The Oregon State Legislature's House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources, and Water convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding the preservation of salmon populations in Coos County. The meeting highlighted the urgent need to address the invasive species threatening local salmonid populations, particularly smallmouth bass, which have significantly impacted the fall Chinook salmon in the Coquille River.

Senator Smith emphasized the importance of co-management agreements with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Coquille Indian Tribe, noting their collaborative efforts to combat these invasive species and enhance salmon populations. The discussion centered around Senate Bill 221, which aims to expand the use of streamside incubators, also known as hatch boxes, as a tool to restore salmon abundance in the region.

John Ogan, the executive director of the Coquille Indian Tribe's Natural Resources Office, expressed strong support for the bill, highlighting the historical decline of fall Chinook salmon in the Coquille River watershed. He reported that the number of natural origin spawners had plummeted from nearly 11,000 to less than 700 since 2018, marking a significant ecological crisis. Ogan explained that the bill would provide additional resources to enhance salmon survival rates, particularly in light of the challenges posed by habitat degradation and invasive species.

The committee also heard from Heath Hample, president of the Coquille River STEP Association, who underscored the economic and cultural importance of revitalizing salmon populations for local communities. Hample noted that the decline in salmon has adversely affected fishing-related jobs and the overall economy of the Oregon Coast.

The meeting concluded with a call for continued support for the bill, which aims to implement innovative strategies to restore salmon populations while addressing the pressing challenges posed by invasive species. The committee's discussions reflect a broader commitment to ecological restoration and the sustainable management of natural resources in Oregon.