Do you have experience with fish screens or interested in protecting fish from irrigation points of diversion? The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking applicants to serve on the seven-member ODFW Fish Screening Task Force. The volunteer Task Force is appointed by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission and advises ODFW on program development, implementation, monitoring, technology, funding, and reporting. Task Force members serve two-year terms and may be reappointed to serve for up to six years. The deadline to apply is August 31, 2025.
Agricultural representation on the Task Force is important, especially over the coming year. According to the ODFW announcement:
Additionally, over the next year the Fish Screening Task Force will participate in a statewide prioritization of unscreened water diversions. There are over 55,000 surface water diversions in Oregon; many are authorized to operate without a fish screen. Water from these diversions is used for various purposes, including irrigation, livestock, commercial or domestic uses, and fire suppression. The impact of unscreened diversions, particularly on young salmon and steelhead migrating downstream can be significant. Given that few of these water rights are required to have fish screening, voluntary cooperation from water users is critical to protecting native fish at these diversions. Prioritizing helps ensure that limited resources are maximized.
To view the ODFW press release, click here.
To apply, click here.
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