HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STREAM RESTORATION

& SPECIES RECOVERY

April 06, 2001 Pendleton City Hall

4:00 P.M. Tapes 85 - 86

MEMBERS PRESENT: Rep. Bob Jenson, Chair

Rep. Randy Leonard Vice-Chair

Rep. Al King

Rep. Kelley Wirth

MEMBER EXCUSED: Rep. Jan Lee, Vice-Chair

Rep. Tim Knopp

Rep. Jeff Kruse

Rep. Patti Smith

Rep. Carolyn Tomei

STAFF PRESENT: Sandy Thiele-Cirka, Committee Administrator

Linda K. Gatto, Committee Assistant

MEASURES HEARD:

PUBLIC HEARING

HB 2341

SB 49A

HB 3809

These minutes are in compliance with Senate and House Rules. Only text enclosed in quotation marks reports a speaker’s exact words. For complete contents, please refer to the tapes.

TAPE/#	Speaker	Comments
TAPE 85, A
006	Chair Jenson	Calls the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and opens the public hearing on HB 2341.
HB 2341 – PUBLIC HEARING
015	Sandy Thiele-Cirka	Administrator. Summarizes HB 2341 and the –1 amendment dated 3/29/01 (EXHBIT A).
025	Henry Lorenzon	Commissioner, Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission (OFWC). Provides professional background. States that five of the six commissioners oppose HB 2341. Testifies in favor of HB 2341. Comments it is his belief that the appointment made by the governor would strengthen the communication ties.
093	Rep. Leonard	Questions what the position of the other commission members is.
097	Lorenzon	Responds that basically the other members are satisfied with the current selection process.
117	Chair Jenson	Comments that the perception of the legislature has been that the communication between the governor’s office and ODFW has been inadequate.
130	Lorenzon	Responds that there has been significant improvement recently.
170	Chair Jenson	Closes the public hearing on HB 2341 and opens the public hearing on SB 49-A.
SB 49 A – PUBLIC HEARING
190	Lorenzon	Testifies in opposition to SB 49 A. States he believes that Oregon’s board of commission system has had a positive influence on openness in government and lack of corruption.
220	Rep. King	Comments on the role of ODFW director and notes that it has expanded beyond the tools available.
251	Lorenzon	Responds that the director is charged with enforcing laws that are opposed by those constituents directly affected and unopposed by the constituents that are not.
260	Rep. Leonard	Asks about accountability when the appointment is made by the commission.
308	Lorenzon	Responds there may be difficulties filling the position with qualified candidates that are not political appointees.
354	Rep. Wirth	States upon receiving 23 e-mails on this bill, all in opposition, observes three main points: · ODFW appointment is too important to be determined by one person; · Pitting of politics among groups; · Senate confirmation.
400	Lorenzon	Responds the members of the commission are well meaning. Discusses that as a commission the methodology is open to public input.
TAPE 86, A
009	Chair Jenson	Questions if the current system allows for too much authority when compared to appointments for the Department of Human Resources or the Department of Corrections.
026	Lorenzon	Responds that it has to do with the perception of the agency.
056	Karl Jenson	Cattle producer and landowner. Testifies in opposition to SB 49-A and states that if the governor has sole authority, industry people may not have the access to address issues that are important to them.
092	Chair Jenson	Inquires if the appointment of the director for the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) would be better served if appointed by the commission.
102	Jenson	Responds affirmatively, states that access is limited. States the bottom line is he would rather communicate with the ODA instead of the EPA.
140	T.J. Hansell	Representing 12-H Inc. Reads prepared testimony in opposition to SB 49 A, (EXHIBIT B).
186	Chair Jenson	Closes the public hearing on SB 49 A, and the committee stands at ease for four minutes. Opens the public hearing on HB 3809.
HB 3809 – PUBLIC HEARING
211	Thiele-Cirka	Summarizes HB 3809.
196	Daren Coppock	Executive Vice President, of the Oregon Wheat League. Reads prepared testimony in support of HB 3809, (EXHIBIT C).
315	Chair Jenson	Closes the public hearing HB 3809 and re-opens the public hearing on HB 2341.
HB 2341 – PUBLIC HEARING
330	Hansell	Reads prepared testimony, (EXHIBIT D).
355	Chair Jenson	Closes the public hearing on HB 2341 and re-opens the public hearing on HB 3809.
HB 3809 – PUBLIC HEARING
360	Rep. Leonard	Relates his understanding is that through the process of natural selection the stock is stronger, but the hatchery fish have avoided these natural conditions.
400	Coppock	Responds there is also the question of whether there are any pure wild fish.
TAPE 85, B
030	Rep. Wirth	Comments that the Umatilla hatchery can not be duplicated at all hatcheries because Umatilla started with different circumstances and their goals are different.
060	Coppock	Responds the model and philosophy of the Umatilla hatchery is duplicable.
100	Gary James	Fish Biologist, Representing the Umatilla Tribes. Testifies in support of the principal behind HB 3809. States concern about destroying surplus fish.
134	James	Continues explanation of hatchery programs as a component to recovery. Explains the philosophy of the Umatilla hatchery program.
212	James	Testifies in opposition to a separate genetic science panel. Proposes other options.
277	Rep. King	Notes that those suggestions are outside the scope of the bill. Presents a scenario and questions how it would be addressed and managed.
350	James	Responds that this scenario is a viably extinct situation. Discussion continues.
TAPE 86, B
054	Chair Jenson	Closes the public hearing on HB 3809 and opens the meeting for public comment.
064	K. Jenson	Comments on rehabilitation efforts.
092	Chair Jenson	Adjourns the meeting at 5:35 p.m.

Submitted By, Reviewed By,

Linda K. Gatto, Sandy Thiele-Cirka,

Committee Assistant Committee Administrator

EXHIBIT SUMMARY

A. HB 2341, -1 amendments dated 3/29/01, staff 1 p

B. SB A, prepared testimony, T.J. Hansell, 1 p

C. HB 3809, prepared testimony, Daren Coppock, 2 pp.

D. HB 2341, prepared testimony, T.J. Hansell, 1 p

E. SB 49A, prepared testimony submitted by fax, Robert P. Davison, 2 pp.

F. SB 49 A, prepared testimony, submitted by fax, Bob May, 2 pp.