Idaho Fish Report

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, Feb. 10 in Tigard at the Embassy Suites Washington Square, Metolius River Ballroom, 900 SW Washington Blvd.

The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and follows this agenda.

Members of the public who can’t attend should be able to watch a livestream of portions of the meeting via Twitter/Periscope at twitter.com/odfw or periscope.tv/odfw .

The Commission will also host a reception at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show, Portland Expo Center, Green Theater on Thursday Feb. 9 from 4:30-5:45 p.m. This is a great opportunity for hunters, anglers and others attending the show to come chat with some of the Commissioners. Light refreshments will be served.

During Friday’s meetings, the Commission will:

• Consider amendments to the rules for Columbia River System tribal fisheries.  The proposed rules would help establish consistent requirements for the marking and identification of tribal fishing gear, and the immediate release of non-harvestable sturgeon in tribal fisheries. These same requirements are being considered by all parties of the U.S. v. Oregon Management Agreement.
• Decide whether to adopt a resolution supporting the national Blue Ribbon Panel funding recommendations. Congress will be considering legislation dedicating existing revenue from the development of energy and mineral resources on federal lands and waters to states for wildlife conservation efforts.
• Consider a land acquisition that would add 95 acres to the Coquille Valley Wildlife Area in Coos County, which provides wetland habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation opportunities. The Nature Conservancy is providing funds to acquire the property.
• Hear information about lower Columbia River sturgeon population status and the 2015-17 Access and Habitat Program Biennium Report.

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.

Public testimony before the Commission will be held first thing Friday morning, just after the adoption of temporary rules. Persons seeking to testify on issues not on the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements with the ODFW’s Director’s office, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, by calling 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.

The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in Oregon.