State fish managers to discuss Columbia salmon, invite pulbic

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 the next steps in the review of salmon management on the Columbia River.

Aug. 29 at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) regional office at 5525 S. 11th St. in Ridgefield.

Oct. 1 at the main office of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 4034 Fairview Industrial Dr. S.E. in Salem.

Nov. 18 at WDFW’s regional office at 5525 S. 11th St. in Ridgefield.

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, and has now scheduled three more.

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.

Meeting start times, agendas and supplementary materials will be posted online at wdfw.wa.gov/about/commission/joint-policy-review-committee. The meetings will also be streamed from the website of the state hosting each meeting, wdfw.wa.gov and/or www.dfw.state.or.us/.