Appendix VI – Stakeholder Process Report OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE Proceedings Report of the Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (RSP) Stakeholder Teams: February – August 2020 pre-COVID-19 post-COVID-19 December 23, 2020 Appendix VI (Stakeholder Process Report) This is a pre-decisional document intended to summarize the RSP Stakeholder process. Concepts described do not represent final RSP content or management direction. Table of Contents with links to sections I. Background ................................................................................................................................................ 3 II. Purpose ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 III. Members .................................................................................................................................................. 3 IV. Process ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 V. Outcome Highlights .................................................................................................................................. 5 Other Species ................................................................................................................................... 6 Hatcheries ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Fishing .............................................................................................................................................. 7 Desired and Conservation Status ..................................................................................................... 9 Research and Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 10 Outreach/Enforcement .................................................................................................................. 10 Facilities ......................................................................................................................................... 10 VI. Next Steps .............................................................................................................................................. 10 VII. Summary .............................................................................................................................................. 11 Attachments ................................................................................................................................................ 12 A1. Member List A2. Charter A3. Meeting Minutes February 26 & 27, 2020 April 29 & 30, 2020 June 3 & 4, 2020 June 24 & 25, 2020 July 22 & 23, 2020 August 26 & 27, 2020 A4. Outcomes 2 Appendix VI (Stakeholder Process Report) This is a pre-decisional document intended to summarize the RSP Stakeholder process. Concepts described do not represent final RSP content or management direction. I. Background Pursuant to the agency’s mission (to protect and enhance Oregon fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations) and the Native Fish Conservation Policy (NFCP; OAR 635-007-0502 through 0509), the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is developing a Rogue-South Coast Multi-Species Conservation and Management Plan (RSP). Once approved by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission (OFWC), this plan will guide ODFW conservation and management actions for coho salmon, summer steelhead, winter steelhead, and coastal cutthroat trout in Oregon’s coastal basins from the Elk River to the Winchuck River, including the Rogue River. II. Purpose Stakeholder Teams were formed to assist and advise ODFW with the development of key fishing-related aspects of the RSP. The primary purpose for Stakeholders was to advise ODFW and provide recommendations for management strategies and actions within the following overarching management categories: fishing, hatcheries, other species1, facilities2, outreach, and associated research and monitoring. Advice and recommendations to ODFW was sought within the context of the agency’s mission and NFCP goals, with consideration of strategies and actions being made relative to their risk to wild populations and effect on fishing opportunity. Stakeholders also had the opportunity to advise ODFW on strategies and actions associated with the habitat management category in a separate process with additional interest groups3. III. Members Stakeholder representatives were solicited by ODFW to represent a broad and balanced range of fishing interests, including sport fishers, guides, the sport fishing industry, non-governmental conservation organizations, watershed councils, federal land managers, and local governments. Stakeholders were also solicited to represent two geographic sub-sections of the plan: the South Coast Stratum (covering coastal basins, including the lower Rogue River) and the Rogue Stratum (covering the Illinois, Middle Rogue, Applegate, and Upper Rogue rivers). Stakeholders were self-selected by the entities contacted by ODFW for participation. If there was no single representative entity for particular interests, individuals were contacted directly (e.g., guides, recreational fishing, public-at-large). Stakeholders for both teams are listed in Attachment A1. IV. Process Stakeholders were convened in a series of meetings from February through August 2020. Meetings for each Stratum Team were paired, with the South Coast Team generally meeting the day before the Rogue Team. Meetings were originally scheduled to occur through April, with approximately 3-4 full-day 1 The “Other Species” category addresses non-plan, non-human species that directly affect the plan species (e.g., predators, competitors, pathogens). 2 The “Facilities” category addresses built infrastructure needs associated with conservation or fishing (e.g., boat ramps, hatchery components). 3 This separate process is not addressed in this report. 3 Appendix VI (Stakeholder Process Report) This is a pre-decisional document intended to summarize the RSP Stakeholder process. Concepts described do not represent final RSP content or management direction. meetings per team. However, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic occurred after the first in-person meeting and necessitated a change in schedule and format. Meetings were interrupted for approximately one month, shifted to a virtual rather than in-person format, shortened in length, and increased in number. Although the virtual meetings were likely less productive and conducive to the work, the Stakeholders remained committed to the process and continued their work under unprecedented circumstances. Before the first meeting, Stakeholders were asked to complete an on-line angler survey that had also been completed by randomly selected anglers in or near the planning area. This survey was used to gauge Stakeholder positions and general differences with other anglers4. A Stakeholder charter5 was developed by ODFW and presented to Stakeholders at their first meeting (Attachment A2). The objective for Stakeholders, as indicated in the charter, was to reach consensus6 on management strategies and actions (and desired and conservation metric thresholds); the process was not based on a count of votes. Respectful, collaborative, and solution-based discussion was encouraged to reach consensus, and Stakeholder proceedings progressed in this manner; many difficult issues on which Stakeholders had strong and differing interests were discussed in a positive manner. Across meetings, topics generally progressed from background information to inform management strategies and actions (i.e., current status, climate change considerations, and limiting factors) to explanation of ODFW-proposed management strategies and actions to in-depth discussion about proposed and alternative management strategies and actions. Within meetings, Stakeholders had opportunities for general comments and questions outside of specific agenda topics. Management strategies and actions were organized and discussed within the management categories. ODFW drafted proposed management strategies and actions for Stakeholder discussion and provided these to Stakeholders in a packet before each meeting. Additional or alternative management strategies and actions were also discussed during meetings. Public comment was anticipated to be an agenda item at in-person, deliberative Stakeholder meetings, but was not included once meetings were moved to a virtual platform; an alternate method to receive public comments was provided via a general e-mail address ([email protected]) that was included in news releases. A Note about Climate Change. Potential climate change impacts were generally discussed with Stakeholders at their first meeting. Actions to address climate change in all management categories will be an important part of the RSP. Many of the strategies and actions for the management categories discussed with Stakeholders will address climate change, but this connection was not made clear and some Stakeholders felt climate change was not addressed adequately in their meetings. Linkages with climate change are intended to be more clear when 4 Summaries of results for the general survey and the Stakeholder survey were presented to Stakeholders