Commission adopts new rules for wildlife rehabilitators, Dec. 7

The Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted new rules for wildlife rehabilitators Friday, Dec. 4, at its meeting in Portland. The new rules provide species-specific guidance for reporting, handling and rehabilitating common mammals like black bears, deer and elk. They also add language to make state rules consistent with federal guidelines for federally-listed or endangered species and prohibit certain types of wildlife from importation into Oregon for rehabilitation. Oregon has about 35 licensed rehabilitators who help care for and eventually return sick, injured or orphaned wildlife to the wild. In other business, the Commission: Adopted administrative rules for HB 3315, which requires ODFW to track and prepare reports that show the number of hours spent providing services to other state agencies as these agencies implement their own fee-funded programs. Amended Division 435 rules for wildlife control operators, private businesses that respond to wildlife damage and wildlife-human conflicts. The new rules require all employees doing wildlife control activities to pass a WCO test, charge a fee of $25 for the test and a $60 biannual permit fee, extend permit validation period from one to two years, and reduce live-trap check times from 72 to 48 hours. Approved funding for 10 project proposals and one modified project recommended by the Restoration and Enhancement Board. Projects include replacing the Thief Valley Reservoir Boat Ramp, which has been damaged by ice, with a more weather-resistant boat ramp. All projects are designed to restore or enhance fisheries in Oregon. The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state and it usually meets monthly. Its next meetings are Jan. 15 in Salem and Feb. 12 in Tigard.