[ODFW-News] Commission to discuss cougars, crabs and ocean salmon

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Friday, April 7, 2006
 
Commission to discuss cougars, crabs and ocean salmon
 
SALEM - The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission today announced it will
hold its regular monthly meeting April 13-14 at ODFW Headquarters, 3406
Cherry Ave. NE, in Salem. 
 
The meeting begins Thursday at 1 p.m., when the commission will hear
final testimony and may take action on proposed revisions to Oregon's
cougar management plan. The agenda includes a presentation of the plan
by ODFW biologists and an opportunity for the public to offer final
comments. 
 
ODFW last updated its cougar management plan in 1993. The proposed plan
reflects changes to ODFW's management authorities since that time, and
outlines a more responsive approach to managing cougars to minimize
conflicts. It was developed during the past year with public and
stakeholder input that has included six public meetings, two focus group
meetings and more than 2,000 public comments from more than 1,000
individuals.
 
The proposed cougar management plan, which is scheduled for discussion
and possible action at the Thursday meeting, is available on ODFW's Web
site, www.dfw.state.or.us <http://www.dfw.state.or.us> .
 
Friday's meeting begins at 8 a.m. Staff will present the highlights from
this week's Pacific Fisheries Management Council meeting in Sacramento,
CA, related to ocean salmon seasons. The Commission is expected to adopt
rules concurrent with federal guidelines, establishing sport and
commercial salmon seasons for 2006 in the Oregon waters of the Pacific
Ocean, Columbia River and some tributaries. 
 
The Commission will receive an information briefing from staff regarding
ocean crab pot limits for the commercial ocean Dungeness crab fishery.
No final decision is expected on this issue until the June Commission
meeting.
 
Staff from the ODFW Fish Restoration and Enhancement program will
present for review and approval 16 projects totaling more than $875,000.

 
Commissioners will review staff proposals and could adopt rules for
renewing limited entry sardine permits, and the commission is expected
to appoint members to the Oregon Sardine Advisory Board. 

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. Agenda items also can be found on ODFW's Web site at
www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/
<http://www.dfw.state.or.us/agency/commission/minutes/> .

Public testimony is invited. Sign-up sheets will be available in the
hallway outside the meeting room the day of the meeting for persons who
want to testify on scheduled agenda items. 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, 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.
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