Delta Restoration Bill up for vote on Thursday

From Jerry Neuburger, California Sportfishing Protection Alliance:

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

August 4, 2008. -- CSPA's Membership Director Mike McKenzie attended the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting on Monday, August 4, to testify in favor of AB 1806, the delta restoration bill. The committee hearing was the last stop on the bill's way to the senate floor for an up or down vote. AB 1806, sponsored by Lois Wolk, Chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, had already passed an assembly vote.

When Mike arrived at the capitol he found that he place was packed! With over 200 bills to heard, it was a mad house in the hallways but once inside, things settled down. Mike was lucky in that AB 1806 was the fourth bill heard so he was spared the agony of sitting and listening to the "process" for hours on end.

When the bill was called Lois Wolk got up and spoke for a few moments. Mike had been "counseled" to keep his comments very brief due to time constraints. Once at the microphone, Mike stated that he represented the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and also the Allied Fishing Groups and was speaking for thousands of California's anglers who supported AB 1806. After identifying his constituency he asked for the Committees vote in favor of the bill, telling them that our fisheries, "need all the help they can get".

Next the Legislative analyst for the Department of Finance made some, what Mike felt were call negative, comments about 1806. From their statements, Mike believes, "They don't seem to understand the dynamics of the Water Board and their need to be forced into upholding the laws on the books."

Last, the Water Contractor's two paid shills got up and said, in turn, they did not support the bill and asked for a vote against it. See attached file for the LA's comments on the Bill. It won't be voted on till Thursday and it may end up in the suspense file as noted by Senate Appropriations Committee Staff: "This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense file."

If the bill passes it will mean millions of dollars on mitigation for the losses due to the pumping process. If held in committee or defeated, it will be a major disappointment since so many anglers have worked hard in the letter campaigns called for in moving the bill through the legislative process. As Mike said in his report, "I guess we'll see come Thursday..."

The legislative Analyst's report can be found at: http://www.calsport.org/8-4-08a.htm

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