California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Holds First Public Meeting

California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Holds First Public Meeting

by Dan Bacher

The California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision Executive Committee met today in Sacramento for the first time to begin the implementation of AB 2376 (Huffman).

"The bill requires the California Natural Resources Agency to convene a cabinet-level committee to develop a strategic vision for the Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission, and submit it to the governor and Legislature," according to a news release from the California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision.

The meeting took place as California's fish populations are in crisis, due to decades of poor management. Central Valley chinook salmon, Delta smelt, longfin smelt, green sturgeon and other fish populations have collapsed to record low populations in recent years, due to massive water exports out of the California Delta, declining water quality and invasive species. The state and federal governments are considering plans to build a peripheral canal/tunnel that is likely to drive imperiled fish species over the edge of extinction.

“Protecting and managing California’s vast fish and wildlife populations is extremely important and highly complex,” said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. “That is why it is an honor to begin the Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision effort. Through this process stakeholders will have an opportunity to be heard and provide invaluable input into the future of the Department of Fish and Game.”

The executive committee today appointed the members of the Blue Ribbon Citizen Commission. "The members of the commission represent an extremely diverse range of experience and perspectives, and include strategic problem solvers with expertise in policy, management and fiscal issues," the release stated. "This commission is charged with assisting the executive committee, in conjunction with the Stakeholder Advisory Group, in developing the Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision."

The members of the Blue Ribbon Citizen Commission are:

Dennis Hollingsworth, member, Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, former legislator

Pedro Nava, former Assemblymember, 35th District

Mary Salas, former Assemblymember, 79th District

Richard Frank, director of the California Environmental Law and Policy at UC Davis

Steven Hearst, vice president of Hearst Corporation’s Western Properties

Anne Sheehan, director of corporate governance at CalSTRS

The executive committee today also announced the opening of the Stakeholder Advisory Group application process. Anyone interested in serving on the advisory group should complete the application that can be found on the Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision website. The application period will be open for two weeks, ending on Wednesday, Jul. 13.

The California Fish and Wildlife Strategic Vision was created when AB 2376 (Huffman) was signed in 2010. The bill requires the California Natural Resources Agency to convene a cabinet-level committee to develop a strategic vision for the Department of Fish and Game and the Fish and Game Commission, and submit it to the governor and Legislature.

This legislation is intended to establish a long-term goal to improve and enhance the Department of Fish and Game’s capacity and effectiveness in fulfilling its public trust responsibilities for the protection and management of the state’s fish and wildlife, for their ecological values, and for the benefit of the people of the state.

For more information on AB 2376, the Blue Ribbon Citizen Commission, or to apply for the Stakeholder Advisory Group, please visit http://www.vision.ca.gov.