Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet in Klamath Falls

The reception is a great opportunity for members of the public to meet Commission members and ODFW staff to discuss current fish and wildlife issues. The reception is at 5:30 p.m. at the Crater Lake Complex Lobby, Oregon Institute of Technology, 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls.

Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Oregon Institute of Technology, Mt. Mazama Room, 3201 Campus Drive, Klamath Falls and proceeds chronologically through an agenda available at: http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/07/september/index.asp

Thursday’s tour of the Klamath Basin includes stops at the JC Boyle Dam to discuss dam licensing and fish passage, a drive-through tour of Klamath Wildlife Area, and a stop at the Williamson River Delta to discuss marsh restoration benefiting endangered suckers. The public is welcome to attend this tour but must provide their own transportation and lunch. No registration is necessary to attend; simply meet in the lobby of the Best Western Olympic Inn, 2627 South Sixth Street, Klamath Falls before the tour departs at 8 a.m.

During Friday’s regular meeting, the Commission will decide whether to accept the conservation plan for Rogue Spring Chinook as is or adopt the plan with modifications. The purpose of the Rogue Spring chinook salmon plan is to ensure the Rogue River continues to support healthy populations of salmon and their habitats for recreational, commercial and cultural benefits. The Commission is also expected to adopt 2008 sport fishing regulations for the Rogue River.

Other agenda items include review and funding approval of Restoration and Enhancement and Access and Habitat projects. Also, ODFW staff will ask the Commission to consider a petition to start rulemaking to set a new renewal date retroactively for a 2007 limited entry sardine permit.

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. Agenda items also can be found on ODFW’s Web site at www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/

Public testimony is held in the 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.

The mission of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is to protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. The agency consists of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, a commission-appointed director and a statewide staff of approximately 950 permanent employees. Headquartered in Salem, ODFW has regional offices in Clackamas, Roseburg, Bend, and La Grande with ten district offices located throughout the state. For additional information, please visit http://www.dfw.state.or.us/