The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will host meetings in North Bend and Gold Beach this week, part of a series of town hall meetings around the state in April to gain public input on the agency’ s budget proposal for the 2009-2011 biennium.

The budget proposal being developed by the agency and a citizen budget advisory committee includes options for fee increases and program investments that would take effect in 2010. Revenue from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and tags supports approximately one-third of the agency’ s budget.  Fees were last increased in January 2004.  

“ODFW faces several budgetary challenges over the next several years.  It is important that we maintain the level of services we provide to hunters, anglers, wildlife viewers, and the public,” said ODFW Director Roy Elicker. “We encourage people to attend these meetings; they are a great opportunity for people to engage in dialogue about our budget processes and share their opinions about potential fee increases.”

On the South Coast, the meetings are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the North Bend Public Library, 1800 Sherman Ave.; and on Thursday at the Gold Beach City Council Chambers, 29592 Ellensburg Ave.

At each town hall meeting, agency staff will gather public comments, which will be used to help refine the budget before it is presented to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission in June 2008. Once a proposed budget is approved by the commission, it will be submitted to the governor for his consideration. The department’s budget will ultimately be determined by the 2009 Legislature.

 Written comments on the proposed budget are welcome within two weeks following each public meeting and should be sent to ODFW Director’ s Office, 3406 Cherry Ave. NE, Salem OR 97303. Comments can also be emailed to ODFW.Comments@state.or.us. Public comments will also be heard at the commission meeting on June 6 in Salem.