BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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| SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER |
| Senator Fran Pavley, Chair |
| 2011-2012 Regular Session |
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BILL NO: AB 528 HEARING DATE: June 28, 2011
AUTHOR: Chesbro URGENCY: No
VERSION: May 27, 2011 CONSULTANT: Katharine Moore
DUAL REFERRAL: No FISCAL: Yes
SUBJECT: Fish and game: steelhead trout.
BACKGROUND AND EXISTING LAW
Steelhead trout populations in California's waters have declined
precipitously from historic values. This decline prompted the
National Marine Fisheries Service to list nearly all of
California's steelhead populations under the federal Endangered
Species Act (ESA). Major factors in the population decline are
freshwater habitat loss and degradation from, for example,
inadequate stream flows, blocked access to historic spawning and
rearing areas, and human activities that discharge sediment and
debris into watercourses.
The Department of Fish and Game (Department) is responsible for
managing and conserving California's fish and wildlife
resources, and facilitating and enhancing opportunities for
fishing. The Department is required by statute to restore
steelhead trout populations (Fish and Game Code (FGC) § 6900 et
seq.). Central to this mandate is obtaining information on
angler effort and harvest of both wild and hatchery steelhead
trout. AB 2187 (Tanner, c. 1037, Statutes of 1991) established
the Steelhead Trout Catch Report-Restoration Card program (FGC §
7380 et seq.) to provide this much-needed information. In fact,
it is the only state-wide program to collect this data. This
program, now called the Steelhead Fishing Report-Restoration
Card (report card), has been repeatedly modified and extended
since its inception {SB 183 (Thompson, c. 240, Statutes of
1997), AB 2783 (Strom-Martin, c. 594, Statutes of 2002), AB 2773
(Berg, c. 297, Statutes of 2006)}. Among other benefits, the
data generated by the program provide essential information
needed to assess potential angling impacts to the ESA-listed
steelhead trout populations. These data are critical to
maintaining compliance with the ESA's provisions and permit
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continued fishing. Under the current program, anglers are
required to possess a non-transferable report card, in addition
to a fishing license, when fishing for steelhead trout in inland
waters. Anglers are also required to record information about
their fishing locations and catch on the report card and submit
it to the Department. Periodically, the Department is required
to report to the Legislature on the program.
In 2011, each report card costs $6.48. In the last ten years,
roughly 40,000 to 55,000 report cards were sold annually which
raised between $180,000 to $275,000 each year. Revenue from the
report card program goes to monitor, protect and restore
depleted stocks and maximize recreational opportunities for
steelhead anglers.
The report card program will sunset on July 1, 2012 and be
repealed on January 1, 2013.
PROPOSED LAW
This bill would:
Extend the sunset date for the report card program to
July 1, 2017
Requires the Department to report back to the
Legislature on or before July 1, 2016 regarding the report
card program and the projects undertaken, benefits derived
and recommendations for revising the report card
requirement, if any.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
According to the author, "Ýt]he steelhead trout is an iconic
California fish that has suffered devastating populations
declines over the past several generations. In 1991 the
Legislature authorized the Steelhead Trout Report Card. In the
past two decades this program has become an indispensable tool
for the Department of Fish and Game to manage steelhead
fisheries and curb declines in population. AB 528 would extend
this program for another 5 years."
"The Steelhead Trout Report Card is the only program of its
kind in California. The information gathered with this program
is critical to ensure that fishing does not negatively impact
steelhead populations."
According to the Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California,
"Ýb]y extending the sunset on the steelhead trout
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fishing-restoration card program, needed funds will be generated
to help monitor, restore and enhance California's steelhead
trout resources." The additional supporters concur, and the
co-sponsors add that "critical projects from Los Angeles to
Siskiyou County to the Central Valley have been funded with the
generated revenues."
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION
None received
COMMENTS
Funded projects: Each year the Department conducts a public
solicitation for grant proposals. Typical projects include:
assessing angler harvest, restoring spawning and rearing
habitat, securing adequate flows, removing barriers to
migration, and educational and other outreach-oriented
collaborations. Those proposals that most closely adhere to the
Department's management goals receive the greatest consideration
for funding. Through 2007 (the most recent report to the
Legislature) the report card program has funded or co-funded 111
steelhead projects totally approximately $1,198,500. Since
mid-2007, an estimated additional $800,000 - $900,000 has been
provided through the report card program to fund steelhead
projects.
SUPPORT
California Trout (co-sponsor)
Trout Unlimited (co-sponsor)
California Advisory Committee on Salmon and Steelhead
(co-sponsor)
California Sportsman's Lobby
Outdoor Sportsmen's Coalition of California
OPPOSITION
None Received
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