SALEM, OR—The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet online Friday, Nov. 13.

See the meeting agenda at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/20/11_Nov/index.asp The meeting starts at 8 a.m. and will be livestreamed over ODFW’s YouTube page which can be found off the Commission page.

To testify on one of the agenda topics via Zoom, please register no later than Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. (as Wednesday is a holiday) by submitting this form online https://odfw.wufoo.com/forms/commission-meeting-witness-registration/

Topics to be considered are:
Restoration and Enhancement Program: Appoint a board member and consider funding for a monitoring project.

Salmon Trout Enhancement Program: Reduce the Salmon-Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee from 13 to seven members to address budget constraints. The STEP Advisory Committee reviews ODFW policies and makes recommendations concerning the implementation of STEP and associated volunteer projects.

Access and Habitat Program: Approve funding for two projects that will provide public hunting access or improve wildlife habitat on public land.

Petition to initiate rulemaking to consider closing beaver trapping and hunting on federally-managed public lands: On Sept. 24, the Commission received a petition to initiate rulemaking to consider ending beaver hunting and trapping on federal lands. State rules require the Commission to consider the petition within 90 days of receiving it and then either deny the petition or accept the petition and initiate rulemaking in the future.

During Friday’s meeting, commissioners will consider the petition and decide whether to deny it or initiate future rulemaking. However, no rulemaking will occur during the meeting. If a rulemaking process is initiated, modifications to OARs may occur as product of the process at a later date.

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Contact:
Michelle Dennehy, (503) 947-6022, Michelle.N.Dennehy@state.or.us