Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board meets in Bend, Sept. 6

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board will meet Sept. 5-6 in Bend. The board meeting is scheduled beginning at 8 a.m. on Sept. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 425 SW Bluff Drive, Bend. The agenda includes review of three project proposals, board planning for the 2019 program renewal and a tour of Metolius Youth Pond, Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery and local irrigation projects. The meeting is open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for public comment.  On Thursday, Sept. 5 starting at 8:00 a.m., the board will tour Big Lava, Crane Prairie, Wickiup Reservoir, North/South Twin Lakes and Fall River Hatchery. 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 STEP Program staff at (503) 947-6211.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. Created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989, the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program 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. For more information on the Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program, or to view information regarding current R&E Program applications, visit www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/RE or contact program coordinator Kevin Herkamp at (503) 947-6232.