Tillamook, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a public meeting Oct. 16 to discuss the hatchery winter steelhead program in the Nestucca River basin. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Forestry, 5005 E. Third St. in Tillamook.

At the meeting agency personnel will present information from an on-going evaluation of two hatchery winter steelhead stocks currently being used in the Nestucca River.  Agency staff will also solicit public feedback on proposed changes to the hatchery smolt release strategy.  Public comments will be taken into consideration by agency staff when making a final decision on the proposal.

The decision on the smolt release strategy in the Nestucca River will be implemented with the 2008 hatchery releases.