Minutes WASHINGTON FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION 600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Department (cont.)
Russ Cahill, Chair	Pat Scott
Will Roehl, Vice Chair	Mike Kuttel
Lisa Pelly	Jim Byrd
Dawn Reynolds	Margaret Tudor
Fred Shiosaki	Tim Waters
Bob Tuck	David Johnson
Van Van Gytenbeek	John Burrows
Kelly White	Jeff Tayer
	Dave Ware
Commission Staff:	Other Department Staff
Debbie Nelson
Department	Public
Jeff Koenings, Director	Kyle Winton, WA Wildlife fed. and Eyes in the Woods
Larry Peck, Deputy Director	Gerald Rowland, Modern Firearm Hunters of WA
Phil Anderson	B. J. Thorniley, WA State Trappers Assn.
Morris Barker	Rob Kavanaugh
Bruce Bjork	Tony Wells
Steve Keller	Johnny Graham
Jim Lux	Doug Swanson
Dan Budd	Frank Hein, Woodland Park Zoo
	Ray Crisp, Eyes in the Woods

Chair Cahill called the workshop to order at 10:03 a.m.

COMMISSIONERS' DISCUSSION:

Commissioners discussed recent activities and items of general interest and provided status reports on Commission committees.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT:

Director Koenings reviewed significant Department issues and activities.

BUDGET UPDATE:

Jim Lux provided a status report on the Department's current biennial budget.

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS:

Dan Budd presented the Department's request for Commission approval of numerous proposed land transactions.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to approve the following:

- Acquisition of the 1,521.46-acre Harriet Halsey and Dwight Halsey trust property in Asotin County for $642,000;
- Acquisition of the 294-acre Berney Ranch, Inc., property in Okanogan County for $301,500;
- Acquisition of the 73.65-acre Jensen property in Pacific County for $12,700; and
- Acquisition of the .26-acre Ledgett property in Pacific County for $375.

The motion to approve the proposed land transactions carried unanimously.

INCREASING RETURNS OF CATCH RECORD CARDS -- BRIEFING:

Morris Barker briefed the Commission regarding the issues and ways in which better compliance with mandatory return of catch record cards could be obtained.

The Department will provide the Commission with another briefing on this issue at the November 9-10, 2001 Commission workshop.

BALLAST WATER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DISCHARGE STANDARDS -- BRIEFING:

Scott Smith briefed the Commission on the development of regulations for reporting requirements, protocols for verifying open ocean ballast water exchange, and standards for discharge of treated ballast water.

Chair Cahill suggested a letter from the Director and the Commission be sent to the Congressional Delegation urging formal reauthorization of the National Invasive Species Act.

During lunch, the Commission met in Executive Session to discuss current and/or potential litigation.

EYES IN THE WOODS ASSOCIATION PARTNERSHIP -- BRIEFING:

Ray Crisp, Kyle Winton, and Tony Wells of the Eyes in the Woods Association gave an overview of this volunteer non-profit association, its vision, mission, organization, projects, and activities benefitting the natural resources of the state, and partnerships with the Department.

Commissioners recommended the Department include a brief description of the Eyes in the Woods Association in the 2002 hunting pamphlet.

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES -- BRIEFING:

LEAP and Outreach and Education: Tim Smith briefed the Commission on the organization of the Legislative and External Affairs Program and provided a summary of Outreach and Education activities and responsibilities.

Marketing Initiatives: Mike Kuttel reviewed new initiatives, including Marketing and Interpretation Group, WILD, Eyes in the Woods, and "Go Play Outside" outdoor recreational marketing.

Environmental Education: Margaret Tudor and Frank Hein (Woodland Park Zoo) reviewed environmental education activities, including Project WILD, NatureMapping, Wild-Wise, and Classroom Curriculum.

Angler Education: Jim Byrd reviewed angler education activities, including Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, Youth Sportfishing Initiative, and Washington Outdoor Women.

OVERVIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE:

Tim Waters and John Burrows provided the Commission with an overview of Public Affairs Office activities, which included present staffing levels; chief responsibilities and goals; strategies and tools used/or developed to meet these responsibilities and goals; accomplishments; and future goals.

Commissioners requested the Department provide them with weekly news clippings.

WILDLIFE-HABITAT RELATIONSHIPS IN OREGON AND WASHINGTON -- BRIEFING:

Dave Johnson briefed the Commission on the completed project "Wildlife-Habitat Relationships in Oregon and Washington."

DROUGHT COORDINATION AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING -- BRIEFING:

Steve Keller briefed the Commission on Department activities and actions which address drought risks and liabilities, identify actions that can be taken, and coordinate across programs to ensure an efficient response to drought is taken.

Commissioner Pelly requested the Department determine what, if any, action needs to be taken to protect spawning redds in streams.

TRIBAL HUNTING -- BRIEFING:

Bruce Bjork, Jeff Tayer and Dave Ware briefed the Commission on tribal hunting issues, including herd plans, geographic scope of the right to hunt, and enforcement issues.

COMMISSION REQUESTS TO THE DEPARTMENT:

The Commission reviewed the Summary of Commission Requests to the Department and considered future requests.

Commissioner Reynolds indicated that the Commission's request that the Department provide a written report summarizing how other agencies are responding to custom and culture ordinances adopted by the counties has not been completed as indicated on the summary. The Department should provide more information on other agencies.

MISCELLANEOUS AND WORKSHOP DEBRIEF:

Chair Cahill will coordinate a joint meeting between the Commission and the Washington Conservation Commission in the fall of 2001.

Commissioner Tuck suggested the Commission consider at its August Commission work session establishment of a Commission committee on outreach and education.

Commissioners requested the Department brief the Commission at the June 21, 2001 conference call on the Department of Natural Resources' owl management policy.

Chair Cahill adjourned the workshop at 6:00 p.m.

Commissioners in Attendance:
Russ Cahill, Chair
Will Roehl, Vice Chair
Lisa Pelly
Dawn Reynolds
Fred Shiosaki
Bob Tuck
Van Van Gytenbeek
Kelly White

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