OLYMPIA -- The public will have two final opportunities to comment on the Department of Fish and Wildlife's draft Environmental Impact Statement for a Wild Salmonid Policy before the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission selects a preferred alternative.

The western Washington public hearing on the draft policy is scheduled for 8 a.m. June 14 at the Department of Labor and Industries auditorium, 72732 Linderson Way, S.W., Tumwater.

The eastern Washington public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 21 at the Ramada Inn Clover Island, 435 Clover Island, Kennewick.

At both meetings, Department of Fish and Wildlife staff will provide technical information about the draft policy and summarize comments received during the public comment period which began April 15.

The commission is scheduled to select a preferred alternative from the five contained in the draft policy at its workshop meeting July 18 - 19 in Tumwater. No public comment will be accepted at the July workshop.

The commission also has scheduled a June 13 forum entitled "Balancing Wild and Hatchery Salmonids: Risks and Opportunities." Fish experts are scheduled to focus on the roles of hatchery and wild fish and whether hatcheries can be used to protect and restore wild populations.

The forum is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. in the auditorium of Office Building-2, 1115 Washington St. S.E., Olympia. While the meeting is public, seating will be limited.

The commission also is scheduled to hear an introductory lecture on how salmonid fish culture and conservation approaches have evolved over the past 130 years. The lecture will be delivered by Dr. Dan Bottom, of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, at 3:30 p.m. June 12 in the Office Building-2 auditorium. Public seating will be very limited for Bottom's lecture.