1. CALL TO ORDER:

• Approval of Meeting Minutes
  - November 7-8, 2008 draft minutes
  - December 1, 2008 draft minutes
  - December 19, 2008 draft minutes
• Commissioners’ Discussion
• Director’s Report (Phil Anderson)
• Legislative Update (Tom Davis)
• Operations and Budget Update (Joe Stohr)

2. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. (NOTE: The public is encouraged to comment only on those issues not on this agenda.)

3. NORTH OF FALCON FISHERIES - POLICY DECISION:
The Commission will consider adoption of a proposed North of Falcon Policy (C-3608) for 2009. The Commission held a public hearing during its January 9, 2009, meeting via conference call at the Olympia and Vancouver offices on this policy. Written public input received in the Commission office before January 30, 2009, is also accepted as testimony.
- Greensheet - PDF format (772 KB)

Staff Report:
Pat Pattillo, Anadromous Fish and Salmon Policy Lead, Intergovernmental Resource Management

4. 2009-2010 SPORTFISH RULE PROPOSALS – RULE ACTION:
The Commission will consider adoption of permanent amendments to the following WAC rules:

WAC 220-16-880, Saltwater State Park Marine Preserve;
WAC 220-20-100, General provisions—Marine Protected Areas;
WAC 220-56-100, Definitions—Personal-use fishing;
WAC 220-56-105, River mouth definitions;
WAC 220-56-122 Statewide bait rules;
WAC 220-56-350, Clams other than razor clams, mussels – Areas and seasons;
WAC 220-56-380, Oysters – Areas and seasons;
WAC 220-56-500, Game fish seasons;
WAC 232-12-168, Fishing contests; and
WAC 232-28-619, Washington food fish and game fish – Freshwater exceptions to statewide rules.

Staff Report:
Craig Burley, Inland/Marine Division Manager, Fish Program; and
Heather Bartlett, Salmon and Steelhead Division Manager, Fish Program

5. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS – DECISION:
The Commission will consider approval of a proposed 0.2-acre right of way for highway improvements in Cowlitz County.
- Greensheet - PDF format (491 KB)

Staff Report:
Dan Budd, Real Estate Manager, Wildlife Program

PUBLIC INPUT (This Item Only)

6. TIMBER SALVAGE AND THINNING PROJECT – BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on follow-up information to the Wishkah timber salvage sale operation, including the current condition of the property and timber, as well as an overview of the Department’s forestry program.
- Greensheet - PDF format (122 KB)

Staff Report:
Kyle Guzlas, Region 6 Biologist, Wildlife Program

7. PILOT GRAZING STATUS UPDATE AND WILD HORSE COORDINATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (CRM) PLAN – BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on the current status of the pilot grazing program and the CRM, a collaborative process for managing and sustaining proper grazing practices that balance wildlife and livestock use to improve the condition of upland and riparian areas.
- Greensheet - PDF format (1.8 MB)

Staff Report:
Jennifer Quan, Lands Division Manager, Wildlife Program

8. GRAYS HARBOR SALMON HATCHERY OVERVIEW – BRIEFING:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on Grays Harbor salmon hatchery production, including escapement goals, actual escapement, and harvest over the past 10 years.
- Greensheet - PDF format (480 KB)
- Commission Request to the Department - PDF format (8 KB)

Staff Report:
Kirt Hughes, Program Manager, Region 6, Fish Program

9. EYES IN THE WOODS – BRIEFING:
Kyle Winton, President, Eyes in the Woods Association (EITW), will brief the Commission on volunteer efforts of EITW in providing Crime and Observation Reporting Training (CORT) to citizens of the state. CORT was recently added as a requirement of the Department’s Master Hunter program.
- Greensheet - PDF format (768 KB)

Staff:
Steve Crown, Lieutenant, Enforcement Program

10. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Commissioners will discuss activities of the various Commission committees.

11. SUMMARY OF COMMISSION REQUESTS:
The Commissioners will review the current list of Commission requests to the Department and consider new requests.
- Summary of Commission Requests to the Department - PDF format (18 KB)

12. OPEN PUBLIC INPUT:
The Commission is a direct link between citizens of Washington and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Comments on Department programs and topics of concern are welcome during this portion of the meeting. (NOTE: The public is encouraged to comment only on those issues not on this agenda.)

13. MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.