SALEM — Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced the expansion of a program that provides streamside recycling stations for collecting discarded fishing line and tackle.

Fishing line breaks down slowly, and if discarded in lakes or streams or left on the banks it can entangle small animals and birds, especially waterfowl. Discarded line and tackle also can present a safety hazard to anglers, boaters, and others who enjoy Oregon’s lakes and streams.

The angling line and tackle collection program started in 2004 with 26 collection stations in six major stream basins including the Sandy, North Santiam, Salmon, Rogue, North Umpqua and Crooked rivers. Anglers are encouraged to use the stations for proper disposal of monofilament line, fluorocarbon leaders, lines, lead weights and lures.

Volunteers with the ODFW Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program help build and install the stations, maintain them, and process the collected line and tackle. In 2005, STEP received an $8,143 grant from the ODFW Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program to construct and place an additional 50 collection stations at popular angling locations throughout Oregon.

“Because of this program’s success, particularly with reducing the amount of discarded fishing line around rivers and lakes, the Legislature recently made it a permanent ODFW program,” said STEP Coordinator Gary Galovich. “The expanded program also creates the need for more volunteers.”

Interested volunteers should call Galovich at 503-947-6232 or contact local ODFW offices and ask to speak with the area STEP biologist.