Department of Water Resources
A daily compilation for DWR personnel of significant news articles and comment
March 25, 2008
1. Top Item
Plan to restore salmon habitat OK'd; Bond-funded effort may be too late to save 2008 season
Associated Press – 3/25/08
SACRAMENTO — The California Assembly on Monday approved $5.3 million to restore salmon habitat as federal fisheries managers considered whether to shut down salmon fishing off the California and Oregon coasts.
Lawmakers voted 59-11 for a bill by Sen. Patricia Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, that would allocate part of a $5.4 billion water bond passed by voters in 2006. The money is intended to rebuild dwindling salmon populations by removing stream barriers and restoring spawning areas, among other programs.
Part of the money also could be used to monitor salmon populations.
The 2006 bond measure, Proposition 84, provides money for clean water, parks, flood control and conservation programs. Assemblywoman Patty Berg, D-Eureka, said the money authorized by the bill could be used to qualify for up to $20 million in matching federal funds.
She said the Pacific Fishery Management Council probably will decide during its meeting next month to shut down salmon fishing off
"The Legislature must act to begin restoring the salmon industry," she said.
Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia, agreed there was a "critical issue with salmon" but questioned whether the state could afford spending the $5.3 million because of its budget problems.
"It's not an appropriate time to move forward with this measure," he said.
Berg said the money would come from the sale of Proposition 84 bonds, not from the state's deficit-plagued general fund.
The Assembly vote sent the bill back to the Senate, which approved an earlier version of the measure in January. Final approval by the Senate would send the bill to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. #
http://www.mercurynews.com//ci_8689540?IADID=Search-www.mercurynews.com-www.mercurynews.com
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