[ODFW-News] Commission to Hear Report of Public Comments at Wolf Meetings

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife =09
Contact: 	Anne Pressentin Young (503) 872-5264 x5356=09
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us  Fax: (503) 872-5700
=09
For Immediate Release	Friday, January 10, 2003

Commission to Hear Report of Public Comments on Wolf Town Hall Meetings =
Feb. 7; No Formal Action Expected


PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission said Friday that no =
formal action will be taken next month on the future management of wolves =
because of the abundant questions raised during 15 town hall meetings held =
since November. However, a staff report will be presented Feb. 7 that =
summarizes the oral and written public comments received and provides a =
thorough legal review of current laws related to wolf management.=20

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is the rule-making body for the =
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The seven-member panel meets =
monthly to adopt administrative rules and fish and wildlife policies for =
implementation by ODFW.=20

"We're not in a position to say 'go this direction'," said Commissioner =
Marla Rae of Salem. "We still need more information. We have more work to =
do."

The Commission's statements came during a question and answer period =
following the informational Director's Report. Northeast Regional Manager =
Craig Ely reported that nearly 2,000 people attended 15 town hall meetings =
in November, December and January. During those meetings, attendees =
provided more than 1,600 statements and asked 400 questions. Ely's =
preliminary review has found most of the statements and questions fall =
into 12 to 15 broad themes. In addition, more than 1,400 written statements=
 have been received.=20
More information can be found on the ODFW Web site at: http://www.dfw.state=
.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrWild/gray_wolf/wolf_main.htm .


2003 Columbia River Spring Chinook Forecast Promises Good Fishing =
Opportunities

Salmon program manager Steve King told the Commission Friday that 2003 =
will provide excellent fishing opportunities for Columbia River and =
Willamette River spring chinook, though the runs will be smaller from the =
record runs of the past two years. =20

A longtime ODFW employee, King reported that 145,400 spring chinook are =
expected in the upper Columbia River, down from 2002's near record run of =
295,100 fish. In addition, 109,800 spring chinook are expected to enter =
the Willamette River, compared to the third largest return of 121,700 fish =
in 2002.

King called the forecasts "a dandy return."

"There will be some really good fishing opportunities," he said.=20


New Damage Schedule Approved for Commercial Fishing Violations

The Commission approved Friday a new schedule of damages to be used for =
commercial fishing violations. The schedule, as required by state statute, =
must be based on the average market value of each food fish species =
harvested. The new schedule will be used when lawsuits are filed related =
to the unlawful taking of food fish.=20


Commission Denies Permit Renewal for Sardine Harvest

The Commission voted 5-2 Friday to overturn a hearing officer's recommendat=
ion and deny renewal of a sardine fisherman's permit because the panel did =
not find that the facts of the case showed that events were beyond the =
control of the fisherman.=20

Fisherman Andy Babich of Gig Harbor, Wash., was hindered from making the =
required 5,000 pounds in landings because he chose not to fish his permit =
until late in the 2001 season. Babich did not enter Oregon to fish =
sardines until the last three weeks of the four- month season. By that =
time, the events of Sept. 11 and bad weather limited his ability to obtain =
spotting plane services.=20

ODFW to Trap Nuisance Turkeys in Roseburg=20

The Commission approved a temporary rule Friday to allow the trapping of =
nuisance wild turkeys within the City of Roseburg. ODFW cannot trap =
nuisance animals within city boundaries unless the appropriate governmental=
 body takes action to allow it and the Commission also adopts a temporary =
rule. The City of Roseburg recently adopted a resolution to request the =
ODFW action.=20

Commission Hears Testimony on Rabbit Hunt

The Commission heard testimony Friday from 20 people in support of and =
opposed to an ODFW-sponsored event to teach novice hunters about rabbit =
hunting. The event, originally scheduled for Saturday, was postponed. No =
decision was made, but the Commission expressed its support for hunting.=20=


However, the Mary's Peak Hound Club, co-sponsor of the event with the =
department, said it planned to teach rabbit hunting tomorrow at E.E. =
Wilson Wildlife Area near Corvallis.=20

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