The public is invited to attend a series of committee meetings comprised of members of the Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions to discuss next steps in the review of salmon management on the Columbia River.
The Joint-State Columbia River Fishery Policy Review Committee, formed by the two state commissions, is working to find common ground on jointly managed fisheries. The committee, which includes three commissioners from Washington and three from Oregon, has held five meetings so far, and has now scheduled three more.
• Aug. 29 at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) regional office at 5525 S. 11th St. in Ridgefield, Wash.
•Oct. 1 at the main office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. S.E. in Salem, Ore.
•Nov. 18 at WDFW’s regional office at 5525 S. 11th St. in Ridgefield, Wash.
At the Aug. 29 meeting, the Oregon and Washington commissioners will review analysis of a subset of fishery harvest alternatives, continue refinement of remaining alternatives, and discuss ways to improve policy as well as regulatory concurrence between the two states in 2020 and beyond.
“The goal of these meetings is to continue work to improve Columbia River fishery management and have concurrent policies that work for both states,” said Ryan Lothrop, Columbia River policy coordinator with WDFW.
Meeting start times, agendas, and supplementary materials will be posted online at https://wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/joint-policy-review-committee The meetings will also be streamed from the website of the state hosting each meeting, www.wdfw.wa.gov and/or www.dfw.state.or.us/.
Also see:
— CBB, July 10, 2019, OREGON-WASHINGTON CONTINUE POLICY TALKS ON JOINTLY MANAGED COLUMBIA RIVER FISHERY https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/oregon-washington-continue-policy-talks-on-jointly-managed-columbia-river-fishery/
— CBB, March 8, 2019, “Washington Fish/Wildlife Commission Allows Lower Columbia Fall Chinook Gillnet Fishing This Year,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/washington-fish-wildlife-commission-allows-lower-columbia-fall-chinook-gillnet-fishing-this-year/
— CBB, February 1, 2019, “Oregon, Washington Commissions Continue Joint Discussions On Columbia River Salmon Management,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/442079.aspx
— CBB, November 2, 2018, “Evaluation Of Columbia River Harvest Reforms Shows Expected Economic Benefits Have Not Materialized,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/441755.aspx
—CBB, February 17, 2017, “ODFW Reopens Harvest Rules Focused On Phasing Out Mainstem Gillnets Below Bonneville,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/438356.aspx
–CBB, January 27, 2017, “Oregon Harvest Reforms Differ From Washington In How Much Gillnetting Allowed,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/438251.aspx
–CBB, January 19, 2017, “Washington Votes To Move Forward With Columbia River Harvest Changes, Oregon To Consider Similar Plan,” https://www.www.www.cbbulletin.com/438209.aspx