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

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Public
Russ Cahill, Chair	Ruth Beegley
Will Roehl, Vice Chair	Frank Beegley
Lisa Pelly	Dan Wyckoff
Fred Shiosaki	Pam Toste
Bob Tuck	Ray Toste
Van Van Gytenbeek	Mark Cedergreen, Westport Charter Boat Association
	Willy O'Neil
Commission Staff:	C. M. Towle
Debbie Nelson	Del Dungy
	Doug Fricke
Department	Mark Towle
Jeff Koenings, Director	Crandall Ashly
Larry Peck, Deputy Director	John Muircroft
Jim Lux	Rob Kavanaugh
Josh Weiss	Jack Burtch
Rich Lincoln	Harold Williams
Amy MacKenzie	Pamela Meyer
Other Department staff	Paul Meyer
	Frank Eiterer
	Ed Owens
	Mark Doumit (Senator)
	Corey Freeman

Chair Cahill called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.

DEPARTMENT 2002 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST:

Jim Lux presented the Department's proposed 2002 Supplemental Budget Request.

Two individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed supplemental budget request during the meeting.

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Roehl, to approve the Department's proposed 2002 Supplemental Budget Request, with placeholders for emergency fire and water initiative costs, for submission to the Office of Financial Management.

Commissioner Tuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to amend the motion to add a request for $1.4 million from the state General Fund for the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups. The motion to amend the motion failed.

Commissioner Tuck moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to amend the motion to include a placeholder for additional funding for the Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups for Commission consideration at the next Commission meeting or workshop. The motion to amend the motion carried.

The motion to approve the Department's proposed 2002 Supplemental Budget Request, as amended, carried unanimously.

The Commission asked the Department to meet with Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups to develop a more stable funding base.

The Department is to present to the Commission the three placeholder requests (emergency fire costs, water initiative, and RFEG funding) for consideration prior to or at the October workshop.

DEPARTMENT 2002 REQUEST LEGISLATION:

Josh Weiss presented the Department's proposed 2002 Request Legislation.

Three individuals provided oral testimony on the proposed 2002 Request Legislation during the meeting.

Commissioner Van Gytenbeek moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to approve the Department's proposed 2002 Request Legislation for submission to the Office of Financial Management.

Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to amend the motion to delete the proposed increase in the fee charged for a short-term fishing license. The motion to amend the motion carried unanimously.

The Commission asked the Department to provide prior to the 2003 legislative session, good economic data, good analysis with a full two-year stretch on it, what happened with the $6.00 license, and a review of the differential between states and geographic regions.

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to amend the motion to delete the proposed legislation to eliminate the requirement that a shellfish license be wearable. The motion to amend the motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to include a placeholder to require a personal use license for smelt. The motion to amend the motion carried unanimously.

The motion to approve the Department's proposed 2002 Request Legislation, as amended, carried unanimously.

RENEWAL OF COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE UPON DEATH OF LICENSE HOLDER:

Jim Lux presented WAC 220-20-056, Commercial Fishing License Renewal Upon the Death of the Holder, which would allow estates a reasonable opportunity to renew a commercial fishing license.

No oral testimony on the rule proposal was received during the meeting.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to adopt WAC 220-20-056, Commercial Fishing License Renewal Upon the Death of the Holder. The motion to adopt the rule carried unanimously.

EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE COASTAL CRAB FISHERY/APPEAL OF COASTAL SHELLFISH POT LIMIT:

Rich Lincoln and Amy MacKenzie presented the Department's recommendation that the Commission not adopt the permanent amendment to WAC 220-16-410, Definition - Extenuating Circumstances, and adopt the permanent amendment to WAC 220-52-040(14), Commercial Crab Fishery - Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts. This amendment would provide a 30-day appeal period for coastal commercial license holders to appeal shellfish pot limit assignments.

Eight individuals provided oral testimony on the rule proposals during the meeting.

Commissioner Roehl moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to adopt the permanent amendment to WAC 220-52-040, Commercial Crab Fishery - Lawful and Unlawful Gear, Methods, and Other Unlawful Acts, Section (14) only, as filed with the Code Reviser's Office and amended by staff. The motion to adopt the permanent amendment to the rule carried unanimously.

The Commission did not adopt an amendment to WAC 220-16-410, Definition - Extenuating Circumstances.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:

One individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern.

Chair Cahill adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.

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

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