Commission asks staff for follow‑ups on cougar conflict data, aquatic invasive species and Southern Resident whales

Following open public input, commissioners and staff used the meeting debrief to identify specific research and reporting tasks.

Deputy Director Amy Windrope said staff would look for unique public comments to address and highlighted a request to improve online summaries of the predator‑prey project. Commissioners asked for a clear write‑up of statutory authorities for dealing with "deleterious" aquatic species and suggested the Fish Committee schedule a briefing on aquatic invasive species in the Columbia River.

On cougar management, commissioners discussed the recent policy change that counts all 'kills' (not only hunter harvest), raised concerns about 'conflict kills' reducing hunting quotas in some GMUs, and proposed a September report summarizing the first year of implementation. Staff agreed to prepare a wrap‑up with data points such as areas closed, number of conflicts and mitigation efforts tried.

Commissioners also asked staff to continue conversations with Oregon about Columbia River management authorities and to plan a Pacific Salmon Treaty briefing if staff availability allows. Staff noted potential timing conflicts if a public comment extension for the livestock compensation rule delays decision‑making; commissioners asked staff to balance timeliness against thorough review.

What happens next: staff committed to prepare materials for the Wildlife Committee and the Director's report, to draft a September update on cougar implementation and to assemble an aquatic invasive species authority summary for commissioner review.