May 19, 2022 10:10 a.m.

The Marion County Circuit Court has granted a request by a group of petitioners including Douglas County, the Umpqua Fishery Enhancement Derby and fishing guide Scott Worsley, to issue a preliminary injunction halting a recent decision by the State Fish & Wildlife Commission.

A release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said the move pauses an April 22nd decision to not release hatchery summer steelhead smolts this year, and to eliminate the Rock Creek hatchery summer steelhead program. Petitioners asked that the decision not take effect until the case is decided on its merits or is otherwise disposed of by the court.

ODFW said hatchery summer steelhead smolts will be released consistent with the court order which is expected to be issued by the end of the week.

The release said in light of this development, the Commission intends to delay to the future, a special meeting to discuss information received from various tribes and other comments related to the Rock Creek summer steelhead hatchery program that was requested at its last meeting on May 13th.