SACRAMENTO UPDATE
CalTrout has a strong history of advocacy. From spearheading the “committee of two-million” to pass the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 1971 to having a strong voice in the successful push for a portion of the tax revenue from marijuana sales under Prop 64 to go to conservation efforts.
This has been a particularly exciting year in the California legislature. There has been a whirlwind of activity in the environmental sector including support for a bill aiming for a complete overhaul of the California Environmental Protection Act to reflect the potential gutting of the federal standard, and more niche efforts to revamp the salmon and steelhead report cards. While this is exciting, it makes for a crowded field where it is difficult to predict what will pass.
That being said, CalTrout has been successful in its advocacy this legislative cycle. We’ve influenced active legislation, participated in key stakeholder meetings on issues ranging from marijuana flow policy to greenhouse gas legislation, and worked to create and foster relationships with legislators. Here is a peek into some legislation that has been passed into law, awaits the signature of the Governor, or is headed for the ballot in June of 2018:
BUDGETARY PRIORITIES
SB 144 (McGuire and Wood): Salmon and Steelhead Report Card
CalTrout has worked with California Department of Fish and Wildlife and supports McGuire and Wood’s SB 144, which was signed by the Governor in September and extends the steelhead report-restoration card system until 2022. The program charges anglers $5 annually, tracks angling trends, and creates funds to be used for restoration work throughout California. The expenditure of the funds must be used for projects that benefit both steelhead populations and the angling community. CalTrout is committed to making sure this funding mechanism remains a valuable tool to support our work throughout the state.
STATUS: Signed by Governor in September 2017.
Legislation and Advocacy
Shaping policy to protect fish and their waters