New ODFW Wildlife Area Stakeholder Committee to meet in Charleston on Jan. 7

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host a meeting of the Coquille Valley Wildlife Area Stakeholders Committee on Jan. 7, 2014 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Charleston RV Park Recreation Room, 63402 Kingfisher Rd, Charleston. The Committee, which is made up of twelve people representing neighboring landowners, drainage districts and agriculture, hunting, fishing and other conservation groups, will assist ODFW in creating a management plan for the new Wildlife Area. ODFW recently acquired land in the Coquille Valley along the Coquille River in Coos County. ODFW and other partners plan to restore the area to benefit threatened coho salmon and other fish species and to provide nesting and feeding areas for a wide range of wildlife. An important element of the restoration plan is to provide public access to the land for wildlife-related recreation, including wildlife viewing, fishing and hunting. The meeting is open to members of the public who would like to listen to the discussion.