December 12-13, 2018 Meeting

Commissioners

Eric Sklar, President

Saint Helena

Anthony C. Williams, Vice President

Huntington Beach

Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Member

McKinleyville

Russell E. Burns, Member

Napa

Peter S. Silva, Member

Jamul

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor

California Fish & Game Commission

Wildlife Heritage and Conservation

Since 1870

Melissa Miller-Henson

Acting Executive Director

P.O. Box 944209

Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

(916) 653-4899

fgc@fgc.ca.gov

http://www.fgc.ca.gov

Audio Only

MEETING AGENDA

DECEMBER 12-13, 2018, 8:30AM

 

QLN Conference Center

1938 Avenida del Oro, Oceanside, CA 92056 

 

NOTE: See important meeting deadlines and procedures at the end of the agenda. Unless otherwise indicated, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is identified as Department.

DAY 1 – DECEMBER 12, 2018, 9:00 AM  Call to order/roll call to establish quorum 1. Consider approving agenda and order of items 2. Public comment for items not on agenda Receive public comment regarding topics within the Commission’s authority that are not included on the agenda. The Commission may not discuss or take action on any matter raised during this item, except to decide whether to place the matter on the agenda of a future meeting (sections 11125 and 11125.7(a), Government Code).

 CONSENT ITEMS

3. Commercial logbooks

Discuss and consider adopting proposed changes to commercial logbook regulations for broadbill swordfish harpoon, gill and trammel net fisheries, and trawl fisheries. (Subsections 107(c) through (h), subsection 174(f), and Section 176, Title 14, CCR; repeal form DFG 107)

 Motion on Item 3

 4. Acting executive director’s report

Receive an update from the acting executive director on staffing and legislative information of note.

(A) Staff Report

(B) Legislative report and possible action

 5. Tribal Committee

Discuss and consider approving draft agenda topics for the next committee meeting. Consider approving new topics to address at a future committee meeting.

(A) Work plan development

I. Update on work plan and draft timeline

II. Discuss and consider approving new topics

 Motion on Item 5

  6. Marine Resources Committee

Discuss updates and/or recommendations from the November 14, 2018 committee meeting. Consider approving new topics to address at a future committee meeting.

(A) November 14, 2018 meeting summary I. Receive and consider adopting recommendations

(B) Work plan development

I. Update on work plan and draft timeline

II. Discuss and consider approving new topics

 Motion on Item 6

  7. Recreational and commercial groundfish

Consider adopting proposed changes to recreational and commercial fishing regulations for federal groundfish and associated species for consistency with federal rules for 2019 and 2020. (Sections 27.30, 27.35, 27.40, 27.45, 27.50, 28.27, 28.55, 52.10, and 150.16, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 7

 8. Recreational take of red abalone

Consider adopting proposed changes to abalone regulations to extend the fishery closure sunset date for the recreational fishery. (Section 29.15, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 8

 9. Recreational take of purple sea urchin

Discuss proposed regulations concerning the recreational take of purple sea urchin. (Add Section 29.06, Title 14, CCR)

 10. California sheephead

Discuss proposed changes to regulations concerning the filleting of California sheephead on vessels at sea. (Subsection 27.65(b), Title 14, CCR)

 11. Box crab experimental gear permit (EGP)

Receive and consider approving requests for box crab EGPs for participation in the Department’s box crab EGP program. (Pursuant to Section 8606, Fish and Game Code)

 Motion on Item 11

 12. Statewide Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)

Program Receive annual update on the Department’s MPAs program management activities.

 13. Pacific Herring Fishery Management Plan (FMP)

Receive and discuss draft Pacific herring FMP and California Environmental Quality Act documentation. Note – Staff will recommend that this item be continued to a future Commission meeting.

 14. Annual recreational ocean salmon and Pacific halibut

Receive update on and discuss Pacific Fishery Management Council process and timeline, and automatic conformance of state regulations to federal regulations. (Pursuant to Section 1.95, Title 14, CCR)

 15. Red Abalone FMP

Discuss next steps in red abalone FMP development and consideration of peer review results. (Pursuant to Section 7072 et seq., Fish and Game Code)

 Motion on Item 15

 16. Delayed opening and closure of fisheries due to human health risk

Discuss action taken by Department director to order the delay or closure of fisheries due to human health risk associated with elevated levels of domoic acid. (Pursuant to Section 5523, Fish and Game Code)

(A) Discuss the delayed opening of the recreational Dungeness crab season from Patrick’s Point in Humboldt County north to the California/Oregon state line

(B) Discuss the delayed opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season from Bodega Head in Sonoma County north to the Sonoma/Mendocino county line.

(C) Discuss the closure of the commercial spiny lobster fishery in state waters around Santa Cruz and Anacapa islands in Ventura County.

 17. Marine petitions for regulation change

Consider requests submitted by members of the public to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation. (Pursuant to Section 662, Title 14, CCR)

(A) Action on current petitions

I. Petition #2018-013: Commercial ridgeback prawn authorized fishing hours

(B) Action on pending regulation petitions referred to staff and the Department for review – none scheduled at this time

 Motion on Item 17

 18. Marine non-regulatory requests from previous meetings

Consider non-regulatory requests submitted by members of the public at previous meetings.

(A) Action on non-regulatory requests

I. Request to use federal disaster relief funding for public education

II. Request to issue more commercial spot prawn permits

(B) Action on pending non-regulatory requests referred to staff or the Department for review

 Motion on Item 18

 19. Departmental informational items (marine)

The Department will highlight marine items of note since the last Commission meeting.

(A) Director’s report

(B) Law Enforcement Division

(C) Marine Region

I. Update on Dungeness Crab Fishing Gear Working Group Risk Assessment and Mitigation Program (RAMP)

 20. Strategic planning

 20. Strategic planning (Continued)

Motion on Item 20

Discuss and consider adopting core values, vision statement and mission statement, and discuss next steps in the strategic planning process.

Recess

DAY 2 – DECEMBER 13, 2018, 8:30 AM 

Call to order/roll call to establish quorum

 21. General public comment for items not on agenda

Receive public comment regarding topics within the Commission’s authority that are not included on the agenda. The Commission may not discuss or take action on any matter raised during this item, except to decide whether to place the matter on the agenda of a future meeting. (Sections 11125 and 11125.7(a), Government Code)

 CONSENT ITEMS

22. Northern California summer steelhead

(A) Receive a petition to list northern California summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) as an endangered species under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). (Pursuant to Section 2073.3, Fish and Game Code, and Subsection 670.1(c), Title 14, CCR)

(B) Consider approving the Department’s request for a 30-day extension to review the petition to list northern California summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus) as an endangered species under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2073.5, Fish and Game Code)

23. Bumble bees

(A) Receive a petition to list Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini), Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi), and western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis occidentalis) as endangered species under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2073.3, Fish and Game Code, and Subsection 670.1(c), Title 14, CCR)

(B) Consider approving the Department’s request for a 30-day extension to review the petition to list Crotch bumble bee (Bombus crotchii), Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini), Suckley cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi), and western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis occidentalis) as endangered species under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2073.5, Fish and Game Code)

24. Humboldt marten

Consider ratifying findings for the decision to list Humboldt marten (Martes caurina humboldtensis) as an endangered species under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2075.5, Fish and Game Code)

25. Upper Klamath-Trinity river spring Chinook salmon

Receive 90-day evaluation report from the Department for the petition to list upper Klamath-Trinity river spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) as an endangered species under CESA. (Pursuant to Section 2073.5, Fish and Game Code)

26. Wild trout waters policy

Receive Department recommendation and consider adopting proposed amendments to the Commission Designated Wild Trout Waters policy. (Pursuant to Section 1727, Fish and Game Code)

 Motion on Consent Items

27. Wildlife Resources Committee

Discuss and consider approving draft agenda topics for the next committee meeting. Consider approving new topics to address at a future committee meeting.

(A) Work plan development

I. Update on work plan and draft timeline

II. Discuss and consider approving new topics

 Motion on Item 27

28. Sport fishing

Consider adopting proposed changes to sport fishing regulations. Note: Proposed regulation changes for sport fishing report card requirements are for both marine and inland waters. (Sections 1.53, 1.74, and 5.00, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 28

29. Klamath River Basin sport fishing

Consider authorizing publication of notice of intent to amend Klamath River Basin sport fishing regulations. (Subsection 7.50(b)(91.1), Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 29

30. Central Valley salmon sport fishing

Consider authorizing publication of notice of intent to amend Central Valley salmon sport fishing regulations. (Subsections 7.50(b)(5), (68), (124), and (156.5), Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 30

31. Mammal hunting

Consider authorizing publication of notice of intent to amend mammal hunting regulations, including sheep/elk tag quotas, and deer/elk tag validation. (Sections 362, 364, 364.1, and 708.6, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 31

 32. Archery equipment and crossbow

Consider authorizing publication of notice of intent to amend archery equipment and crossbow regulations, including bow draw weight and possession of a firearm while bow hunting. (Section 354, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 32

 33. Waterfowl (annual)

Consider authorizing publication of notice of intent to amend waterfowl regulations. (Sections 502 and 509, Title 14, CCR)

 Motion on Item 33

 34. Wildlife and inland fisheries petitions for regulation change

Consider requests submitted by members of the public to adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation. (Pursuant to Section 662, Title 14, CCR)

(A) Action on current petitions

I. Petition #2018-014: Boat limit of finfish

(B) Action on pending regulation petitions referred to staff and the Department for review – none scheduled at this time

 Motion on Item 34

 35. Wildlife and inland fisheries non-regulatory requests from previous meetings

Consider non-regulatory requests submitted by members of the public at previous meetings.

(A) Action on non-regulatory requests

I. Request to cancel hunting seasons in areas affected by wildfires

II. Request to reduce the coyote population in urban areas

III. Request for clarification on whether plastic corn cob is considered a decoy or bait when hunting

(B) Action on pending non-regulatory requests referred to staff or the Department for review

I. Request for bounty on Sacramento pikeminnow

 Motion on Item 35

 36. Department informational items (wildlife and inland fisheries)

The Department will highlight wildlife and inland fisheries items of note since the last Commission meeting.

(A) Director’s report

I. Update on tricolored blackbird population estimates and progress with safe harbor agreements

(B) Law Enforcement Division

(C) Wildlife and Fisheries Division, and Ecosystem Conservation Division

I. Update on efforts to eradicate nutria in California

II. Update on wildfires and wildlife populations

 37. Commission administrative items

Discuss and consider action on the upcoming meeting agenda items and rulemaking timetable, and identify any new business for discussion at a future meeting.

(A) Next meeting – February 6, 2019 in Sacramento

(B) Rulemaking timetable updates

(C) New business

 Motion on Item 37

Adjourn

   EXECUTIVE SESSION (Not Open to Public)

At a convenient time during the regular agenda of the meeting listed above, the Commission will recess from the public portion of the agenda and conduct a closed session on the agenda items below. The Commission is authorized to discuss these matters in a closed session pursuant to Government Code Section 11126, subdivisions (a)(1), (c)(3), and (e)(1), and Fish and Game Code Section 309. After closed session, the Commission will reconvene in public session, which may include announcements about acts taken during closed session.

(A) Pending litigation to which the Commission is a Party

I. Dennis Sturgell v. California Fish and Game Commission, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Office of Administrative Hearings (revocation of Dungeness crab vessel permit No. CT0544-T1)

II. California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau Federation v. California Fish and Game Commission (gray wolf listing)

III. Public Interest Coalition v. California Fish and Game Commission (CEQA compliance during adoption of dog collar regulation)

IV. Pacific Star Sportfishing, Inc. v. California Fish and Game Commission, et al. (suspension of commercial vessel fishing permit)

V. Aaron Lance Newman v. California Fish and Game Commission (revocation of hunting and sport fishing privileges)

(B) Possible litigation involving the Commission

(C) Staffing

(D) Deliberation and action on license and permit items

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION 2019 MEETING SCHEDULE 

Note: As meeting dates and locations can change, please visit http://www.fgc.ca.gov for the most current list of meeting dates and locations. In 2019, wildlife and inland fisheries items will be heard on the first day of Commission meetings, and marine items will be heard on the second day; administrative items will be heard on either day. 

Meeting Date

Commission Meeting

Committee Meeting

Other Meetings

January 10 

Wildlife Resources
Inland Deserts Regional Office Ontario Large Conference Room 3602 Inland Empire Blvd Suite C-220 Ontario, CA 91764

February 5 

Tribal
Sacramento

February 6-7 

Natural Resources Building Auditorium, First Floor 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814

March 19 

Marine Resources California State Parks Mott Training Center 837 Asilomar Blvd Pacific Grove, CA 93950

April 17-18 

Los Angeles

May 16 

Wildlife Resources
Natural Resources Building Auditorium, First Floor 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814

May 16 

Teleconference

June 11 

Tribal 
Redding

June 12-13 

Redding

July 11 

Marine Resources
California Department of Parks and Recreation
Orange Coast District Office Training Room
3030 Avenida del Presidente
San Clemente, CA 92672

August 7-8 

Natural Resources Building Auditorium, First Floor 1416 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814

September 5 

Wildlife Resources
Justice Joseph A. Rattigan State Building Conference Rm 410 (4th Floor) 50 D Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95404

October 8 

Tribal
San Diego

October 9-10

San Diego

November 5 

Marine Resources
Sacramento

December 11-12 

Natural Resources Building Auditorium, First Floor 1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

OTHER 2019 MEETINGS OF INTEREST 

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

  • September 22-25, 2019, Saint Paul, MN

Pacific Fishery Management Council 

  • March 5-12, 2019, Vancouver, WA
  • April 9-16, 2019, Rohnert Park, CA 
  • June 18-25, 2019, San Diego, CA 
  • September 11-18, 2019, Boise, ID
  • November 13-20, 2019, Costa Mesa, CA 

Pacific Flyway Council

  • March 5, Denver, CO
  • August 23, TBD

Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

  • January 3-6, 2019, Tucson, AZ
  • July 11-16, 2019, Manhattan, KS

Wildlife Conservation Board

  • March 7, Sacramento, CA
  • May 22, Sacramento, CA
  • August 28, Sacramento, CA
  • November 21, Sacramento, CA

IMPORTANT COMMISSION MEETING PROCEDURES INFORMATION

WELCOME TO A MEETING OF THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION
This is the 149th year of operation of the Commission in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Our goal is the preservation of our heritage and conservation of our natural resources through informed decision making; Commission meetings are vital in achieving that goal. In that spirit, we provide the following information to be as effective and efficient toward that end. Welcome and please let us know if you have any questions.

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES Persons with disabilities needing reasonable accommodation to participate in public meetings or other Commission activities are invited to contact the Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator at (916) 651-1214. Requests for facility and/or meeting accessibility should be received at least 10 working days prior to the meeting to ensure the request can be accommodated.

STAY INFORMED To receive meeting agendas and regulatory notices about those subjects of interest to you, please visit the Commission’s website, www.fgc.ca.gov, to sign up on our electronic mailing lists.

SUBMITTING WRITTEN COMMENTS The public is encouraged to comment on any agenda item. Submit written comments by one of the following methods: E-mail to fgc@fgc.ca.gov; mail to California Fish and Game Commission, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090; deliver to California Fish and Game Commission, 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1320, Sacramento, CA 95814; or hand-deliver to a Commission meeting. Materials provided to the Commission may be made available to the general public.

COMMENT DEADLINES The Written Comment Deadline for this meeting is 5:00 p.m. on June 7, 2018. Written comments received at the Commission office by this deadline will be made available to Commissioners prior to the meeting. The Late Comment Deadline for this meeting is noon on June 15, 2018. Comments received by this deadline will be marked “late” and made available to Commissioners at the meeting. After these deadlines, written comments may be delivered in person to the meeting – Please bring ten (10) copies of written comments to the meeting.

NON-REGULATORY REQUESTS All non-regulatory requests will follow a two-meeting cycle to ensure proper review and thorough consideration of each item. All requests submitted by the Late Comment Deadline (or heard during public comment at the meeting) will be scheduled for receipt at this meeting, and scheduled for consideration at the next business meeting.

PETITIONS FOR REGULATION CHANGE Any person requesting that the Commission adopt, amend, or repeal a regulation must complete and submit form FGC 1, titled, “Petition to the California Fish and Game Commission for Regulation Change” (as required by Section 662, Title 14, CCR). The form is available at 12 http://www.fgc.ca.gov/public/information/petitionforregulatorychange.aspx. To be received by the Commission at this meeting, petition forms must have been delivered by the Late Comment Deadline (or delivered during public comment at the meeting). Petitions received at this meeting will be scheduled for consideration at the next business meeting, unless the petition is rejected under staff review pursuant to subsection 662(b), Title 14, CCR.

VISUAL PRESENTATIONS/MATERIALS All electronic presentations must be submitted by the Late Comment Deadline and approved by the Commission executive director before the meeting.

1. Electronic presentations must be provided by email to fgc@fgc.ca.gov.

2. All electronic formats must be Windows PC compatible.

3. It is recommended that a print copy of any electronic presentation be submitted in case of technical difficulties.

4. A data projector, laptop and presentation mouse will be available for use at the meeting.

CONSENT CALENDAR A summary of all items will be available for review at the meeting. Items on the consent calendar are generally non-controversial items for which no opposition has been received and will be voted upon under single action without discussion. Any item may be removed from the consent calendar by the Commission upon request of a Commissioner, the Department, or member of the public who wishes to speak to that item, to allow for discussion and separate action.

LASER POINTERS may only be used by a speaker during a presentation; use at any other time may result in arrest.

SPEAKING AT THE MEETING To speak on an agenda item, please complete a “Speaker Card” and give it to the designated staff member before the agenda item is announced. Cards will be available near the entrance of the meeting room. Only one speaker card is necessary for speaking to multiple items.

1. Speakers will be called in groups; please line up when your name is called.

2. When addressing the Commission, give your name and the name of any organization you represent, and provide your comments on the item under consideration.

3. If there are several speakers with the same concerns, please appoint a spokesperson and avoid repetitive testimony.

4. The presiding commissioner will allot between one and three minutes per speaker per agenda item, subject to the following exceptions:

a. The presiding commissioner may allow up to five minutes to an individual speaker if a minimum of three individuals who are present when the agenda item is called have ceded their time to the designated spokesperson, and the individuals ceding time forfeit their right to speak to the agenda item.

b. Individuals may receive advance approval for additional time to speak if requests for additional time to speak are received by email or delivery to the Commission office by the Late Comment Deadline. The president or designee will approve or deny the request no later than 5:00 p.m. two days prior to the meeting.

c. An individual requiring an interpreter is entitled to at least twice the allotted time pursuant to Government Code Section 11125.7(c).

d. An individual may receive additional time to speak to an agenda item at the request of any commissioner.

5. If you are presenting handouts/written material to the Commission at the meeting, please provide ten (10) copies to the designated staff member just prior to speaking.

For any questions or comments regarding the audio or video please email urgentservices@tkoworks.com