The Northwest Power and Conservation Council will conduct a virtual public hearing on draft goals and objectives proposed for its Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, June 15.

The hearing will be conducted by remote participation, rather than in person, in respect of social distancing recommendations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The draft amendment and instructions on how to comment, either via email or during the hearing, are posted on the council’s website.

The geographic scope of the council’s fish and wildlife program is vast, from the Pacific Ocean to the mountains and plains of eastern Washington, northern and northeastern Oregon, most of Idaho, and a portion of western Montana. In North Idaho, the program is implemented by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game and the Kootenai Tribe.

The council periodically reviews and revises the program, most recently in a process that began in May 2018 when the council solicited recommendations from the region’s state and federal fish and wildlife agencies, Indian tribes, and others, as required by the Northwest Power Act of 1980, the federal law that authorized the council and directs its work.

In July 2019 the Council issued a draft 2020 addendum in two parts: the first on program performance, and the second on program implementation.

Based on public comments on the draft, the council decided to proceed with the second part and take more time on the first to allow the council to work with the fish and wildlife agencies and tribes in a focused process to refine and revise goals, objectives, and performance strategies in the program. The Council adopted Part 2 in January and released a draft of Part 1 for public comment in May. Following public comment and any revisions, the council anticipates approving Part 1 in August, completing the amendment process.