ODFW Seeks Input on Draft Policies for Future Fish Management
PORTLAND - The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is asking for public input on two proposed draft policies intended to guide native fish management and hatchery management in Oregon. ODFW is taking comments on the proposed Native Fish Conservation Policy and Guidelines and the Hatchery Management Policy and Guidelines through Jan. 15, 2002.
According to ODFW Fish Division Administrator Ed Bowles, the new policies and guidelines move away from "one-size-fits-all" statewide standards and toward those tailored to the biological needs of individual basins and fish populations. "This type of approach lets us respond to the goals of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, new scientific information, Endangered Species Act listings, and the public's desire to balance conservation and harvest. It also recognizes that both hatchery and wild fish are important."
Governor Kitzhaber asked ODFW to reassess the 1990 Wild Fish Management Policy in light of the Oregon Plan and in response to concerns the policy was not supported by some tribes and was generally viewed as inflexible. The proposed policy and guidelines documents provide for a collaborative, and science-based process to manage hatcheries, fisheries, and habitat in balance with healthy native fish populations.
"These policies will help clarify where we are, where we want to be and how best to get there to conserve Oregon's native fish and provide fishing opportunities," Bowles said.
ODFW is collecting public input on the two draft policies through April, 2002. However, comments received by Jan. 15, 2002 will be incorporated into revised drafts to be presented to the Fish and Wildlife Commission on Feb. 8, 2002. Specific draft rule language will be available in late January. These drafts will again be modified based on public and Commission comments at the February meeting. The Commission will consider adopting rules to formalize the policies in April.
Copies of the documents are available on the ODFW website at
www.dfw.state.or.us or by calling the ODFW Fish Division at 503/872-5252. Comments can be sent to Native/Hatchery Fish Policy Comments, ODFW, P.O. Box 59, Portland OR, 97207 or emailed to
ray.temple@state.or.us.
ODFW Seeks Input on Draft Policies
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