Well, I wouldnt really say that getting a regulation change is part of the DFG system. Its the Fish and Game Commission system, completely separate from DFG. The commission reviews fish and game regulations every two years, during which time they make decisions on proposals to change current fish and game regulations. The first step to getting a change is to get the proposed change on the agenda for the Commission. If accepted, the proposed change is discussed at statewide meetings (I think they have 3, one in each part of CA). These meetings are where the public gets to stand up and tell the Commission why they are for or against the proposed regualtion change. Its also where DFG biologists do the same. After all meetings have taken place, the Commission reviews all information and either rejects or adopts the proposed regualtion change. Its a lengthy process and fairly formal. But the first step is to convince the Commission to put YOUR proposed changed on their agenda. Ive been through this process once; I took something I felt strongly about, and 5 years later found myself giving a presentation to the commission. Heres the best part, the Commission members (I believe there are 7 of them) are political appointees. None are biologists. Amazing. Think about that; the fish and game regualtions of CA are made by political appointees with no formal biological background. You can search online to find out who sits on the Commission board and find out what their background is.

Rob, you contacted the wrong EBMUD office for support. Also, EBMUD biologists have, I believe multiple times, sent proposed regulation changes to the Commission on behalf of protecting the trophy smallmouth in Pardee. The Commission completely ignored them, and the proposals were never placed on the agenda. However, thats not to say that somebody in the near future wont re-instigate trying to make such a change :P