WHO: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

WHAT: Public meetings to present a new management plan for the White River Wildlife Area, a 30,760-acre area near Wamic that provides winter range habitat for black-tailed deer and Rocky Mountain elk.   

WHEN/WHERE:

July 24, 7-9 p.m., Mt. Hood National Forest Headquarters, 16400 Champion Way, Sandy 
July 26, 7-9 p.m., Wamic Legion Hall, Main Street, Wamic

INFORMATION: ODFW is holding two public meetings to present and accept public comments on a new draft management plan for the White River Wildlife Area.

The plan takes a habitat-based management approach in keeping with White River’s primary goal, which is to provide winter habitat for deer and elk and minimize their damage to adjacent agricultural lands.

Among the issues the department will consider are any recommended changes to rules for off highway vehicle use and shed antler collecting, activities which are increasing on the area.

White River is popular with deer, elk and turkey hunters and averages about 19,000 hunting, trapping and angling use days annually. It is equally used by wildlife viewers, hikers, campers, and horseback riders who also average about 19,000 use days annually. 

Users of the area are encouraged to attend to provide their input on a plan that will govern management for the next 10 years. Attendees will hear a brief presentation on the plan and then be able to provide public comment.

The draft management plan (pdf). Comments can also be emailed to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us by Sept. 14.