03-23-2010, 11:17 AM
SALEM, Ore.-The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider proposed harvest regulations for Oregon's two pilot project marine reserves and other business when it meets Thursday and Friday, Dec. 10-11 at ODFW Headquarters in Salem, 3406 Cherry Ave NE.
Thursday's meeting begins at 1 p.m. and Friday's meeting begins at 8 a.m. The full agenda and meeting materials can be found at the following link on ODFW's Web site under Commission.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commis.../index.asp
During Friday's meeting, the Commission will be asked to adopt rules governing fish and wildlife harvest restrictions in the Otter Rock marine reserve near Newport and the Redfish Rocks marine reserve and marine protected area near Port Orford. The two sites were proposed as "pilot" marine reserves at the end of 2008, and the 2009 Oregon Legislature directed ODFW and other relevant state agencies to develop the rules for designating and managing these two marine reserve sites. The proposed administrative rules the Commission will consider define the restrictions that will be in place for these sites effective June 30, 2011.
The Commission also will consider two issues related to marine commercial fisheries. The first is the adoption of regulations for the 2010 commercial nearshore fishery for species such as rockfish, cabezon and greenling. The regulations also would prohibit the retention of green sturgeon in commercial fisheries.
The second is the adoption and amendment of the rules for the Developmental Fisheries Program, which is being suspended due to insufficient funding. This program allowed for the controlled development of commercial fisheries for food fish species that are underutilized due primarily to limited markets or needed gear development. In 2009 the Developmental Fisheries Program permitted fisheries for swordfish, box crab, anchovy/herring, spot prawn and hagfish.
During Thursday's meeting, the Commission will be asked to appoint a Hunter Representative to the Access and Habitat (A&H) Program Board and adopt rules that reflect legislative changes to the Board's statutory authority. These legislative changes allow A&H funds to be used to purchase easements that provide hunters with right-of-way access to landlocked public land and simplify other natural resources agencies' involvement in appointing A&H board members. The Commission will also be asked to approve $334,825 in grants for seven A&H projects that improve wildlife habitat or hunter access.
The Commission will be asked to adopt rules that allow ODFW to suspend hunters from the Master Hunter program for a period of five years if they are convicted of, or plead guilty to, a violation of wildlife laws.
The Commission will be asked to adopt rules regarding the number of permits that will be issued for the taking of young peregrine falcons for falconry purposes in 2010. They will also be asked to adopt rules about the capture permit process and revocation and suspension of capture permits.
Finally, on Friday, the Commission will be briefed on staff's draft Mule Deer Initiative plan and actions that may be taken related to habitat restoration, predator management and other issues.
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.
Thursday's meeting begins at 1 p.m. and Friday's meeting begins at 8 a.m. The full agenda and meeting materials can be found at the following link on ODFW's Web site under Commission.
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commis.../index.asp
During Friday's meeting, the Commission will be asked to adopt rules governing fish and wildlife harvest restrictions in the Otter Rock marine reserve near Newport and the Redfish Rocks marine reserve and marine protected area near Port Orford. The two sites were proposed as "pilot" marine reserves at the end of 2008, and the 2009 Oregon Legislature directed ODFW and other relevant state agencies to develop the rules for designating and managing these two marine reserve sites. The proposed administrative rules the Commission will consider define the restrictions that will be in place for these sites effective June 30, 2011.
The Commission also will consider two issues related to marine commercial fisheries. The first is the adoption of regulations for the 2010 commercial nearshore fishery for species such as rockfish, cabezon and greenling. The regulations also would prohibit the retention of green sturgeon in commercial fisheries.
The second is the adoption and amendment of the rules for the Developmental Fisheries Program, which is being suspended due to insufficient funding. This program allowed for the controlled development of commercial fisheries for food fish species that are underutilized due primarily to limited markets or needed gear development. In 2009 the Developmental Fisheries Program permitted fisheries for swordfish, box crab, anchovy/herring, spot prawn and hagfish.
During Thursday's meeting, the Commission will be asked to appoint a Hunter Representative to the Access and Habitat (A&H) Program Board and adopt rules that reflect legislative changes to the Board's statutory authority. These legislative changes allow A&H funds to be used to purchase easements that provide hunters with right-of-way access to landlocked public land and simplify other natural resources agencies' involvement in appointing A&H board members. The Commission will also be asked to approve $334,825 in grants for seven A&H projects that improve wildlife habitat or hunter access.
The Commission will be asked to adopt rules that allow ODFW to suspend hunters from the Master Hunter program for a period of five years if they are convicted of, or plead guilty to, a violation of wildlife laws.
The Commission will be asked to adopt rules regarding the number of permits that will be issued for the taking of young peregrine falcons for falconry purposes in 2010. They will also be asked to adopt rules about the capture permit process and revocation and suspension of capture permits.
Finally, on Friday, the Commission will be briefed on staff's draft Mule Deer Initiative plan and actions that may be taken related to habitat restoration, predator management and other issues.
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.