Anyone who wants to provide comments to help shape the 2008-2009 fish rules may attend one of three upcoming open house meetings in the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Southwest Region.
These open houses are the first of several rounds of meetings that will culminate in the Idaho Fish and Game Commission adopting fishing rules this fall.
Open houses are scheduled in:
- Boise: From 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 24 in the trophy room at Fish and Game headquarters, 600 S. Walnut.
- Weiser: From 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday May 30 at the Weiser High School Library, 690 W. Indianhead Road.
- McCall: From noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday May 30 at the Fish and Game office, 555 Deinhard Drive.
The focus of these meetings will be southwestern Idaho, but comments on any fisheries program in the state are welcome.
"This round of meetings is designed for folks to come to us with ideas and opinions," Fish and Game southwest region fisheries manager Jeff Dillon said. "We have no proposals at this stage; these scoping meetings help keep us aware of the issues out there so we can see where rules changes might be needed or desired by the public."
Using public comments and suggestions from its own staff and from other agencies, Fish and Game will develop a list of proposed fish rule changes. A second round of public meetings this summer will allow the public to comment on specific fishing rule proposals.
Proposed 2008-2009 fishing rules would be presented to the commission during its November meeting in Sandpoint.
Persons unable to attend an open house may provide comments by contacting Jeff Dillon at Fish and Game's Nampa office at 208-465-8465; or Dale Allen at the McCall office at 208-634-8137.
Individuals with disabilities may request meeting accommodations by contacting the Idaho Department of Fish and Game at 208-324-4359; Cece Swanson in the Nampa office 208-465-8465; Judy Wallace at the McCall office at 208-634-8137; or through the Idaho Relay Service at 1-800-377-3529 (TDD).
