Governor Apologizes for Destroying California Fisheries, Reverses Position on Canal

Governor Apologizes for Destroying California Fisheries, Reverses Position on Canal

by Dan Bacher

In an epic conversion like that of Saint Paul of Tarsus, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger this morning apologized to the public for his role in the destruction of California's fish populations during a hastily assembled press conference at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Central Valley chinook salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, delta smelt, longfin smelt and other fish populations are in an unprecedented state of collapse, due to massive water exports out of the California Delta and declining water quality - and Schwarzenegger vowed to do everything in his power to reverse the decline.

"I greatly apologize to recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, California Indian Tribes, environmentalists and the public for the damage that my administration's policies have caused to California fish populations," said Schwarzenegger, with tears streaming down his face. "Starting today, I will begin a new initiative to make the restoration of California's rivers, the Delta and coastal waters the number one priority of this administration."

He announced a number of immediate measures that will go in effect today. These include:

• imposing a ban on suction dredge mining on California rivers until new restrictions are developed by the DFG

• instructing the Central Valley Regional Water Control Board to adopt tough new water quality standards for agricultural dischargers

• setting up a meeting with President Obama and Warren Buffett, owner of the PacifiCorp's dams, to immediately begin dam removal on the Klamath River.

• rescinding the layoff notices of 98 Department of Fish and Game wardens and cadets

In a stunning break with his previous positions, Schwarzenegger said that his plan to construct a peripheral canal around the Delta and Temperance Flat and Sites reservoirs was ill advised and "wrong."

"The public has spoken and all of the scientific evidence indicates that building the canal and more dams would be a gigantic mistake ," he said. "I now agree with fishermen, Delta farmers, environmentalists and respected scientists that building a peripheral canal and more dams would only exacerbate the collapse of salmon, delta smelt and other fish populations. I have instead instructed the Department of Water Resources to begin mandatory water conservation in California and have issued an executive order to take drainage impaired land in the San Joaquin Valley out of production. If we are going to have a truly green state, Californians must conserve water and practice sustainable agriculture."

Schwarzenegger also announced the immediate firing of Mike Chrisman from his position as Resources Secretary and replacing him with Bill Jennings, executive director of the California Sportfishing Protection Alliance and a longtime advocate for clean water and healthy fisheries. He also ordered the resignation of Lester Snow, Director of the Department Resources, replacing him with Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, campaign coordinator for Restore the Delta.

"For too long we have had the fox guarding the hen house in our state agencies," said Schwarzenegger. "By appointing new leadership in the Resources Agency and Department of Water Resources, we will reverse the decline of our precious fish populations and will make these agencies true stewards of our public trust resources."

Schwarzenegger also announced the disbanding of the controversial Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Blue Ribbon Task Force after years of complaints by anglers, commercial fishermen, Indian Tribes and grassroots environmentalists that the process was biased and put sustainable fishermen and seaweed harvesters out of business while not addressing the true reasons behind fishery declines.

Craig Tucker, spokesman for the Karuk Tribe, responded to Schwarzenegger's reversal of positions with surprise and jubilation. "I'm elated that the Governor has finally woken up, seen the destructive impact of his policies and vowed to restore California's salmon and other fish populations," said Tucker. "If he actually follows through with his plans, we can start calling him 'Conan the Riparian' and the 'Green Governor' rather than the 'Fish Terminator.'"

For more information, go to: http://www.calsport.org/4-1-09.htm