Made the pilgrimage to Sacramento this morning. A video recording will be available in a few days and I'll see about re-posting it.

Pete Alexander, EBPARKS Fisheries Manager gave very supportive comments on the Shadow Cliffs back ponds issue. All are in agreement that the back ponds should re-open, the only issue is WHEN. So the purpose of going to give comment was to encourage the Commission to reopen the ponds sooner rather than later (later being March 1, 2012).

Pete's comments caught some attention with the Commission given that EBPARKS is the largest regional parks system in the country. There was no discrete outcome as a result of Pete's comments (DFG can't take action on non-agendized items) but at the very least it keeps the issue on their radar. Pete plays an interesting role as steward of the EBPARKS fisheries and I sense strongly that he aims to balance the environment with recreation through reasonable fisheries management. Thank you Pete for taking the time to give public comment!

I spoke on the trout stocking issue. Again with the understanding that the EIR/EIS comment period has passed and that the Commission can't take any action during public comment. Didn't get any feedback, but I hold out hope that well reasoned arguments may stick in the minds of the commissioners.

Made some more connections with a group called California Association for Recreational Anglers (http://www.savecalfishing.org/). They're in the trout stocking fight for some different reasons than I am, but there are strong synergies here. They've actually injected themselves as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, and as a result will have a good chance to affect the outcome. Check out their site to learn more.

-Rob