Fish & Wildlife Commission Special Meeting (Nov. 3-5) Agenda - Spokane

[huntrights]

This is a copy of the agenda from the WDFW website.  You should download their latest agenda and/or go to their web site to ensure you have the latest information as the agenda is subject to change.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2011/11/agenda_nov0511.html


SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Download PDF version
http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2011/11/agenda_nov0511.pdf

FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEETING
* November 3-5, 2011
** Ramada Spokane Airport
8909 West Airport Drive
Spokane, WA 99224


* Note: At this time, the Commission expects to conclude business by end of Friday and not meet on Saturday, November 5th

** Note: This meeting was originally scheduled in Olympia and has been moved to Spokane

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3

9:00 AM WORK SESSION - WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Department staff will brief the Commission on the final Environmental Impact Statement /Recommended Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (Plan) process to date, including activities of the Wolf Working Group, comments received from the public and through scientific peer reviews and the State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) process. The Commission may consider approval of a final Wolf Conservation and Management Plan later this year.

Staff Report: 
Nate Pamplin, Assistant Director, Wildlife Program
Rocky Beach, Wildlife Diversity Division Manager, Wildlife Program
Harriet Allen, Endangered Species Section Mgr, Wildlife Program

 
12:00 Noon  LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM COLVILLE TRIBE WOLF MANAGEMENT PRESENTATION
Members of the Colville Tribe will make a presentation to the Commission.
 
1:15 PM WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN:
The Commission will continue its discussions with Department staff on the FEIS/Plan, followed by an opportunity for public input.

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)
4:00 P.M. ADJOURN
 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4


7:30 AM 1. EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i), the Commission will meet in executive session to discuss with legal counsel representing the agency litigation or potential litigation to which the agency is, or is likely to become, a party. No action will be taken in executive session, and the public is not permitted to attend the executive session.
 
9:30 AM 2. CALL TO ORDER


Approval of Meeting Minutes
Commissioners' Discussion
Director's Report Report / Operations Review (Joe Stohr)
 
10:00 AM 3. PROPOSED LAND TRANSACTIONS – DECISION:
The Commission will consider approval of various land transactions recommended by the Department for the protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat, enhancement of public recreation opportunities and responsible property management:

Proposed acquisition of 7,711.2 acres in Kittitas County
Staff Report:
Dan Budd, Real Estate Section Manager, Wildlife Program

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)
10:30 AM BREAK
10:45 AM 4. IMPORTATION AND RETENTION OF DEAD NONRESIDENT WILDLIFE – Rule Briefing, Public Hearing, and Rule Action:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on the proposed amendments to WAC 232-12-021 Retention of dead nonresident wildlife.

Staff Report:

Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program

PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)
11:00 AM 5. 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: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.
 
11:30 AM
 6. COMMISSION COMMITTEE REPORTS:
The Commissioners will discuss recent activities of the various Commission committees.
 
12:00 Noon  LUNCH BREAK
1:00 PM
 7. DETECTING UNGULATE POPULATION DECLINES - Briefing:
At the request of the Commission, Department staff will brief the Commission on how the Department detects declining ungulate population for deer and elk.

Staff Report:
Dave Ware, Game Division Manager, Wildlife Program
 
2:00 PM
 8. HABITAT PROGRAM OVERVIEW – Briefing:
Department staff will brief the Commission on the current structure, expertise, collaboration and proactive approach to protecting, conserving and restoring fish and wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on.

Staff Report:
Lisa Veneroso, Assistant Director, Habitat Program
 
3:30 PM
 9. MISCELLANEOUS AND MEETING DEBRIEF:
The Commission will discuss items that arise immediately before or during the meeting and after the preliminary agenda is published.
 
4:00 PM 10. 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: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.
 
4:30 P.M. ADJOURN


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5


*Note: At this time, the Commission expects to conclude business by end of Friday and not meet on Saturday, November 5th.
 


*Agenda is subject to change.

Contact the Fish and Wildlife Commission Office for further information:
Phone (360) 902-2267
Email: commission@dfw.wa.gov

[KillBilly]

Ok, I just made my reservations at the Ramada Spokane Airport. It appears that it is early yet and they have plenty of rooms. I got a good price for 2 nights. I am set, now all I have to do is get some roadwork in for the fight on Thursday...

[Machias]

So looking at the schedule, it looks like they are taking public input on both Thursday and Friday.  I can't make both days, do we want to split our group up and make sure we have representation on both days?  If so when can most folks go?  I can go either day, just not both days.

[KillBilly]

Fred the 4th is about a totally different subject. The wolf is Thursday only.   so pick Thursday

[Machias]

Disregard, I see the public input is for various topics and the wolf topic is Thursday morning.  Is that correct?

[Machias]

Oops you beat me to it!   

[Machias]

So what time do you think I should be there on Thursday to sign up, to be able to speak my peace?

[huntrights]

I hope others will also attend.  I will not be able to make it to this meeting; however, I have sent several communications to the WDFW Commission.  I modified this post to include what just sent to the Commissioners.  This is what I would have presented at the meeting:

"Dear WDFW Commissioners,

I will not be able to attend the special meeting being held in Spokane on November 3, 2011.  Although I would like to attend and speak during the public comment period allowed for the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, I will not be able to attend this meeting.  However, please consider the brief comments I would have presented.

My hope is that you, the WDFW Commission, will be able to filter through all of the information you have received from the public and the work group.  You will hopefully make your decisions based on real facts versus half-truths, manipulated and/or incorrect or incomplete data, and propaganda.

Below are a few key points that I believe to be real facts about wolves that would be very difficult for anyone to deny:

• Wolves become habituated when they are protected from harm by people; this means they lose their fear and natural avoidance of people.

• Wolves can and do attack people, domestic animals, and livestock.

• Wolves are large apex predators; that means they are at the top of the food chain and have no natural predators of their own.

• Wolves primarily feed on ungulates, but they are driven by instinct, hunger, and opportunity; that is why they also pose a danger to people, domestic animals, and livestock.

• Wolves attack the weak in ungulate populations; however, that includes the pregnant and young in those species.

• There are 60,000 to 70,000 wolves in Canada and Alaska.  Question: Why do people continue to call them a threatened species?

In my opinion, wolves should be managed from day-one for what they are as large predators, their potential negative impact on ungulate populations, and the threat they pose to people, domestic animals, and livestock."


There are many other facts such as these which you and others will hopefully present.  Good luck.

As of 11-1-11, their agenda (http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2011/11/agenda_nov0511.html ) appears to allow for public comment on the Wolf Conservation and Management Plan on Thursday, November 3rd sometime after 1:15 PM.  However, remember the long list of speakers (70+) at the last meeting in Olympia; it’s first-come first-serve.  Please make sure you look at their latest agenda as it is subject to change.

1:15 PM   WOLF CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN:
The Commission will continue its discussions with Department staff on the FEIS/Plan, followed by an opportunity for public input.
PUBLIC INPUT (This item only)


There may also be an opportunity to speak on Friday, November 4th starting at 4:00PM; however, that time allows for speakers to talk about other WDFW topics.

4:00 PM   10. 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: During this portion of the meeting, the public is encouraged to comment on issues that are not on the agenda for decision action.

[Special T]

I am VERY interested in what the Colville tribe has to say about wolf management...I think they may have more positive effect than our own WDFW...

[TheHunt]

I hope there is a good pro-hunting group there.  The Pro wolf groups are trying to pull people there.  So please if you have time please jump on it.  If you need content to talk about please ask and the people in the know will provide you talking points.

[CAMPMEAT]

The public has 1/2 of input ? If so, typical huh !

[KillBilly]

The public has 1/2 of input ? If so, typical huh !

It looks like that but not so. Last meeting they had 70 some presenters and were there very late. they give everyone that signs up 3 minutes. they don't cut it off to adjourn on time.  Fred I have some info for you, try to call me back again please. If I don't hear from you, 8:00 is when you should be there if you want to be near the first on the list.

[sebek556]

Live at the meeting. By apperance the cattlemen group has the highest turn out the is a group passing out wolves belong in wa buttons but maybe five to ten are wearing them from what i have seen. The wolf group is pushing for the plan to be passed before the feds come out with their finding of how many wolves the lower 48 states have

[bearpaw]

I will be there for the public input with the following testimony and supporting data.

[Machias]

Looking forward to testifying this afternoon!!!