Attendees
PRESENT: Steve Sears/Chair, Emma Ellsworth/Vice Chair (via teleconference), Ernie Foster/Secretary, Bob Durand, Sasha Dyer, Matthew Sisk, Mark S. Tisa/Director, Tom O’Shea/Commissioner/DFG, Eve Schlüter/Deputy Director, Mike Huguenin/Assistant Director/Wildlife, Nicole McSweeney/Assistant Director/Outreach and Education, Trina Moruzzi/Assistant Director/Operations, Emily Myron/Assistant Director/Land and Habitat, Andrew Madden/Western Wildlife District Manager, Pat Huckery/Northeast Wildlife District Manager, Joe Rogers/Conn. Valley Wildlife District Manager, Jason Zimmer/Southeast Wildlife District Manager, Todd Olanyk/Central Wildlife District Manager, Martin Feehan/Deer and Moose Project Leader and Wildlife Health Specialist, Susan Langlois/Hunter Education Program Administrator, James Burnham/Assistant Federal Aid and Construction Procurement Coordinator, James Pollock/Operations Specialist, Caleb Slater/Hatchery Program Manager, Adam Kautza/Coldwater Fisheries Project Leader, Jonathan Brooks/Wildlife Population Ecologist, David Szczebak/GIS Coordinator, Jody Simoes/Human Dimensions Project Leader, Thornton Ritz/Rivers and Stream Project Leader, Jessi Manty/Central District Aquatic Biologist, Debra Chamberlain/Program Coordinator, Jennifer Sulla/General Counsel/DFG, Christine Smith/Assistant General Counsel/DFG, , Colonel Chris Mason/MEP, Captain Bill Woytek/MEP; PUBLIC: Dave Morin, Steve LaRivee.
Acceptance of minutes
A motion was made by Mr. Foster to accept the minutes from the January business meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Durand; the vote in favor was unanimous.
Chair's updates
Chair Sears reported that he had not submitted comment topics early enough to be included on the agenda, so he had none for the meeting.
Director's updates
Director Tisa reported that after the recent black bear hearings, there was a comment input form to help people submit their comments online. The Director stated that MassWildlife was advised by counsel that it had met all its legal obligations in its hearing procedures, but a technical oversight prevented some commenters from submitting their full comments, so he was reopening the written comment period on March 3 until March 17, 2025, until 4:00 p.m. This would be announced through the monthly newsletter and emails to the Board’s notification list, and all commenters would be notified via the emails they had submitted with their prior comments.
Director Tisa reported that he serves on the Trust Funds Collection working group, and that he had had questions recently from Board members about the effect of the freeze on federal funds. Director Tisa reported that he had learned the previous day that MassWildlife’s Pittman-Robertson and Dingle-Johnson grant monies, as well as the State Wildlife Grant monies, are flowing, and new grants are still being approved. He reminded the members that he had previously reported bipartisan legislation submitted to correct a slippage component where the excise taxes due under Pittman-Robertson and Dingle-Johnson on goods sold abroad are not being collected, with the loss being approximately $17 million annually. That legislation is still pending. Director Tisa also expressed concerns about potential impacts to the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (Coop Units).
Commissioner’s updates
Commissioner O’Shea reported that the freeze on federal grants put the Department and other divisions in a less secure position than MassWildlife’s, especially on the energy side, as well as NOAA and EPA funding, so the effects on Marine Fisheries and Ecological Restoration grants are still unclear. He also reported that the Department had submitted the Biodiversity Initiative plan to the Secretary and Climate Chief Hoffer and it will shortly go to the Governor. He expects there might be a launch event in the spring and the Board will be advised. The Commissioner added that the hope and expectation is that funding for the initiatives identified would be forthcoming. He also announced that EEA has released its year-end report and that examples of the work of the Department figures in it; he encouraged the Board members to read the report online.
Commissioner O'Shea mentioned work the Department is currently doing at Browning Pond, where there is a Boy Scout camp and no public access to the pond. He stated that his staff has been working with the Boy Scouts and have almost completed a deal to allow public access to Browning Pond.
The Commissioner reported that the 5-year Environmental Bond bill is being developed and may be before the legislature by late spring. He also announced an upcoming MassFishHunt update to the Board from Dan Koch because the new vendor experience is going live in May.
Commissioner O'Shea closed his remarks with accolades for Board and MassWildlife staff for all the recent significant work to increase hunter opportunity, including unlimited Antlerless Deer Permits for Zones 10 and 11, the proposed January primitive deer season on the Islands, the bear hunting proposals, and the improvements to MassFishHunt, noting that it is important to point out and make the sporting community aware of all the improvements being made. Director Tisa noted that scientific management drives the work and allows staff to make the strides it does. Commissioner O'Shea added that he had heard from Deputy Director Schlüter that 200 people recently participated in an ice-fishing event, which was a great turnout, and he noted that the National R3 Symposium will be held in Portland in May.
Law Enforcement updates
Colonel Mason provided the Environmental Police (MEP) report. On the staffing front, he reported that MEP now has 104 sworn officers and is in the process of backfilling three more openings very soon. The agency is restaffing due to retirements, injuries, etc., and the Colonel hopes to have a total of four or five positions open by the fall. These will also include a civilian position to help the Boating Bureau with its new training mandate, and another civilian position to assist the command staff with updating policies, standards, procedures, best practices, etc.
The Colonel reported that the Inland Bureau takes opportunities to attend fishing derbies and other outdoor events with its equipment as a way of increasing visibility, good rapport, and engagement with the public, to answer questions, etc. The coming warmer weather will melt the snow but currently officers have been out for safety and license checks for snow machines. Officers are also monitoring fragile environmental areas. MEP’s recent outreach efforts have included the sportsmen’s shows, attendance at the Worcester County League meeting, and club meetings. Officers are also conducting outreach to high schools and college students by request and providing career information, such as what the profession consists of and how to pursue it.
Colonel Mason closed his report with the observation that it’s exciting to see the right whales are back; he is very glad to see them.
The Chair thanked Colonel Mason for attending and for his detailed report.
Before calling on the first presenter, Chair Sears announced that he had been reminded that because Ms. Ellsworth was not present in the room, the votes for the meeting would be conducted by roll call.
Proposed Deer Hunting Regulations: Comment Review and Final Recommendations (Martin Feehan)
Deer and Moose Project Leader and Wildlife Health Specialist Martin Feehan began his presentation by stressing the importance of the Coop Unit at UMass Amherst, reporting that over 50% of the work he was reporting on is due to the work of Coop Unit scientists, who are direct partners in a lot of what MassWildlife does, and not just in the Chronic Wasting Disease prevention projects.
Dr. Feehan briefly reviewed the proposals that had been the subject of the recent public hearings and comment periods. With the primary goal of CWD prevention in Massachusetts, staff proposed to sunset the few remaining captive deer facilities in the state and to expand deboning requirements to include venison harvested anywhere outside New England or, looking to the future, any New England state with a detection.
Under the umbrella of improving deer population management and R3 efforts, Staff proposed to clarify that food plots are legal to hunt over, to authorize deer decoys during archery-only seasons, to remove the daily antlerless possession limit, to authorize the use of the Youth Deer Permit for any open deer season, to exempt naturally shed antlers from possession permit requirements, and to create a winter primitive season for the month of January in WMZ 13 and 14, i.e., Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, and an either-sex Winter Deer Permit for that season.
Dr. Feehan then detailed the outreach conducted to publicize the proposals and the hearings; the conduct and results of the hearings themselves; and the comments received, including the geographical distribution, their overwhelmingly positive nature, and specific staff responses to the comments that were not in support. Dr. Feehan concluded by reporting that no changes to the proposals are recommended by staff based on the comments received.
Mr. Durand moved that the regulation changes be adopted as proposed; Ms. Dyer seconded the motion.
After a brief discussion, the Board voted the issue.
Mr. Sisk: Yes
Ms. Dyer: Yes
Mr. Foster: Yes
Mr. Sears: Yes
Mr. Durand: Yes
Ms. Ellsworth: Yes
The vote in favor was unanimous.
Preview and Request to Send to Public Hearing Proposed 2025-2026 Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons (Michael Huguenin)
Assistant Director for Wildlife Michael Huguenin gave the Board members a brief PowerPoint that outlined the staff’s projections and expected recommendations for the 2025-2026 migratory bird hunting seasons. Mr. Huguenin reported that the Atlantic Flyway Council meetings were being held the week of the meeting, but that based on the reports he was receiving from the staff involved, he was confident of 95% of the expected federal frameworks that would determine what was possible in Massachusetts. He stated that, if the request for a public hearing on the matter was received, he and other MassWildlife staff would develop the regulations draft as quickly as possible and submit it to the necessary authorities for approval. He also impressed on the members that this meeting was the time to raise questions and float possible changes, if that seemed desirable, and not during or after the hearing. Once approval for the hearing was received from EEA and ANF, Mr. Huguenin advised the Board that staff would forward the draft regulations to the Board members and advertise them widely to the public for comments. Mr. Huguenin confirmed that he would present the final federal frameworks and the final staff recommendations, after consideration of all comments received, at the public hearing.
After a brief discussion, Mr. Sisk moved that the Board approve the proposals, instruct staff to create regulations based on them, and take them to a public hearing as soon as possible; Mr. Durand seconded the motion. After a brief discussion, the vote was taken.
Mr. Sisk: Yes
Ms. Dyer: Yes
Mr. Foster: Yes
Mr. Sears: Yes
Mr. Durand: Yes
Ms. Ellsworth: Yes
The vote in favor was unanimous.
Chair Sears announced that Mr. Sisk had informed him that he had to leave the meeting at that point.
VOTE: Send to Public Hearing Proposed Fishing Regulation Amendments at 321 CMR 4.00, the Taking of Certain Fish (Todd Richards)
Assistant Director for Fisheries Todd Richards reported that he had had one-on-one conservations with several of the Board members and that after he had answered their clarifying questions, none of them had expressed any reservations about the proposals. Mr. Richards then reviewed the proposals, which are to:
- amend the creel limits on American eel to match the Division of Marine Fisheries’ regulations and to recognize the ASMFC requirements
- remove the word “Broodstock” from Table 1 and clarify the list of waters where Atlantic salmon harvest is allowed
- clarify the definition of “possession” to allow an angler to catch a given fish and immediately release it without it being counted in their daily creel limits; and
- simplify the trout limits to six fish, no matter the waterbody or time of year, as long as only three of them are brook, brown, or tiger trout, in any combination.
Mr. Durand moved that the regulations as proposed be formally drafted and sent to a public hearing; Ms. Dyer seconded the motion. The vote was taken.
Ms. Dyer: Yes
Mr. Foster: Yes
Mr. Sears: Yes
Mr. Durand: Yes
Ms. Ellsworth: Yes
The vote in favor was unanimous.
Upper Deerfield River Stocking Update (Andrew Madden)
Mr. Madden reminded the Board members that MassWildlife’s Districts make stocking decisions, including where, when, which species, and how many, because the District managers and staff are on the ground in each District and are intimately familiar with its waterbodies, its distribution logistics, and its constituents. In particular, these operational decisions are based on a number of considerations:
- The size and habitat features of each waterbody
- The typical fishing pressure in each waterbody or reach
- The relative merits of each public access point
- The seasonal variations to be expected based on experience
- The District’s collective knowledge of the overall aquatic community in each waterbody
- The sometimes-daily feedback all staff receive from anglers in their District
Mr. Madden then reviewed the input received during the listening sessions staff held at the Board’s direction in response to requests the Board had received to stop stocking rainbow trout in the Upper Deerfield, from the Fife Brook Dam to the Route 2 bridge in Charlemont. The sessions were held on October 17, 2024. There were 26 commenters, with 21 of them asking for the stocking to be stopped. Mr. Madden acknowledged the difficulty of reaching even a fraction of the anglers who fish the Deerfield every year on such short notice and the understandably limited participation that resulted. He also pointed out that the District’s communications with anglers over the years suggests that many enjoy fishing for stocked fish. He also noted that the 2025 stocking strategy is based on the listening sessions and other feedback received during the same period.
Mr. Madden reported that his decision for the 2025 season, taken in consultation with Westborough leadership and staff, is to discontinue stocking rainbow trout above the Zoar Gap, but to continue stocking from the Zoar picnic area downstream. He also stated that MassWildlife’s next steps will be to continue its research to better understand the aquatic community and the wild brown trout population and also to remain responsive to public input and continue to monitor angler feedback before, during, and after the 2025 stocking season.
Chair Sears thanked Mr. Madden for his report.
Confirm March Business Meeting Date and Time
The members confirmed March 26, 2025, at 1:15 p.m., with a Board Governance meeting at 10:00 a.m., at the MassWildlife Field Headquarters and in a Zoom webinar, Mr. Sears reported that the governance meeting will focus on actions board members can take to help pass the Environmental Bond bill. [Secretary's note: the governance meeting was subsequently cancelled.] Mr. Sears also reported that the next few upcoming meetings will be held April 16, May 14, and June 18, 2025, with the meeting times decided later.
Members’ comments
Sasha Dyer reported that she was very glad so many people could join the public hearings and likes the format the staff uses, which makes it very clear what the structure is, that it’s fair for everyone, etc. She also appreciates the summary and detailed analysis of the comments that staff provides.
Ms. Dyer reported that she had volunteered at recent sportsmen’s shows for 2 days and saw the range of people who visited the MassWildlife and EPO booths, which were adjacent. She also asked whether it was feasible to develop programs for older people who aren’t able to participate in outdoor pursuits anymore due to limited mobility and advancing age. She also reported on her workplace’s efforts to engage and involve youth by providing tours of the facility to school-age science groups. Her facility had recently had to cancel six tours it had arranged for environmental science groups due to a structural issue in the building. Ms. Dyer stated that she had been very gratified to hear from some of those students who had been disappointed by the cancellations and were enthusiastic to take the tour at a later date.
Ernie Foster reported that he advocates for and represents sportsmen and was very gratified by amount of information provided and all the work done by staff.
Bob Durand reported that he thought a new capital asset manager might be helpful to MassWildlife. He also reported that he had brought his grandson to the MassWildlife Field Headquarters and had had an encounter with Massachusetts Wildlife editor Troy Gipps, which made Mt. Durand think MassWildlife should consider putting the magazine online to reach more youth and more people, which could increase the agency’s exposure throughout the Commonwealth.
Emma Ellsworth spoke to her grave concerns about the impacts of the recent federal funding cuts and freezes on general conservation and farm viability. Noting that conservation brings parties together, the funding cuts are negatively impacting much of that work. She reported that the Forest Legacy program is in jeopardy and that the Land and Water Conservation Fund is also threatened. She also reported that funding has been paused for NRCS [Natural Resources Conservation Service] for agricultural uses. Cuts were even made to money that farmers have already spent, i.e., reimbursement grant programs, with potentially devastating financial consequences for farmers. The effects of the deep cuts to staffing levels will be experienced for generations, especially because scientists will be reluctant to enter public service if their careers are politically interrupted. Ms. Ellsworth stated that the conservation community’s major goals are being jeopardized by the current cuts at the federal level and its members need to get the word to legislators in support of these impactful programs.
Executive session
Mr. Durand moved to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing potential land acquisition projects whose negotiations would be compromised by discussion in open session and to not return to open session afterward. Ms. Dyer seconded the motion and the vote was taken.
Ms. Dyer: Yes
Mr. Foster: Yes
Mr. Sears: Yes
Mr. Durand: Yes
Ms. Ellsworth: Yes
The vote in favor was unanimous.
Six parcels were presented to the members for conservation. Each parcel was discussed and voted on individually by roll call votes and all were unanimously approved.
Adjourn
There being no further business, Mr. Durand moved to adjourn. Ms. Dyer seconded.
Ms. Dyer: Yes
Mr. Foster: Yes
Mr. Sears: Yes
Mr. Durand: Yes
Ms. Ellsworth: Yes
The vote in favor was unanimous and the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Ernie Foster
Secretary
List of documents presented to the Board in its February business meeting packets
February agenda
January minutes draft
Carbon copy of letter from Friends of Ellisville Marsh to State Rep. Badger RE request for prohibition against waterfowl hunting at DCR’s Ellisville Marsh State Park
Email to Board members from Nelson Sigelman RE deer hunting on Martha’s Vineyard
DFG February 2025 land protection and due diligence budget
Executive session packet
Printed copy of draft regulations for upcoming hearing: posting of wildlife sanctuaries (321 CMR 7.00)