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The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has begun a rulemaking process to reform fisheries on the lower mainstem Columbia River – a process that includes phasing out the use of non-tribal commercial gill nets.

Fishing the Columbia
-Photo by Kathy Munsel, ODFW-

The rulemaking process was initiated in response to an Aug. 9 letter from Governor John Kitzhaber to Bobby Levy, Chair of the Fish and Wild Commission, and Roy Elicker, Director of ODFW. The letter asked the Commission and ODFW to work with their counterparts in Washington to complete the necessary rulemaking before the end of 2012 that includes the following key elements:

Prioritize selective recreational fisheries in the mainstem Columbia River and commercial fisheries in off-channel areas of the lower mainstem Columbia River.
Phase out the use of commercial gill nets in the mainstem Columbia River and transition the use of gill nets to off-channel areas.
Allocate a majority of available salmon to the sport anglers.
Improve off-channel fisheries by increasing hatchery production in those areas and by enhancing area boundaries and/or locations.
Continue development and use of alternative selective fishing gear for commercial mainstem fisheries, and implement these fisheries when recreational fishery objectives are met.

The Commission met on Aug. 14 to review and discuss the letter, and directed the department to draft rules that reflect the proposals in the Governor’s Aug. 9 letter, as well as the additional details provided by his staff at during the meeting.

Updates and announcements

Fiscal Impact Statement for Columbia River Fishery Management for 2013 and Beyond (pdf)

Commission meetings

Dec. 7, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday Inn, Portland Airport
8439 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97220

Meeting materials (pdfs):

Management Strategies for Columbia River Recreational and Commercial Fisheries: 2013 and Beyond FINAL
Proposed Youngs Bay Angling Control Zone

The complete Commission meeting agenda and background materials

Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m.
ODFW Headquarters, Commission Room
3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem, OR 97303

The full Commission will be briefed on the Columbia River fisheries reform process. This will be informational only and there will be significant opportunity for public comment.

Workgroup meetings

Sept. 21, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Washington Natural Resources Building, Rm. 172
1111 Washington St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Meeting materials (pdfs):

Agenda
Management Strategies for Columbia River Recreational and Commercial Fisheries: 2013 and Beyond Staff Options for Initial Analysis and Discussion
- Summary of staff report PowerPoint presentation
Workgroup members

Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Airport Embassy Suites, Spruce Room
7900 NE 82nd Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97220

Meeting materials (pdfs):

Agenda – UPDATED 10/17
Management Strategies for Columbia River Recreational and Commercial Fisheries: 2013 and Beyond REVISED
- Summary of staff report PowerPoint presentation
Commercial Advisors Draft Plan: The Kitzhaber Plan – How to Make it Work – CORRECTED 10/17
Select area fish production
Packet of pdfs with information relevant to Columbia River Fisheries
SAFE map handout with target releases
Columbia River Fisheries Mgt.: 2013 and Beyond – Appendix A
Columbia River Fisheries Mgt.: 2013 and Beyond – Appendix B
Columbia River Fisheries Mgt.: 2013 and Beyond u– Appendix C, AMENDED Oct. 15
Modeling and analysis relevant to Columbia River Fisheries
Economics of SAFE for Salmon
Conservation Scenarios
Management recommendations by the Workgroup’s Washington members

Members of the public who can’t attend the meeting in-person can follow the proceedings via live video streaming (requires Adobe Flash).

Nov. 15, 2012, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Best Western Ocean View Resort
414 North Prom, Seaside, OR 97138

Meeting materials (pdfs):

Members of the public who can’t attend the meeting in-person can follow the proceedings via live video streaming (requires Adobe Flash).

Additional meeting materials will be posted as they become available.

Public Correspondence

News releases

Aug. 9, 2012 -- Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet to discuss Governor’s proposed solutions for lower Columbia River fisheries management
Aug. 14, 2012 -- Fish and Wildlife Commission directs ODFW to initiate rule-making for lower Columbia River fisheries management
Oct. 12, 2012 -- Columbia River fisheries reform workgroup to meet in Portland Oct. 18

Background information and useful links

Correspondence from the Governor's office (as of 9/20/2012)
Aug. 9 Letter to Chairwoman Levy and Director Elicker from Governor Kitzhaber (pdf)
Aug. 14 Letter to Chair Levy and Director Elicker from Brett Brownscombe (pdf)
Oct. 12, 2012 – Columbia River fisheries reform workgroup to meet in Portland Oct. 18.
2012 Stock Status and Fisheries for Sturgeon and Smelt (pdf)
2012 Stock Status and Fisheries for Spring Chinook, Summer Chinook, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Other Species and Miscellaneous Regulations (pdf)
2012 Stock Status and Fisheries for Fall Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Chum Salmon, Summer Steelhead,and White Sturgeon (pdf)
Columbia River Fisheries page – information on sport and commercial harvest
Engroseed Senate Bill 5661 (WA), Derelict Gear (pdf)
WDFW Emergency Rule Regarding Derelict Gear (pdf)
2012 Select Area Maps (pdf)
Select Area Facts with Map and Target Releases (pdf)

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3406 Cherry Avenue N.E. :: Salem, OR 97303 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]

Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@state.or.us
Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record? Contact: odfw.comments@state.or.us

This page was last updated: 04/30/2013 1:16 PM