ODFW Fish Passage Task Force will meet virtually June 26 (via Skype)

ODFW release – SALEM, Ore. – Oregon’s Fish Passage Task Force will meet Friday, June 26 from 9 a.m. to noon virtually (via Skype). Members of the public who are interested in viewing the Skype meeting can access it at https://meet.coho2.dfw.state.or.us/lisa.m.kingsley/3JQ9TLH9. The agenda includes three fish passage waiver requests, a fish passage exemption request, updates on ODFW fish passage program budget and other initiatives. Details on the waivers and exemption requests can be found on the ODFW Fish Passage Program website at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/ Public participation is encouraged and you must pre-register to provide verbal testimony by registering before 9 am Wednesday, June 24, a minimum of 48 hour prior to the Skype meeting. Written comment will be accepted and encouraged. When registering to speak please provide your first and last name, which agenda item you wish to speak to and a valid email address and phone number. Two ways that you can register to speak during the meeting include: 1) send an email the greg.d.apke@state.or.us; the information listed above must be provided in your email, 2) call the Department at 503-931-4361 and provide the information identified above. You do not need to pre-register to provide written comment. The Task Force will be asked to make a recommendation to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on the Bowman Dam waiver request. The public is encouraged to provide written comments for consideration by this task force in forming their recommendation. Comments can be emailed to ted.g.wise@state.or.us until June 22. This waiver request is expected to go before the Commission in September for their consideration. The public will have an additional opportunity to comment through the Commission process. The nine-member Task Force meets regularly to advise ODFW on fish passage policies and issues. Task Force members represent water users and owners-operators, fisheries and conservation interests, and the general public-at-large. The draft meeting agenda and additional information on the Task Force and the ODFW Fish Passage Program is available at https://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/passage/task_force.asp or by contacting Greg Apke, ODFW Fish Passage Program Coordinator, at (503) 947-6228 or greg.d.apke@state.or.us. 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 additional information, contact Greg Apke.