The commission is scheduled to discuss the proposed rule changes beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Staff from the Department of Fish and Wildlife will give the nine members an update on the proposals that would take place for the 2012-13 fishing seasons. The commission also will take public comments on the proposals.
Among the proposals, developed by staff with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, are:
• Closing fishing early for steelhead and other game fish in several river systems in Puget Sound and along the Strait of Juan de Fuca to protect wild steelhead. The early closures include the Green and Puyallup river systems.
• Changing the opening day of the lowland lake fishing season from the last Saturday in April to the fourth Saturday in April. For three of the next seven years, there will be five Saturdays in April. This proposal would open fishing one weekend earlier in years where there is a fifth Saturday in April.
All the proposed changes can be seen at wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/regulations/rule_proposals.
The commission also will consider increasing the number of multiple-season hunting permits available each year.
Multiple-season hunting permits allow selected hunters to hunt for deer or elk during all general hunting seasons, rather than having to choose among archery, muzzleloader or modern firearm seasons. Hunting data show that the wider range of options increases hunters’ chances of success in the field.
Department staffers have proposed boosting the number multiple-season permits available each year to 8,500 deer permits and 1,250 elk permits. In 2011, the department conducted a drawing for 4,000 deer permits and 850 elk permits from among the hunters who paid an application fee.
Wildlife managers say increasing those permit levels will not pose a risk to wildlife, adding that fees generated by applicants for a higher number of permits would be used to expand efforts to prevent property damage caused by wildlife.
Also on the agenda, are briefings on the Lands 20/20 acquisition process and an overview of the Wildlife Program.
Department staff members will ask the commission to review the list of projects approved through the 2011 Lands 20/20. The department will seek funding for projects approved in the Lands 20/20 process.
Nate Pamplin, assistant director of the Wildlife Program, will give the commission a summary of the organizational structure, staff positions and expertise, budget sources and wildlife conservation and management priorities.
Get involved
When: The public meeting is scheduled to convene Friday at 9:30 a.m. and Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Room 172 of the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St. S.E., Olympia.
On the agenda: For a complete agenda, go to wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html.
