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August 29, 2014
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet in Joseph on Sept. 4-5. Topping the agenda on Friday will be a proposal that would delegate some fish and wildlife management authority on tribal lands to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.
Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Joseph Community Center, 102 E. First Street, Joseph. The meeting agenda is online.
The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Wildlife Management Plan is the culmination of a process that began in 2007. It implements Oregon Administrative Rules adopted in 2008, providing opportunities for the ceremonial harvest of big game animals and cooperation on fish and wildlife management issues on tribal lands. The proposed plan would delegate limited authority to manage fish and wildlife to the tribe, and authorize the take of certain wildlife on tribal reservation and trust lands.
Also on the agenda are several proposed changes to the state’s Wildlife Integrity rules:
- Adopt rules to classify barramundi as a controlled species to allow possession and rearing under regulations similar to tilapia.
- Reclassify the brush tailed bettong – a small marsupial from western Australia currently classified as prohibited in Oregon – as a controlled species. This would allow people to own a bettong as long as it came from a breeder within the United States.
- Reclassify non-native crayfish as controlled crustaceans in order to allow for the legal harvest and importation of these species.
- Change the classification request criteria to include the species’ abundance in its native range or in captivity.
- Make permanent the temporary rules for 1) the “catch and release of Tiger Muskellunge in Phillips Reservoir (Baker County)” and 2) the classification of “Turacos, Plantain eaters and Go-away birds – Musophagidae – All Species” and the “Order Sphenisciformse: (A)Penguins –Spheniscidae – All species” as non-controlled species (meaning anyone can have them without a permit).
On Thursday Sept. 4, the Commission will go on a tour that includes stops to discuss regional fish and wildlife management issues. Members of the public may join commissioners on the tour but need to provide their own transportation and lunch. Meet at the Eagle’s View Inn & Suites (1200 Highland Avenue) in Enterprise no later than 8 a.m. to join the tour.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. Public testimony before the Commission will be held first thing Friday morning, just after the adoption of temporary rules. 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.
The Commission’s next meeting is Oct. 9-10 in Central Point. The meeting on Oct. 9 will be a joint workshop with the California Fish and Game Commission.
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Contact:
Michelle Dennehy
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 947-6022
Michelle.N.Dennehy@state.or.us
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