(1) The Department, any citizen, or group of citizens, may propose a project for implementation under STEP. Projects may include but are not limited to:
- (a) Improvements to aquatic habitats to provide resilience for expected future conditions;
- (b) Stocking or acclimation of Department-sponsored fish releases;
- (c) Monitoring or research of fish populations, habitats, and water conditions over time;
- (d) Education and outreach to inform the public about salmon, trout, and their habitats and opportunities to get involved through STEP including educational classroom incubators in which no more than 500 eggs may be incubated as an educational tool (all release locations must be approved by the Department); and
- (e) Propagation projects including harvest hatchery, conservation hatchery, egg incubation, and rearing, acclimation, and release of fish.
- (2) Following consultation with a STEP Biologist, the proposed project application shall be submitted in writing on forms provided by the Department.
- (3) Projects which are initiated and administered by the Department do not need to apply under this section unless the Department is seeking a water right exemption as identified in ORS 537.142 to support a project that will be implemented with the assistance of volunteers.
- (4) The Department may require any additional information it deems necessary in order to evaluate the project proposal.
Statutory/Other Authority
ORS 496.138 & ORS 496.146
Statutes/Other Implemented
ORS 496.450 & ORS 537.142
History
DFW 97-2023, amend filed 09/19/2023, effective 09/19/2023
FWC 64-1988, f. 8-9-88, cert. ef. 8-19-88
FWC 45-1981, f. & ef. 12-21-81