The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee will meet in Bend on Thursday, April 28. The committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn in the Mt. Bachelor Room located at 425 SW Bluff Drive in Bend. The agenda includes reports on STEP activities and projects, program updates and review of mini-grant applications. The meeting is open to the public. The Committee also will review a proposal to renew the Astoria and Warrenton High School STEP propagation programs. Any STEP project that raises fish for release (including egg incubation) must be approved by ODFW. Part of the approval process includes public input and review by the advisory committee. The proposals will be available for public review on the ODFW website at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP/ Members of the public will be able to comment on the proposals at the meeting or in writing. Written responses must be submitted by April 22. The Oregon Legislature created Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program in 1981 to provide a way for volunteers to participate in the restoration of native stocks of salmon, steelhead and trout. The STEP Advisory Committee makes recommendations to ODFW and the Fish and Wildlife Commission on issues regarding its programs. The committee’s 13 members are appointed by the Governor and represent all areas of Oregon. 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 on the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program visit the ODFW Web site at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP/ or call program staff at (503) 947-6211.
