Arizona Game & Fish Commission meeting in Flagstaff

Spring hunt orders to be considered during the Saturday portion of the meeting

PHOENIX — Double Tree by Hilton Hotel at 1175 W. Route 66 in Flagstaff. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. both days.

The public is invited to either attend the meeting in person, view it live via video stream at any Game and Fish regional office (Friday only), or view it over the web at www.azgfd.gov/commissioncam. Members of the public who wish to speak to the Commission may submit Speaker Cards (Blue Cards) in person at the meeting or from any regional Game and Fish office (Friday only). The ability to speak to the Commission is not available for those viewing the webcast online.

Items on the Friday, Aug. 1 portion of the agenda include:

Consideration of several of the following consent agenda items:
Updates on the department’s shooting sports activities; information, education and wildlife recreation activities; law enforcement program; lands and habitat program.
approve renewal of a National Forest Service Special Use Permit (SUP) for the continued operation of the Sterling Springs Hatchery

Update on the development of the Customer Portal, a website with customer login capabilities with improved customer access to information, products and services.
A briefing on the recently released Mexican wolf proposed 10(j) rule and the associated draft environmental impact statement, including the impact the proposed rule may have on the existing wolf program.
Hearings on license revocations for violations of Game and Fish codes, and civil assessments for the illegal taking and/or possession of wildlife (time certain at 2 p.m.).

On Saturday, Aug. 2, a “Flagstaff Community Forum” will be offered to discuss current and future matters and collaborative work involving the department and the local community (this item begins at 8 a.m. and will not be webcast). Items will include a discussion on:

Adaptive sport fish management at Lee’s Ferry by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
California condor recovery by The Peregrine Fund
The Willow Bend Environmental Education Center by a representative from the center
The Hopi Cooperative Hunt Program by the Hopi Department of Natural Resources
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) cooperative projects and an update on Travel Management by the BLM.

Following the community forum, the commission will consider agenda items on hunting Commission Orders 21 (waterfowl), 22 (snipe), and 5, 6, 8 and 9 (spring turkey, spring javelina, spring buffalo, and spring bear). The commission will consider establishing seasons and season dates, bag and possession limits and open areas for 2014-2015.

To view a copy of the full meeting agenda, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission and click on the “commission notice/agenda” link.

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission is the policy-setting board overseeing the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is composed of five members (serving staggered five-year terms) appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. No more than one commissioner may be from any one county. No more than three may be from the same political party. Since its inception in 1929, this organizational structure has served as a buffer for the best interests of science-driven wildlife conservation during eight decades of back-and-forth political change.

For more information on the commission, visit www.azgfd.gov/commission.

Did you know?
Arizona hunting and fishing licenses are a great value. You can get combination hunting and fishing licenses for a family of four for less than the price of one night in a motel. Great Outdoors, Great Value! www.azgfd.gov/eservices/licenses_newFees.shtml

The Arizona Game and Fish Department prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability in its programs and activities. If anyone believes that they have been discriminated against in any of the AGFD’s programs or activities, including employment practices, they may file a complaint with the Deputy Director, 5000 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000, (602) 942-3000, or with the Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Dr. Ste. 130, Arlington, VA 22203. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation or this document in an alternative format by contacting the Deputy Director as listed above.

Contact:
Lynda Lambert
(623) 236-7203
Public Information Officer, Phoenix