The Fish and Wildlife Commission has moved to hybrid meetings, meaning that you have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Those who would like to provide testimony virtually must  register  (Registration)  in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. In-person registration will be available at the meeting.

This meeting will be live streamed to YouTube and can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/IEODFW/videos

Field Reports – in written form only

Attachments: (pdf)

• April 2023 Field Report
  
  

Shannon Hurn, Deputy Director for Administration

Attachments: (pdf)

• Financial Report
  
  

Roblyn Brown, Wolf Program Coordinator
Derek Broman, Acting Game Program Manager
Brian Wolfer, Acting Wildlife Division Administrator

Attachments: (pdf)

• 2022 Annual Wolf Report
• Wolf Plan Review

Curt Melcher, Director

Attachments: (pdf)

• Temporary Oregon Administrative Rules
  
  

1. 635-005-0290, 635-005-0387
   Implement Tillamook Bay Intertidal Commercial Cockle Fishery Quota and Closed Periods
   Adopted 3/27/2023: effective 3/27/2023 through 9/22/2023.
   These amended rules will impose an annual harvest quota of 90,000 pounds on the Tillamook Bay commercial intertidal cockle fishery. The amended rules also prohibit the commercial harvest of intertidal cockles in Tillamook Bay during all weekends and holidays.
   
   
2. 635-017-0090
   Set 2023 Recreational Eulachon Smelt Season for the Sandy River
   Adopted 3/28/2023: effective 3/30/2023 through 8/15/2023.
   This amended rule prohibits all angling in Willamina Creek approximately 200 feet below the lower falls until May 21 in response to illegal targeting of winter steelhead.
   
   
3. 635-042-0145
   Revise 2023 Commercial Fishing Seasons in Youngs Bay Select Area
   Adopted 3/28/2023: effective 3/30/2023 through 7/31/2023.
   This amended rule modifies the fishing area for a previously adopted commercial fishing period (March 30) in the Youngs Bay Select Area.
   
   
4. 635-008-0190
   Open E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area to Department-Organized Spring Turkey Hunting Programs 
   Adopted: March 31, 2023 – Effective Dates:  March 31, 2023 through June 30, 2023
   Administrative rules pertaining to E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area currently prohibit all hunting between March 1 and July 31.  This amendment is needed to allow the department to organize a limited number of spring turkey hunting programs to address turkey-related management concerns on the wildlife area.
   
   This rule amendment is needed to allow hunters the opportunity to participate in spring hunting opportunities as provided by the department on E.E. Wilson Wildlife Area. 
   
   
5. 635-023-0125
   Set recreational spring salmon season in the Columbia River
   Adopted 4/1/2023: effective 4/1/2023 through 9/27/2023.
   This amended rule sets the Columbia River recreational salmon fisheries and modifies the Select Area recreational salmon fisheries from March 1 through June 15.
   
   
6. 635-018-0090
   Open Hood River Hatchery Chinook Fishery
   Adopted 4/3/2023: effective 4/15/2023 through 10/11/2023.
   This amended rule authorizes recreational retention of one hatchery Chinook and five hatchery jack salmon in portions of the Hood River from April 15 through June 30.
   
   
7. 635-042-0145, 635-042-0160, 635-042-0170, 635-042-0180
   Modify Select Area Commercial Fisheries
   Adopted 4/5/2023: effective 4/6/2023 through 7/31/2023.
   These rules modify the 2023 winter Select Area commercial fisheries from April 6 through April 14.
   The following fisheries are addressed by these rules:
   • Knappa Slough,
   • South Channel,
   • Youngs Bay, and
   • Deep River
   
   
8. 635-023-0125
   Set recreational spring salmon season in the Columbia River
   Adopted 4/5/2023: effective 4/6/2023 through 9/27/2023.
   This amended rule extends the on-going lower Columbia River recreational salmon fishery to April 11.
   
   
9. 635-023-0134
   Open Recreational Hatchery Chinook Retention in the Snake River
   Adopted 4/12/2023: effective 4/22/2023 through 8/10/2023.
   This amended rule allows retention of hatchery spring Chinook in the Hells Canyon section of the
   Snake River from April 22 through August 10.
   
   Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the State of Idaho.
   
   
10. 635-042-0145
    Modify Youngs Bay Select Area Commercial Fishery
    Adopted 4/13/2023: effective 4/13/2023 through 7/31/2023.
    This rule modifies the 2023 winter and spring Youngs Bay Select Area commercial fisheries by adding two four-hour periods on April 13 and April 17 in the upper Youngs Bay fishing area.
    
    
11. 635-067-0000
    Amend Rules to Reduce 2023 Oregon Hunting Opportunity for Bighorn Sheep and Rocky Mountain Goats.
    Adopted: April 17, 2023 – Effective Dates:  April 17, 2023 through September 22, 2023
    Oregon Administrative Rules establishing tag numbers for 2023 bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goat hunts were adopted September 2022. Tag numbers adopted at that time did not account for a redistribution of animals and an accommodation of 2022 Rocky Mountain goat hunters that were unable to hunt due to access closures from wildfires.

Attachments: (pdf)

Attachments: (pdf)

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, before 8:00 A.M. Wednesday, April 19, 2023. At least 48 hours prior to the meeting to be included in the public forum.

Bringing Back a Magazine
Jim Greer

Celebrating Umpqua Steelhead
Kirk Blain, Steamboater's Board

North Umpqua Wild Summer Steelhead
David Moskowitz, The Conservation Angler

Attachments: (pdf)

• Wildlife agency print magazine - Greer Public Forum 4.21.23
• TCA Testimony - OFWC CR Steelhead-TCA-4-21-23

The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from March 17, 2023.

Attachments (pdf)

• March 17 2023 Minutes
  
  

The Commission will be asked to adopt the game bird season regulations for 2023-24.

Brandon Reishus, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator
Mikal Cline, Upland Game Bird Coordinator
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Rulemaking

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1 Agenda Item Summary 2023 Game Bird Regulations
• Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and FIS_Game Bird Regulations_Filed 2-27-23
• Attachment 3 Game Bird Program Staff Summary
• Attachment 4_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 5_Public Correspondence_4-6-23
• Supplemental Public Correspondence_4-19-23
• Presentation
• witness registration 4.21.23
  
  

The Commission will be asked to approve an updated agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation for off-reservation hunt.

Mark Vargas, Acting Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Rulemaking

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rule Making and FIS
• Attachment 3_MOA_Confederated Tribes Warm Springs
• Attachment 4_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Presentation
• witness registration 4.21.23
  
  

The Commission will be asked to approve the Marbled Murrelet Endangered Species Management Plans from designated landowning and managing state agencies that can play a role in murrelet conservation.

Martin Nugent, Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive Species Coordinator
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Approval

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_ODFW Endangered Species Management Plan for Marbled Murrelet
• Attachment 3_Other State Agency ESMPs
• Attachment 4_Public Correspondence
• OWC comments re MAMU ESMP April 20, 2023
• Presentation
• witness registration 4.21.23
  
  

The Commission will be asked to appoint a member to the Fish Screening Task Force.

Katherine Nordholm, Fish Screens and Passage Coordinator
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Approval

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_ Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_ Robert FSTF Application 2023
• Attachment 3_ ORS 496.085_OAR 635-001-0020
• Attachment 4_ No Public Correspondence
  
  

The Commission will be asked to adopt the 2023 regulations for recreational and commercial Pacific halibut fisheries.

Christian Heath, Acting Groundfish and Halibut Project leader
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Rulemaking

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1 - Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing and FIS
• Attachment 3_ Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 3 Amended with Coversheet Draft OAR
• Attachment 4 - IPHC Media Release 2023-005 Completion of the 99th Session of the IPHC Annual Meeting (AM099)
• Attachment 5 - 88 FR 14066 CSP Final Rule
• Attachment 6 - 88 FR 13399 CSP Proposed Rule
• Attachment 6 Amended with Cover 88 FR 21503 CSP Final Rule
• Attachment 7 - ODWF memo to NMFS-halibut season dates-2023
• Attachment 8 - Staff Recommended 2023 Halibut Map
• Attachment 9 - Public Correspondence
• Attachment 9 - Supplemental Correspondence
• Halibut Presentation
  
  

The Commission will be asked to adopt ocean salmon fishing seasons and regulations for Oregon state waters by reference to seasons and regulations developed by the Pacific Fisheries Management Council for the adjacent domestic waters.

Christine Mallette, Ocean Salmon Program Manager
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Rulemaking

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 1 Amended Agenda Item Summary with Cover
• Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Hearing and FIS
• Attachment 3_ Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Attachment 4 2023 PFMC Pre III Final Report
• Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Supplemental Correspondence
• Ocean Salmon Presentation
  
  

The Commission will determine whether a petition that requests the adoption of a rule to classify Southern Resident orcas (Orcinus orca) as endangered under the Oregon Endangered Species Act presents substantial scientific information to commence a rulemaking process.

John North, Fish Division Deputy Administrator
Mike Brown, Marine Mammal Project Leader
Public Testimony (Virtual Testimony 48- hour Advance Registration Required)
Petition

Attachments (pdf)

• Cover
• Attachment 1_ Agenda Item Summary
• Attachment 2_ SRO State Listing Petition 02.16.22
• Attachment 3_ Oregon Revised Statute 496.176
• Attachment 4_ Public Correspondence
• Supplemental Correspondence
• Supplemental Correspondence to 4-18
• Supplemental Correspondence to 4-19
• SRKW Presentation
• witness registration 421.23
  
  

EXECUTIVE SESSION The Commission will hold an executive Session pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(e), (2)(f) and (2)(h), which allows the Commission to meet in executive session to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions, to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, and to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with respect to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

* 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.  

May 12, 2023 - HOLD No Meeting Scheduled

*Written public comment period will open March 15, 2023

June 16, 2023 - Newport

*Written public comment period will open April 15, 2023

• Access and Habitat Project Funding- Approval
• Auction/Raffle Tag Allocation- Approval
• Restoration and Enhancement Program Project Funding – Approval
• Conservation and Recreation Fund Project Funding- Approval
• Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Fisheries Regulations -Rulemaking
• Crab Fisheries Regulations- Rulemaking
• Memorandum of Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians-Rulemaking/Approval
• Memorandum of Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde-Rulemaking/Approval
• Memorandum of Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians – Rulemaking/Approval

July 14, 2023 – HOLD No Meeting Scheduled

*Written public comment period will open May 15, 2023

August 4, 2023 - Salem

*Written public comment period will open June 15, 2023

• Recreational Angling Regulations- Rulemaking
• Private Forest Accord Mitigation Fund – Rulemaking
• Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund rule revision -Rulemaking
• Coyote Killing Contest Ban -Rulemaking

September 15, 2023 - Bend

*Written public comment period will open July 15, 2023

• Access and Habitat Project Funding- Approval
• Big Game Regulations; Tag Setting, Seasons, and Regulations- Rulemaking

October 13, 2023 – Klamath Falls

*Written public comment period will open August 15, 2023

November 17, 2023 – HOLD No Meeting Scheduled

*Written public comment period will open September 15, 2023

December 15, 2023 - McMinville

*Written public comment period will open October 15, 2023

• Access and Habitat Project Funding- Approval
• Restoration and Enhancement Project Funding- Approval
• Groundfish Fisheries Regulations -Rulemaking
• Conservation and Recreation Fund Project Funding- Approval
  
  

HOW TO REGISTER TO SPEAK AT THE COMMISSION MEETING

Public Comment and Public Hearing Testimony: Regular Commission meetings allow for in-person, virtual, or written public comment. When registering to testify please provide first and last name, topic, a valid email address, and phone number.

Comment and testimony are limited to three minutes. All parties interested in providing public comment or testifying as part of a public hearing shall participate using one of the following methods:

• In-Person Comment: Parties interested in providing in-person verbal public comment shall fill out a "Witness Registration" form available at the meeting.

• Video or Audio Conference Call: If you wish to give virtual testimony on Exhibits scheduled on the Friday, April 21 agenda, YOU MUST REGISTER (Registration) BEFORE 8:00 AM WEDNESDAY, April 19, 2023; a minimum of 48 hour prior to the meeting. Staff will collect contact your information and provide information on how to access the meeting to provide comment.

• Written Comment: Send to ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov or 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon, 97302. Materials delivered to the Director's Office sufficiently in advance of the meeting will be distributed to the Commission prior of the meeting day; any correspondence or materials received less than 72 hours prior to the meeting will be provided to the Commissioners the day of the meeting.

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, or ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov.  YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE 8:00AM WEDNESDAY April 19, 2023; a minimum of 48 hour prior to the meeting. Please provide written summaries or other materials to the Commission Assistant prior to your testimony. The Commission is unable to act on items brought to their attention in this forum.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO PRESENT YOUR VIEWS

If you have questions regarding this agenda, please contact Michelle Tate, Director's Office, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon, 97302, or call 503- 947-6033.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES

Reasonable accommodation, such as assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape, will be provided as needed. In order to ensure availability, please contact the Director's Office at 503.947.6044 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to make your request. TTY users can reach ODFW by using the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service. Please dial 711 and ask to connect to 503-947-6044.