OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled a public meeting in Selah on management of the state's salmon and steelhead fishing guide industry.

The department previously announced upcoming meetings in East Wenatchee and Clarkston and held meetings in Forks, Lyle, Ridgefield and Mill Creek. The meeting in Selah will provide the public with another opportunity to participate.

All meetings are scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. and include the following dates and locations:

• East Wenatchee: Nov. 20, Douglas County PUD Offices, Main Auditorium, 1151 Valley Mall Pkwy, East Wenatchee.
  
• Clarkston: Nov. 21, Walla Walla Community College in the multi-purpose room, 1470 Bridge St., Clarkston.
  
• Selah: Dec. 7, Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St., Selah.
  

During the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers directed WDFW to hold meetings to explore alternative structures for guide licensing. The stated objectives were to:

• Improve the fishing experience and ensure equitable opportunity for both guided and non-guided river anglers,
  
• Manage fishing pressure to protect wild steelhead and other species; and
  
• Ensure that recreational fish guiding remains a sustainable economic contributor to rural economies.

The Legislature directed WDFW to hold public meetings on the Olympic Peninsula and in the Klickitat River area. However, the department scheduled additional meetings, based on feedback from the public.

At the scheduled meetings, WDFW will discuss current management and take suggestions for potential regulatory changes for the fishing guide industry.

WDFW is working with a contractor to conduct a survey to capture feedback from those who cannot attend a meeting in person.

The department will provide a summary of its findings to the Legislature by the end of the year.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see http://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.