The legislative task force on Funding for Fish, Wildlife and Related Outdoor Recreation and Education will hold a meeting at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m., in Room HR 50. The task force will continue to refine its recommendations to the legislature. Task force member will also share results of outreach actions taken and plan for additional outreach with legislators and stakeholder groups. The task force was created by House Bill 2402 which was passed by the 2015 Oregon Legislature and signed by Governor Kate Brown. It is charged with developing recommendations to strengthen the State’s ability to conserve natural resources and connect the diversity of Oregonians to nature through outdoor recreation and education opportunities. The task force’s work is directly related to current and future potential conservation, outdoor recreation and education programs and partnerships advanced through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. This includes opportunities linked to hunters and anglers as well as the non-hunting / non-angling members of the public whose values and pursuits are connected to healthy wildlife, habitat, and natural places. The legislature has directed the task force to develop recommendations, including for legislation, that: Identify potential alternative, sustainable funding sources for the above programs and partnerships; Consider potential adjustments that ensure ODFW programs are equitably funded, with future hunting and angling fee increases or alternative revenue sources being developed and implemented in a manner that connects program services with revenue tied to beneficiaries of those programs; Advance opportunities to leverage funds from existing and alternative sources to better achieve ODFW’s public mission. The recommendations will be provided to the legislature for possible consideration during the 2017 legislative session. Governor Brown appointed 17 task force members that includes representatives of the outdoor recreation business community; conservation, hunting and fishing interests; outdoor recreation interests other than hunting and fishing; travel and tourism industry; counties government; outdoor education community; sport and commercial fishing industry; and diverse communities that may be underserved or underrepresented by the State’s current programs. Task force members also include four non-voting members of the Oregon Legislature as well as the Chair of the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and the ODFW Director. A list of task force members, meeting agendas and materials can be found on the Oregon Legislative Information System. The meeting will be streamed on the legislative website.
