SALEM, OR — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee will hold their quarterly meeting in Salem on Jan. 18 and 19.

The Advisory Committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 in the commission room at ODFW headquarters, 3406 Cherry Ave NE, Salem. The meeting agenda includes a discussion of the STEP program and regional salmon and trout issues with ODFW Director Roy Elicker, a review of grant proposals, reports on STEP activities throughout the state, staff and volunteer recognition, and other committee business.

A tour of the former Brownsville Dam site is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 19 from 9 a.m. to noon. The public is welcome to attend the meeting and tour. To join STEP on the tour, members of the public should meet at ODFW headquarters at 8 a.m. and provide their own transportation to and from the former dam site.

The Oregon Legislature created STEP in 1981 to provide a way for volunteers to participate in the restoration of native stocks of salmon, steelhead and trout. Since then, thousands of volunteers have assisted Oregon's fisheries through their involvement in the program, donating money, materials, equipment, and countless hours of labor.

STEP’s advisory committee makes recommendations to ODFW and the Fish and Wildlife Commission on issues regarding its programs. The committee’s 13 members are appointed by the governor and represent all areas of Oregon. 

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the Information and Education Division at (800) 720-6339 or (503) 947-6002 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

For more information about STEP, visit https://www.dfw.state.or.us/STEP/ or call Tom Friesen at (503) 947-6232.

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