The majority of the changes are housekeeping corrections building on last year’s effort to simplify the regulations. A few more significant changes are:

• The portion of the Lower Deschutes River that borders the Warm Springs Reservation will be open April 22-Dec. 31 (reverting back to regulations in effect prior to 2016).
• Multiple Lower Columbia tributaries will only be open to the harvest of hatchery salmon to protect wild tule fall Chinook. The majority of salmon in these areas are hatchery fish so this change is expected to have minimal impact on fishing opportunities but will provide necessary protections for listed wild fish.
• New regulations and an updated map will more clearly designate the fishing areas in Herman Creek located in the Columbia River Zone

Additionally, the Commission approved funding several Restoration and Enhancement Projects, which enhance fish production or provide more public access to fishing waters. Approved projects included a new youth fishing pond in Camp Sherman, where the Commission directed staff to continue working with the local community to address their concerns. It appointed Rod Moore to the R and E board as the Seafood Processor Representative.

The Commission was also briefed on the work to date of the Joint Interim Task Force On Funding for Fish, Wildlife, and Related Outdoor Recreation and Education and the Wolf Plan Review. ODFW wolf program staff will be back before the Commission Oct. 7 in La Grande to discuss the primary planning issues that will be addressed in an updated Wolf Plan, and again on Dec. 2 in Salem with a draft Plan. Public testimony will be taken at both the October and December meetings. Final plan adoption is not expected to occur until 2017.

Finally, the Commission adopted mule deer and elk management objectives (MOs) as proposed by staff. Many of Oregon’s 67 wildlife management units have a winter population MO (the number of mule deer or elk desired in the unit during the winter) and a buck and bull ratio MO (the ratio of buck mule deer or bull elk observed per 100 females after the hunting season).MOs are not the maximum number of animals a unit can support, but a compromise to maintain deer and elk numbers at levels compatible with primary land uses, limit damage to private property while maximizing recreational benefits (hunting and wildlife viewing).

More details from today’s meeting are available here.

The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state and it usually meets monthly. The next meeting is Sept. 2 in Welches.