SALEM, Ore — The mid-Columbia Steelhead Sounding Board will meet Sept. 19 in The Dalles to discuss long term implementation of the recovery plan for mid-Columbia steelhead.

The meeting is from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at The Dalles Screen Shop/Hood River Research Building, 3561 Klindt Drive.  In addition to discussing long term implementation, the board will receive an update from Richard Carmichael from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife on research, monitoring and evaluation plans, cost of plan implementation and biological benefits of proposed recovery actions.

The primary purpose of the stakeholder group is to provide input on recovery planning for mid-Columbia Steelhead listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Members of the team represent fish conservation, fishing, private land, timber, agricultural, tribal, local governments, State and Federal agencies, and other interests.

The mid-Columbia recovery plan is one of four plans being developed in Oregon to address the threatened status of coho, steelhead, chum and chinook. Other plans are being produced for the lower Columbia, upper Willamette and Snake River recovery areas.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife representatives are working with NOAA Fisheries on a recovery plan for all steelhead populations in Oregon and Washington tributaries of the Columbia River upstream of the Hood and Wind River systems, up to and including the Yakima River. 

A progress report for the mid-Columbia steelhead recovery planning effort is posted on the NOAA website (http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/Salmon-Recovery-planning) and a draft recovery plan will be available for public review in November 2007.