The Fish and Wildlife Commission appoints the seven-member Restoration and Enhancement Board to study potential projects and make recommendations for project funding. The R&E Board consists of citizens from around the state that represent commercial fishing (3 positions), sports interests (3 positions) and the public (one position).
The board meets quarterly to review and recommend proposals to the ODFW Commission for funding approval.
The R&E Board recommends a balance between restoration and enhancement type projects as well as ensures recommended projects benefit sport and commercial fisheries. As part of the review process, the Board holds public meetings at least every 120 days throughout the state seeking public comment on projects being proposed. The Restoration and Enhancement Program (R&E) is a grant program that provides $4-6,000,000 per biennium to fishery projects throughout Oregon.
Projects recommended by the R&E Board will be forwarded to the Commission for review and final approval.
Dave Grosjacques
Recreational Fisheries Representative
Second term expires December 31, 2025
Dave Grosjacques is a retired middle and high school science teacher and lives in Merlin. He has been volunteering on STEP projects since 1987, and was a member of STAC for two terms. He did stream habitat surveys as a contractor for the Forest Service and ODFW, and continues to do them for watershed councils. He is a board member on two watershed councils and is a member of three fishing clubs in Southern Oregon. He operates a stream table at kids’ events, and teaches a beginning fly fishing class each spring for the Southern Oregon Fly Fishers.
Kay Brown
Public-at-Large Representative
Second term expires December 31, 2024
Kay Brown, of Columbia City retired in 2003 after 30 years with ODFW and is the former Operations Manager for the Fish Division with extensive experience in budgets and legislative issues.
Troy Laws is a commercial gillnetter, avid outdoorsman, and a retired Oregon Fish & Wildlife biologist, experienced in fish and wildlife management. A lifetime Oregonian, Troy resides with his wife Debbie along the Necanicum River near Seaside, Oregon and has been involved with various aspects of the R&E program since its inception in 1989. Troy advocates for equitable use and wise management of our natural resources.
Tom VanderPlaat
Recreational Fisheries Representative
First term expires January 1, 2026
Tom VanderPlaat is an avid outdoors person and been has provided many years of leadership in fish and fishing issues and policies. Tom has served as both President and Co-President for the Association of Northwest Steelheaders, which is one of the longest standing fish and conservation organizations in Oregon. He served on the ODFW Salmon Trout Advisory Committee (STAC) for eight years and held the position of STAC Chair for two years. As an active ODFW volunteer, he enjoys helping with various ODFW projects and programs, including youth and veteran fishing events, fish eggs to fry, carcass stream enrichment, hatchery improvements, boat ramp repairs, brood-stock collection, and various other fish related projects.
Fred Cholick Recreational Fisheries Representative
First time expires December 15th, 2027
Fred A. Cholick has been an avid sportsman his entire life. He was born and raised on Sauvie Island and spent many days hunting and fishing with his dad. Fred's dad instilled in him a love for the outdoors and an appreciation for conservation. He has bachelor's degrees from Oregon State University and master's and PhD from Colorado State University. After retiring from Kansas State University, he moved to Bend, Oregon. Over the last 9 years he has been involved with Central Oregon Flyfishers, serving as the youth coordinator, and is currently serving as president. In addition, he volunteers with ODFW, specifically the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP).
Susan Chambers
Fish Processing Industry Representative
Second term expires December 31, 2025
Susan has worked for the West Coast Seafood Processors Association as deputy director since 2009. Since then, she's served on the Pacific Fishery Management Council Groundfish Advisory Subpanel (GAP) and other industry boards and commissions. She learned about commercial fishing by having her own sand shrimp bait business in high school and then, later, by being a deckhand on various vessels in Port Orford and Charleston. She also worked as a reporter and editor for daily and weekly newspapers, covering commercial fishing, on the South Coast or several years.
4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE :: Salem, OR 97302 :: Main Phone (503) 947-6000 or (800) 720-ODFW [6339]
Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@odfw.oregon.gov
Share your opinion or comments on a Fish and Wildlife Commission issue at: odfw.commission@odfw.oregon.gov
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