Regulations Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, May 23, 2007

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

1. Land and Water Plan Update
   Staff: Robert Cook
2. Commercial Collection and Sale of Nongame Wildlife (Action Item No. 5)
   Staff: Matt Wagner
3. Amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation (Action Item No. 9)
   • Open Seasons
   • Candidate State Parks
   Staff: Mike Berger
4. Deer Management Permit Rules and Trap, Transport, and Transplant Rules (Action Item No. 12)
   Staff: Mitch Lockwood
5. Delegation of Rulemaking Authority Concerning the State and Federal Rules in the Gulf of Mexico (Action Item No. 13)
   Staff: Robin Riechers
6. Process for Recommending Seasons and Bag Limits for Migratory Birds
   Staff: Mike Berger, Vernon Bevill

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Regulations Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
May 23, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77^th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Robert L. Cook will update the Regulations Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Regulations Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:

• Goal 1: Improve access to the outdoors.
• Goal 2: Preserve, conserve, manage, operate, and promote agency sites for recreational opportunities, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of Texas.
• Goal 3: Assist landowners in managing their lands for sustainable wildlife habitat consistent with their goals.
• Goal 4: Increase participation in hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
• Goal 5: Enhance the quality of hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
• Goal 6: Improve science, data collection and information dissemination to make informed management decisions.
• Goal 7: Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to support the needs of fish, wildlife and recreation.
• Goal 8: Continuously improve TPWD business management systems, business practices and work culture.

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Matt Wagner

Regulations Committee
Commercial Collection and Sale of Nongame Wildlife
May 23, 2007

Please Refer to Action Item No. 5

Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Mike Berger

Regulations Committee
Amendments to the Public Lands Proclamation
May 23, 2007

Please Refer to Action Item No. 9

Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Mitch Lockwood

Regulations Committee
Deer Management Permit Rules and Trap, Transport, and Transplant Rules
May 23, 2007

Please Refer to Action Item No. 12

Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Robin Riechers

Regulations Committee
Delegation of Rulemaking Authority Concerning the State and Federal Rules in the Gulf of Mexico
May 23, 2007

Please Refer to Action Item No. 13

Committee Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter: Mike Berger
Vernon Bevill

Regulations Committee
Process for Recommending Seasons and Bag Limits for Migratory Birds
May 23, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Staff will outline and highlight the coordination process required of all states by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in moving state level proposals through the flyway council to the joint flyways and on to the Service Regulations Committee approval process for migratory game birds. As this process pertains to items of interest in Texas, staff will also discuss the important issues and concerns that have to be addressed for a proposal to be approved through each step.