SALEM, Ore — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking qualified candidates to fill three open positions on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program Board.

Available positions include one sportfishing representative, one seafood processing representative and one troll fishing representative.  For the troll fishing position, the applicant must hold a current Oregon troll fishing license.  All R&E Board applicants must live in Oregon.

The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 and is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees. The program is overseen by a seven-member citizen board made up of three sport fishing representatives, three representatives from the troll, gillnet and seafood processing industries and one public-at-large representative. The Board reviews grant proposals from various organizations and agencies and recommends funding for fish restoration and enhancement projects throughout the state.

Board members, who are appointed to four-year terms by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, meet three or four times each year in various communities throughout the state to review project funding applications, hear public testimony, act as liaisons between the program and the public and to conduct other program business. Board members are volunteers; however, Board-related business expenses are reimbursed.

The application deadline is August 28, 2007. Final appointments will be made by fall 2007.

For more information or to obtain an application, contact Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program coordinator Laura Tesler at (503) 947-6259 or by e-mail at laura.tesler@state.or.us.