and (3) improved communications and hunting administration between private landowners and the hunting public.
The motion carried unanimously.*
- Motion by Gutzwiler, second by Wecker, to request the Department provide a briefing to the Commission at the June 6-7, 2008, meeting in Ocean Shores. The briefing is to include an expansion of hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and conservation activities. Possibilities for collaborating on road use and/or closure policies, recreation access, or other items of mutual interest that further Department's agenda are to be included. Contact state and regional BLM offices, USFWS, and NPS to obtain information per the President's directive to Federal agencies to advance "Hunter Heritage". The motion carried unanimously.* |
| Approval of Policy Document | - Motion by Wecker, second by Mahnken, to adopt the October 25, 2007, Policy Document as presented. The motion carried unanimously.* |
| Approval of 2008-09 Department Goals and Objectives | - Motion by Wecker, second by Perry, to adopt the January 8, 2008 Goals and Objectives for the Department as presented. The motion carried unanimously.* |
Commissioners Orr and Roehl were absent during discussion and vote on the motion.
Commissioners in Attendance:
Jerry Gutzwiler, Chair
Miranda Wecker, Vice Chair
Ken Chew
Gary Douvia
Conrad Mahnken
George Orr
Chuck Perry
Will Roehl
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