SALEM, Ore. - Oregon's Fish Passage Task Force meets Thursday and Friday, May 19-20 in the North Umpqua River Basin.

On May 19, the task force will visit multiple sites in the field. The May 20 meeting is open to the public and will be held at the PacifiCorp North Umpqua Toketee Control Facility, 7200 Toketee School Road. The meeting begins at 8:00am and is expected to conclude by approximately 1:15 pm. Members of the public who are interested in viewing and participating in the meeting can virtually access it at Click here to join the meeting virtually.

The agenda includes numerous Fish Passage Program updates which include Task Force Member Elections and Updates, Drought Funds, Environmental Restoration Weir Program, ODFW Fish Passage Rule Revision Initiative Update, Previously Issued Exemption Reviews, and an update on a Winchester Dam Maintenance Project proposal.

Public participation is encouraged, and you must pre-register to provide verbal testimony by registering before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday May 17, a minimum of 48 hour prior to the meeting. Public comments will be heard at 12:30 p.m. during the meeting. Written comments will be accepted and are encouraged.  
 
When registering to speak, please provide your first and last name, which agenda item you wish to speak to, and a valid email address and phone number. Two ways to register to speak during the meeting include: 1) send an email to [email protected]; the information listed above must be provided in your email, 2) call ODFW at 503-931-4361 and provide the information identified above. You do not need to pre-register to provide written comment. 
 
The nine-member Task Force meets regularly to advise ODFW and the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on fish passage policies and issues. Task Force members represent water users and owners-operators, fisheries and conservation interests, and the general public-at-large. The draft meeting agenda and additional information on the Task Force and the ODFW Fish Passage Program is available on the ODFW fish passage websiteor by contacting Greg Apke, ODFW Fish Passage Program Coordinator, at 503- 947-6228 or [email protected].

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations may call the Information and Education Division at 800-720-6339 or 503-947-6002 at least 48-hours in advance of the meeting. For additional information, contact Greg Apke.