Wolves, Skagit Elk, Land Deals, GMP On WDFW Comm Agenda

THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to hear updates and staff briefings on a variety of topics during its April 6-8 meeting in Anacortes, including annual wolf counts, the North Cascades elk herd, land transactions, and several fishing petitions.

The Commission kicks off work Thursday with meetings of its Wildlife, and Fish committees to discuss Game Management Plan updates, Co-Manager Hatchery Policy, an update on North of Falcon, and other topics.

The full Commission meets Friday morning for a Commissioners’ discussion, open public input opportunity, and the deputy director and regional director reports. The Commission will then hear a briefing on two potential land acquisitions in Grant and Okanogan counties going through the expedited Lands 20/20 process, and then consider proposed land transactions in Snohomish, Grays Harbor, and Benton counties.

Friday’s meeting will continue in the afternoon with briefings on the North Cascades elk herd, Lake Roosevelt white sturgeon fishery, petitions related to fishing in North Skookum Lake and Lake Whatcom, and a briefing on integrating a fish passage project streamlining law passed by the State Legislature in 2021 into the Hydraulic Code Rules.

Friday’s meeting will conclude with a briefing on the 2022 annual wolf conservation and management report.

On Saturday, the Commission will hold an open public input opportunity followed by a briefing on the Co-Manager Hatchery Policy. The meeting will conclude with Commission debrief and future meeting planning.

The April Commission meeting will be held on a hybrid in朴erson/virtual platform, with public attendance available via webinar, phone, and inperson at Anacortes City Hall. The meeting will be recorded and posted online so people can watch afterwards at their convenience. For more information about attending, please view the meeting agenda online.

Visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) webpage for information on how to register to submit testimony either virtually or in-person. Registration deadlines are in effect for public input opportunities throughout the meeting. All members of the public are invited to share their perspective 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, veteran status, or basis of disability.