SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee will meet in Sisters on Friday, July 17.

The committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sisters City Hall, 520 East Cascade Ave. The agenda includes reports on STEP activities and projects, volunteer recognition, review of mini-grant applications, a presentation on reintroducing salmon and steelhead into the Deschutes River basin and other program business.

The meeting is open to the public, as is a tour of fish related projects at Pine Nursery Pond and Shevlin Park in Bend on Saturday, July 18. The tour begins at Pine Nursery Pond at 8:30 a.m. Members of the public must provide their own transportation; call ODFW at (503) 947-6211 for driving directions.

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 donated money, materials, equipment and countless hours of labor to improving Oregon fisheries.

The STEP 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.

For more information on the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program, or call program staff at (503) 947-6211.

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