OAR 635-412-0010: Fish Passage Task Force

(1) The Fish Passage Task Force has nine members who are appointed by the Director. (2) Three members represent interests subject to the obligation to install fish passage at facilities they install, own or operate; three members represent fishing, environmental or conservation interests, and three members represent the general public. (3) Members serve four year terms and are eligible for reappointment. (4) The Task Force shall: (a) Serve as the public advisory committee and advise the Director, Department, and Commission regarding rulemaking to implement the fish passage and exemption requirements consistent with applicable law ; (b) Prioritize projects from the statewide inventory of artificial obstructions for purposes of restoration and enforcement; (c) Recommend to the Director, Department, and Commission appropriate levels of funding and special conditions applicable to projects installing fish passage or alternatives to fish passage resulting in a net benefit to native migratory fish; (d) Select one of its members to serve as chair and one as vice chair; (e) Review and recommend to the Department or Commission, as applicable, which projects should be exempt; (f) Report semiannually to the joint legislative committee created under ORS 171.551, or to the appropriate interim legislative committee with responsibility for salmon restoration or species recovery, advising the committee on matters related to fish passage; (g) After public review and comment, review applications for exemptions of the fish passage requirement, and advise the Commission or Department, as applicable, as to whether an artificial obstruction should be deemed exempt pursuant to ORS 509.585(9); (h) Perform such other duties relating to fish passage as requested by the Director or Commission; (i) The Task Force shall meet at such times and places as may be determined by the chair or by a majority of members. (5) The Department’s Fish Passage Coordinator serves as staff for the Task Force. (6) The chair of the Task Force conducts the meetings of the Task Force, serves as the main contact point between the Department or Commission and the Task Force, and performs other duties as the Task Force sets. The vice chair of the Task Force shall serve as chair if the chair is unavailable to carry out their duties. (7) Task Force members may not receive compensation for services as a member of the Task Force; however, in accordance with ORS 292.495, a member of the Task Force may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary travel or other expenses incurred in the performance of official duties.