THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid meeting in Olympia from Feb. 12 to 14 to hear updates on a variety of topics; discuss Columbia River salmon management; decide on adoption of the Game Management Plan; and consider Commission rules of procedure and annual planning.
The meeting will be held at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia (1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501) and will be live streamed. The meeting agenda and details about attending virtually are available on the Commission webpage.
Thursday, Feb. 12, will begin with the Big Tent, Fish, Habitat, and Wildlife committees. Following discussion about the Big Tent Committee’s workplan, decision-making project, and future meeting planning, the Fish Committee will discuss director delegation for Columbia River salmon management and a Mineral Lake rule making petition. Committees will also discuss motorized recreation on Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)-managed lands and hear a briefing on livestock compensation.
The full Commission will convene on Friday, Feb. 13 for an open public input opportunity followed by a report from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind.
The Commission will then decide on a 643-acre proposed land transaction in Grant County. Next, the Commission will decide on Game Management Plan adoption.
Friday afternoon will begin with a staff update on the five-year review for Policy C-3630, which guides salmon management within the Columbia River. The Commission will also receive a briefing on wolf rule making. Friday’s meeting will conclude with committee annual planning.
Saturday’s meeting will begin at 8 a.m. with open public input followed by discussion and a decision around the Commission’s Rules of Procedure. The Commission will discuss future meeting planning and meeting debrief, and end with executive session.
All members of the public are invited to share their perspectives and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
The meeting will be recorded and published on WDFW’s Commission webpage so the public can watch afterward at their convenience.
