Commission agenda: September 12, 2025

Friday, September 12, 2025

Download Sep. 11, 2025 Tour Agenda

Download Sep. 12, 2025 Meeting Agenda

Information about Accessibility and Accommodations

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has moved to hybrid meetings, meaning that you have the option to attend in-person or virtually. Those who would like to provide virtual testimony on an Exhibit scheduled on this agenda must REGISTER no less than 48 hours (Wednesday September 10 at 8:00 AM) in advance to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To provide testimony on an agenda item in-person, registration will also be available at the meeting.

To provide testimony virtually or in-person during PUBLIC FORUM you must contact the Director's office no less than 48 hours (Wednesday September 10 at 8:00 AM) in advance of the meeting for approval.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Director's Report: Field Reports – in written form only

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• September 2025 Field Report

Director's Report: Commission Financial Report

• Ken Loffink, Chief Operating Officer

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Commission Financial Report

Director's Report: Climate & Ocean Change Policy Report

Fire/Invasive Annual Grasses

• Lindsey Somers, Natural Resources Specialist 2
• Dan Somers, Wildlife Manager
• Ryan Torland, Wildlife District Biologist

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Climate Report: Annual Grass Presentation (PDF)

Director's Report: Beaver Action Plan Update

• Adrienne Averett, Implementation Coordinator

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Beaver Action Plan Presentation (PDF)

ADOPT TEMPORARY RULES

Commission Action: Rule Ratification

• Debbie Colbert, Director

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• September 2025 Temp Rule Report

1. 635-06-0510
   Hatchery Chinook Bonus Bag Limit in the Coos River Basin
   Adopted: 8/18/2025 Effective Dates: 8/19/2025 through 12/31/2025
   This amended rule will add an additional salmon to the bag limit in the Coos Basin.
    
2. 635-016-0050
   Closure of Umpqua River Basin to Chinook Salmon Angling
   Adopted: 8/18/2025 Effective Dates: 8/19/2025 through 11/30/2025
   This amended rule closes angling for and retention of all Chinook.
    
3. 635-016-0510
   Hatchery Chinook Bonus Bag Limit in the Coos River Basin
   Adopted: 8/20/2025 Effective Dates: 8/20/2025 through 12/31/2025
   This amended rule will add an additional salmon to the bag limit in the Coos Basin.
    
4. 635-042-0032
   Set Columbia River Non-Treaty Late Fall Commercial Tangle Net Salmon Fishery
   Adopted: 8/22/2025 Effective Dates: 9/16/2025 through 12/31/2025
   This rule authorizes 34 late fall non-treaty commercial tangle net fishing periods in Zones 1-3 of the lower Columbia River.
    
5. 635-016-0500
   Closure of Umpqua River Basin to Salmon Angling and Retention
   Adopted: 8/18/2025 Effective Dates: 8/19/2025 through 11/30/2025
   This amended rule closes angling for and retention of all salmon species in the Mainstem Umpqua, Smith, and North Fork Smith rivers in all waters.
    
6. 635-016-0500
   (Corrected) Closure of Umpqua River Basin to Salmon Angling and Retention
   Adopted: 8/18/2025 Effective Dates: 8/25/2025 through 11/30/2025
   This amended rule closes angling for and retention of all salmon species in the Mainstem Umpqua, Smith, and North Fork Smith rivers in all waters.
    
7. 635-041-0075
   Authorize sales of fish caught in the Columbia River Zone 6 Treaty commercial gillnet fisheries to state-licensed buyers.
   Adopted: M/D/2025 Effective Dates: 9/8/2025 through 12/31/2025
   These amended rules authorize the sales of fish caught in Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fisheries. Open fishing periods are from September 8 through September 13, and September 15 through September 19.
    
8. 635-042-0060
   Set mainstem Columbia River late fall commercial gillnet fishery
   Adopted: 9/5/2025 Effective Dates: 9/7/2025 through 12/31/2025
   This rule authorizes one commercial non-treaty gillnet fishing period in the mainstem Columbia River commercial Zones 4-5 for September 7 through September 8.

COMMISSION UPDATES

No Commission Action: Informational Only

OTHER BUSINESS

 

PUBLIC FORUM

This part of the agenda is for comments of any topic except those related to exhibits involving rulemaking or Commission approval listed elsewhere on this agenda.

Please REGISTER with the ODFW Director's Office before 8:00 AM, Wednesday, September 10 (at least 48 hours prior to the meeting) to be included in the public forum.

EXHIBIT A: COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES

The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from August 15, 2025.

Commission Action: Approval of Minutes

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit A_August 2025 Minutes DRAFT

EXHIBIT B: 2025 GREATER SAGE-GROUSE CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND STRATEGY FOR OREGON

The Commission will be asked to Approve the updated "Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Assessment and Strategy for Oregon" and amend associated rules.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

• Mikal Cline, Upland Game Bird Coordinator
• Skyler Vold, Sage Grouse Conservation Coordinator

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here

Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit B_Cover
• Exhibit B_Attachment 1 Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit B_Atttachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking_Greater Sage Grouse Conserv Assmt and Strategy_Filed 7-24-25
• Exhibit B_Attachment 3_Draft_Greater Sage Grouse Conserv Assmt and Strategy for Oregon
• Exhibit B_Attachment 4_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Exhibit B_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence._9-2-2025
• Exhibit B_Supplemental Public Correspondence 9-9-2025
• Exhibit B Presentation

EXHIBIT C: 2026-27 SPORT FISHING REGULATIONS, OCEAN ENDORSEMENT, AND COQUILLE RIVER HATCHERY FALL CHINOOK

The Commission will be asked to adopt administrative rules to set the 2026-27 Recreational Sport Fishing Regulations, the Ocean Endorsement, and set a season for hatchery Chinook salmon in the Coquille River.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

• Michele Weaver, Acting Recreational Fisheries Manager

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here

Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit C_Cover
• Exhibit C_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit C_Attachment 2a_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking_CORRECTION 2026-27 Recreational Sport Fishing Regulations-Ocean Endorsement_Filed 7.28.25
• Exhibit C_Attachment 2b_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking_2025 Salmon Season and Bag Limit in the Coquille River_Filed 07.26.25
• Exhibit C_Attachment 3a_Draft OARs Sport Fishing Regulations
• Exhibit C_Attachment 3b_Draft OARs Coos-Coquille Regulations
• Exhibit C_Attachment 4_Draft Regulation Changes
• Exhibit C_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit C_Supplemental Public Correspondence 9-9-2025
• Exhibit C Presentation

EXHIBIT D: 2026 BIG GAME SEASONS AND REGULATIONS

The Commission will be asked to adopt administrative rules for 2026 big game and western gray squirrel season dates, open areas, dates and locations of travel management areas, and 2026 Oregon big game season-controlled hunt tag numbers.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

• Dr. Don Whittaker, Ungulate Species Coordinator
• Dr. Sam Fino, Carnivore-Furbearer Coordinator
• Derek Broman, Game Program Manager

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here

Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit D_Cover
• Exhibit D_Attachment 1-Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit D_Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking_2026 Big Game Regulations_Tracked Changes_Filed 7-24-25
• Exhibit D_Attachment 3_2026 Staff Proposals_Big Game Regulations
• Exhibit D_Attachment 4_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules
• Exhibit D_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence_Big Game
• Exhibit D_Supplemental Public Correspondence 9-9-2025
• Exhibit D_Supplemental Public Correspondence 9-12-2025
• Exhibit D Presentation

EXHIBIT E: OREGON CONSERVATION & RECREATION FUND PROJECT FUNDING

The Commission will be asked to approve projects from Spring 2025 Grant solicitation

Commission Action: Approval

• Reva Gilman, Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund Coordinator

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here

Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit E_Cover
• Exhibit E_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit E_Attachment 2_ Projects Selected for Funding_Spr 25
• Exhibit E_Attachment 3_Submitted Projects Overview_Spr 25
• Exhibit E_Attachment 4_Project Scoring Criteria
• Exhibit E_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit E Presentation

EXHIBIT F: ACCESS & HABITAT – PROJECT FUNDING AND BOARD REPRESENTATIVE APPROVAL

The Commission will be asked to Review and approval of the Access & Habitat Board's July 15, 2025, recommendations for project funding; Appointment of a Landowner Representative and a Hunter Representative to the A&H Board.

Commission Action: Approval

• Travis Schultz, Access & Habitat Coordinator

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here

Public Testimony: 48-hour Advance REGISTER required for virtual participation.

Meeting Materials (PDF)

• Exhibit F_Cover
• Exhibit F_Attachment_1_AH_Agenda Item Summary
• Exhibit F_Attachment_2_AH_Project_Summaries
• Exhibit F_Attachment_3_Board Member Terms
• Exhibit F_Attachment_4_AH_Applications
• Exhibit F_Attachment_5_Public Correspondence
• Exhibit F Presentation

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The Commission will meet in executive session to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, and to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed as authorized by ORS 192.660 (2)(f) and (2)(h).

ADJOURN