Pacific Fisheries Management Council to Consider a Variety of Pacific Ocean Fishery Management Issues, Council Meeting Dates: September 7-12, 2008

August 15, 2008. -- The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and its advisory entities will meet September 7-12, 2008, in Boise, Idaho to address issues related to groundfish, highly migratory species, Pacific halibut, salmon, and essential fish habitat.

Agenda

Key agenda items include Council action to:

Salmon Management

Groundfish Management

Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, to hold "Lois Luau" as a thank you as part of her last term in office as a member of the Assembly

By Jerry Neuburger
August 19, 2008. -- After six years of outstanding service in the state Assembly, Assembly woman Lois Wolk will hold her 6th annual, "Lois Luau" on October 10th at the Dixon May Fair grounds. The event will feature tropical drinks, Hawaiian food, and island entertainment. Ms. Wolk has invited Senator Darrell Steinberg as a special guest.

Ms. Wolk represents the Eighth Assembly District, which spans Solano and Yolo Counties including the cities of Benicia, Davis, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.

In the spring of this year, Wolk, chair of the Assembly Water Parks and Wildlife Committee, authored AB 1806, the recent delta restoration and mitigation bill and AB 2502, a bill that would have  authorized the Director of Parks and Recreation to acquire land or other property interests in the Counties of Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo, including Liberty Island, Prospect Island, and Little...( Read the rest of the story)
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CSPA can't fight for your fisheries without your support!

CSPA/TU News

Caples Fish Rescue Volunteer sign-up in full swing, 1/4 way there!

By Jerry Neuburger
August 17, 2008. 6:30AM -- In the thirty hours since the sign-up began, over 25 volunteers have stepped up to assist DFG capture and transfer fish from Caples Lake to Silver Lake in the Sierras.

The rescue is necessary because the dam's release gates need to be repaired and to do so, the lake must be drained. The operation is expected to run four days, from August 26 through 29th.

The volunteers signing up to date include area guides, some retired DFG personnel and fisheries scientists from private firms as well as enthusiastic anglers from both California and Nevada. While many of the volunteers have extensive fish handling experience, no experience is necessary to step forward. Everyone physically able is asked to help in the effort.

Walk-up volunteers on site will NOT be accepted since the rescue effort will require coordination with skills, shifts and DFG staffing requirements. In addition, volunteers will have to report on-time for their assignments and receive safety and skill training before going into the field.

Volunteers will have to supply all of their own needs, food, clothing, shelter, during the... (Read the full story)

Governor Schwarzenegger will begin his public appearances today by delivering remarks at a press conference hosted by the California Latino Water Coalition at 12:30 p.m. at the West Steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Last month, the Governor and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein proposed a "bipartisan" plan to the legislature to "update California’s... (Read the full editorial)
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Watch Stockton farmer, Dino Cortopassi, on a clip from Ch. 10. He's taking on the governor and the peripheral canal with his own, hard earned, money!
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Recent Headlines

August 12-Coalition for Water sends petition representing 180,000 Californians to Feinstein and Schwarzenegger opposing bond/ peripheral canal

August 11-Fish and Game to move Caples Lake fish

August 11-Bush to relax protected species rules

August 11-The "True" cost of subsidized agriculture

August 9-Harvest of cash: Kern County agency buys public water low, sells high By Mike Taugher Contra Costa Times

August 8-Key Delta Restoration Bill Passes Through Senate Appropriations Committee!

August 8-DFG solicits proposals for watershed restoration grants; deadline Sept. 3

August 7-DFG's California Fishing Passport and NOAA Fisheries Offers Family Fishing Trips - Dana Point & San Diego

More News

Bad News: AB 1806 Dies in Senate

by Dan Bacher, editor of the Fish Sniffer
August 14, 2008.-- Sacramento -- Yesterday the California Senate failed to pass AB 1806, the landmark bill by Assemblymember Lois Wolk (D-Davis) that would have required the state and federal Delta export pumping operations to fully mitigate for the damage they have caused to fisheries.

The bill would have required fish rescue contingency plans in the event of future fishery disasters like the one that took place at Prospect Island in the northern Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in November 2007. During last year's fish kill, thousands of striped bass, Sacramento blackfish, Sacramento splittail, black bass, bluegill, catfish, threadfin shad and other species perished after the Bureau of Reclamation drained the island during a levee repair operation.

"Unfortunately, they just lifted the call and AB 1806 failed passage on a vote of 18-21," said Diane Colborn, Staff Director for the Water Parks and Wildlife Committee. "Reconsideration was granted, but it does not look like we will be able to get the votes to get the bill off the Senate floor."

Senator Florez also switched his vote from aye  ... (Read the full story)
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CSPA agrees!

Statewide Coalition Says Governor's Water Bond Will Worsen State's Water Crisis

By Dan Bacher, editor of the Fish Sniffer
August 13, 2008 -- A coalition of environmental, fishing and community organizations yesterday launched a statewide campaign opposing Gov. Schwarzenegger and Sen. Feinstein's push for a November water bond.

In simultaneous press conferences in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Visalia, campaign organizers spoke out against the $9.3 billion bond, saying it will worsen California's water crisis while plunging the state deeper into debt.

Coalition members also declared that instead of supporting the bond, state legislators should immediately distribute millions of dollars in unspent funds from a water bond passed in 2006.

"The Governor presents this bond as a forward.. (Read the full story)
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Un-Dam the Klamath Action Meeting for Commercial Fishing Community to be held in Coos Bay Area: Fishermen invited to plan for September 18th PacifiCorp Day of Action Demanding Dam Removal in Portland

August 12, 2008. Commercial fishermen and friends are invited to meet and discuss ways to be involved in a Day of Action demanding removal of four dams on the Klamath River.  The organizing meeting will be held August 22nd at the Charleston RV Park meeting room at 6 pm.  The PacifiCorp Day of Action will be held September 18th in downtown Portland beginning at 12 pm.

The September 18th PacifiCorp Day of Action is being planned by the Klamath Justice Coalition, a group of community activists from the Klamath River dedicated to restoring the Klamath, and is also co-sponsored by the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, among other groups.  The Klamath Justice Coalition is inviting the public to assemble... (Read the full story)
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A CSPA Editorial

AB 1806 goes down to defeat. CSPA, with your help, will do better next time  

By Jerry Neuburger
August 14, 2008. – AB 1806, the delta restoration and mitigation bill, was defeated 18-21 in the state senate yesterday. Senator Torkalson, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, asked that the bill receive reconsideration so some slim hope still exists for the bill’s passage but the word is “slim.” Hopefully, some lobbying by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk, author of the bill and additional letters of support still trickling in will make the difference and the bill will pass on a second vote.  

The vote was close, 18-21, with all of the Republican senators and 6 Democrats voting against the bill. It is reported that the lobbyists for the water contractors spread rumors that the bill would drastically reduce the volume of water moving south, something that is not contained...(Read the full editorial)
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The tribe has played a leadership role in the battle to restore the Delta, Valley rivers 
& stop the raising 
of Shasta Dam.

California Supports Winnemem Wintu Tribe: Senate passes Joint Resolution urging restoration of federal recognition status 

"California has sent a clear message today: our state stands in solidarity with the Winnemem Wintu Tribe to correct a terrible injustice by the federal government," said Assemblymember Jared Huffman. "It's not time for the federal government to acknowledge its mistake and once again recognize the Tribe." 

The Winnemem were mysteriously dropped from the list of federally recognized Tribes in the 1980's. For years, the Winnemem received benefits from the federal government, such as housing and educational assistance. They... (Read the full story)

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Recent CSPA 
News Stories

Ausust 15-CSPA and Trout Unlimited to assist DFG  with fish rescue at Caples Lake: Over 100 Volunteers Needed! YOU can help!  

August 10-State Senate Decision Could Begin the Restoration of Delta Salmon and Other Fisheries

August 9-AB 1806 and AB 2175, How the committee votes fell: Both bills saved by bay area and south state senators

August 8-CSPA Action Alert 8.8.08: AB 1806 clears Senate Appropriations Committee unscathed, heading to senate floor for a vote next week. 

August 4-CSPA's Mike McKenzie speaks for AB 1806 during Senate Appropriations Committee review, results known Thursday

August 2-Senate Appropriations Committee to hear AB 1806 on Monday, August 4th

July 30-CSPA Protests State Board’s Elimination of Key Delta Protection: Secret order allows pumping to be increased!