Commission meets March 19-20 in Medford

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission meets March 19-20 in Medford for a field tour on Thursday and a regular meeting on Friday.

The Friday meeting agenda and livestream are available from the Commission page.

To virtually testify on an agenda item, register here at least 48 hours in advance (by Wednesday, March 18 at 8 a.m.) to receive a testimony link to the meeting. To testify in person on an agenda item, registration is available at the meeting. To provide testimony virtually during the public forum, contact the Director's office no less than 48 hours in advance of the meeting for approval.

Thursday's tour begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Hampton Inn, 1122 Morrow Rd., Medford. Members of the public may join the tour but must provide their own transportation and lunch. See the tour agenda here.

The Friday Commission meeting begins at 8 a.m. at the Roxy Ann Grange, 1850 Spring St., Medford. The Commission will consider:

Minam Management Plan: Adopting rules for the Minam Wildlife Area Management Plan. The Minam is ODFW's newest wildlife area located on the northern edge of the Wallowa Mountains between La Grande and Enterprise. It has exceptional wildlife habitat values including winter range for Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer.

Grass carp permit exception: An exception to the land ownership requirements in the grass carp stocking rules. The exception would allow the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to stock sterile grass carp in a sewage lagoon at Beverly Beach State Park to control aquatic vegetation. Commission approval would allow ODFW to issue a permit to OPRD, subject to all remaining requirements in the rules.

Denman Wildlife Area acquisition: Approving purchase of 5.67 acres of railroad property to include it as part of the Denman Wildlife Area in Jackson County.

Access & Habitat project funding: Approving the Access and Habitat Board's recommendations for project funding to improve wildlife habitat and/or enhance public hunting access on private land in the state. 

Fish Screening Task Force appointments: Approving two new members to the Fish Screening Task Force. The task force offers guidance to ODFW on policy, technology, and funding for protecting fish at water diversions and includes representatives from agriculture, fishing or conservation, and the public-at-large.

The Commission will also receive an informational update on the implementation of the 2005 Miller Lake Lamprey Conservation Plan and the 2019 statewide Conservation Plan for Lampreys.

A technical management team for Miller Lake lamprey was initiated 21 years ago with individuals from federal agencies, Klamath Tribes, and Oregon State University. Through the team's collaborative efforts, many management actions – including reestablishing connectivity between Miller Creek and Miller Lake – have been accomplished. The statewide plan covers Pacific, western river, western brook, and Pacific brook lamprey species. Significant plan progress has been made by ODFW and partners in several areas including fish passage and screening needs for lamprey. 

ODFW provides reasonable accommodation upon request, including assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, and materials in large print or audiotape. To request accommodation, please contact the Director's Office at (503) 947-6044 (voice) or (503) 947-6042 (fax) at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.