The Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) and ORS 192.660(2)(h) which allow the Commission to meet in executive session to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection and to consult with legal counsel with respect to litigation filed or likely to be filed against the Commission.

Field Reports – in written form only

Expenditure Report

Erica Kleiner, Deputy Director of Administration

Columbia River Fishery Reform Informational Briefing

Tucker Jones, Ocean Salmon and Columbia River Program Manager

 

Attachments: (pdf)

• Field Report
• Financial Report
• Columbia River Fishery Reform Informational Briefing

Note: This part of the agenda is for comments on topics not scheduled elsewhere on the agenda. Please contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of the Director at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to be included in the public forum. If you bring written summaries or other materials to the meeting please provide the Commission Assistant with 20 copies prior to your testimony. The Commission is unable to take action on items brought to their attention in this forum.

Restrictions on Beaver Trapping on Specific Rivers

Fran Recht

Wild Steelhead taken from the Umpqua

Gary Lewis

Wild Steelhead; the wild vs hatchery debate

Dale Greenley

Wild Winter Steelhead in the Southwest Zone for 2020

Attachments: (pdf)

• Public Testimony Received at Meeting, Restrictions on Beaver Trapping 12-6-19
• Wild Winter Steelhead_SW PC
• Public Testimony Recieved at meeting _ Winter Steelhead _ Zellman

Harvey Young
Charles Gehr
Casey Malepsy
Conrad Gowell, Native Fish Society
Dustin Russell, Russell Fishing Company
Phil Tripp
Steven Roberts
Dave Thomas, McKenzie Fly Fishers
Jim Andras, Andras Outfitters
Kait Sampsel, Humble Heron Fly Fishing
James Sampsel, Humble Heron Fly Fishing
Kyle Smith; Oregon Field Coordinator, Trout Unlimited
Dustin Russell
Risa Halpin
Mark Sherwood, Native Fish Society
Peter Murray
Dave Strahan
Chrysten Lambert; Oregon State Director, Trout Unlimited

Ethan Nickel
Josh Pruden
Chris Carson, Carson Guide Service
Zach Hancock
Brett Gesh
Cornelius Britt
Dillon Renton
(continued)
Marcus Mattioli
Rich Zellman
Richard Behrens
Andy Martin, Wild Rivers Fishing
Tracy Buckner
Jeremiah Houle
Peter Tronquet
Thomas Calvanese
Dave Lacey, South Coast Tours
John Anderson

Columbia River Fisheries

Jim Wells, Salmon for All
Steve Fick, Fish Hawk Fisheries
Otis Hunsinger, Commercial Fisherman

• Columbia River Fisheries PC

Marbled Murrelet

Seth Barns, Oregon Forest and Industries Council
Marry Ann Nash, Farm Bureau
Jerome Rosa, Cattleman’s Association
Jim James, Oregon Small Woodlands
Fran Cafferata, Coe-Consulting Wildlife Biologist
Nick Cady, Cascadia Wildlands
Joe Liebezeit, Audubon Society of Portland
Quinn Read, Defenders of Wildlife

Attachments: (pdf)

• Public Testimony Received at Meeting_Marbled Murrelet_12-6-19

Curt Melcher, Director

1. 635-023-0095
   2019 White Sturgeon Recreational Fishery Established in the Mainstem Columbia
   Adopted October 16, 2019: effective October 19 through December 31, 2019.
                 This amended rule allows recreational retention of white sturgeon on the mainstem lower Columbia River for two days, effective October 19, and October 24, 2019. Retention of white sturgeon is allowed from the Wauna powerlines upstream to Bonneville Dam, including the Cowlitz River. Legal size is 44-inch minimum and 50-inch maximum fork length. Revisions are consistent with action taken October 16, 2019 by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington.

2. 635-023-0130
   Recreational Salmonid Fishery Opens on Mainstem Columbia River
   Adopted October 16, 2019: effective October 18 through December 31, 2019.
                 Retention of coho salmon in the mainstem Columbia River from the Tongue Point/Rocky Point line upstream to The Dalles Dam allowed effective October 18, 2019. In Bonneville Pool (Bonneville Dam upstream to The Dalles Dam), coho retention continues through October 31, 2019. Based on previous Joint State action, coho retention will continue through December 31, 2019 downstream of Bonneville Dam.

3. 635-072-0032
   Coho Tangle Net Season Modified for the Mainstem Columbia River
   Adopted October 16, 2019: effective October 18 through October 25, 2019.
               This rule authorizes four, 14-hour commercial coho tangle net fishing periods in Zones 1-3 of the Columbia River from 5:00 a.m. through 7:00 p.m. the following days; Friday, October 18, Monday, October 21, Wednesday, October 23, and Friday, October 25, 2019. Authorized sales include hatchery Coho, as well as Chinook and Pink Salmon. Modifications are consistent with action taken October 16, 2019 by the Columbia River Compact agencies of the states of Oregon and Washington.

4. 635-004-0275
   Federal Actions and Management Measures Implemented for Commercial Groundfish Fisheries
   Adopted October 21, 2019: effective October 21 through December 31, 2019.
               This amended rule adopts in-season actions previously adopted by the federal government for 2019-2020 Pacific Coast commercial groundfish fisheries, including but not limited to increased trip limits for sablefish in the Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access fisheries.

5. 635-005-0465
   Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Opening Delayed
   Adopted November 13, 2019: effective November 13, 2019 through February 15, 2020.
                 This amended rule delays the opening of the 2019-2020 commercial ocean Dungeness crab fishing season from December 1, 2019 until at least December 16, 2019 in accordance with the Tri-State Memorandum-Of-Understanding and Preseason Testing Protocol. Additional Temporary Rules will be promulgated to open the fishery in accordance with that agreement.

6. 635-014-0090
   Angling Modifications in the NW Zone for the Wilson River
   Adopted December 4, 2019: effective December 7, through December 31, 2019.
                 The 2019 run of fall Chinook salmon to the Tillamook Bay basin and Wilson River was forecasted to be well below average and has been tracking in that direction. The fall of 2019 has been characterized by low rainfall and extended periods of low water. These conditions have led to concentrations of fish confined to holding areas in the lower river. The conditions are also conducive to the proliferation of cryptobia, a parasite found in the Wilson River, which is more easily spread under low water conditions when fish are concentrated. ODFW received reports of fresh, unspawned Chinook dying in the lower Wilson River, and a survey discovered a minimum of approximately 200 dead Chinook. Fish health staff confirmed the presence of cryptobia from dead fish collected from the river. The spread of the parasite will likely continue as long as the river flows remain low and fish are concentrated. With little rain in the forecast for at least a week, an angling closure is necessary to protect the remaining Chinook that survive to spawn in an already lower than average run. This regulation modification will close the lower Wilson River (Blind Slough to Jordan Creek) to all salmon angling for the remainder of the fall season. The Wilson River from Jordan Creek upstream is already closed to salmon angling under permanent rule.

7. 635-016-0090
   Emergency angling closures lifted in the Southwest Zone
   Adopted December 2, 2019: effective December 7, through December 31, 2019.
               This amended rule removes emergency angling closures in the Winchuck, Chetco, Elk and Sixes Rivers. Reduced wild chinook harvest and bag limits remain in effect.

The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from October 11, 2019.

Attachments: (pdf)

• October 2019 Minutes
  
  

The Commission will be asked to make amendments to reflect current temporary rule that allows the issuance of roadkill salvage permits for deer and elk dispatched by wildlife law enforcement personnel.

Staff: Justin Dion, Assistant Game Program Biologist
Public Testimony
Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1 Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and FIS
• Attachment 3 Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 4 Public Correspondence
• Presentation
  
  

The commission will be asked to approve the Access and Habitat Board recommendations for project funding.

Staff: Travis Schultz, A&H Coordinator
Public Testimony
Approval

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Summary of Projects
• Attachment 3_Public Correspondence
• Presentation
  
  

The Commission will be asked to approve corrections to dates in the 2020 controlled hunt tables approved by the Commission at the September 13, 2019 Commission Meeting.

Staff: Tom Thornton, Game Program Manager
Public Testimony
Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Hearing Notice-Big Game Corrections__Filed 10-18-19
• Attachment 3_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 4_Table of Corrections
• Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Presentation
  
  

The Commission will be asked to formally approve the amended trapping regulations to prohibit the use of traps or snares suspended in trees in the Siskiyou and Siuslaw National Forests and prohibit trapping in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Areas as voted by the Commission at the September 13, 2019 Commission meeting and reflected in temporary rule.

Staff: Kevin Blakely, Wildlife Division Deputy Administration
Public Testimony
Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and FIS
• Attachment 3_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 4_Public Correspondence
• Presentation
• Witness Registration

The Commission will be asked to approve the Recreation and Enhancement Board recommendations from the September 6, 2019 meeting (cycle 19-3); to approve housekeeping updates to definitions.

Staff: Kevin Herkamp, STEP/R&E Coordinator
Public Testimony
Approval and Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Need_Notice_FIS
• Attachment 3_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules FINAL
• Attachment 4_R&E Cycle 2 Project List
• Attachment 5_R&E Project & Recommendations
• Amended Attachment 5
• Attachment 6_Public Correspondence
• Presentation
• Exhibit F Wittness Registration
  
  

The Commission will be asked to adopt the 2020 regulations for recreational and commercial groundfish fisheries and to review the 2018 commercial nearshore logbook report.

Staff: Maggie Sommer, Marine Fisheries Section Manager
Public Testimony
Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Need_Notice_FIS
• Attachment 3_DRAFT Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 4 _Public Correspondence
• Public Correspondence_Supplemental
• Presentation
• Exhibit G Witness Registration
• ODFW Marine Resources Sport Bottonfish Review 2018

The Commission will be asked to adopt the Conservation Plan for Lampreys and associated rules. The Conservation Plan for Lamprey assesses the current status of four lamprey species and identifies the desired status, limiting factors, management strategies, and research needed to conserve these species.

Staff: Ben Clemens, Statewide Lamprey Coordinator
Public Testimony
Rulemaking

Attachments: (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Need_Notice_FIS
• Attachment 3_Oregon Administative Rules
• Attachment 4_Conservation Plan for Lampreys
• Attachment 5_Science Reviews_Public Comments_Responses
• Attachment 6_Public Correspondence
• Supplemental Public Correspondence
• Presentation
• Exhibit H Wittness Registration
• Exhibit H_Testimony recieved at meeting

*Written public comments for future Commission Topics can be submitted in writing prior to the meeting date at ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov or mailed to 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Salem, OR 97302

January 17, 2020 – Salem

*Written public comment period will open November 15, 2019

• Fish Screening Payment In Lieu Pilot Program – Approval
• Falconry Licenses - Rulemaking
• Big Game Hunting Review Process –Director’s Report (either Jan or March)
• Climate/Ocean Change Policy – Informational
• Schedule of Damages for Commercial Fishing Violations –Rulemaking
• Wild Steelhead Release Petition

February 6, 2020 – Portland (Dist. 1)

Sportsman Show Reception

February 7, 2020 – Portland (Dist. 3)

*Written public comment period will open December 15, 2019

•  2019/2020 Lower Columbia River White Sturgeon Population and Fisheries Update- Informational
• Falconry Licenses - Rulemaking

March 20, 2020 – TBD

*Written public comment period will open January 15, 2020

• A&H Project Funding- Approval

PFMC Informational Briefing – Informational

R&E Project Approval – Approval

• Climate/Ocean Change Policy – Rulemaking
• Commercial Fisheries Permit Board nominations - Approval

April 17, 2019 – TBD

*Written public comment period will open February 15, 2020

• 2019-2020 Oregon Game Bird Regulations- Rulemaking
• PFMC Salmon Regulation Setting and Coastal Chinook Terminal Fisheries –Rulemaking
• Pacific Halibut Fisheries – Rulemaking   
• Commercial Dungeness Crab (TENTATIVE) - Rulemaking

May 8,2020 – No meeting scheduled

 June 12, 2020– TBD

*Written public comment period will open April 15, 2020

• A&H Project Funding – Approval
• 2020 Auction Raffle Allocations – Approval
• Furbearer Regulations for 2020-2021- Rulemaking
• Commercial Coastal Pelagic Fisheries – Rulemaking  
• Coastal Wild Coho River Fisheries – Rulemaking
• 2021-2023 Budget- Approval

July 10, 2020 – No meeting scheduled

August 7, 2020 – Salem

*Written public comment period will open June 15, 2020

• R&E Project Approval, and STEP Annual Report – Informational and Approval
• Sport Fish Regulations – Rulemaking
• Pride Award Recognition

September 11, 2020 – TBD

*Written public comment period will open July 15, 2020

• A&H Project Funding – Approval
• Big Game Regulations; 2021 Tags and Season Dates – Rulemaking

October 9, 2020 – TBD

*Written public comment period will open August 15, 2020

November 13, 2020 – No meeting scheduled

December 11, 2020 – Salem

*Written public comment period will open October 15, 2020

• A&H Project Funding – Approval
• Ground fisheries and Nearshore Logbook Report – Rulemaking
• R&E Project Approval- Approval

PLEASE NOTE

AGENDA

The Commission meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. December 6, 2019, and proceed chronologically through the agenda. 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 see the agency’s website at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/Comm/schedule.htm .

A recess will be taken at 12:00 Noon, when the Commission will have lunch and may discuss matters of general interest. The public is welcome to attend, and an announcement will be made of the location of the lunch. Lunch will not be provided to the public.

PUBLIC TESTIMONY

If you wish to give testimony on any item scheduled on this agenda, please sign up on the sheets provided the day of the meeting. You will be called to testify by the Commission Chair. The Commission places great value on information received from the public, and wants to avoid arbitrary limits on the time or attention allocated to each witness. Therefore, persons desiring to testify or otherwise present information to the Commission are encouraged to:

1. Provide written summaries of information to the Commission twenty (20 sets);
2. Limit testimony to three (3) minutes, recognizing that substance, not length, determines the value of testimony or written information;
3. Endorse rather than repeat testimony of other witnesses; and
4. Groups or organizations wishing to testify should designate one spokesperson whenever possible.

PUBLIC FORUM  

If you wish to give testimony on any item not scheduled elsewhere on the agenda, please contact the Director’s Office, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 503.947.6044, at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The Commission Chair immediately following the Director’s report portion of the agenda will call you. Please provide twenty (20) sets of written summaries or other materials to the Commission Assistant prior to your testimony. The Commission is unable to take action on items brought to their attention in this forum.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PRESENT YOUR VIEWS

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 Dr. SE, Salem, OR 97302, 503.947.6044.

PARKING

Parking is available to anyone who attends the Commission meeting.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES