Cogdill Pleased by Budget Moves to Help Hatcheries
At Cogdill’s urging, Assembly Budget sub-committee approves
$9 million in funding for Department of Fish and Game


(Sacramento) After several years of disappointment, the 2005-2006 State Budget could include good news for hatcheries and other fishing programs. Following the adjournment of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Assemblyman Dave Cogdill announced the committee’s approval of $9 million in funding for the Fish and Game Preservation Fund. Cogdill, who is a member of the Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources, had pressed for the funding in previous hearings. While the Assembly subcommittee has approved the funding at his urging, Cogdill noted that full legislative approval of the State Budget is not likely to happen for several months.
“What happened today was very encouraging,” said Cogdill. “I’m pleased that the committee is moving to support programs that are so vital to sport fishing. Now our goal is to see that this funding stays in the State Budget and that it is used appropriately. For too long we have seen money that was supposed to help hatcheries and fishing programs moved out to fund other programs. If this money is going to make an impact it must not only be spent where it was intended, but also spent as a supplement to the funding base that’s already established.”
The Assembly approved budget allocation includes $5 million for game wardens – enough to add approximately 50 permanent positions, $1 million in funding and 7 new staff members for the Wild/Heritage Trout Program, and $3 million in funding to improve hatchery operations. A similar budget plan has been approved in the Senate; however, hatchery funding was not included. As a result, the final agreement on hatchery funding will be decided in a Budget Conference Committee consisting of both Senate and Assemblymembers.
In addition, legislation by Cogdill to dedicate a portion of fishing license revenue to hatcheries and inland fishing programs is expected to move forward within the month. Assembly Bill 7 is currently being held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. A preliminary hearing was held today, but a vote by the committee will not be taken until later in May. Cogdill is optimistic about the success of the legislation.
“The committee’s comments on AB 7 were very positive,” stated Cogdill. “Fishing licenses ought to support fishing and hatchery programs. Unfortunately this hasn’t been the case and it’s decimated the hatcheries and the rivers and streams that depend on them for fish. The combined success of AB 7 and $9 million in funding for the Preservation Fund would mean the world to the sport fishing community.”


Assemblyman Cogdill proudly represents part or all of the counties of Calaveras, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.


James "Brad" Willis
CSEA Bargaining Unit 11 Negotiating Council
Mojave River Hatchery
Victorville,CA
mojavekroc@msn.com or
jwillis@dfg.ca.gov
www.friendsofcaliforniahatcheries.org