OLYMPIA - Approval of proposed land transactions and briefings on cougar management, planning for future wolf management and other topics are on the agenda for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission when it meets in Colville May 2-3.
     The nine-member commission, which sets policy for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, will convene at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, at the Stevens County Sheriff's ambulance training center conference room, Colville.
     The meeting will re-convene at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 3.
     Department-proposed land transactions include property acquisitions for fish and wildlife habitat and public recreation in Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
     Staff briefings are planned on:
     - The 2008 pilot cougar control program final report to the Legislature and cougar research project progress.
     - Status of the wolf management plan being developed with a 17-citizen working group.
     - A proposed land exchange with state Department of Natural Resources.
     - Department strategic priorities and budget-development process.
More information, including an agenda, is at http://wdfw.wa.gov/com/may0308.htm.