SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Jan. 20 at ODFW Headquarters in Salem (4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE) to consider changes to the Columbia River Fishery Reform program.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and follows this agenda http://www.dfw.state.or.us/
The Commission is expected to:
- Consider rulemaking for long-term implementation of the non-tribal Columbia River fisheries reform policy. At its December meeting, the Commission voted to extend the transition period of the reform policy through 2017, as a hedge against further restrictions on the commercial fishery should the issue not be resolved at its January meeting. At Friday’s meeting, the Commission will consider a long-term staff proposal that would prioritize the conservation benefits of fisheries reform as well as rebalance current harvest and impact allocations. The proposal is based on balancing key provisions of fisheries reform and has been informed by the four-year transition period and consultations with the state of Washington, which has concurrent jurisdiction over Columbia River fisheries. Details of the staff proposal can be found on the ODFW website, beginning on page 50.
- Adopt final rules for Division 44 Protected Wildlife, Wildlife Holding and Game Bird Propagation Rules. These rules define protected wildlife species, regulate the holding and protection of amphibians, reptiles and other non-game wildlife and regulate game bird propagation. Based on feedback from people affected by the rules, ODFW has made several changes to its original proposals. These include adding an Exhibitor/Animal Entertainment Industry Permit and a Wildlife Sanctuary Permit for existing businesses and grandfathering in people legally holding certain species of wildlife. For more information see Exhibit B.
- Set by rule the 2017 average market price per pound of each species of fish commercially-harvested in Oregon. These values are adopted every January and are used to assess damages in criminal cases associated with the unlawful taking of food fish.
- Hear about the final recommendations of the Funding for Fish, Wildlife and Related Outdoor Recreation and Education Task Force and a public opinion survey it conducted. The Task Force was created by HB 2402 to develop recommendations to strengthen the State’s ability to conserve natural resources and connect the diversity of Oregonians to nature through outdoor recreation and educational opportunities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state and it usually meets monthly.
More information on mandatory reporting.