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

Attachments: (pdf)

• Attendee list
  
  

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. 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.

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 virtual testimony on an Exhibit scheduled on this agenda must REGISTER no less than 48 hours in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will be available at the meeting.

To be added to December 13 agenda to provide testimony virtually or in-person during Public Forum you must contact the Director's office no less than 48 hours advance of the meeting for approval.

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

No Commission Action: Informational Only

Attachments: (pdf)

• Field Report
  
  

EXPENDITURE REPORT                                                                           

Ken Loffink, Interim Deputy Director of Administration

Attachments: (pdf)

• Expenditure Report
• GRB Update December Presentation
  
  

COMMISSION ROADMAP 2025

Shaun Clements, Deputy Director of Fish and Wildlife Programs

Attachments: (pdf)

• ODFW commission roadmap
  
  

Commission Action: Rule ratification

Debbie Colbert, Director

Attachments: (pdf)

• Temporary Oregon Administrative Rules Report 12.10.24
  
  

1. 635-041-0075
   Authorize sales for Columbia River Treaty commercial fall gillnet fisheries
   Adopted 9/18/2024: effective 9/23/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   These amended rules authorize the sales of fish caught in Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fisheries. This modification adds two fishing periods from September 23 through September 28 and from September 30 through October 4.
   
   
2. 635-042-0032, 635-042-0060
   Modify Columbia River late fall commercial gillnet fishery and modify commercial tangle net fishery
   Adopted 9/18/2024: effective 9/19/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This rule authorizes four commercial non-treaty gillnet fishing periods in the mainstem Columbia River commercial Zones 4-5 for September 19-20, September 22-23, September 24-25, and September 26-27.
   Additionally, this rule adds an additional period to the on-going late-fall commercial tangle net fishery for September 19.
   
   
3. 635-023-0130
   Modify recreational fall-season salmon fisheries in the Columbia River
   Adopted 9/18/2024: effective 9/20/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule adds Chinook retention to the daily adult bag limit for the Columbia River recreational salmon fishery from the Buoy 10 line at the mouth of the river upstream to the west Puget Island line from September 23 through September 30. It also opens a Chinook and coho retention period for the fishery from the west Puget Island line upstream to the Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line from September 20 through September 30.
   Additionally, it extends the on-going Chinook and coho retention period from the Warrior Rock/Bachelor Island line upstream to the Oregon/Washington border (upstream of McNary Dam) through September 30.
   
   
4. 635-017-0090
   Modify areas open for retention of coho salmon and allow use of Two-Rod Validation
   Adopted 9/18/2024: effective 9/21/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule will open retention of coho salmon in areas of the Willamette Zone where retention is not currently allowed under permanent rule. The rule will also allow use of two rods while angling in specific areas of the Willamette Zone upstream of Willamette Falls.
   
   
5. 635-023-0101
   Close recreational sturgeon retention in the John Day Pool
   Adopted 9/23/2024: effective 9/24/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule will close the recreational white sturgeon retention fishery on the mainstem Columbia River in the John Day Pool (John Day Dam upstream to McNary Dam) and all adjacent tributaries.
   
   
6. 635-019-0500
   Close Recreational Steelhead Angling and Retention in Portions of the John Day River
   Adopted 9/25/2024: effective 9/25/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule closes retention of steelhead in portions of the John Day River from September 25 through December 31.
   
   
7. 635-023-0130
   Modify recreational fall-season salmon fisheries in Columbia River and tributaries
   Adopted 9/26/2024: effective 9/27/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule extends the on-going Chinook retention period from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA border through October 13. This rule also clarifies the regulations in effect for the Columbia River Zone section of several tributaries of the Columbia River from the mainline railroad bridge on those creeks downstream to the confluence with the Columbia River.
   
   
8. 635-041-0075
   Authorize sales for Columbia River Treaty commercial fall gillnet fisheries
   Adopted 9/26/2024: effective 9/30/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This amended rule authorizes the sales of fish caught in Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fisheries. This rule modifies the already adopted fishing period from September 30 through October 4 to remove the gillnet mesh size restriction and adds a fishing period from October 7 through October 11.
   
   
9. 635-042-0060
   Authorize additional periods for the Columbia River late fall commercial gillnet fishery
   Adopted 9/26/2024: effective 9/29/2024 through 12/31/2024.
   This rule authorizes nine 12-hour commercial non-treaty gillnet fishing periods in the mainstem Columbia River commercial Zones 4-5 on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from September 29 to October 18.
   
   
10. Eagle Creek (Clackamas) angling closure from Southeast Dowty Road downstream to the Clackamas River confluence.
    Adopted 9/26/2024: effective 9/27/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This amended rule will temporarily close the lowest reach of Eagle Creek (Clackamas basin) to angling to provide coho with a safe resting area during current low flows.
    
    
11. 635-070-0000
    Adjust season dates for western Oregon elk General Season Antlerless Elk Damage hunts in 2024.
    Adopted: October 1, 2024 – Effective Dates: October 1, 2024 through January 13, 2025
    Oregon Administrative Rules establishing seasons and tag numbers for 2024 western Oregon elk hunts were adopted in September 2023. Season dates presented in a map for one western Oregon elk General Season Antlerless Elk Damage hunt area are incorrect as printed in the 2024 Big Game regulations. These rule amendments are needed to correct the seasons published in the referenced Big Game regulations to reflect the accurate dates adopted by the Commission.
    
    
12. 635-042-0160
    Rescind remaining Knappa Slough Select Area commercial fishing periods
    Adopted 10/2/2024: effective 10/2/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This temporary rule is being amended to rescind the remaining 17 fall-season fishing periods scheduled for the Knappa Slough Select Area commercial fishery beginning 6PM Wednesday, October 2.
    
    
13. 635-004-0290, 635-006-0205, 635-006-0210, 635-006-0211, 635-006-0215
    Allow catcher/processors to report round weight taken at sea, exempt from logbooks
    Adopted 10/3/2024: effective 10/7/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    ORS 506.109, ORS 508.535, ORS 506.129, ORS 506.450 through 506.465
    
    
14. 635-041-0075
    Authorize sales for Columbia River Treaty commercial fall gillnet fisheries
    Adopted 10/11/2024: effective 10/14/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This amended rule authorizes the sales of fish caught in Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fisheries. This rule adds a fishing period from October 14 through October 17.
    
    
15. 635-023-0130
    Modify recreational fall-season salmon fisheries in Columbia River Zone
    Adopted 10/11/2024: effective 10/14/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This amended rule extends the on-going Chinook retention period in the mainstem Columbia River from Buoy 10 upstream to the OR/WA border (upstream of McNary Dam) through December 31.
    
    
16. 635-042-0060
    Authorize additional periods for the Columbia River late fall commercial gillnet fishery
    Adopted 10/11/2024: effective 10/20/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This rule authorizes six 12-hour commercial non-treaty gillnet fishing periods in the mainstem Columbia River commercial Zones 4-5 on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights from October 20 to November 1.
    
    
17. 635-067-0000
    Amend rules to expand 2024 Oregon hunting opportunity for specific bighorn sheep hunts.
    Adopted: October 17, 2024 – Effective Dates: October 17, 2024 through November 20, 2025
    Oregon Administrative Rules establishing hunt season dates and hunt areas for 2024 bighorn sheep were adopted September 2023. Season dates and hunt area descriptions adopted at that time did not account for access closures from 2024 wildfires.
    
    
18. 635-016-0090
    Modify steelhead retention in the Rogue and Illinois Rivers
    Adopted 10/24/2024: effective 12/1/2024 through 4/30/2025.
    This amended rule will reduce the season bag limit to one fish for wild steelhead in the Rogue River up to the confluence of the Illinois River. The rule will also require all wild steelhead to be released in the Illinois River and remaining sections of the Rogue River.
    
    
19. 635-019-0500
    End temporary steelhead closure in portions of the John Day River
    Adopted 10/31/2024: effective 11/1/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This temporary rule is no longer needed. Suspending this temporary rule will return the lower portion of the John Day River to permanent rules found in the 2024 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations book.
    
    
20. 635-023-0130
    Modify recreational fall-season steelhead regulations above The Dalles Dam in Columbia River Zone
    Adopted 10/31/2024: effective 11/1/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This amended rule will allow retention of hatchery steelhead above The Dalles Dam in the Columbia River.
    
    
21. 635-016-0520
    Lift Temporary Low Flow Angling Closure for the Sixes River
    Adopted 11/1/2024: effective 11/1/2024 through 12/31/2024.
    This amended rule lifts a temporary closure that went into effect on October 1 on the Sixes River from the Hughes House Boat Ramp upstream to the mouth of Crystal Creek to protect fall Chinook that were vulnerable due to low water conditions. The closure will end on November 1.
    
    
22. 635-005-0465
    Delay Oregon Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Opening
    Adopted 11/20/2024: effective 11/27/2024 through 3/31/2025.
    This amended rule delays the opening date for the Oregon 2024-2025 ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery.
    
    
23. 635-005-0465
    Commercial Dungeness Crab Season Partial Opening
    Adopted 12/6/2024: effective 12/12/2024 through 3/31/2025.
    This amended rule sets the opening date for the Oregon 2024-2025 ocean commercial Dungeness crab fishery from the Oregon-California border to Cape Falcon, Oregon, and continues to delay the season from Cape Falcon, Oregon, to the Oregon-Washington border until further test fishing is conducted off WA.
    
    

No Commission Action: Informational Only

Attachments: (pdf)

Commission Action:

Attachments: (pdf)

Note: This part of the agenda is for comments of any topic except those related to exhibits involving rulemaking or Commission approval listed elsewhere on this agenda.

Please REGISTER the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Office of the Director before 8:00 AM, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 (at least 48 hours prior to the meeting) to be included in the public forum.

Effects of cougar hunting

• Jessica Church

Whale entanglements in Oregon Dungeness crab fishery

• Ben Enticknap

Whale entanglements

• Francine Kershaw
  
  

Attachments: (pdf)

• Oregon NGO entanglement letter; Ben Enticknap
• Derville et al. 2023; Francine Kershaw
  
  

The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from September 13, 2024.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Minutes under draft
  
  

The Commission will be asked to adopt regulations for the 2025 recreational and commercial groundfish fisheries and to review the 2023 commercial nearshore logbook report.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

Lynn Mattes, Marine Fisheries Management Section Manager
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Ex B Cover
• Ex B Att 1 Agenda Item Summary
• Ex B Att 2 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Ex B Att 3 Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Ex B Att 4 2023 Nearshore Logbook Report
• Ex B Att 5 Public Correspondence 20241120
• Ex B Supplemental Correspondence 20241213
• Ex B Groundfish Presentation
  
  

The Commission will be asked to consider ODFW regulations for three urchin-related activities: (1) recreational harvest of purple sea urchins for personal use; (2) commercial harvest of purple sea urchins for the retail seafood market; and (3) culling of sea urchins to assist with the conservation of kelp.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

Steven Rumrill, Shellfish Program Leader
Kendall Smith, Pink Shrimp Fishery Manager and South Coast Shellfish Biologist
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER   required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

The Commission will be asked to appoint a new representative to the R&E Board to represent public interests. The R&E Board chair and STAC Board chair will each provide a brief program update.

Commission Action: Appointment/ Informational

Martin Olson, R&E/STEP Coordinator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER    required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Ex D Cover
• Ex D Att 1 Agenda Item Summary
• Ex D Att 2 Interest Forms_Redacted
• Ex D Att 3 Board Member Locations
• Ex D Att 4 Public Correspondence 20241125
• Ex D RE STEP Presentation

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

Commission Action: Approval

Travis Schultz, A& H Coordinator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Exhibit E_Cover
• Exhibit E_Attachment_1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit E_Attachment_2_Project Maps
• Exhibit E_Attachment_3_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit E_Presentation_12-13-24

The Commission will be asked to review and approve the Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program (WWMP) projects

Commission Action: Approval

Jennifer Ringo, South Willamette Watershed District Manager
Kelly Reis, Willamette Fish and Wildlife Policy and Program Manager
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Exhibit F_Cover
• Exhibit F_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit F_Attachment 2_Maps
• Exhibit F_Attachment 3_Landowner Outreach and Fact Sheets
• Exhibit F_Attachment 4_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit F_Presentation_12-13-24

The Commission will be asked to approve a recommendation for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s appointment to Oregon Agricultural Heritage Commission (OAHC). 

Commission Action: Approval

Sarah Reif, Habitat Division Administrator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Exhibit G_Cover
• Exhibit G_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit G_Attachment 2_Interest Forms
• Exhibit G_Attachment 3_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit G_Presentation_12-13-24

The Commission will be asked to approve the Department Staff recommendation to provide additional funding for a previously funded PFA Grant Project titled Rock Berm Removal and Blue Heron Channel Connection along the Bear Creek corridor in Phoenix, OR.

Commission Action: Approval

Andrew Spyrka, PFA Grant Coordinator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Exhibit H_Cover
• Exhibit H_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit H_Attachment 2_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit H_Presentation_12-13-24

The Commission will be asked to amend the rule to eliminate the standard $2 shipping fee for most documents, provide flexibility to charge fees to cover the true cost of shipping larger documents or special orders, and maintain fees for specific documents such as landowner preference and reprinted hunting and angling tags.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

Ken Loffink, Deputy Director for Administration
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Attachments: (pdf)

• Ex I Cover
• Ex I Att 1 Agenda Item Summary
• Ex I Att 2 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking License Fees
• Ex I Att 3 Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Ex I Att 4 Public Correspondence
• Ex I Licensing Fees Presentation

The Commission will be asked to review an appeal of denied request to reinstate preference points for elk hunt 249R1 (Ukiah Unit Bow No. 1)

Commission Action: Approval

Ken Loffink, Deputy Director for Administration

Attachments: (pdf)

• Exhibit J_ Cover
• Exhibit J_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit J_Attachment 2_OAR_635-060-0046
• Exhibit J_Attachment 3_Application for Consideration to Have Preference Points Reinstated_Redacted
• Exhibit J_Attachment 4_Letter Requesting Appeal--Russell
• Exhibit J_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit J Presentation
  
  

*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 10, 2025 -Salem/Virtual

February 14, 2025 -Portland
*Written public comment period will open December 15, 2024

• Private Forest Accord Rule Amendments- Rulemaking

March 14, 2025 -Virtual
*Written public comment period will open January 15, 2025

• Access & Habitat Project Funding- Approval
• OCRF Project Funding- Approval

April 18, 2025 -Reedsport/Florance (TBD)
*Written public comment period will open February 15, 2025

• Oregon Game Bird Regulations- Rulemaking
• Wolf Annual Report- Informational
• 2025 Sport and Commercial Pacific Halibut Regulations- Rulemaking
• 2025 Ocean Salmon Fisheries and Ocean Terminal Fisheries-Rulemaking
• Private Forest Accord Project Funding- Approval

May 9, 2025 -No meeting scheduled
*Written public comment period will open March 15, 2025

June 13, 2025 -Pendleton
*Written public comment period will open April 15, 2025

• Access & Habitat Project Funding- Approval
• 2025 Auction Raffle Tag Allocations - Approval
• Southern Resident Orca: List of non-land-owning State agencies that can play a role in SRO Conservation- Approval
• 2025 Statewide Priority Fish Passage Barrier List- Approval

July 11, 2025 -No meeting scheduled
*Written public comment period will open May 15, 2025

August 15 , 2025 -Salem
*Written public comment period will open June 15, 2025

September 12, 2025 -Ontario
*Written public comment period will open July 15, 2025

October 10, 2025 -Virtual
*Written public comment period will open August 15, 2025

November 14 , 2025 -No meeting Scheduled
*Written public comment period will open September 15, 2025

December 12, 2025 -Salem
*Written public comment period will open October 15, 2025

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.

Comment and testimony are limited to three minutes or less. 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, December 13, 2024 you must REGISTER   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, 72 hours or more, will be distributed to the Commission prior to the meeting day. Any correspondence or materials received less than 72 hours prior to the meeting will be entered into the record and when reasonably possible, will be provided to the Commissioners the day of the meeting.

PUBLIC FORUM: If you wish to give testimony virtually or in-person on any item not listed elsewhere on the agenda,  PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE 8:00AM WEDNESDAY December 11, 2024; 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. Send to ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov or 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon, 97302.

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- 507-5546.

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. 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.