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

WORKSHOP March 19-20, 1999 Natural Resources Building 1111 Washington Street SE Olympia, Washington ATTENDANCE: Commission Public Kelly White, Chairman Jim Hearn Russ Cahill, Vice Chairman Walt Christensen, WA State Muzzleloaders Assn. Don Heinicke Jay Nagle Lisa Pelly J.K. Johnson Will Roehl Georg Ziegltrum, WA Forest Protection Assn. Fred Shiosaki Lisa Birnel, Senator Oke's Office Bob Tuck Ed Owens, Coalition of Coastal Fisheries Van Van Gytenbeek Willy O'Neil, Mid-Sound Fisheries Group Terry Wright, NW Indian Fisheries Commission Commission Staff: Chris Kennedy, State Auditor's Office Debbie Nelson Dan Contris, State Auditor's Office Joe Verdoes, Puget Sound Crab Assn. Department Charley Morgan, Puget Sound Crab Assn. Jeff Koenings, Director LeRoy Moses, Puget Sound Crab Assn. Larry Peck, Deputy Director Steve Hall Jim Lux Brad Sobjack Dan Budd Bob Mohr, Puget Sound Crab Assn. Phil Anderson Charlene Renquist Steve Pozzanghera Earl Root Bruce Crawford Joan Root Steve Phelps George Renquist Tim Smith Alfred Guathier Dick Burge Jerry Fingasson Jay O'Dell David Corley Morris Barker Brian Mackey Other Department Staff Daniel Froula Tom Carlson Emily Sullivan Elizabeth Van Gytenbeek Friday, March 19: Chairman White called the workshop to order at 2:05 p.m. He introduced the two new Commissioners: Fred Shiosaki and Peter Van Gytenbeek. FY 1998 STATE AUDITOR'S REPORT: Chris Kennedy and Dan Contris from the State Auditor's Office reviewed the FY 1998 State Auditor's Report and summarized the findings and/or conclusions found during the most recent audit cycle. Deputy Director Peck suggested the Department present a future Commission briefing on the automated license point-of-sale system, similar to the presentation given to the Information Services Board. DIRECTOR'S REPORT: Director Koenings reviewed recent significant Department issues and activities. BUDGET UPDATE: Deputy Director Peck and Jim Lux provided the Commission with a status report on the Department's current biennial budget. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS: Dan Budd presented the Department's recommendation of approval of numerous proposed land transactions. Commissioner Cahill moved, seconded by Commissioner Roehl, to approve the following land transactions: - Acquisition of the Conservation Easement on the 26.23-acre Percich property in Okanogan County for $70,000; - Acquisition of the 60-acre Bowman property in Okanogan County for $79,000; - Acquisition of the 10.17-acre Snell property in Kitsap County for $67,500; and - Acquisition of the 22.92-acre Oyster Patch Partnership/Triton Oyster Patch Partnership property in Jefferson County for $350,000. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioners expressed an interest in receiving a future briefing on conservation easements, associated restrictions, etc. STATUS UPDATE ON DEPARTMENT/TRIBAL HUNTING MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES: Phil Anderson and Steve Pozzanghera provided a status update on the draft Department/ Tribal Hunting Management Guidelines. At the April 3 meeting in Spokane, the Commission will be asked to address whether the Guidelines are consistent with the Commission's Tribal Hunting Coordination policy and to recommend that the Director adopt and implement the Guidelines. The Director will then consider adopting and implementing the Guidelines by May 1, 1999. WILD SALMONID POLICY IMPLEMENTATION BRIEFING: Bruce Crawford and Steve Phelps provided the Commission with a Wild Salmonid Policy implementation update. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: Tim Smith briefed the Commission on current legislative issues. REVIEW OF WORK PLAN FOR THE DIRECTOR: Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Cahill, to continue Commission review and consideration of approval of the draft Performance Expectations for the Director to the April 3 Commission meeting. The motion carried unanimously. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Commissioner Cahill moved, seconded by Commissioner Roehl, to approve the Minutes of the following: - January 22, 1999 Commission conference call - January 29, 1999 Commission conference call - February 5-6, 1999 Commission meeting - February 11, 1999 Commission conference call - February 19, 1999 Commission conference call - February 26, 1999 Commission conference call - March 5, 1999 Commission conference call. The motion carried unanimously. MISCELLANEOUS: Commissioner Pelly requested the Director provide the Commission with status reports on the dredging being done in the Columbia River by the Corps of Engineers. Chairman White reminded Director Koenings that at the recent Tri-State Commissioners' meeting they discussed the need for the Department to send a letter to the Washington Congressional Delegation requesting support for incorporating reasonable management options into the regulatory process of the Marine Mammal Protection Act that deals with seal and sea lion predation on salmon and steelhead runs and the potential impact on depleted groundfish and forage fish stocks in Puget Sound. Also, another letter needs to be sent to the Delegation requesting support for additional funding for aquatic nuisance species programs. Commissioner Tuck requested Debbie Nelson provide him and other interested Commissioners with a copy of the Town Hall meeting on salmon recovery that was recently aired on Channel 9. Chairman White recessed the workshop at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, March 20: Chairman White called the workshop back to order at 9:00 a.m. NON-COMMERCIAL CRUSTACEAN ZONE CRITERIA BRIEFING: Dick Burge and Jay O'Dell briefed the Commission on criteria to be used for selecting potential Puget Sound non-commercial crab and shrimp fishing zones. These criteria will provide the Commission with a framework for evaluation of proposals submitted for potential adoption. PUGET SOUND DUNGENESS CRAB FISHERY DISCUSSION: Dick Burge and Jay O'Dell briefed the Commission on the management of the Puget Sound Dungeness crab fishery. Members of the public were given the opportunity during the meeting to provide comments on the management of the fishery. Commissioner Roehl suggested the Commission's Puget Sound Crab and Shrimp Fisheries policy be revised to update concepts and clarify interpretation. Commissioners requested they receive a future briefing on the Department's ability to verify crab harvest numbers. Commissioner Cahill requested the Department contact Tom Ritter and Gary Peters who volunteered to assist with the collection of data on crab harvest in the Eastsound area. The workshop was adjourned at 12:05 p.m. MEMOS AND AUTHORITIES FROM THE MARCH 19-20, 1999 FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION WORKSHOP, OLYMPIA Proposed Land Transactions - Motion by Cahill, second by Roehl, to approve the following land transactions: -- Acquisition of the Conservation Easement on the 26.23-acre Percich property in Okanogan County for $70,000; -- Acquisition of the 60-acre Bowman property in Okanogan County for $79,000; -- Acquisition of the 10.17-acre Snell property in Kitsap County for $67,500; and -- Acquisition of the 22.92-acre Oyster Patch Partnership/Triton Oyster Patch Partnership property in Jefferson County for $350,000. The motion carried unanimously. Approval of Commission Minutes - Motion by Cahill, second by Roehl, to approve the Minutes of the following: -- January 22, 1999 Commission conference call -- January 29, 1999 Commission conference call -- February 5-6, 1999 Commission meeting -- February 11, 1999 Commission conference call -- February 19, 1999 Commission conference call -- February 26, 1999 Commission conference call -- March 5, 1999 Commission conference call. The motion carried unanimously. Commissioners in Attendance: Kelly White, Chairman Russ Cahill, Vice Chairman Don Heinicke Lisa Pelly Will Roehl Fred Shiosaki Bob Tuck Van Van Gytenbeek

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