[ODFW-News] Fish Passage Task Force to meet in Salem

[ODFW News]

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife	
Contact: Information and Education Division 503-947-6002 or
800-720-6339 (ODFW)	
Internet: www.dfw.state.or.us Fax: 503-947-6009
	
For Immediate Release					Monday, Sept.
20, 2004


Fish Passage Task Force to meet in Salem


SALEM - Oregon's Fish Passage Task Force will meet Friday, Oct. 1,
2004, in Salem at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's (ODFW)
Salem headquarters, 3406 Cherry Avenue NE, to hear briefings on, discuss
and make recommendations about current statewide fish passage issues.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.

Fish Passage Task Force members are appointed by the ODFW Director. The
nine-member group meets several times yearly to advise ODFW on fish
passage policies and issues. Task force members represent water users,
fisheries and conservation interests, and the general public.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Commission Room, will
include a working lunch, and will end at approximately 5 p.m. The agenda
includes planning for statewide fish passage program efforts over the
coming year, the fish passage waiver and exemption process, and several
other statewide issues.

Fish passage must be addressed by owners and operators of artificial
obstructions at certain key times, such as new construction, major
replacement, a change in permit status, and abandonment. Providing adult
and juvenile fish passage to restore access to historic habitat is one
of the best ways to improve fish populations.

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 Information and Education Division at 800-720-6339 or
503-947-6002 at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting. For more
information, call Tom Stahl, state Fish Passage Coordinator, at
503-947-6228.

###