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November 7, 2024
SALEM, Ore.—ODFW has developed an update to the Statewide Fish Passage Barrier Priority List (Priority List), which is revised every five years.
This Priority List identifies the most critical manmade barriers to fish passage in the state and ranks them based on the amount of habitat quality and quantity blocked, current level of passage, number of species blocked and other factors. This list is used to help direct enforcement and restoration efforts throughout Oregon.
During this update, the methods for ranking the barriers on the list were updated to include two new factors to consider climate change in the methods for scoring. The new climate change variables include one factor for barriers that block access to current cold-water habitat and one factor that accounts for predicted changes in thermal suitability. The draft list and the draft methods paper are available online at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/inventories.asp
A public comment period is open until Nov. 28, 2024 for people to share their thoughts and suggestions on the draft Priority List and new scoring methods. ODFW encourages water users, infrastructure owners, land use managers, conservationists, and other interested groups or individuals to provide their expertise and insight. This public involvement will help ODFW publish a Priority List that is accurate and effective to better support our mission to restore fish passage.
Public comments will be shared with the Fish Passage Task Force for consideration as they discuss the draft list and methods at their next public meeting to be held virtually on Dec. 6. ODFW plans to present the updated list to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for their consideration at the April 18, 2025, Commission Meeting.
Submit public comments by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28, 2024 via email to Fish.Passage@ODFW.Oregon.Gov or by mail to: ODFW Fish Passage Program, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon 97302.
Photos:
Oak Ranch Fish Passage Project
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