Thursday, March 28, 2024

COMMISSION TO HOLD MEETINGS ON COASTAL STEELHEAD, SPRING BEAR POLICY, COLUMBIA RIVER BUOY 10 FISHERY

Meetings Nov. 17, 18, 30

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OLYMPIA – The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will hold three meetings later this month to discuss coastal steelhead, spring bear policy, and the Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River, among other topics.

On Nov. 17, the Commission’s Fish Committee will discuss the upcoming coastal steelhead season and possible management options. This meeting will be held via Zoom; public comment will be taken if time allows. For more information and comment opportunities, visit the coastal steelhead webpage at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website.

The next day, Nov. 18, the full Commission will meet in Olympia and via Zoom to discuss development of a spring bear policy. The Commission will also decide on rule making for shoreline armoring, as well as hear briefings and make decisions on petitions to consider rule making for spring bear hunting and black bear timber damage permits. Public comment will not be taken at this meeting, but the public may provide comment ahead of time by visiting the Commission webpage and selecting the subject “Nov. 18, 2022 Meeting” on that page, or by contacting commission@dfw.wa.gov. Comments will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m.

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Nov. 30, the Commission’s Fish Committee will meet in Ridgefield and via Zoom to discuss management of the Columbia River salmon fishery below Bonneville Dam, with a focus on the popular Buoy 10 fishery located near the mouth of the river.

Fish Committee members will be briefed on the 2022 fishery, which included several in-season changes during the fall fishing season. The committee will also hear public comment and discuss possible management measures for future seasons. Members of the public are invited to submit written comments by Nov. 15 to help inform the agenda for this meeting; comments can be submitted by visiting the Commission webpage and selecting the subject “Fishing/Shellfishing” on that page. The meeting will not discuss matters such as commercial and recreational catch allocation, tributary or ocean fishing, or hatchery issues.

All members of the public are invited to share their perspective and participate in WDFW public feedback opportunities regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, veteran status, or basis of disability. 

For agendas and more information on how to attend these meetings in-person or virtually, visit the Commission’s meetings webpage; information will be updated as details are finalized.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for the WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

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