Draft Rogue-South Coast fish conservation plan available for public comment, July 1

ODFW release – ROSEBURG, Ore – ODFW’s draft Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (RSP) is now available for public review and comment. To view the draft RSP, go to the ODFW website.  The draft RSP covers winter and summer steelhead, coho salmon, and cutthroat trout in southwest Oregon’s coastal watersheds from Elk River south to the Winchuck River, including the Rogue River. Management actions are proposed to achieve long-term sustainability for these populations and provide ecological, economic, and cultural benefits for present and future generations. Actions to protect and restore habitat for plan species are central to achieving these goals and reducing risk from climate and ocean change. The plan also proposes changes in fishing regulations and hatchery management to minimize risk to wild fish populations and to maintain and improve fishing opportunities. ODFW has been developing the plan for several years with input from stakeholder teams, tribes, NOAA Fisheries, and a Habitat Work Group. Stakeholder team members represented conservation and angling groups, watershed councils, fishing guides, recreational anglers, and government entities. The public is invited to attend one of three meetings get more information about the draft plan: Gold Beach: July 19, 6-8 p.m., Event Center on the Beach, 29392 Ellensburg Ave.; Grants Pass: July 20, 6-8 p.m., Tom Pearce Park Shelter 1, 3700 Pearce Park Rd.; Virtual: July 21, 3-5 p.m., Zoom Meeting Link Dial-in: 969-254-5252. Written comments will be taken at the public meetings. Comments can also be emailed to ODFW.RSP.Comments@ODFW.oregon.gov or mailed to ODFW, Attention: RSP Comments, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem OR 97302 through August 1, 2021. The RSP will be updated as needed based on public comment and then presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission for review at its Oct. 15, 2021 meeting. Adoption of the conservation plan is currently scheduled for the Dec. 17, 2021 Commission meeting.