The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a hybrid meeting in Olympia from April 3 to 5 to discuss the annual wolf report and decide on cougar and black bear season setting, proposed land transactions in Pacific County, and rule making to address marine mammal entanglements.

North Willapa Bay Estuaries and Shoreline Project

On Friday, April 4, the Commission will hear a presentation for the acquisition of 655 acres in Pacific County in the Johns Bay Wildlife Area and North Willapa Bay areas.

This proposed property, identified as “Willapa Property A” of the North Willapa Bay Estuaries and Shoreline Project, is part of WDFW’s Region 6.

The objective of the North Willapa Bay Estuaries and Shoreline Project is to acquire and protect important wetland, riparian and forested shoreline habitats adjacent to Willapa Bay in the Johns River Wildlife Area.

The properties included in the project will help maintain ecological function and protect fish and wildlife species of special concern, including marbled murrelet, band-tailed pigeon and North American green sturgeon, among others.

One objective of the project is to fully connect currently isolated parcels of publicly owned land in a manner that improves recreational access beyond the simple addition of acreage. This project will also help improve degraded wetlands and aquatic habitats that will provide opportunity for improvements through restoration efforts.

The proposed Willapa Property A has an appraised value of $1.7 million. It is a prime location for wintering waterfowl, and staff have observed thousands of cackling geese and hundreds of dusky Canada geese, a Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

Ongoing operation and maintenance costs for this proposed property is expected to be $125 per acre. Pacific County does not currently opt into Payment in Lieu of Taxes.

Staff recommend Commission approval to acquire property. The meeting will be held at the Natural Resources Building (1111 Washington St. SE in Olympia) and will be live streamed online.

Crab, cougar and bear policy

Thursday, April 3, will kick off with Big Tent, Fish, and Wildlife committee meetings. Agenda topics include budget and legislation, the annual shrimp and crab policy updates, an update on lamprey, commercial Dungeness crab rules, and the game management plan.

The full Commission meeting will begin Friday, April 4, with an open public input opportunity, followed by a report from WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. On Friday, the Commission will decide on the coastal crab fishery comprehensive line marking rule, proposed land transactions in Pacific County, and cougar and black bear season setting. The Commission will also hear a briefing on the Blue Mountain calf survival report.

Saturday’s agenda begins with an open public input opportunity, followed by a briefing on the 2024 annual wolf conservation management report and future meeting planning discussion.

Those interested in providing verbal public comment during the meeting, either in-person in Olympia or remotely online or over the phone, must register in advance.

The full meeting agenda, including information about submitting public comment and accessing the meeting remotely, is available on the WDFW website. The meeting will be recorded and published on the Commission webpage so the public can watch afterward at their convenience.