Fish and Wildlife Commission meets in Tigard, Feb. 12

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet on Friday, Feb. 12 in Tigard at the Embassy Suites Portland Washington Square, Regency One Room (9000 SW Washington Square Rd) for its monthly meeting. Friday’s meeting begins at 8 a.m. and follows this agenda. All Commission business at this meeting are informational briefings and do not include any rule-making, including: Cougar Management Plan Review Process: As part of the ODFW Director’s report, staff is set outline the process for reviewing this plan, which was adopted in 2006. The Plan outlines how ODFW manages Oregon’s estimated 6,000 cougars with a focus on maintaining a viable, healthy cougar population while preventing conflict with livestock, pets and public safety and managing cougar impacts on ungulate populations. Coquille Valley Wildlife Area Plan: ODFW acquired this 580-acre wetland property in Coos County in April 2013. Key goals of the proposed plan are to enhance habitat for migratory birds and fish and increase wildlife recreational opportunities for the public including hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. Wildlife Research: The Commission will hear an update on several projects including black-tailed deer research in western Oregon, wolf-cougar research in northeast Oregon and mule deer research in the USFS Starkey Experimental Forest near La Grande. Pacific Salmon Treaty: The international treaty governing the harvest of salmon along the Pacific coasts of the United States and Canada will expire in 2018. Commissioners will be briefed on the history, structure and function of the treaty as well as its importance to salmon management. Sturgeon Population Update: The Commission will receive a white sturgeon population update for the lower Columbia and Willamette Rivers. The report will include a look at changes in population abundance, composition, and productivity. Public testimony for topics not on the agenda will be held first thing Friday morning, just after the adoption of temporary rules. 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 of the meeting, 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. The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state and it usually meets monthly.