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

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Department (cont.)
Russ Cahill, Chair	John Pierce
Ron Ozment	Dave Brittell
Lisa Pelly	Aaron Galloway
Fred Shiosaki	Dave Ware
Bob Tuck	Cindy LeFleur
Van Van Gytenbeek	Brian Culver
Kelly White	Lew Atkins
	Bob Gibbons
Commission Staff:	Other Department Staff
Debbie Nelson
Department	Public
Jeff Koenings, Director	Lua Pritchard, Korean Women's Assoc.
Larry Peck, Deputy Director	Lee Tanurasa, Korean Wormen's Assoc.
Tim Smith	Scott Mills
Mike Kuttel	Jim Peek
Bonnie Long	Ed O'Leary
Mik Mikitik	Jim Hearn
James Chandler	Rob Kavanaugh
Alan Rammer	George Shultz, NW Adventure Center
Michele Robinson	Charles George Fairbanks
Dan Budd	Marcia Golbuic, Indochinese Cultural Services Center
Rob Costello, A.G.'s Office	Greg Mueller, WA Trollers Assoc.
Ernie rushing, A.G.'s Office	Frances Clark, NW Gillnetters Assoc.
Bill Tweit	Jim Walkowski
Jim Uehara	Loye Studer
Jerry Nelson	Ben Schroeter
Dave Ware	Lyle Lewis
Bruce Bjork	Jeff Hard
	An Nguyen, Indochinese Cultural Services Center
	Chhuy Loy, Indochinese Cultural Services Center
	Anna Thompson, Korean Women's Assoc.

Chair Cahill called the workshop to order at 10:00 a.m.

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES - BRIEFING:

Initiatives Update: Mike Kuttell reviewed new initiatives, including Youth Fishing, Marketing and Interpretation Group, and "Go Play Outside" outdoor recreational marketing.

Fairs, Events, and Outreach/Education Products: Bonnie Long reviewed fair and event activities and "Go Play Outside" product updates.

Hunter Education and Advanced Hunter Education: Mik Mikitik provided an overview of the Hunter Education and Advanced Hunter Education programs and services offered.

Salmon in the Classroom: James Chandler provided an overview of Salmon in the Classroom activities.

Natural Resources Youth Camp: James Chandler provided an overview of the Natural Resources Youth Camp.

Marine Education: Alan Rammer provided an overview of Marine Education activities and Asian/Pacific Islander outreach activities.

The Commission met in Executive Session to review the performance of a public employee.

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:

Deputy Director Peck 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 White moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to approve the following:

• Acquisition of the 1,313.52-acre Harold T. Olson Shelter Trust property in Okanogan County for $618,423;
• Acquisition of the 16-acre Jo M. Levin property in Chelan County for $125,000; and
• Acceptance of the easement on City of Tacoma property at Lake Kapowsin in Pierce County.

The motion to approve the proposed land transactions carried unanimously.

COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING CHINOOK NON-TREATY HARVEST POLICY - BRIEFING:

Bill Tweit and Cindy LeFleur briefed the Commission on a possible policy adoption request regarding the Columbia River spring chinook non-treaty harvest issue.

The Fish Committee and Department staff will meet in November with stakeholders and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commissioners to discuss the Columbia River spring chinook non-treaty harvest policy.

WEST COAST GROUNDFISH MANAGEMENT - BRIEFING:

Brian Culver and Michele Robinson briefed the Commission on the challenges associated with West Coast groundfish management and the involvement of the Pacific Fishery Management Council in the management process.

VIABLE SALMON EGGS - BRIEFING:

Lew Atkins and Tim Smith briefed the Commission on ESHB 1286 (viable salmon eggs) which requires the Commission to establish rules on hatchery salmon rearing, release, and spawning.

The Department will develop proposed rule language for presentation to the Commission in February 2002. The rule language would include a framework that would direct the Department to implement production programs consistent with internal and external directives the Department now works under.

QUALITY TROUT PROGRAM- BRIEFING:

Jim Uehara briefed the Commission on a variety of approaches to promote and profile quality trout opportunities, and provided the preferred approach for the 2002-2003 season.

The Fish Committee will work with Department staff to determine the appropriate direction of the quality trout program.

REVISED PLAN FOR THE USE FOR ROTENONE - BRIEFING:

Bob Gibbons updated the Commission on the progress to create a revised plan for use of rotenone in fish management.

The Department will present a revised rotenone policy for Commission consideration of adoption at the December 7-8 Commission meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS:

The Commission discussed Commission committees, which will be approved at the October 18, 2001 conference call.

Chair Cahill recessed the workshop at 5:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6:

Chair Cahill called the meeting back to order at 8:30 a.m.

ELK RISK ASSESSMENT PANEL - PROGRESS REPORT:

Dave Ware, Jerry Nelson, and Elk Risk Assessment Panel members (Jim Peek, Scott Mills and Jeff Hard) briefed the Commission on the progress of the Elk Risk Assessment Panel. The Panel is a group of external elk experts contracted to evaluate options and strategies for managing elk.

The Game Management Plan will replace the elk EIS and all other game species plans.

MISCELLANEOUS AND WORKSHOP DEBRIEF:

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to request that the Department conduct an internal review of grouse management for ruffed and blue grouse. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

Commissioner Van Gytenbeek moved, seconded by Commisisoner Tuck, to request that the Department include the following in the 2002-2003 sportfish rule proposals: On that section of the Naches River from Rattlesnake Creek downstream to the confluence with the Tieton River:

• During calendar 2002, the Department will survey the fishery to establish baseline data;
• Beginning in 2003 and for four years, the Department will enforce hook-and-release, single barbless hook, and no-kill rules;
• During years 2, 3, and 4, the Department will sample the fishery; and
• In year 5, the Department will repeat the full survey, analyze, and report the results.

The motion to request Department action carried unanimously. (Commissioner White was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.)

Commissioner Tuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Shiosaki, to request that the Department prepare a history of the grazing fee payments to the Department of Natural Resources. The Department should provide a briefing, which will include the Attorney General's Office, to the Commission in March 2002. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

COOPERATIVE COMPLIANCE PROGRAM FOR ESA SCREENING AND PASSAGE - UPDATE:

Bruce Bjork and Mike Bireley briefed the Commission on the cooperative compliance approach used by the Department and how this process will be used in additional water basins throughout the state to assist landowners in meeting statutory requirements.

Chair Cahill adjourned the workshop at 1:45 p.m.

* Commissioner White was absent during discussion and vote on the motion.

Commissioners in Attendance:
Russ Cahill, Chair
Ron Ozment
Lisa Pelly
Fred Shiosaki
Bob Tuck
Van Van Gytenbeek
Kelly White

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