[ODFW-News] Commission to vote on elk, deer plans,hear briefing on wolf town hall meetings Feb. 7

[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	Monday, Jan. 27, 2003

Commission to vote on revised elk, deer management plans,
and hear briefing on wolf town hall meetings Feb. 7
Testimony on issues not on agenda requires 24 hours advance notice

PORTLAND - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote Friday, Feb. =
7, on newly revised draft plans for statewide management of elk and mule =
deer during its regular meeting. The meeting is being held at the Portland =
Expo Center in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show.=20

The final vote on the elk and mule deer management plans culminates a =
scientific review and public input process that began last year. The =
Commission also will hear a report on black tailed deer strategies that =
may be employed.=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 rules and set policy for ODFW to implement. The Commission=
 starts the meeting at 8 a.m. and proceeds through the agenda in order.  =
The following items are on the agenda:
1.	Director's report: Informational briefing on field office =
activities, Columbia River sturgeon fishery rules and temporary rules =
adopted in January.
2.	Revenue and expenditure report.
3.	Adoption of December meeting minutes.
4.	Annual report by the advisory committee for the Salmon Trout =
Enhancement Program (STEP).
5.	Informational briefing on the results of public meetings on a =
proposal to reduce the nearshore groundfish harvest cap for 2003.
6.	Rulemaking on Oregon's Elk Management Plan.
7.	Rulemaking on Oregon's Mule Deer Management Plan.
8.	Informational briefing on black-tailed deer strategies for Oregon.
9.	Informational briefing on a proposed process for 2003 to review =
archery hunting opportunities in Oregon.
10.	Informational briefing on the results of 15 town hall meetings on =
wolves in Oregon and legal research.
11.	Executive session to discuss issues related to wolves and the =
Endangered Species Act as allowed under ORS 192.660(1)(e).

Public testimony will be taken on each agenda item except the informational=
 briefing on the wolf town hall meetings. Sign-up sheets will be provided =
at the meeting. In addition, the Commission will view the submissions for =
the 2003-2004 Oregon Upland Bird Stamp at noon and vote on the winner =
around 1 p.m. Members of the public will not participate in the executive =
session.

Testimony on issues not on agenda requires 24 hours advance notice

Persons seeking to testify for up to five minutes on other issues not on =
the formal agenda may do so by making arrangements at least 24 hours in =
advance. "Unscheduled testimony" must be arranged by calling Mike Lueck, =
ODFW Director's Office, (503) 872-5272. The requirement to alert the =
Director's Office 24 hours in advance of unscheduled testimony was =
reinstated because of the number of people seeking to testify. Unscheduled =
testimony occurs around 1 p.m. each month and likely will be limited to =
six speakers.

Directions to the February Meeting

The February Commission meeting will be held at the Portland Expo Center, =
2060 N. Marine Drive, Exhibit Hall D, Rooms 202-204. There is no charge to =
attend the meeting, but parking costs $6 per vehicle. People attending the =
Sportsmen's Show must pay a $9 entrance fee. Driving directions may be =
found at www.expocenter.org by clicking on "directions." Information about =
the Sportsmen's Show can be found at http://www.oloughlintradeshows.com/ots=
-shows-ss-pnw.html .
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Information and Education Section
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
(503) 872-5264 ext 5528