OAR 635-412-0001: Purpose of the Fish Passage Policy

(1) The purpose of these rules is to further clarify and implement the State’s fish passage statutes (ORS 509.580 through 509.910) and the Department’s Climate and Ocean Change Policy (OAR 635–900–0001 through 635-900-0020) through the application of consistent standards. (2) It is the policy of the State of Oregon to provide for upstream and downstream passage of native migratory fish at artificial obstructions. (3) Changes in Oregon’s future climate make fish passage even more critical, and a lack of fish passage within watersheds may threaten the existence of some native migratory fish species. (4) It is therefore the intent of these rules to promote fish passage while recognizing cooperation and collaboration between public and private entities are necessary to accomplish the policy goal of providing fish passage for native migratory fish and to achieve the enhancement and restoration of Oregon’s native migratory fish populations, as envisioned by the Oregon Plan (ORS 541.898).