OAR 635-500-0015: Steelhead Habitat Protection Policy

The Department recognizes that attrition and degradation of habitat is a serious threat to maintenance of healthy and diversified populations of steelhead. Implementation of state and federal laws for conservation of fish habitat, including those contained in the Wildlife and Commercial Fishing Codes, is essential to sustaining a strong habitat base. Therefore, consistent with OAR 635-007-0515(6), the Department will maintain or enhance the total total capacity of habitats supporting steelhead trout in Oregon by cooperating fully with other agencies to implement laws and develop coordinated resource management programs. The Department will also work with private organizations and individuals to achieve, where possible, mutually satisfactory solutions to conflicts between the objectives of other parties and this policy.