STEP, R and E programs meeting in Astoria May 8-10

ODFW release – SALEM, Ore.—The Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) Advisory Committee and Restoration and Enhancement (R and E) Board are meeting in Astoria May 8-10. The STEP meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 8 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express and; Suites located at 204 West Marine Drive, Astoria. The agenda is available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP and includes review of mini-grant applications, STEP program planning and program updates. The R and E board meets Friday, May 10 from 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. also at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites located at 204 West Marine Drive, Astoria. The agenda includes review of project proposals and board general business. Both meetings are open to the public and provide an opportunity for public comment. Both the STEP Advisory Committee and R and E Board will jointly tour projects in the Astoria area on Thursday, May 9 including the Astoria High School Fish Hatchery, Warrenton High School Fish Hatchery and Young’s Bay Net Pens. The tour leaves at 8 a.m. from Holiday Inn Express andSuites in Astoria. Members of the public may accompany the group during the tour but must provide their own transportation. For additional information on the field trip, contact R and E Program staff at (503) 947-6211. The Oregon Legislature created the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Program (STEP) 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. The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 and it is funded by a surcharge on sport and commercial fishing licenses and commercial poundage fees. The program’s seven-member citizen board reviews fish restoration and enhancement project proposals and makes funding recommendations to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. 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 these programs visit their websites (STEP – http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP/ and R and E https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/re/ ) or call program staff at (503) 947-6211.