The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
65°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

WDFW commission to select new director this week

Spencer Worrell, 7, of Spokane, Wash., runs along a sidewalk near blooming daffodils in front of the Legislative Building, Wednesday, March 21, 2018, at the Capitol in Olympia, Wash. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to select a new director of the state’s wildlife-management agency in Olympia this week. (Ted S. Warren / AP)
By Eli Francovich elif@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is scheduled to select a new director of the state’s wildlife-management agency.

The WDFW Commission is meeting Thursday through Saturday in Olympia, according to a WDFW news release.

The meeting agenda is available at wdfw.wa.gov/commission.

The commission interviewed seven candidates for the director’s position in May before selecting three finalists. Interviews with the finalists will take place during an executive session. Members may discuss the status of the selection process in a public session following the interviews.

Commissioners are scheduled to publicly consider the selection and appointment of the new director during a public session at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 16.

Former WDFW Director Jim Unsworth resigned in January after heading the department for three years. The commission appointed the department’s deputy director, Joe Stohr, as acting director.

Unsworth had a tumultuous tenure, one marked by workplace scandals and controversy over the handling of bear and wolf hunting practices.

The commission is also scheduled to hear a briefing about the efforts of regional salmon and steelhead recovery organizations and information on the department’s hatchery-reform efforts and the management of Columbia River summer chinook salmon.