Commission agenda: September 17 & 18, 2026

Friday, September 18, 2026

The Fish and Wildlife Commission conducts 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 REGISTRATION no less than 48 hours (Wednesday, September 16 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.

Public forum is reserved for comments on topics not already listed elsewhere on the agenda. If you would like to speak during Public Forum - either virtually or in person; you must register in advance. Registration closes September 16 at 8:00 a.m. two days (48 hours) before the meeting. To register please provide your name, the topic you wish to address, and your contact information. After review, the Department will reach out with next steps and additional information.

Download Tour Agenda

Download september 2026 Meeting Agenda

View photos from this meeting

Information about Accessibility and Accommodations

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

FIELD REPORTS – in written form only

Field Report Report (pdf)

COMMISSION FINANCIAL REPORT

Ken Loffink, Chief Operating Officer

FINANCIAL REPORT (pdf)

CLIMATE & OCEAN CHANGE POLICY REPORT

Beaver Action Plan Update
Adrienne Averett, Implementation Coordinator

Presentation_Climate Change Report (pdf)

COMMISSION REVIEW AND PLANNING SESSION

Review of KPM's, survey responses, and set 2027 meeting dates

Shaun Clements, Deputy Director

Sept Directors Report_Commission Review and Planning (pdf)

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 25-26 BIENNIAL PLAN

Sarah Reif, Habitat Division Administrator

Presentation_Executive Order No. 25-26 Biennial Plan (pdf)

ADOPT TEMPORARY RULES

Commission Action: Rule Ratification

Debbie Colbert, Director

TEMPRULES Report (pdf)

1.) 635-024-0090

Wild Adult Chinook Fishery in the Snake River

Adopted: 08/18/2026 Effective Dates: 08/18/2026 through 12/31/2026

This rule reduces the bag limit for wild adult Chinook salmon from up to three per day to one per day as part of a three fish daily bag limit. This change is consistent with actions taken by the State of Idaho and harvest allowances under the currently approved Fisheries Management and Evaluation Plan.
 

2.) 635-004-0275

Federal Actions Implemented for Commercial Groundfish Fisheries

Adopted: 08/21/2026 Effective Dates: 08/21/2026 through 11/06/2026

This amended rule adopts in-season changes previously adopted by the federal government for 2026 Pacific Coast Limited Entry Fixed Gear and Open Access commercial groundfish fisheries, including, but not limited to, catch limit increases for sablefish. Projections indicate this action will not cause any harvest limits to be exceeded.
 

3.) 635-023-0130

Columbia River Recreational Fall-Season Salmon/Steelhead Regulations

Adopted: 08/24/2026 Effective Dates: 08/25/2026 through 12/31/2026

This amended rule modifies the Chinook retention regulations to only allow for the retention of hatchery Chinook in the Bouy 10 recreational salmon fishery.
 

4.) 635-042-0032

Set Columbia River Non-Treaty Late Fall Commercial Tangle Net Salmon Fishery

Adopted: 08/27/2026 Effective Dates: 09/15/2026 through 10/31/2026

This rule authorizes 33 late fall non-treaty commercial tangle net fishing periods in Zones 1-3 of the lower Columbia River.
 

5.) 635-004-0585

Adopt Federal Rule for Commercial Pacific Halibut Fisheries

Adopted: 08/28/2026 Effective Dates: 09/01/2026 through 12/18/2026

The proposed rule amendment regulates the 2026 commercial Pacific halibut fishery by establishing a fifth fishery period along with fishery period vessel limits for Oregon state-water fisheries, ensuring and promoting consistency with federally adopted regulations. Through the first four scheduled fishery periods (June 23-25, July 7-9, July 21-23, and August 18-20), total catches are below initial projections, estimated at 95 metric tons (mt). Of the 118 mt quota allocated to the directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery, 23 mt of quota remain unharvested. Projected catches for the fifth fishing period are expected to remain within the overall season quota.
 

6.) 635-019-0500

Closure of the John Day River Steelhead Fishery

Adopted: 09/01/2026 Effective Dates: 09/01/2026 through 12/31/2026

635-019-0500: This amended rule closes fishing of steelhead in the John Day River from September 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026.
 

7.) 635-041-0075

Authorize Sales for Columbia River Treaty Commercial Fall Gillnet Fishery

Adopted: 09/03/2026 Effective Dates: 09/07/2026 through 12/31/2026

These amended rules authorize the sales of fish caught in the Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fishery. Open fishing periods are from September 7 through September 11, and September 14 through September 18.
 

8.) 635-042-0145

Modify Select Area Fall-Season Commercial Fishery in Youngs Bay

Adopted: 09/03/2026 Effective Dates: 09/04/2026 through 12/31/2026

This rule adjusts open and close dates for the 2026 fall-season Select Area commercial fishery in Youngs Bay. Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Department of Fish and Wildlife on August 24, 2026.
 

9.) 635-042-0060

Set mainstem Columbia River late fall commercial gillnet fishery

Adopted: 09/10/2026 Effective Dates: 09/10/2026 through 12/31/2026

This rule authorizes three commercial non-treaty gillnet fishing periods in the mainstem Columbia River commercial Zones 4-5 for September 10th through September 11th, September 17th through September 18th, and September 20th through September 21^st.
 

10.) 635-042-0060

Modify daily coho bag limit in the Columbia River Buoy 10 recreational salmon fishery

Adopted: 09/11/2026 Effective Dates: 09/12/2026 through 12/31/2026

This amended rule increases the daily adult bag limit for hatchery coho in the Columbia River recreational salmon fishery from the Buoy 10 line at the mouth of the river upstream to the west Puget Island line from September 12 through October 31.
 

11.) 635-067-0000

Amend Rules to Expand 2026 Oregon Hunting Opportunity for Rocky Mountain Goat.

Effective Dates: September 14, 2026 through December 1, 2026

Amend OAR 635-067-0000 to expand season dates for specific Rocky Mountain goat controlled hunts from the opportunity listed in the 2026 Oregon Big Game Hunting Regulations. Oregon Administrative Rules establishing hunt season dates and hunt areas for 2026 Rocky Mountain goat were adopted September 2025. Season dates adopted at that time did not account for access closures from 2026 wildfires.
 

12.) 635-041-0075

Authorize Sales for Columbia River Treaty Commercial Fall Gillnet Fishery

Adopted: 09/15/2026 Effective Dates: 09/16/2026 through 12/31/2026

This amended rule authorizes the sales of fish caught in the Zone 6 treaty commercial gillnet fishery and modifies the Spring Creek NFH sanctuary boundary effective September 16.

Modifications are consistent with actions taken by the Departments of Fish and Wildlife for the States of Oregon and Washington at a Columbia River Compact hearing on September 15, 2026.

COMMISSION UPDATES

No Commission Action: Informational Only

OTHER BUSINESS

 

PUBLIC FORUM

This part of the agenda is reserved for comments on topics not already listed elsewhere on the agenda. If you would like to speak during Public Forum - either virtually or in person; you must register in advance. Registration closes at 8:00 a.m. two days (48 hours) before the meeting.

Tribal Wolf Management

Camille Wright, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Wildlife Biologist

Austin Smith, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Natural Resources General Manager

Supporting Youth Participation: Priority Draw for Ages 12–18 in Non‑Trophy Hunt Units

Jake Seavert, Union County Commission

Deschutes and John Day River Steelhead closures

Mia Sheppard, Little Creek Outfitters

Steelhead shutdown

Phil & Emily Black, Henry's Shuttles LLC

Request that age demographics of hunting and fishing license purchasers be included to the annual Key Performance Measures report

Carlton Stellar Smith

Wolf conservation and conflict reduction

Joseph Vaile, Defenders of Wildlife

Beaver Action Plan revision

Sristi Kamal, Western Env Law Center

EXHIBIT A: MEETING MINUTES

The Commission will be asked to approve draft Commission meeting minutes from August 14, 2026.

Commission Action: Approval of Minutes

Exhibit A_August 2026 Minutes DRAFT (pdf)

EXHIBIT B: 2027 BIG GAME REGULATIONS

The Commission will be asked to approve Big Game tag numbers, seasons, and regulations for 2027.

Commission Action: Rulemaking

Hearing Notice & Staff Summary

Derek Broman, Game Program Manager
Josh Smith, Ungulate Coordinator
Sam Fino, Carnivore-Furbearer Coordinator
Brian Wolfer, Wildlife Division Deputy Administrator

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here; last day and time to offer written comments to the Agency: August 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM.

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

Exhibit B_Cover (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 1-Agenda Item Summary (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 2_Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and FIS_Filed 7-20-26 (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 3_Big Game Staff Summary (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 3 Amendment 1_Big Game Staff Summary (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 4_Draft Oregon Administrative Rules (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 4 Amendment 1_ OARs (pdf)
Exhibit B_Attachment 5_Public Correspondence (pdf)
Exhibit B_Presentation (pdf)

EXHIBIT C: ACCESS & HABITAT PROJECT FUNDING

The Commission will be asked to approve the Access and Habitat Board recommendations for project funding.

Commission Action: Approval

Staff Summary

Travis Schultz, A&H Program Coordinator

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here; last day and time to offer written comments to the Agency: August 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM.

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

Exhibit C_Cover (pdf)
Exhibit C_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary (pdf)
Exhibit C_Attachment 2_ Access Habitat Project Summaries_db (pdf)
Exhibit C_Attachment 3_Public Correspondence (pdf)
Exhibit C_Presentation (pdf)

EXHIBIT D: SALE OF JOHN DAY WATERSHED DISTRICT OFFICE/LAND

The Commission will be asked to approve the sale of the John Day Watershed District Office and associated land to the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.

Commission Action: Approval

Staff Summary

Nick Myatt, East Region Manager

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here; last day and time to offer written comments to the Agency: August 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM.

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

Exhibit D _Cover (pdf)
Exhibit D_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary (pdf)
Exhibit D_Attachment 2_Tax Lot Map (pdf)
Exhibit D_Attachment 3_Public Correspondence (pdf)
Exhibit D_Presentation (pdf)

EXHIBIT E: COQUILLE WILDLIFE AREA ACQUISITION

The Commission will be asked to approve the acquisition of 528 acres of land in Coos County adjacent to the existing Coquille Wildlife Area.

Commission Action: Approval

Staff Summary

Greg Huchko, Umpqua Watershed District Manager

Submit written comments on this agenda item Here; last day and time to offer written comments to the Agency: August 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM.

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

Exhibit E_Cover (pdf)
Exhibit E_Attachment 1_Agenda Item Summary (pdf)
Exhibit E_Attachment 2_Letters of Collaboration (pdf)
Exhibit E_Attachment 3_Public Correspondence (pdf)
Exhibit E_Presentation (pdf)

EXECUTIVE SESSION

An Executive Session will be held pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection, as well as to consult with legal counsel concerning 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)(h). The executive session is closed to the public. Members of the press should contact ODFW's Director's Office for instructions on how to join the session.

ADJOURN