| Friday, April 18, 2025 |
The Fish and Wildlife Commission has moved to hybrid meetings, meaning that you have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Those who would like to provide virtual testimony on an Exhibit scheduled on this agenda must REGISTER no less than 48 hours (Wednesday April 16 at 8:00 AM) in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will be available at the meeting.
To provide testimony virtually during Public Forum you must contact the Director’s office no less than 48 hours (Wednesday April 16 at 8:00 AM) advance of the meeting for approval.
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| DIRECTOR’S REPORT |
No Commission Action: Informational Only |
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| FIELD REPORTS – in written form only |
Attachments: (pdf)
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EXPENDITURE REPORT
Ken Loffink, Chief Operating Officer
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Attachments: (pdf)
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CLIMATE & OCEAN CHANGE POLICY REPORT
Moving from maps to projects: the Coast Coho Partnership and watershed strategic action plans
Sarah Reif, Acting Deputy Director of Fish and Wildlife Programs
Mark Trenholm, Wild Salmon Center
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Attachments: (pdf)
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UPDATE ON CRAB SEASON SAFETY AND WHALE ENTANGLEMENT CONVERSATIONS
Justin Ainsworth, Marine Resources Program Manager
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Attachments: (pdf)
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ANNUAL WOLF REPORT
Roblyn Brown, Wolf Coordinator
Derek Broman, Game Program Manager
Brian Wolfer, Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| ADOPT TEMPORARY RULES |
Commission Action: Rule ratification
Debbie Colbert, Director
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Attachments: (pdf)
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- 635-042-0145
Youngs Bay Select Area Commercial Fishery
Adopted 03/21/2025; effective 03/24/2025 through 07/31/2025
These rules expand the open area for two previously adopted fishing periods in the Youngs Bay Commercial Salmon Fishery scheduled to occur from March 24 through March 27. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Department of Fish and Wildlife on 3/21/25.
- 635-017-0090
Set 2025 Recreational Eulachon Smelt Season for the Sandy River
Adopted 03/25/2025; effective 03/27/2025 through 08/27/2025
This amended rule will set a 2025 recreational fishing season for smelt in the Sandy River.
- 635-023-0101
Continue Closure of Recreational Sturgeon Retention in Pools above Bonneville Dam
Adopted 03/11/2025; effective 04/01/2025 through 09/27/2025
This amended rule continues the closure of the recreational retention fishery for white sturgeon on the mainstem Columbia River in the Bonneville, The Dalles, and John Day Pools (Bonneville Dam upstream to the McNary Dam) and all adjacent tributaries. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish & Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Joint State Hearing on January 2, 2025 and March 11, 2025.
- 635-008-0153
Amend Phillip W. Schneider Travel Management Areas Regulations to Extend Public Access and Use Closures
Adopted: April 2, 2025 – Effective Dates: April 2, 2025, through May 2, 2025
Wildlife Areas managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife often limit public use, including use of motorized vehicles, camping, and public entry during periods of the year to provide critical refuge for wildlife. In some cases, increasing these periods of protection may be required. This rule modification is necessary to protect a vulnerable deer herd from human disturbance following a period of significant habitat loss and health impacts.
- 635-056-0050
Addition of Golden Mussel (Limnoperna fortune) to the Prohibited Wildlife Species List.
Adopted: April 10, 2025 – Effective Dates: April 10, 2025, through October 6, 2025
Golden mussels were discovered in California during the summer of 2024. Like mussels in the Dreissenidae family (zebra and quagga mussels), golden mussels are known aquatic invasive species and are highly prolific biofouling organisms. The detection of golden mussels in California is the first time this species has been found in North America. These mussels can attach to any structure in the water including recreational and commercial watercraft. They can also be transported by trailered boats or any aquatic conveyance to other waterbodies. Depending on weather conditions, invasive freshwater mussels can survive for up to 30 days, or longer, out of the water.
Prohibiting golden mussels whether alive or dead enables watercraft inspection crews to order decontamination of vessels contaminated with golden mussels without having to first prove viability as deceased mussels can stay attached to surfaces long after they have died. It is also important to limit any presence of dead golden mussels in Oregon because one method used for early detection of invasive mussel establishment is eDNA sampling of Oregon waterbodies. Dead individuals continue to contain detectible DNA, and if introduced to a waterbody, they could trigger false positives.
- 635-041-0020
Modify the Annual Closure Period for Treaty Subsistence Fishing in the Fifteenmile Creek Sanctuary
Adopted 4/09/2025: effective 4/16/2025 through 6/15/2025
Under permanent rule, the annual closure date for treaty subsistence fishing around the mouth of Fifteenmile Creek extends from November 16 through June 15. This amended rule allows subsistence fishing in this area to resume on April 16 to allow access to spring Chinook.
- 635-042-0145
Modify Select Area Commercial Fishery in Youngs Bay
Adopted 4/10/2025: effective 4/10/2025 through 7/31/2025
This rule adds an additional winter-season fishing period in the Youngs Bay commercial salmon fishery on April 10, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Department of Fish and Wildlife on 4/9/25.
- 635-023-0125
Add Additional Days to the Recreational Spring Salmon Season Downstream of Bonneville Dam
Adopted 4/10/2025: effective 4/11/2025 through 6/15/2025
This amended rule adds six days to the recreational spring salmon/steelhead fishery downstream of Bonneville Dam. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Joint State Hearing held on April 9, 2025.
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| COMMISSION UPDATES |
No Commission Action: Informational Only
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| OTHER BUSINESS |
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| PUBLIC FORUM |
This part of the agenda is for comments of any topic except those related to exhibits involving rulemaking or Commission approval listed elsewhere on this agenda.
Please REGISTER with the ODFW Director’s Office before 8:00 AM, Wednesday, April 16 (at least 48 hours prior to the meeting) to be included in the public forum.
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Acknowledge and thanks ODFW’s support with the incidents at Indian Creek Hatchery
Roger Lindquist
Recreational Albacore Bag Limits
Rick Goche, Oregon Albacore Commission
STEP operations and the Oregon Coast Anglers.
Steve Godin, Oregon Coast Anglers
2024 Annual Wolf Report
Joseph Vaile, Defenders of Wildlife
Bethany Cotton, Cascadia Wildlands
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT A: COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES |
The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from March 14, 2025
Commission Action: Approval of Minutes
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT B: 2025 STATEWIDE PRIORITY FISH PASSAGE BARRIER LIST |
The Commission will be asked to approve the 2025 Statewide Priority Fish Passage Barrier List.
Commission Action: Approval
Katherine Nordholm, Fish Screens and Passage Coordinator
Greg Apke, Fish Screens and Passage Program Manager
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT C: OREGON GAME BIRD REGULATIONS |
| The Commission will be asked to adopt the game bird season regulations for 2025-26.
Commission Action: Rulemaking
Mikal Cline, Upland Game Bird Coordinator
Brandon Reishus, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| WORK SESSION: GOVERNANCE BEST PRACTICES |
The Commission will continue its discussion related to its roles and responsibilities and processes that support a successful statewide commission.
No Commission Action: Work Session Only
Donna Silverberg, Donna Silverberg Consulting
Debbie Colbert, Director
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT D: SPORT AND COMMERCIAL PACIFIC HALIBUT REGULATIONS |
The Commission will be asked to adopt the 2025 sport and commercial fishery regulations for Pacific halibut.
Commission Action: Rulemaking
Christian Heath, Halibut Project Leader
Lynn Mattes, Marine Fisheries Management Section Leader
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT E: 2025 OCEAN SALMON FISHERIES AND OCEAN TERMINAL FISHERIES RULEMAKING |
The Commission will be asked to adopt rules establishing regulations for recreational and commercial salmon fishing seasons in state-managed waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Commission Action: Rulemaking
Christine Mallette - Ocean Salmon Technical Services Manager
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXHIBIT F: PRIVATE FOREST ACCORD PROJECT FUNDING |
The Commission will be asked to approve a total expenditure of ~$10,000,000 from the PFA to award grants to projects as recommended by the PFA Advisory Committee.
Commission Action: Approval
Andy Spyrka, PFA Grant Coordinator
Jessica Watson, Acting Habitat Division Administrator
Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.
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Attachments: (pdf)
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| EXECUTIVE SESSION |
This Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, as well as to consult with legal counsel concerning legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed as authorized by ORS 192.660 (2)(h).
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| ADJOURN |
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| FUTURE PROPOSED COMMISSION TOPICS |
*Written public comments for future Commission Topics can be submitted in writing prior to the meeting date at ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov or mailed to 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE Salem, OR 97302.
May 9, 2025 -No meeting scheduled
*Written public comment period will open March 15, 2025
June 13, 2025 -Pendleton
*Written public comment period will open April 15, 2025
Access & Habitat Project Funding- Approval 2025 Auction Raffle Tag Allocations - Approval
2025 Oregon Coastal fall salmon seasons and smallmouth bass in Coos Coquille Regulations -Rulemaking
R&E Project Approval- Approval
Commercial Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries Rule Amendments -Rulemaking
Importation, Possession, Confinement, Transportation and Sale of Nonnative Wildlife Rule Amendments: Rulemaking Part 1 – Informational / Public Comment (Public Comment Period closes on 06/17/2025)
Commercial Coastal Pelagic Species Fisheries Rule Amendments-Rulemaking
July 11, 2025 -No meeting scheduled
*Written public comment period will open May 15, 2025
August 15 , 2025 -Salem
*Written public comment period will open June 15, 2025
2025-26 Sport Fish Regulations – Rulemaking
Importation, Possession, Confinement, Transportation and Sale of Nonnative Wildlife Rule Amendments: Rulemaking Part 2 – Rulemaking / Public Comment will be taken at June 13 Public Meeting (Public Comment period closes on 06/17/2025)
September 12, 2025 -Ontario
*Written public comment period will open July 15, 2025
Big Game Regulations - Rulemaking
Access and Habitat Project Funding – Approval
OCRF Project Funding - Approval
October 10, 2025 -Virtual
*Written public comment period will open August 15, 2025
November 14 , 2025 - No meeting Scheduled
*Written public comment period will open September 15, 2025
December 12, 2025 -Salem
*Written public comment period will open October 15, 2025
Access and Habitat Project Funding – Approval
OCRF Project Funding – Approval
2026 Groundfish Fishery Regs and Nearshore Logbook Report- Rulemaking
R&E Board Appointment and Program Update- Appointment
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| PLEASE NOTE |
HOW TO REGISTER TO SPEAK AT THE COMMISSION MEETING
Public Comment and Public Hearing Testimony: Regular Commission meetings allow for in-person, virtual, or written public comment.
Comment and testimony are limited to three minutes or less. All parties interested in providing public comment or testifying as part of a public hearing shall participate using one of the following methods:
- Video or Audio Conference Call: If you wish to give virtual testimony on Exhibits scheduled on the Friday, April 12, 2025, you must REGISTER a minimum of 48 hour prior to the meeting. Staff will collect contact your information and provide information on how to access the meeting to provide comment.
- Written Comment: Send to ODFW.Commission@odfw.oregon.gov or 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon, 97302. Materials delivered to the Director’s Office sufficiently in advance of the meeting, 72 hours or more, will be distributed to the Commission prior to the meeting day. Any correspondence or materials received less than 72 hours prior to the meeting will be entered into the record and when reasonably possible, will be provided to the Commissioners the day of the meeting.
PUBLIC FORUM: If you wish to give testimony virtually on any item not listed elsewhere on the agenda, PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE 8:00AM WEDNESDAY March 12, 2025; a minimum of 48 hour prior to the meeting. Please provide written summaries or other materials to the Commission Assistant prior to your testimony. The Commission is unable to act on items brought to their attention in this forum.
If you have questions regarding this agenda, please contact Michelle Tate, Director's Office,
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem, Oregon, 97302, or call 503- 947-6033.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION OF DISABILITIES
Reasonable accommodation, such as assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape, will be provided as needed. To ensure availability, please contact the Director's Office at 503.947.6044 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to make your request. TTY users can reach ODFW by using the Oregon Telecommunications Relay Service. Please dial 711 and ask to connect to 503-947-6044. |
