For Immediate Release September 20, 2002
Commission initiates new public comment period on revised draft native fish conservation policy Task force revised draft policy through seven meetings
JOHN DAY - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission initiated today a public review for a new draft Native Fish Conservation Policy crafted during the last three months by an 18-member task force. The Commission will consider all public comments and oral testimony when they vote on the draft rule Nov. 8, 2002.
The draft policy moving forward requires management actions and standards to be tailored to meet the unique needs of native species within their individual basins. Individual conservation plans will replace the current general statewide standards. The draft policy has three areas of emphasis: 1) ensure avoidance of serious depletion of native fish; 2) restore and maintain native fish at levels providing ecological and societal benefits; and 3) ensure opportunities for fisheries and other societal resource uses are not unnecessarily constrained. Hatcheries and other management tools will be used appropriately to best meet these objectives.
The Commission is the rule-making body for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The seven-member body meets monthly in cities and towns around the state to establish regulations and policies for the agency to implement.
The formal process to develop a new native fish policy began in December 2001 after significant debate among agencies, organizations and tribes about the existing Wild Fish Management Policy that drives management of indigenous fish species in the Oregon. A task force was established after the Commission received criticism that the public did not have sufficient opportunities to participate in the policy-drafting phase. Minutes from the task force meetings as well as the draft rules can be found at
www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/nfcp_hmp.htm .
Members of the public may submit written comments to Charlie Corrarino, ODFW, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207 or via e-mail at
charles.a.corrarino@state.or.us . Written comments received by Oct. 31, 2002, will be included in the staff report given to the Commission. The Commission will take oral testimony on the draft policy at their regular meetings Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, 2002.
* Human Safety Rules Adopted
The Commission adopted rules Friday consistent with state statutes to allow the killing of bears and cougars without a hunting tag or license if they pose a threat to human safety.
Before 2001, state statutes allowed killing of bears and cougars without a hunting tag or license only if they were causing property, agricultural or livestock damage. Human safety was not included in the damage statute until a Legislative amendment during the 2001 Session.
Rules adopted Friday establish a process for disposal of the animals killed for human safety reasons. The rules require:
· The carcass, hide, meat, gall bladder and female reproductive tract to be delivered to a location determined by ODFW;
· The person who killed the animal not to use any part of the carcass for personal use;
· Parts of the carcass -- including hide, skull, paws, claws and gall bladder -- to be disposed for scientific, enforcement or educational purposes; and
· Inedible portions of the carcass to be donated to rendering plants, pet food manufacturers or zoos.
*Wolf informational workshops and town hall meetings scheduled for this fall
Commission members received today a schedule to continue their efforts at learning all the biological and management concerns related to wolf migration into Oregon.
No wolf packs are known to exist in the state, although biologists confirmed the earlier presence of three wolves in eastern Oregon. One was returned to Idaho, one was shot, and one was hit by a car and died.
Two four-hour wolf workshops are scheduled in front of the Commission. Thursday, Oct. 10, four prominent wolf biology experts will present information to the panel. Topics are expected to range from wolf-ungulate interactions to wolf reproduction. Thursday, Nov. 7, information will be presented on the potential economic impacts of wolves if they become established in the state.
Fourteen town hall meetings have been scheduled throughout the state to gain public comments on issues surrounding wolf migration. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. Locations of the meetings have not yet been finalized. Meetings will be held:
· Tuesday, Nov. 12, in Pendleton;
· Wednesday, Nov. 13, in La Grande;
· Monday, Nov. 18, in Baker City;
· Tuesday, Nov. 19, in John Day;
· Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Bend;
· Thursday, Nov. 21, in The Dalles;
· Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Medford;
· Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Klamath Falls;
· Thursday, Dec. 5, in Burns;
· Monday, Dec. 9, in Eugene;
· Tuesday, Dec. 10, in Roseburg;
· Wednesday, Dec. 11, in Salem;
· Tuesday, Dec. 17, in Portland; and
· Wednesday, Dec. 18, in Coos Bay.
*Commission approves three requests for fish passage waivers
The Commission approved three requests to waive the state's fish passage requirements in the Tualatin River Basin and in Abernethy Creek near Oregon City. Fish passage will be provided at two others sites in lieu of passage at the sites in question. One site was exempted from the fish passage rules because there would be no benefit to any fish resources. The Commission is authorized to waive statutory requirements if mitigation alternatives provide a net benefit for fish or if fish passage will not help fish resources. Information on the request can be found at
www.dfw.state.or.us by clicking on "Commission Meeting Schedule" and then on "Sept. 20, 2002, meeting."
*Six projects receive funding approval for hunting access and wildlife habitat
The Commission approved $165,000 in grant awards for six projects that improve hunting access and wildlife habitat. The grants contribute toward total expenditures of $458,000 on these projects.
The approved projects:
· Improve wildlife forage, reduce wildlife damage to agricultural lands and continue public hunting access on 300 acres on a ranch in northern Lake County;
· Provide continued unlimited public access on nearly 108,000 acres of private land through the Heppner Regulated Hunt Area in Morrow County;
· Provide public access to 12,500 acres of private land through the Coombs Canyon Regulated Hunt Area in Umatilla County;
· Seasonally restrict motorized vehicle use along the mid-coast in the North Alsea and Stott Mountain Travel Management Areas, which will have the effect of improving bull elk ratios and reducing elk damage to timber plantations in Lincoln County;
· Improve wildlife habitats on 137 acres of private land through shrub and tree plantings, and allow public access in Malheur County; and
· Improve riparian habitat and water quality through alterations in grazing in Grant and Malheur counties.
The grants were awarded through ODFW's Access and Habitat Program. Funds are generated for improved hunter access and wildlife habitat through a surcharge on hunting licenses.
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Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Contact: Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356
Internet:
www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: (503) 872-5700
Information and Education Section
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5268
or (503) 872-5264 ext 5528
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ODFW Wild Fish Policy Public Comment request
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