ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the advisory committee working on a conservation plan for naturally produced fall chinook salmon in southern Oregon are meeting in Grants Pass on April 27.

The meeting will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Marie Hill Conference Room, 510 NW 4th Street, Grants Pass. The public is invited and will have 10 minutes to submit comments at the end of the agenda.

Four populations of fall chinook in the Rogue River Basin are the focus of the meeting. The advisory committee will form a draft statement for desired status of fall chinook and begin working on a conservation status statement.

The committee represents conservation and angling groups, commercial fishers, fishing guides and local government and has been meeting since January. They expect to continue meeting monthly through June, providing input to ODFW over the course of plan development.

The conservation plan covers populations of native fall chinook salmon that inhabit Oregon streams in the area between Euchre Creek and the California border and the Rogue River Basin. Using guidelines established in ODFW’s Native Fish Conservation Policy, the plan will identify desired and conservation status and will describe management strategies to reach these goals.

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.

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