SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet June 5-6 in Salem at ODFW Headquarters to consider modifying coastal fall chinook fishing regulations. The Commission will also be asked to approve ODFW’s budget request for the 2009-2011 biennium.
On Thursday, June 5 beginning at 1 p.m., the Commission will participate in an Energy and Water Development workshop with representatives from Governor Kulongoski’s office, Oregon Department of Energy and Oregon Department of Water Resources. Issues including wave and wind energy projects’ impact on fish and wildlife and water supply and conservation will be discussed. The public is welcome to attend the workshop but no public testimony will be taken.
Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. and proceeds chronologically through an agenda available at
https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/08/06_june/index.asp
The Commission will be asked to approve in concept a set of one-year restrictive regulations for coastal fall chinook salmon in terminal, bay and river fisheries. The temporary regulations include reductions in daily and seasonal bag limits and area closures to protect spawning fish.
The new regulations are necessary to meet conservation goals in light of poor runs forecasted for this fall. In addition, the proposals meet Oregon coastal fall chinook conservation obligations under Pacific Salmon Treaty.
The Commission will review and be asked to approve the 2009-2011 Agency Request Budget. ODFW staff hosted a series of town hall meetings during the spring to present budget proposals and get feedback from the public. Based on the department’s need to maintain the level of services it currently provides, staff are recommending fee increases on both sport and commercial licenses beginning in 2010.
Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and tags supports approximately one-third of the agency’s budget. These fees were last increased in January 2004. Once a proposed budget is approved by the Commission, it will be submitted to the Governor for his consideration. ODFW’s budget will ultimately be determined by the 2009 Legislature.
The Commission will adopt controlled hunt tag numbers for fall 2008 big game (deer, elk, bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain goat, pronghorn antelope, spring bear) hunting seasons and will be asked to approve 2009 big game hunting regulations in concept.
The Access and Habitat Program will ask the Commission to approve grants for 10 projects that will improve hunter access and/or wildlife habitat on private land and the allocation of 2009 auction and raffle tags. The A&H program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses and the annual auction and raffle of deer and elk tags. It has provided hunter access to more than 6 million acres of private land and improved more than a half million acres of wildlife habitat.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Public testimony will be held Friday morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
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 ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
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