The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has scheduled seven public meetings this fall and winter to discuss and develop a new draft policy for managing salmon fisheries in Willapa Bay.

The policy, along with the previously adopted Columbia River and Grays Harbor policies, will provide regional guidance on hatchery and harvest reform and will align fishery management with conservation and economic objectives.

The public meetings include an open house, three public workshops and three Willapa Bay salmon management advisory group meetings. The advisory committee discussions are open to the public, and those in attendance will have an opportunity to comment at the end of each meeting.

The public meetings are scheduled for:

Nov. 1 – WDFW fishery managers will host a public workshop from 4-7 p.m .; Raymond High School cafeteria, 1016 Commercial St., Raymond.

Nov. 13 – Willapa Bay Advisory Committee, from 6-8 p.m .; public input from 8-9 p.m .; Raymond High School cafeteria, 1016 Commercial St., Raymond.

Nov. 20 – Willapa Bay Advisory Committee, from 6-8 p.m .; public input from 8-9 p.m .; Raymond High School cafeteria, 1016 Commercial St., Raymond.

Dec. 6 – WDFW fishery managers will host a public workshop from 2-5 p.m .; Raymond High School cafeteria, 1016 Commercial St., Raymond.

Jan. 17 – WDFW fishery managers will host a public workshop from 2-5 p.m .; Raymond Elks Lodge, 326 Third St., Raymond.

For more information on meeting times and places, visit the commission’s webpage at http://wdfw.wa.gov/commission/meetings.html .

Throughout the process, WDFW will periodically update its website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/fisheries/willapa_bay_salmon/ with more information on the development of the draft policy.