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

ATTENDANCE:
Commission	Department (Continued)
Russ Cahill, Chair	Bill Tweit
Will Roehl, Vice Chair	Cindy LeFleur
Ron Ozment	Brad James
Lisa Pelly	John Broome
Dawn Reynolds	Dave Ware
Fred Shiosaki	Frank Hawley
Bob Tuck	Jackson Wilson
Van Van Gytenbeek	Morris Barker
Kelly White	Madonna Luers
	Other Department Staff
Commission Staff:
Nancy Burkhart
	Public
Department	Dr. Nicholas Lovrich, WA State University
Jeff Koenings, Director	David Thiestad
Terry Rudnick	Jim Pearson
Andy Appleby	Al Johnson
Dennis Beich	James Layman, INWC/HHC
Bob Gibbons	Donny Jackson
Dan Budd	Mark Skatrud, NW Ecosystems Alliance
Evan Jacoby	Mike Bireley, WA State University
Dave Karl	Larry Snyder, Vancouver Wildlife League
John Andrews	Tip Hudson, WA Cattlemen's Association
Mark Quinn	B.J. Thorniley, WA for Wildlife Conservation/WA Trappers Assn.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27:

Chair Cahill called the meeting to order at 9:09 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.

The Commission requested that the Washington State Patrol be acknowledged by the Department's Annual Award System for the State Patrol's detection of zebra mussels on the Idaho/Washington border.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
No oral testimony on issues of concern was received during this portion of the meeting.

BUDGET UPDATE:
Director Koenings provided an update on the Department's current biennial budget.

YOUTH SPORT FISHING PROGRAM ACTIVITIES -- BRIEFING:
Terry Rudnick and Bob Gibbons provided an update on the activities of the Youth Sport Fishing Program.

REGULATING MARINE FIN FISH AQUACULTURE -- BRIEFING:
Andy Appleby and Evan Jacoby briefed the Commission on the proposed rules to regulate marine fin fish aquaculture. The Department will provide another briefing at the Commission's November 15-16, 2002 workshop.

ADOPTION OF HOUSEKEEPING CHANGES TO WAC 232-28-619: UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER STURGEON; LEWIS RIVER POWER CANAL; UPPER KALAMA RIVER STEELHEAD:
Bob Gibbons and Morris Barker presented proposed permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-619, Washington Food Fish and Game Fish--Freshwater Exceptions to Statewide Rules. These amendments would allow more complete protection of upper Columbia River sturgeon stocks, close the Lewis River Power Canal, and close steelhead fishing in the upper Kalama River.

No public input was received on the proposed permanent amendments during the meeting.

Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to adopt the permanent amendments to WAC 232-28-619, Washington Food Fish and Game Fish--Freshwater Exceptions to Statewide Rules. The motion to adopt the permanent amendments carried unanimously.

2003 COMMISSION MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS:
After discussion, the Commission decided that the Chair and Vice Chair will select dates and locations for its 2003 meetings and workshops.

PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS:
Dan Budd presented numerous proposed land transactions for Commission consideration of approval.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner Tuck, to approve the following land transactions:

- Acquisition of the 106.54-acre Larrance property in Jefferson County for $456,500;
- Acquisition of the 181.9-acre RLF Columbia Land Holdings, LLC property in Chelan County for $700,000; and
- Acceptance of the 118.16-acre Williams Pipeline Company donation property in Grays Harbor County.

The motion to approve the land transactions carried unanimously.

APPROVAL OF DOMESETIC LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON DEPARTMENT LANDS POLICY, AND ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO LIVESTOCK GRAZING ON DEPARTMENT LANDS:
Mark Quinn presented the Domestic Livestock Grazing on Department Lands Policy, and a permanent amendment to WAC 232-12-181, Livestock Grazing on Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands. The amendment would reflect provisions of the new policy.

Five individuals provided oral testimony on the policy and proposed amendment during the meeting.

In order to allow the Department more time to work on the policy, Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Reynolds, to postpone a decision until the December 6-7, 2002 Commission meeting in Mount Vernon. The motion to postpone a decision carried.

EASTERN WASHINGTON WILDLIFE -- UPDATE:
Mark Quinn provided an update to the Commission on Eastern Washington wildfires and their financial and wildlife resource impacts.

COLUMBIA RIVER SPRING CHINOOK NON-TREATY HARVEST POLICY -- BRIEFING:
Bill Tweit and Cindy LeFleur briefed the Commission on the Columbia River spring chinook non-treaty harvest policy.

2003-2005 LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER STURGEON MANAGEMENT -- BRIEFING:
Bill Tweit and Brad James briefed the Commission on the 2003-2005 lower Columbia River sturgeon management.

COMMISSION REQUESTS TO THE DEPARTMENT:
The Commission reviewed the Summary of Commission Requests to the Department and considered future requests.

Commissioner White moved, seconded by Commissioner Van Gytenbeek, to request that the Department and Fish Committee consider the possibility of extending lake and stream fishing opportunity through the November modern firearm hunting season, and the potential impacts on the fish resource. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

Commissioner Shiosaki moved, seconded by Commissioner White, to request that the Department provide the Director with the authority to suspend or decertify any AHE holder for violation of hunting regulations, including trespass. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

Commissioner Pelly moved, seconded by Commissioner Reynolds, to request that the Department provide a background on the existing PLWMA program, with the goal of the Commission providing policy direction regarding the program. The motion to request Department action carried unanimously.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
One individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

Chair Cahill recessed the meeting at 5:18 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28:

Chair Cahill called the meeting back to order at 8:37 a.m.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
Two individuals provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

COOPERATIVE COMPLIANCE REVIEW PROGRAM -- UPDATE:
John Broome and Dr. Nicholas P. Lovrich, Ph.D. (Division of Governmental Studies & Services, Washington State University) updated the Commission on the current status of the Enforcement Program's efforts to obtain compliance with state law regarding fish screens and passage barriers in the Walla Walla Basin and elsewhere in response to Endangered Species Act listings.

GAME MANAGEMENT PLAN -- UPDATE:
Dave Ware updated the Commission on the Six-Year Game Management Plan.

LICENSE FEE STUDY REVENUE ALTERNATIVES -- BRIEFING:
Jackson Wilson and Frank Hawley briefed the Commission on alternative license fees. The Commission will consider approval of the license fee revenue alternatives at its October 17, 2002 conference call.

OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
One individual provided oral testimony on issues of concern during this portion of the meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
No items were identified that needed discussing.

The Commission went into Executive Session to interview candidates for the Commission's Executive Assistant position.

Chair Cahill called the meeting back to order at 2:20 p.m.

Chair Cahill adjourned the meeting at 2:22 p.m.

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

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