The public meetings will be held during the week of Nov. 13-17 to introduce the Coast Coho Conservation Plan and provide an opportunity for public input.  At each meeting, a brief overview of the plan's development, goals and strategies will be presented, followed by a question and answer period.  Public comments will be recorded at the meetings.

Public meeting schedule:

Coquille
Monday, Nov. 13
Community Building
115 N. Birch
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Florence
Tuesday, Nov. 14
Florence Events Center
715 Quince St.
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Tillamook
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Department of Human Services
4670 3rd St.
6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Newport
Thursday, Nov. 16
Embarcadero Resort Hotel & Marina
1000 S.E. Bay Blvd.
6 p.m to 8 p.m.

The plan seeks to successfully restore coastal coho populations by building on efforts started with the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds in 1997. The plan also represents commitments and contributions by the State of Oregon, private citizens and landowners, and federal partners to recover coastal coho populations, as required by the Native Fish Conservation Policy adopted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Commission in 2002.  A stakeholder team representing watershed councils, fish conservation, fishing, private land, timber, agriculture, tribal and other interests helped guide the planning efforts. State natural resource agencies involved include the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry, Environmental Quality, Fish and Wildlife, State Lands, Parks and Recreation, Land Conservation and Development, Water Resources, Transportation, Geology and Mineral Industries, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. 

The draft plan along with more information about the planning process can be found on the Oregon Plan website (www.oregon-plan.org/OPSW/cohoproject/coho_proj.shtml).  Hard copies of the plan may be viewed at ODFW District Offices in Tillamook, Newport, Roseburg and Charleston as well as the ODFW Headquarters in Salem. Comments may be submitted to cohoplan@state.or.us or to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 3406 Cherry Avenue N.E., Salem, Ore. 97303 (Re: Coho Plan).