California Trout Rescues Fishing License Funds From Schwarzenegger's Raid

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Dan Bacher

As President George Bush attempted to raid salmon disaster relief funds to pay for the U.S. census, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was defeated in his move to transfer $4 million California fishing license fees to the general fund. Schwarzenegger's move is unconscionable in the light of the collapse of the Central Valley salmon fishery and California Delta food chain that his abysmal environmental policies have created.

California Trout, a statewide fishery conservation organization, recently defeated an underhanded attempt by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to raid fishing license funds.

On May 30, California Trout issued a statement release calling for a freeze on California fishing license fees in the face of a Schwarzenegger administration proposal to transfer $4 million from the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund (HIFF) to the state's General Fund. Fortunately, the State Legislature’s Budget Conference Committee rejected the transfer on June 13, in large part because the administration officially withdrew the proposal.

“This is an important victory for fishing enthusiasts and conservation advocates across California,” said Brian Stranko, CEO of California Trout. “Trying to raid funds that support state fish hatchery operations and protection of wild trout stocks was a bad idea from the start. We’re pleased that these funds remain secure.”

As consequence of June 13’s action by the Committee, California Trout dropped its call for a freeze on fishing license fees. The conservation group adopted its call after The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Natural Resources approved the Schwarzenegger Administration fund transfer proposal.

“The HIFF is funded exclusively through license fees paid by anglers who fish in California,” explained Stranko. “If included in the final version of the 2008 Budget Bill, the loan would not be repaid until 2013.”

Although CalTrout opposed the raid on HIFF, the budget subcommittee approved the loan but made it contingent on a freeze on fishing license fees.