Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s Salmon Workgroup, formed to help shape the state’s salmon recovery policies, will hold its first meeting June 28 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Idaho Room at the Idaho State Museum in Boise.
The meeting is open to the public, an Little is scheduled to address the group at 8:30 a.m.
Little directed his Office of Species Conservation (OSC) in April to assemble a workgroup dedicated to addressing salmon issues.
The workgroup brings together diverse stakeholders to collaboratively develop a unified policy recommendation to assist Little as he shapes Idaho’s policy on salmon recovery.
“Idaho has shown time after time we are a leader in collaborative conservation efforts in the Northwest,” Little said. “I sincerely look forward to receiving the policy recommendations from my Salmon Workgroup. Together we will develop effective salmon and steelhead policy for Idaho to ensure that abundant and sustainable populations of salmon and steelhead exist for present and future generations to enjoy.”
The agenda and call-in number for out-of-town residents to participate, along with additional information about the workgroup, is available on the OSC web site here: https://species.idaho.gov/governors-salmon-workgroup/
The workgroup will host several meetings throughout Idaho to provide opportunities to share perspectives on salmon policy in Idaho. The meetings will be announced in the coming weeks.
A press release from the governor’s office said the workgroup “brings together leaders in our communities to develop Idaho-based, innovative approaches to Idaho salmon and steelhead policy. Workgroup members include representatives from industry, conservation, sportsmen, state and local leaders, and various other stakeholders.”
Members include:
Paul Arrington – Idaho Water Users Association
Merrill Beyeler – Former State Representative/Rancher
John Simpson – Barker Rosholt & Simpson LLP
Brett Dumas – Idaho Power
David Doeringsfeld – Port of Lewiston
Will Hart – Idaho Consumer Owner Utilities Association
Jim Yost – Northwest Power and Conservation Council
Scott Hauser – Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation
Ladd Edmo – Shoshone-Bannock Tribes
Joe Oatman – Nez Perce Tribe
Kira Finkler – Trout Unlimited
Justin Hayes – Idaho Conservation League
Mark Menlove – The Nature Conservancy
Brian Brooks – Idaho Wildlife Federation
Stacey Satterlee – Idaho Grain Producers
Senator Dan Johnson – Pro-Tem designee, Idaho State Senate
Representative Fred Wood – Speaker designee, Idaho House of Representatives
Richard Scully – Sportsman
Aaron Lieberman – Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association
Roy Akins – Idaho River Community Alliance
Scott Pugrud – OSC Administrator