The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) Recovery & Enhancement (R&E) Board unanimously recommended funding for 15 R&E Project grants totalling $556,272 at its quarterly meeting in August 2009. The project grants recommended by the R&E Board were submitted to the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission for funding approval at the September 2009 Commission meeting. One of the projects listed in the R&E Board recommendations was an education grant for the Astoria High School Fisheries Technology Program in the amount of $20,400. Astoria School District No. 1C had pledged $44,999 in matching funds for the program. The grant was requested to provide funding to retain popular fisheries science teacher Lee Cain, whose position was in danger of being eliminated by budget cuts.

Accoding to the draft minutes of the September Commission meeting:

“Commissioner Edge said the Astoria High School Fisheries Technology Program funds a science teacher. Chair Rae said the R&E Board was painfully aware of requesting one-time funds to part-time teachers, and using the loss of funds to backfill other funds. She said the Board and the Commission are in tune to that. She asked [R&E Chair] Lonnie Johnson to talk about the justification. Johnson said the Board is concerned about funding positions instead of projects. In this case, the Board recommended funding because the program involves high school youth. They were warned they must find another fund. Commissioner Englund understands the issue of funding this body. He said it is a spawning ground for kids going into fish and wildlife careers.

“Chair Rae asked for a motion.

“Action: Commissioner Kerns moved to approve all 15 projects. Commissioner Levy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.”

Written by SFA at 3:09 pm. Filed under News | 0 Comments »