Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 496 § 496.440 — Enhancement program to be conducted by commission; objective

Enhancement program to be conducted by commission; objective. A salmon and trout enhancement program shall be conducted by the State Fish and Wildlife Commission to benefit all users of the salmon and trout resources in this state. The program shall be conducted in such manner as to provide the greatest possible opportunity for citizen volunteer participation to achieve the goals of the program. [1981 c.317 §4] (Temporary provisions relating to fish incubation devices) Note: Sections 1 and 2, chapter 286, Oregon Laws 2025, provide: Sec. 1. (1) To assist with assessing the use of fish incubation devices as a method for enhancing or recovering salmon populations, the State Department of Fish and Wildlife shall encourage one or more entities that participate in the salmon and trout enhancement program described in ORS 496.440 to establish, and fund projects under, a fall Chinook salmon incubation nursery program for the rearing of fall Chinook salmon on salmon-bearing or potentially salmon-bearing waterways that are: (a) Located in Coos County; and (b) Within 100 miles of the Pacific Ocean. (2) If one or more entities establish, and fund projects under, a program described in subsection (1) of this section: (a) The department may distribute eggs for use in the program only in a manner that ensures that the entity or entities do not plant a combined total of more than 500,000 eggs in any calendar year; (b) The department shall assist the entity or entities by providing guidance to ensure that the program is scientifically sound and conducted in accordance with department policies; and (c) The entity or entities shall operate the program in accordance with the department’s guidance under paragraph (b) of this subsection. (3) Under a program described in subsection (1) of this section, an entity: (a) May only use fish that originate from Coos County hatcheries to produce fertilized eggs. (b) Shall annually report to the department, on or before a date determined by the department, on the program to describe, at a minimum: (A) The number of eggs deployed in incubation boxes. (B) The source and number of brood stock used. (C) The number and location of fish incubation boxes deployed. (D) The number of adult fish that return from the incubation boxes. (E) Any other data collected in association with the program. (4) This section does not apply to an incubation nursery program in Coos County that is implemented pursuant to a cooperative management agreement between the Coquille Indian Tribe and the State Fish and Wildlife Commission. [2025 c.286 §1] Sec. 2. Section 1 of this 2025 Act is repealed on January 2, 2040. [2025 c.286 §2]