Great News.......

With only two days left to decide on whether or not to sign or veto AB 7, the governor decided to sign it into law. This occured because of all the support this bill generated from anglers and businesses.

Thanks to all who have helped to make this happen.

Here is the press release put out by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill's office:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: JENNIFER TEEL
October 7, 2005 (916) 319-2025

Governor Signs Cogdill’s
Landmark Hatchery Legislation
“Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005” ensures adequate funding of fishery programs

(Sacramento) – Just two days before the Consitutional deadline for the signature or veto of legislation, Governor Schwarzenegger signed landmark legislation by Assemblyman Dave Cogdill (R-Modesto) to ensure adequate hatchery and inland fisheries funding.
Assembly Bill 7, known as the Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005, will dedicate up to 33 1/3% of the revenue from sport fishing license sales to the Hatcheries and Inland Fisheries Fund, which will be used to accomplish three goals within the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). First, DFG will maintain a schedule of fish production for the hatcheries based on a poundage per license formula. Second, $2 million will be dedicated to the Wild and Heritage Trout restoration program. And third, 25% of hatchery production will be converted to native species.
“I’m extremely pleased that the Governor has acted to help preserve sport fishing in California,” said Cogdill following the announcment. “The Governor’s signature of the Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005 is a win for the environment, a win for sport fishing, and a win for the small businesses who rely upon fishing tourism. California’s hatcheries and inland fishing programs have been neglected for too long. With the signing of this legislation, these vital programs will finally receive the funding and support that they need and deserve. ”
"CalTrout supports AB 7 because it will improve the management of California's wild trout populations and ensure that state fish hatcheries don't have to be closed or cut back,” stated Brett Matzke of CalTrout, a strong supporter of the legislation. “For more than 20 years now, the Department has annually increased license fees to adjust for inflation, making California's sport fishing license the most costly in the nation. CalTrout does not understand why the Department has provided no similar inflation adjustment in over two decades to support its Wild/Heritage Trout Program. We also do not understand why the department is proposing to close fish hatcheries. AB 7 helps restore some sanity and equity to this situation.”
The Department of Fish and Game will receive roughly $54 million in sport fishing license revenue this year. Each year, the sport fishing industry produces over $2.3 billion in retail sales, $1.2 billion in wages and salaries, 43,000 jobs, and $224 million in state taxes. In many parts of the 25th Assembly District, sport-fishing tourism provides almost the entire economic base for the community.
“The Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005 is vital to protecting sport fishing in California and the rural economies that rely on it. Fishing-related programs are struggling to stay alive in the face of increased cutbacks. When people buy a fishing license, they expect that there will be plenty of fish available for them to catch. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case. With the signing of the Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005, anglers can be assured that revenue from their fishing license is being spent appropriately and to accomplish measureable goals for inland fishing programs.”
The Inland Fisheries Restoration Act is supported by a broad coalition of government and sport fishing groups. Supporters include groups such as Cal Trout, California State Employees Assocation, Regional Council of Rural Counties, the Merced Irrigation District, and the Inyo-Mono Fish and Game Advisory Commission. Cogdill noted that the widespread support for AB 7 underscored the pressing need for the legislation.
“The Inland Fisheries Restoration Act of 2005 is about accountability, fiscal responsibility, and appropriate natural resource management,” said Cogdill. “But this bill is also about preserving the time honored tradition of fishing. The implementation of this legislation will secure our sport fishing heritage for years to come,” said Cogdill.
AB 7 unanimously passed the Senate on September 6th. The measure also met resounding support on the Assembly Floor on September 8th with a vote of 71 to 0 . The bill will take affect on January 1, 2006. For bill text, please visit www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Assemblyman Cogdill proudly represents part or all of the counties of Calaveras, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.


_________________
James "Brad" Willis
Mojave River Hatchery
Victorville,CA
SEIU Local 1000 Negotiating Council
www.friendsofcaliforniahatcheries.org

that is good news.

Thanks for all of the hard work Brad.