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March 2, 2012
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will be briefed on options for the upcoming ocean salmon seasons when it meets in Corvallis on March 9 at the Comfort Suites, 1790 NW 9th St.
The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and a full agenda can be found here https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/12/03_mar/index.asp
The Commission will be presented with a range of preliminary options for the 2012 ocean sport and commercial salmon seasons recently adopted by the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Salmon regulations for federally-managed ocean waters, three to 200 miles off-shore, will be refined and finalized by the PFMC in mid-April, and are expected to be published May 1, 2012. The Commission will be asked to adopt similar regulations for state-managed waters, from shore to three miles out, at its April 20 meeting.
The Commission will consider $550,070 in funding for eight restoration and eight enhancement projects recommended by the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board and $25,200 for one project recommended by the Access and Habitat Board. The A&H program funds projects that open private land to hunting or improve wildlife habitat.
Staff will ask the Commission to approve two corrections to the 2012 Oregon Sport Fishing Regulations related to steelhead fishing on the Sandy River and the use of bait and lures on the Hood River. Temporary regulations are already in place to correct these errors, but permanent rules are needed to cover the entire year.
The Commission also will be asked to approve the removal of the bald eagle from protection under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. The iconic species was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species on August 9, 2007.
The Commission will be asked to revise administrative rules for Oregon’s wildlife control operators, licensed businesses that help landowners deal with certain wildlife species that can cause damage (non-game, non-protected wildlife like squirrels, skunks, nutria, etc.). The new rules clarify permit and testing requirements, make handling certain species consistent with current ODFW policy and lay out a permit cancellation and appeals process.
During the meeting, the winning artwork for ODFW’s first Habitat Conservation Stamp will be unveiled, and the Commission will choose the winner of the 2012 Upland Game Bird Stamp Art Contest from among five finalists.
Finally, the Commission will be asked to approve due diligence items related to the purchase of a new ODFW office building. The Commission approved purchase of a new building at its January meeting pending its review and approval of the due diligence items of the sale agreement.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Public testimony will be held Friday morning immediately following the expenditure report. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW Director’s Office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the ODFW Director’s Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
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