Staff report
The state Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold a work session on a proposed state wolf conservation and management plan Thursday in Spokane, followed by a meeting Friday on other issues.
The discussion of the wolf management plan is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Public comments will be accepted during the afternoon portion of the meeting.
The plan, developed by Department of Fish and Wildlife staffers, is intended to guide state management efforts as wolves re-establish a sustainable breeding population in the state. Details of the recommended plan are available at swdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf. The commission is expected to take action on the plan in December.
During Friday’s meeting, the commission is scheduled to amend existing restrictions on importation of harvested wildlife from states known to harbor chronic wasting disease in wildlife populations. The proposed change would add Maryland and Minnesota to the list of states with the disease. The restrictions are aimed at protecting Washington’s native deer, elk and moose populations.
The commission also is scheduled to consider approval of a proposed acquisition of 7,711 acres in Kittitas County and hear a briefing from department staff on criteria for setting population objectives for deer and elk.
An agenda for the meeting is posted at wdfw.wa.gov/commission.
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Both meetings will be at the Ramada Spokane Airport hotel, 8909 W. Airport Drive, Spokane. The commission’s regular November meeting had previously been scheduled in Olympia. In addition, the continuation of the regular meeting scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.