Two Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife advisory groups representing the Salmon and Trout Enhancement program, and the Fish Restoration and Enhancement program will meet the week of March 3 in Salem at the ODFW Headquarters, 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. SE. The Salmon and Trout Enhancement Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday, March 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agenda includes discussion with STEP biologists, review of mini-grant applications, board elections and project updates. The full agenda is available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/STEP/STAC.asp. The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board will meet on Thursday, March 6 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The agenda includes regular program business as well as the review of 16 R and E grant proposals. The full agenda is available at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/RE/board.asp. Both meetings are open to the public and times have been scheduled for public comment. For members of the public who cannot attend the R&E meeting (only) on Thursday, there will be a phone in option for public comment at 1 p.m. To participate, call 866-590-5005 (toll free) and enter participant code 485123. The Oregon Legislature created STEP in 1981 to provide a way for volunteers to participate in the restoration of native stocks of salmon, steelhead and trout. The STEP Advisory Committee makes recommendations to ODFW and the Fish and Wildlife Commission on issues regarding its programs. The Fish Restoration and Enhancement Program was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1989 and 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. 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. For more information on the Salmon Trout Enhancement Program, and the Fish Restoration and Enhancement program visit the ODFW Web site at http://www.dfw.state.or.us/fish/programs.asp or call program staff at (503) 947-6232.
