The WDFW Commission has scheduled a conference call for Friday, 24 March, to discuss its next step in dealing with OFWC actions: http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2017/03/agenda_mar2417.html.

You will have to go to one of the designated locations to listen in on the discussion but there is certainly time to send them an email: commission@dfw.wa.gov.

If you haven't thanked them for their (Chair Smith's) letter of 15 March I would ask you to do so and then tell them to hold the line on the agreed upon reforms - and not become complicit in undermining conservation efforts.

What happened during the call?

This conference call was scattered in so many directions from one commissioner to the next, I hope others can contribute on here to address what I might have missed.

Lots of notes but, it appears that the meeting boiled down to these issues.

The immediate concern is the non concurrence between Washington & Oregon and their individual C.R. policies with the PFMC meeting looming around the corner in April where allocations are negotiated. There was three options presented to the commission to deal with the lack of time issue, but without a vote occurring.

Another issue is to find out the intent of the Oregon commission going forward, regarding current policy and the agreement between the commissions in 2012. It appears that WA intent is to revisit implementation of CR reform but nothing heard from Oregon.

One commissioner suggested to temporarily agree with Oregon's last decisions and another commissioner sort of agreed in a round about way.

It really wouldn't hurt sending comments, as soon as possible, to honor the original agreement between WA & OR regarding Columbia River reform.

commission@dfw.wa.gov

Negotiations with Oregon delegated to Unsworth and Scott.

Their marching orders.... get us the best deal without compromising WA Policy.

Not sure that's possible given OR's bullheadedness.

That's not encouraging.

WFWC Chair Smith's letter of 15 March reiterated that getting gill nets off the mainstream is a foundation element of the WA vision and policy. I agree with you that maintaining that vision while finding any deal with Oregon is problematic.

My emails to WFWC have urged the Commission to stay the course on WA's policy and not become the pressure relief valve for the OFWC and, thereby, becoming complicit in the undoing of the Reforms.

I’ve sent emails also to both the OR & WA commissions reminding them that the prior Oregon & WA commissions, two Oregon Governors, Oregon legislature, and commercial lawsuit losses have all paved the way for the finalization of the original plan both commissions agreed to 4 years ago.

Please follow through and honor the original bi-state agreement of the Columbia River reform.