01-06-2010, 12:11 PM
OLYMPIA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to accept public testimony and take action on a proposal to exchange additional land in eastern Washington with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) at a meeting Jan. 7-9 in Olympia.
In addition, the commission is scheduled to accept public testimony on proposed updates to the Columbia River spring chinook policy and the Columbia River sturgeon management policy.<br />
The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene for its regular meeting Jan. 8-9 in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days.<br />
Prior to that meeting, the commission will conduct a half-day work session Jan. 7 on policy governance and budget preparation. The work session is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Room 175 in the Natural Resources Building.<br />
During the Jan. 8-9 meeting, the commission will consider approving the second phase of a major land exchange proposed by WDFW and WDNR. Under the proposal, WDFW would acquire approximately 25,849 acres of shrub-steppe and lower-elevation forest habitats, while WDNR would acquire approximately 12,424 acres of higher elevation forest habitat.<br />
The proposed exchange - which would affect properties in Kittitas, Okanogan, Klickitat, Yakima, Asotin and Chelan counties - is designed to consolidate both departments' lands and allow for more effective management of properties. The primary benefits of the exchange would:<br />
"¢ Protect and enhance habitat for big-game species (e.g. elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep), shrub-steppe species (e.g. sage grouse, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, Brewer's sparrow), and forest species (e.g. goshawk, pileated woodpecker, white headed woodpecker, forest grouse).<br />
"¢ Maintain public access and recreation on public lands.<br />
"¢ Generate revenue for WDNR trust beneficiaries, such as public schools.<br />
WDFW and other agencies involved in the proposed land exchange accepted public comments through Dec. 16 on a joint Environmental Assessment document that addresses both state and federal regulatory requirements. A copy of the joint Environmental Assessment, which includes a description and maps of the proposed land exchange, is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/sepa/sepa.htm .<br />
In the first phase of the land exchange, finalized in August, WDFW acquired 9,000 acres and WDNR acquired 5,100 acres.<br />
In other business at its January meeting, the commission is scheduled to consider a proposal to offer hunters five additional multi-species raffle permits and housekeeping changes to the Deleterious Exotic and Live Wildlife regulations.<br />
The commission also is scheduled to hear a briefing on the North of Falcon policy. The two-year policy, which doesn't expire until the end of 2010, provides direction to fishery managers in defining annual salmon fishing seasons in Washington's waters.<br />
In addition, WDFW Director Phil Anderson will present to the commission options for alternative public-input processes on two sportfishing rule proposals that have drawn considerable interest. Anderson is scheduled to present those alternatives Jan. 8 during the Director's Report.<br />
The two alternative processes would address a proposal that would ban the use of small lead fishing tackle at 13 lakes in Washington, and a proposal that would close fishing for bottomfish and halibut off the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula.<br />
Commissioners also are scheduled to attend an annual meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. in the Governor's office.<br />
For more information about future commission meetings, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html .
In addition, the commission is scheduled to accept public testimony on proposed updates to the Columbia River spring chinook policy and the Columbia River sturgeon management policy.<br />
The commission, a nine-member citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), will convene for its regular meeting Jan. 8-9 in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. both days.<br />
Prior to that meeting, the commission will conduct a half-day work session Jan. 7 on policy governance and budget preparation. The work session is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Room 175 in the Natural Resources Building.<br />
During the Jan. 8-9 meeting, the commission will consider approving the second phase of a major land exchange proposed by WDFW and WDNR. Under the proposal, WDFW would acquire approximately 25,849 acres of shrub-steppe and lower-elevation forest habitats, while WDNR would acquire approximately 12,424 acres of higher elevation forest habitat.<br />
The proposed exchange - which would affect properties in Kittitas, Okanogan, Klickitat, Yakima, Asotin and Chelan counties - is designed to consolidate both departments' lands and allow for more effective management of properties. The primary benefits of the exchange would:<br />
"¢ Protect and enhance habitat for big-game species (e.g. elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep), shrub-steppe species (e.g. sage grouse, sage thrasher, sage sparrow, Brewer's sparrow), and forest species (e.g. goshawk, pileated woodpecker, white headed woodpecker, forest grouse).<br />
"¢ Maintain public access and recreation on public lands.<br />
"¢ Generate revenue for WDNR trust beneficiaries, such as public schools.<br />
WDFW and other agencies involved in the proposed land exchange accepted public comments through Dec. 16 on a joint Environmental Assessment document that addresses both state and federal regulatory requirements. A copy of the joint Environmental Assessment, which includes a description and maps of the proposed land exchange, is available on the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/hab/sepa/sepa.htm .<br />
In the first phase of the land exchange, finalized in August, WDFW acquired 9,000 acres and WDNR acquired 5,100 acres.<br />
In other business at its January meeting, the commission is scheduled to consider a proposal to offer hunters five additional multi-species raffle permits and housekeeping changes to the Deleterious Exotic and Live Wildlife regulations.<br />
The commission also is scheduled to hear a briefing on the North of Falcon policy. The two-year policy, which doesn't expire until the end of 2010, provides direction to fishery managers in defining annual salmon fishing seasons in Washington's waters.<br />
In addition, WDFW Director Phil Anderson will present to the commission options for alternative public-input processes on two sportfishing rule proposals that have drawn considerable interest. Anderson is scheduled to present those alternatives Jan. 8 during the Director's Report.<br />
The two alternative processes would address a proposal that would ban the use of small lead fishing tackle at 13 lakes in Washington, and a proposal that would close fishing for bottomfish and halibut off the northwestern tip of the Olympic Peninsula.<br />
Commissioners also are scheduled to attend an annual meeting with Gov. Chris Gregoire Jan. 8 at 1 p.m. in the Governor's office.<br />
For more information about future commission meetings, visit WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html .