IMPORTANT: Make Your Voice Heard for Oregon’s Rivers & Fish by this Morning!
Dear River Lovers,
Please ask our leaders in Salem to protect our rivers and fish by supporting Senate Bill 247!
SB 247 asks for nominal fee increases in fishing and hunting licenses.
IMPORTANTLY, if SB 247 does not pass, ODFW is slated to cut the Water Program and a number of Assistant District Biologists statewide. These positions are absolutely critical to the protection and restoration of Oregon’s rivers and streams. They are also key to ensuring sustainable water development into the future in the face of drought, climate change, population pressures and endangered species considerations. ODFW staff are involved in virtually every water allocation and reallocation decision in the state.
As long as fish need water, Oregon will need these critical ODFW programs and staff. Without these positions, the water needs of fish and wildlife will no longer be part of many water decisions in Oregon.
SB 247 will be up for a key subcommittee vote tomorrow morning (Wednesday, May 13), so please send your comments to the Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Natural Resources before 8AM tomorrow. Please let them know that you want your comments placed in the OLIS record. (If the link above does not automatically open in your default email program, please use the email address below to create your own email.)
Read the full text of the bill here.
See ODFW’s proposed cut list here.
See ODFW’s proposed fee increases here.
Suggested Message:
Email:
WaysandMeans.NaturalResourcesSub@state.or.us
Dear Joint Ways and Means Committee Members,
Please support SB 247 and the nominal fee increases it contains.
Please do not cut ODFW’s Fish Water Program or assistant district biologists.
As long as fish need water, Oregon will need these critical ODFW programs and staff. ODFW staff are involved in virtually every water allocation and reallocation decision in the state.
These are essential capacities that must be maintained regardless of the budget climate at ODFW and regardless of whether fee increases or increased general fund appropriations occur.
This is simply NOT the time to be divesting of expertise and capacity in water at any level of state government.
Please place my comments in the OLIS record.
Thank you for your consideration.
