WDFW Commission Meeting Updates Public on Wolf Management, Fishery Reforms

Olympia, WA - The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will receive an update on state wolf conservation and management activities as well as efforts to restructure fisheries for salmon and sturgeon on the lower Columbia River during a public meeting scheduled Oct. 5-6 in Olympia.

In addition, the commission is scheduled to take action on proposals by state wildlife managers to modify the boundaries of some raffle hunts for big-horn sheep and to purchase 80 acres of waterfowl habitat in Grant County.

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 at 8:30 a.m. both days in Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E.

A complete agenda for the meeting – which includes opportunities for public comment – is available on the commission’s website athttp://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings/2012/.

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Dave Ware, WDFW game manager, said wildlife managers will provide the commission a comprehensive overview of the department’s wolf-management activities since the state’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan was adopted last December.

“Wildlife managers have frequently been in contact with commission members on specific aspects of wolf management, but this briefing will provide a more comprehensive view,” Ware said.

Representatives from the livestock industry and conservation organizations are also scheduled to join in the presentation, which will include WDFW’s recent efforts to eliminate a wolf pack that has repeatedly preyed on cattle in northeast Washington.

On other matters, the commission will receive briefings on:

• Joint efforts by representatives from Washington and Oregon to develop a new structure for salmon and sturgeon fisheries on the lower Columbia River.

• Options for restructuring the Puget Sound spot shrimp fishery.

• A proposed expansion of the Klickitat Hatchery to support changes in fish production.

• Strategies for enlisting science students to help collect data to meet the information needs of natural resource agencies.