The Oregon Senate has confirmed the highly controversial appointment of Bruce Buckmaster of Astoria, a former gill-net strategist, to the state Fish and Wildlife Commission.
The floor vote Thursday morning was close, 18-12.
Also approved was the appointment of former state Senator Jason Atkinson of Central Point. Atkinson's vote was 27-3.
As yet unexplained, however, were the re-appointments of sitting commissioners Holly Akenson of Enterprise and the commission chair, Michael Finley of Medford.
Neither nomination was addressed earlier in the week during confirmation hearings before the Senate Rules Committee.