Adopt Temporary Rules

Presented by Curt Melcher, Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs

1. 635-042-0031
   Early Fall Commercial Fisheries Authorized for the Mainstem Columbia River.
   Adopted September 10, 2014: effective September 12, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
   This amended rule authorizes two additional fishing periods for the ongoing early Fall Commercial salmon fishery and three additional fishing periods for the ongoing commercial research seine net fishery. Allowed sales include Chinook, coho, pink and sockeye salmon and shad.
   
   
2. 635-004-0375
   Maximum allowable Retention of Incidentally Caught Sardines is Reduced.
   Adopted September 10, 2014: effective September 15, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
   The rule being suspended reduces the maximum allowable retention of sardines landed when fishing for other species. Modifications were needed to conform Oregon’s regulations to federal rule changes for the sardine fishery announced by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on July 25, 2014. Maximum allowable retention of sardines is 20% per landing (by weight) beginning July 31, 2014 through September 14, 2014. Modifications are no longer needed to avoid the closures of fisheries for Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, and other species due to attainment of the maximum incidental set aside for sardines allowed for those fisheries under federal rule.
   
   
3. 635-014-0090
   Big Creek (Clatsop County) Angling Regulations Modified.
   Adopted September 15, 2014: effective September 17, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
   This amended rule opens Big Creek (Clatsop County) to retention of steelhead and fall Chinook salmon approximately two weeks earlier than allowed under permanent rule. Existing Northwest Zone rules already allow the harvest of adipose fin-clipped coho salmon. An unusually large abundance of harvestable fish and the fact that Big Creek Hatchery has met its production goals for Tule Chinook Salmon and coho salmon prompted fisheries managers to open these fisheries earlier than scheduled.
   
   
4. 635-004-0375
   Commercial Sardine Fishery Retention Regulations Modified.
   Adopted September 18, 2014: effective September 20, 2014 through December 31, 2014.
   This amended rule closes the second allocation period of the directed commercial sardine fishery for the 2014-2015 season effective September 20, 2014 through December 31, 2014. Modifications conform Oregon State Regulations to federal rule changes announced on September 28, 2014 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Modifications also reduce the maximum allowable retention of sardines (20% per landing, by weight) in commercial fisheries for Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, and other species.
   
   
5. 635-041-0075
   Columbia River Treaty Indian Commercial Gill Net Salmon Season Set.
   Adopted September 18, 2014: effective September 23, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
   This amended rule allows commercial sales of fish caught during the Treaty Indian commercial fall salmon gill net fishery in the Columbia River and its tributaries. The fishing period authorized for the Treaty Indian fall commercial gill net fishery is scheduled to begin September 23, 2015 and run through September 25, 2015. Modifications are consistent with action taken September 18, 2014 by the Columbia River Compact agencies of the states of Oregon and Washington in cooperation with the Columbia River Treaty Tribes.
   
   
6. 635-042-0160, 635-042-0170, 635-042-0180
   2014 Fall Commercial Seasons Set for Columbia River Select Area Fisheries
   Adopted September 18, 2014: effective September 19, 2014 through October 31, 2014.
   This amended rule sets additional fishing periods for the ongoing 2014 fall commercial gill net salmon seasons in three Columbia River Select Areas including: Blind and Knappa soughs, Tongue Point, South Channel and Deep River.
   
   
7. 635-042-0031
   Early Fall Commercial Fisheries Authorized for the Mainstem Columbia River
   Adopted September 18, 2014: effective September 19, 2014 through September 30, 2014.
   This amended rule authorizes three additional 12.5 hour fishing periods for the ongoing commercial research seine net fishery. The first new fishing period commences September 23, 2014. Allowed sales from the fishery include Chinook, coho, pink and sockeye salmon and shad.
   
   

The Commission will meet by teleconference to consider appointment of an Interim Director. The Commission is recruiting for and hiring a permanent Director to replace outgoing Director Roy Elicker. The process for recruitment of a permanent Director will be discussed at the next regular Commission meeting.

          Presented by Debbie Colbert, Deputy Director for Administration
          Public Testimony
          Approval

• October 9:  Joint Workshop with California Fish and Game Commission
• October 10: Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission Public Meeting
• Director Recruitment
• 2015 Big Game Regulations
• 2014 Oregon Wolf Management Report
• Fish Passage Policy Update
• ODOT Culvert Repair Fish Passage Pilot Programmatic Agreement

December 5, 2014 – Salem Headquarters

• Restoration and Enhancement Projects
• Access and Habitat Projects
• Coos Bay North Bend Water Board Fish Passage Waiver Request; Pony Creek
• Columbia River Transition Fund
• Access and Habitat Projects; Board Appointment
• Hunter Education Course Length
• Siletz Tribal Clamming
  
  

PLEASE NOTE

AGENDA

The Commission meeting will begin at 3:00 PM on September 23, 2014. If you wish to receive written materials prepared for any of the agenda items, please contact the Director’s Office in Salem at 503.947.6044 to request a packet for those items which interest you or that you see on the agency’s website.

The public may follow the Commission meeting at the following link to the audio stream: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

During the September 23, 2014 meeting, the public may submit oral or written testimony to the Fish and Wildlife Commission at the Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters located in Salem, Oregon:

Salem Headquarters
Commission Room
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE
Salem, Oregon 97302

Materials delivered to the Director’s Office sufficiently in advance of the meeting can be copied and distributed to the Commission. If you bring written materials to the hearing, please provide twenty (20) copies. If you have questions regarding this Agenda, please contact the Director’s Office, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive S.E., Salem, OR 97302, 503.947.6044.

PARKING

Parking at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive S.E., Salem, Oregon 97302, is available to anyone who attends the Commission meeting.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES