ODFW: License fees must rise as hunting, fishing is down

With hunting and fishing participation at its lowest levels in Oregon in 30 years, and operating costs on the rise, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is facing a projected $32 million gap as it works to create a budget for the 2015-17 biennium.

Agency officials addressed how it would balance that shortfall at a Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting Thursday in Salem, laying out a multipronged approach that includes cutting staff and programs, raising prices on licenses and tags, and a request for increased capital from the state's general fund.

The commission will meet again in August to approve the budget or make changes, before sending it to the governor's office and legislature for approval.

"The goal is to minimize the impact on participation in fishing and hunting while still being able to present a balanced budget," said Debbie Colbert, ODFW Deputy Director for Administration.

The largest chunk ODFW is hoping for comes from $13.6 million from the state's general fund. It would include $6.5 million for items like field staff and habitat conservation and $5.1 million to pay for enforcement by the Oregon State Police.

"We do think this is an ambitious request," Colbert said.

The most controversial aspect of the proposal, as ever, is fee increases on fishing and hunting licenses and tags. ODFW hopes to raise $8.5 million through "fee adjustments" that would include incrementally raising the cost of a resident fishing license to $38 in 2016 and to $41 in 2018. The current fee is $33.

A hunting license would increase from $29.50 now to $32 in 2016 and $33 in 2018. However, part of the frustration from those in attendance wasn't just the fee increase, but the addition of a $10 ocean fishing endorsement.

"Now there is a fee to fish in the ocean, and I already have my Columbia River fee, and on top of that the cost of a license is going to increase," said Blane Ackley, a salmon angler from Hillsboro, during public testimony. "All of a sudden, that's a 75 percent increase. If you're going to increase fees by 75 percent, let's see something for it."

Not everyone who testified was critical of the fee increases, however.

"We think there's room for the fee increase to go even higher," Jim Myron of the Native Fish Society said. "Right now a license costs the resident angler nine cents a day, and after the increase it would be 12 cents a day, which is a huge benefit for what we receive. If the general fund (request) doesn't materialize, I urge the commission to revisit the fee rather than relying on cuts."

To mitigate people deciding against buying licenses, the agency introduced ideas like a multi-year license and a youth combination license good for hunting, fishing and shellfish.

The final leg in the "share-the-pain" stool of balanced budget is cuts to programs and staff totaling $6.3 million. It would mean cutting 51 positions that range from fish biologists to IT staff.

While the mood of the meeting was collaborative — many of those who spoke during public testimony had worked with ODFW on the budget — there was still a sense of concern over the cuts and fee increases.

"I wish I could be more positive," Al Elkins of the Oregon Hunters Association said. "When I sit with our members and talk about the budget, the message is disconcerting."

Big game tags, trapping regulations set

The Fish and Wildlife Commission set controlled big game tag numbers for 2014-16 at the meeting.

A total of 134,312 big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, Rocky Mountain goat, bighorn sheep) tags will be available in the draw, the number and type proposed by ODFW staff.

Draw results will be available by June 20 online at My Hunter Information or by calling the automated line at (800) 708-1782. This year for the first time, ODFW will not be mailing postcard notifications of draw results. Hunters need to check for results themselves online or by phone.

ODFW budget

Strategies for making up projected shortfall in 2015-17 budget biennium.

Alternative revenues (from state general fund)* — $13.6 million

Fee adjustment (license and tag increase) — $8.5 million

Program reductions (cuts to staff and programs) — $6.3 million

Efficiency improvement — $1.5 million

One-time revenue transfer from deferred maintenance budget — $1.5 million

Total – $31.4 million

*Includes $6.5 million for items like field staff and habitat conservation and $5.1 million to pay for enforcement by the Oregon State Police for crimes like poaching.