ODFW News: Ocean Chinook Season Meeting

Pete · 03-31-2003, 07:08 PM

For Immediate Release Monday, March 31, 2003

Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to Adopt Ocean Salmon Seasons

PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote Friday, April 11, on sport and commercial ocean salmon seasons for this summer and will consider options for developing a wolf management plan. The meeting will occur in downtown Portland at the headquarters of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The meeting is scheduled to last one day, a change from the previously released schedule.

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The seven-member panel meets monthly to adopt rules and set policy for ODFW to implement. The Commission starts the meeting at 8 a.m. and proceeds through the agenda in order. The following items are on the agenda:
� Director's report on regional activities, Native Fish Conservation Policy implementation, fish passage waiver request, 2003-04 waterfowl season preview;
� Rulemaking to allow trapping and relocation of wild turkeys in Roseburg;
� Briefing on wolf planning process alternatives;
� Rulemaking to allow trapping and relocation of nuisance wildlife in Baker City;
� Rulemaking on 2003 Pacific lamprey harvest at Willamette Falls;
� Briefing on the development of a Hatchery Management Policy;
� Approval of funding requests under the Restoration and Enhancement Program;
� Briefing on implementation of the Lower Columbia River Coho Recovery Plan;
� Rulemaking on 2003 ocean salmon fishing seasons;
� Determination on whether to accept petitions filed related to razor clam harvest and management of Nestucca River steelhead.

Public testimony will be taken on each agenda item. Sign-up sheets will be provided at the meeting.

Persons seeking to testify for up to five minutes on other issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements at least 24 hours in advance. "Unscheduled testimony" must be arranged by calling Mike Lueck, ODFW Director's Office, (503) 872-5272. The requirement to alert the Director's Office 24 hours in advance of unscheduled testimony was reinstated because of the number of people seeking to testify. Unscheduled testimony occurs around 1 p.m. each month and likely will be limited to six speakers.

The meeting will be held in the second floor Commission Hearing Room, ODFW headquarters, 2501 S.W First Ave., Portland. Directions may be found on the ODFW Web site at: ODFW HQ Directions .