SALEM, Ore.—The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program advisory committee will receive an informational presentation on the Oregon Conservation Strategy during their quarterly meeting in Klamath Falls. The committee will meet from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. July 19 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 20 at the Best Western Olympic Inn, 2627 S. Sixth St.

Other topics of discussion on the agenda include, review of grant proposals; reports on STEP activities throughout the state; and other committee and fish management issues.

A tour of current STEP project sites is scheduled for Saturday, July 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the tour there will be opportunities to discuss Klamath Basin STEP activities and fish management issues with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff.

The public is welcome to attend the meeting and tour and may provide comment on particular issues at the July 20 meeting.

The Oregon Legislature created STEP in 1981 to provide a way for volunteers to participate in the restoration of native stocks of salmon, steelhead and trout. Since then, thousands of volunteers have assisted Oregon's fisheries through their involvement in the program, donating money, materials, equipment, and countless hours of time and labor.

STEP’s advisory committee makes recommendations to ODFW and the Fish and Wildlife Commission on issues regarding its programs. The committee’s 13 members are appointed by the Governor and represent all areas of Oregon. 

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 Information and Education Division at (800) 720-6339 or (503) 947-6002 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

The previous meeting agenda, April 27-28, is available on the Web at www.dfw.state.or.us/STEP. For more information about STEP, please call Tom Friesen at (503) 947-6232.

About ODFW

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 www.dfw.state.or.us.