SALEM, Ore.— The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee will hold its quarterly meeting in Gold Beach on July 18-19, 2008.

The committee will meet from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, July 18 at Jots Resort, 94360 Wedderburn Loop Rd, Gold Beach, Ore. The meeting agenda includes a review of grant proposals, a presentation on, reports on STEP activities throughout the state, and staff and volunteer recognition.

The meeting is open to the public, as is a tour of the Indian Creek Hatchery and local STEP projects on Saturday, July 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To join the tour, meet at Jots Resort at 8:15 a.m. Members of the public must provide their own transportation.

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 donated money, materials, equipment and countless hours of labor to improving Oregon fisheries.

The STEP 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, please call Tom Friesen at (503) 947-6308. The previous meeting agenda (April 11-12, 2008) is available online at www.dfw.state.or.us/STEP.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. For additional information, please visit www.dfw.state.or.us.

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