http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/jan1009.htm

Chinook Allocation for the Columbia River will be on the agenda, as will the Department's report to the Commission re: relative economic impacts of non-treaty commercial and sport fisheries.

Fish on...

Todd

Several opportunities over the two days...click the link to see the agenda.

Fish on...

Todd

**This post doesn't make much sense because it was posted in response to a question about public testimony that has been deleted...**

Todd I'm sure you may know more so then others.
Looking at the WDFW site and Gov's site there's no indication Gutzwiler and Soloman have been or will be reappointed. What happens at this meeting? A six man vote?

I believe they will serve until either reappointed or someone else is appointed in their place...

Fish on...

Todd

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm hoping to be there Saturday.

So, does anyone know if public testimony will be allowed now that Staff has had time to model various allocation rates?

At the December meeting I did not sign up to testify. I saw the Summer Chinook allocation and OR Commission's decision; just bit my tounge.
I'd like to encourage the WA Commissioners to stick with a 65:35 rate and apply it to both, Spring and Summer Chinook.

I didn't see on the agenda where they plan on having any public testimony. I think the December meeting was the opportunity for the spring chinook allocation issue. It looks like this meeting will see the Commission making a decision. I was talking with a co-worker this morning; he talked with someone in the Portland office, and as far as we can tell ODFW hasn't changed its position. My understanding is both states have to agree on the allocation. Does this mean that WDFW is going to adopt the same allocation as recommended by ODFW?

Sg

At last month's meeting the Commission meeting them folks, volunteering thier time, proposed not delegating authority to the (interm) Director; instead it would have to come before them.

There were many questions about the Staff's allocation models.

I might just go there Saturday just to listen.

Here's CCA's appeal to it's members...

CCA Washington is asking our members to attend the commission meetings on January 9th and 10th wearing your CCA attire and, by your presence, giving a strong voice to our conservation message. The agenda and meeting location for both days is available here.

On Friday December 12th the ODF&W Commission voted to reject the Columbia River Fish Working Group (CRFWG) recommendations and put more fish in front of non-selective gillnets in the Columbia River. Your participation is vital to show support for the WDFW Commission and staff in their effort to uphold the consensus approach of the CRFWG that has been dismissed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission.

To reach a resolution between the States on the contentious Chinook allocation matter without compromising conservation will be difficult. That is why we are asking you to attend these meetings, especially on Saturday January 10th at 8:30 AM to voice support for the WDFW Commission and staff. At this point, it appears the WDFW supports the CRFWG and opposes the Oregon decision. Nevertheless, it is vital to show CCA's support for the CRFWG allocation plan, and YOU are the grassroots of CCA. Please attend these important meetings as a CCA member wearing your CCA attire.

Your Washington Government Relations Committee will provide a coordinated testimony on several of the agenda items throughout the two days. If you attend and would like to testify, please review and respect these WDFW guidelines for testifying. We encourage you to please state that you are a CCA member at the start of your testimony, and to speak in support of CCA’s positions and previous testimony. We believe we do not need to convince the commission of anything, but rather to support them in taking the steps needed to adopt the CRFWG plan. Your vocal, personal presence will go far to demonstrate to the WDFW Commission that many concerned citizens support their efforts to make the right decisions to recover salmon in Washington. We request that your testimony be respectful, thoughtful, supportive of our Commissioners and consistent with the CCA goals of conservation and recovery.

Remember, government goes to those who show up!

There is more on the table than the Columbia River. The last agenda item on Friday is a presentation by Pat Pattillo to the Commission about updating the North of Falcon policy.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/jan1009_07_nof.pdf

The current policy expired December 31, 2008. There have been some suggestions made for changes, but it is unknown at this time what kind of draft Pat might present. The NOF policy drives the salmon season setting process for WDFW. It is a critical document for planning purposes. The Commission will take final action on the policy at their February meeting. Public input will be taken on this agenda item.

Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission Meeting Notice



ATTENTION: Due to extreme weather conditions across the state, the Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday, January 9-10, 2009, will not take place as planned. Instead, the Commission will meet via telephone conference call to discuss key agenda items* on:



Friday, Jan. 9, 8:30 a.m.

-and-

Friday, Jan. 16, 8:30 a.m. (regularly scheduled conf call)



The public may listen to these conference calls by coming to the Olympia or Vancouver WDFW offices:



OLYMPIA:

Natural Resource Building

First Floor, Room 172

1111 Washington St SE

Olympia, WA 98501



VANCOUVER: < http://wdfw.wa.gov/reg/region5.htm >

2108 Grand Blvd

Vancouver, WA 98661

Telephone (360) 696-6211



Speakerphones will be set up in Olympia and Vancouver for the public to listen to each of the calls. As with all of the Commission’s public meetings, the conference calls will be recorded and copies of the audio will be available following each meeting.

Contact Susan Yeager in the Commission office for more information: via e-mail to Susan.Yeager@dfw.wa.gov , or telephone (360) 902-2267.



*The agenda for the Jan. 9 conference call meeting will be distributed and published on the web by tomorrow.

You will receive notice of the agenda and additional information as soon as it becomes available.