09-09-2009, 11:10 AM
SALEM, Ore. - Today, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a plan that ensures Diamond Lake's future as a family-oriented, fingerling based fishery with standards in place to monitor and preserve the lake's ecosystem. The 2009 Diamond Lake Management Plan also provides for the prevention and control of illegal fish introductions and other invasive species.
Public comments were supportive of the Department's plan and included praise for the restoration of the lake. "Now that we have a management plan in place, we can confidently move forward to provide Oregonians the Diamond Lake they expect - a fishable, swimmable lake," said Steve Denney, Southwest Region Manager.
ODFW introduced the draft plan to the public through a series of meetings in April 2009. The revised plan reflects both public and Commission input. For example, the plan includes more history of the Final Environmental Impact Statement stocking guidelines and defines methods that will be used to balance lake health and fishery objectives.
The Commission approved 15 Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Program projects totaling $556,272. The approved projects ranged from $19,961 to restore the fishery in Phillips Reservoir to a $20,400 to help fund a science teacher for the Fisheries Technology Program at Alsea High School.
The Commission also approved grants for four different Access and Habitat program projects that provide public hunting access or improve wildlife habitat on private land. Of the approved projects, one that would help provide a law enforcement presence on 608,000 acres of private forestland open to hunting in the Klamath Watershed District.
In other business, the Commission approved changes to administrative rules that will update the taxonomy standards, as well as common and scientific names, and adopt changes and clarifications for administrative rules relating to the Sensitive Species List. Taxonomy is the science, process and structure of classifying species.
The meeting ended with the Commissioners hearing a motion for reconsideration of a commercial fishing license suspension case involving Dennis Sturgell. Sturgell, from Astoria, had his commercial fishing license suspended and crab permit revoked based on his conviction of certain fishing-related crimes. Sturgell made a formal request of the Commission for a contested case hearing. The Commission approved Sturgill's request. All suspensions will remain in place pending the hearing.
On Thursday the Commissioners toured the Savage Rapids and Gold Ray dams-both slated for removal from the Rogue River. They also visited the new Robert and Phyllis Mace Memorial Watchable Wildlife Pavilion at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point. Robert Mace is credited for the term "Watchable Wildlife" and dedicated his life to public awareness of the value of habitat and wildlife. The day ended for the commissioners with a visit to the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center in Merlin. There they heard about how the center and ODFW are working together on rehabilitating abandoned and injured wildlife.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director's Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.
Public comments were supportive of the Department's plan and included praise for the restoration of the lake. "Now that we have a management plan in place, we can confidently move forward to provide Oregonians the Diamond Lake they expect - a fishable, swimmable lake," said Steve Denney, Southwest Region Manager.
ODFW introduced the draft plan to the public through a series of meetings in April 2009. The revised plan reflects both public and Commission input. For example, the plan includes more history of the Final Environmental Impact Statement stocking guidelines and defines methods that will be used to balance lake health and fishery objectives.
The Commission approved 15 Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Program projects totaling $556,272. The approved projects ranged from $19,961 to restore the fishery in Phillips Reservoir to a $20,400 to help fund a science teacher for the Fisheries Technology Program at Alsea High School.
The Commission also approved grants for four different Access and Habitat program projects that provide public hunting access or improve wildlife habitat on private land. Of the approved projects, one that would help provide a law enforcement presence on 608,000 acres of private forestland open to hunting in the Klamath Watershed District.
In other business, the Commission approved changes to administrative rules that will update the taxonomy standards, as well as common and scientific names, and adopt changes and clarifications for administrative rules relating to the Sensitive Species List. Taxonomy is the science, process and structure of classifying species.
The meeting ended with the Commissioners hearing a motion for reconsideration of a commercial fishing license suspension case involving Dennis Sturgell. Sturgell, from Astoria, had his commercial fishing license suspended and crab permit revoked based on his conviction of certain fishing-related crimes. Sturgell made a formal request of the Commission for a contested case hearing. The Commission approved Sturgill's request. All suspensions will remain in place pending the hearing.
On Thursday the Commissioners toured the Savage Rapids and Gold Ray dams-both slated for removal from the Rogue River. They also visited the new Robert and Phyllis Mace Memorial Watchable Wildlife Pavilion at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Central Point. Robert Mace is credited for the term "Watchable Wildlife" and dedicated his life to public awareness of the value of habitat and wildlife. The day ended for the commissioners with a visit to the Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center in Merlin. There they heard about how the center and ODFW are working together on rehabilitating abandoned and injured wildlife.
The Commission is the policy-making body for fish and wildlife issues in the state. The seven-member panel meets monthly. Agenda item exhibits may be requested by calling the ODFW Director's Office at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6044.