SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Nov. 8 and 9 in Welches. The public is invited to join Commission members at a reception Thursday night, on a tour of the Marmot Dam removal site during the day on Thursday, or at the regular monthly meeting on Friday.

The reception is an opportunity for members of the public to meet Commission members and ODFW staff to discuss current fish and wildlife issues. The reception is at 5:30 p.m. at the Resort at the Mountain, Robert Burns Room, 68010 East Fairway, Welches.

Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Resort at the Mountain, Tom Morris AB Room, 68010 East Fairway, Welches and proceeds chronologically through an agenda available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/07/november/index.asp

Thursday’s agenda includes a tour of the Marmot Dam removal site, where department staff will discuss fish management changes preceding the removal of the dam; the current status of hatchery fish straying; and regulation changes. The public is welcome to attend this tour but must provide their own transportation and lunch. No registration is necessary to attend. Meet in the lobby of the Resort at the Mountain, 68010 East Fairway, Welches, at 8 a.m.

During Friday’s regular meeting, the Commission will receive background information on Marine Reserves and discuss the state process for potential designation of a limited system of Marine Reserves in Oregon’s Territorial Sea.

The Commission is expected to adopt sturgeon propagation rule changes consistent with Senate Bill 569, which legalized the commercial propagation of sturgeon in Oregon.  Also, ODFW staff will ask the Commission to consider and adopt amendments which will define wild birds and wild mammals in Oregon Administrative Rules, in response to Senate Bill 804 passed earlier this year by the Oregon State Legislature.

The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044. Agenda items also can be found on ODFW’s website at www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/

Public testimony is held in the morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.

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 mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/