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PROTECT HUNTING
Our hunting tradition and wildlife habitat is under serious threat. Care about the future of our heritage?
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Check out the COHA
Field Wire.
Subscribe to our Field Wire email newsletter and receive immediate updates on issues critical to you and join the COHA Action Team. |
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| "The need for sportsmen to have an effective voice in the political arena is vital. COHA will add strength at the state level and will complement the efforts of the California Outdoor Caucus." |
Jeff Crane, President
The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation |
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COHA-Sponsored SB 752 Would Benefit Non-Profit Sportsmen's Groups
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COHA, in coordination with California Waterfowl and our other non-profit member groups, sponsored Senate Bill 752 in 2011 to allow members of the public an opportunity to voluntarily release their contact information to the nonprofit conservation group of their choice when purchasing a hunting or fishing license via the DFG’s Automated Data Licensing System (ALDS).
This change to the ALDS System would help to support hunting-related organizations that specialize in game species conservation efforts and promote more conservation efforts at the grassroots level.
“As a hunter, I can proudly talk of the vital role these non-profit organizations play in California,” said Senator Berryhill. “I believe this bill will go a long way to preserving and strengthening California’s rich hunting history.”
Non-profit sportsmen’s groups provide valuable assistance to DFG in the agency’s effort to conserve and manage California’s wildlife and their habitats. Projects include, but are not limited to, wetland restoration efforts, big game population surveying and research, controlled burning to improve habitat, re-forestation efforts, securing public access to land, facilitating conservation easements on private land, migratory bird banding, installing guzzlers to provide water for wildlife, and trapping and relocation efforts.
“This bill would help support the many non-profit groups that protect and restore game species’ habitat or carry out other critically needed conservation projects,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA. “It would also encourage more hunters to get involved locally to assist these important conservation efforts.”
Noting that he liked the concept, but wanted to wait until the new Automated License Data System (ALDS) was more fully developed, Governor Brown vetoed California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA)-Sponsored SB 752 on October 8th.
However, the Governor has instructed DFG to work with Senator Berryhill and COHA over the winter so that a new bill can be introduced in the next legislative session. |
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AB 606 (Gatto) - Landowner Hunting Rights - Support
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Assembly Member Gatto has teamed-up with COHA to introduced Assembly Bill 606, a measure that seeks to encourage greater private landowner participation in voluntary, incentive-based conservation easement and wildlife habitat conservation programs administered by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).
“COHA is pleased to partner with Assemblyman Gatto to fight to protect important wildlife habitat,” stated Jason Rhine with the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA). “Without willing private landowners, programs such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program or the California Waterfowl Habitat Program will cease to exist and hundreds of wetland dependent species will greatly suffer from a lack of available habitat.”
AB 606 seeks to clarify that private landowners participating in a DFG-managed conservation easement or wildlife habitat conservation program, such as the Permanent Wetlands Easement Program, the California Waterfowl Habitat Program, and the Landowner Incentive Program, can continue to engage in hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-dependent recreational activities on their property, unless expressly prohibited.
AB 606 was held at the Assembly Desk. |
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Press Release |
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Press Release AB 606 to Senate |
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COHA-Sponsored AB 1162 Would Stiffen Penalties for Serious Poaching Violations
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A COHA-sponsored bill to significantly increase penalties for serious poaching violations, including those which involve the illegal take of trophy game animals, recently passed the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee 9-0.
“AB 1162 provides the Department of Fish and Game with an effective tool to protect our game and wildlife, some of California’s most valuable resources,” stated Assembly Member Chesbro. “My bill is modeled on legislation supported by hunters in other Western states where poaching has also become a big problem.”
AB 1162 would authorize significant financial penalties (up to $40,000), hunting license forfeiture and equipment seizure for poachers who knowingly target trophy big game mammals, such as deer, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope, using illegal methods. Violations involving the use of bait, the use of spotlights, the take of game outside of legal season(s) or the wanton waste of game meat would be subject to the new penalties.
Several other western states, including New Mexico and Montana, have implemented similar laws in recent years to address ongoing big game poaching problems, and the new laws have been well received by state fish and game agencies, hunters and private landowners.
In the last several years in California, there have been a number of high-profile poaching cases involving big game, including the illegal take of trophy mule deer from Yosemite National Park and the shooting and subsequent abandonment of two elk at Fort Hunter Liggett in Monterrey County.
“AB 1162 would ensure that poachers pay back the entire value of wildlife they effectively stole from the public,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA.
The revenues from the additional financial penalties provided in the bill would be deposited into dedicated game species accounts, and could only be used for the conservation of those particular game species.
AB 1162, which is also supported by the CA Game Wardens Association, will next be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee in January 2012. |
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AB 809 (Feuer) - Long Gun Registration - OPPOSE
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Even though COHA actively worked to defeat AB 809 (Feuer/D-Los Angeles), legislation which proposes to expand the current handgun registration law to include all long guns by requiring the Attorney General to permanently maintain a registry of all firearms purchasers, the Governor signed the measure into law.
Under the bill’s provisions, those who purchase or transfer a shotgun or rifle will be required to register that firearm by submitting their name, address, place of birth, phone number and occupation to the California Department of Justice. |
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AB 157 (Jeffries) – 25% Water Bond Reduction – OPPOSE
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AB 157 would reduce by 25% the total amount of bonds authorized under the Safe, Clean and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act of 2012, a $11.14 billion water bond measure proposed for the fall 2012 statewide ballot.
COHA opposes this measure because it would reduce the waterfowl and wetland habitat provisions that we and our conservation partners worked for 3 years to include in the proposed bond. Specifically, it would impact a $100 million allocation for CVPIA wetland water purposes on private wetlands within the Grasslands as well as State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges in the Central Valley. In addition, a $10 million provision for DFG’s Presley Program and other private waterfowl habitat programs would be affected.
Due to COHA’s and many other conservation and water groups’ opposition, AB 157 was never heard in committee and is dead for this year. |
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AB 587 (Gordon and Furutani) - Volunteers - SUPPORT
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AB 587 (Gordon and Furutani) seeks to extend, until 2017, an exemption from prevailing wage requirements that allows a volunteer, volunteer coordinator or members of the California Conservation Corps to perform public works.
This measure would allow the Department of Fish and Game and other departments under the Resources Agency to utilize volunteers (many of whom belong to nonprofit organizations which specialize in conservation work) to perform necessary wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement projects. Recognizing the limited state budgets currently available to do this type of work, AB 587 would help ensure that such projects are completed as efficiently as possible with minimal costs to the state.
COHA was pleased to join many of our conservation partners in support of AB 587. The measure was signed by the Governor. |
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AB 613 (Hagman) – Repeal Ban on Internet Sales of Handgun Ammunition - SUPPORT
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AB 613 would repeal the provisions contained in AB 962 (2009). Full implementation of AB 962 (2009) would create a disincentive for law abiding members of the public to purchase handgun ammunition and therefore participate in hunting and other legal shooting activities. By essentially banning mail order and internet sales of handgun ammunition (given that all transactions must be completed “face-to-face”), AB 962 forces sportsmen and women to rely entirely on local ammunition dealers who often charge higher prices or may not have available all handgun ammunition calibers and types. In addition, many hunters and shooters strongly object to submitting personal information simply to buy commonly used sporting ammunition given that current law already mandates an extensive background check with each firearm purchase.
Unfortunately, AB 613 was defeated in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. The measure is dead for this year. |
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AB 1265 (Nielsen) - Williamson Act Program Assistance – SUPPORT
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AB 1265 (Nielsen) would authorize a county, until January 1, 2016, in any fiscal year in which payments authorized for reimbursement to a county for lost revenue from Williamson Act contracts is less than one-half of the county’s actual foregone general fund property tax revenue, to revise the terms for new contracts.
This measure would help ensure that one of California’s most successful land conservation programs—the Williamson Act—continues into the future by authorizing counties to renegotiate the terms of contracts with landowners as well as allowing them to recoup some of their lost revenues. AB 1265 is needed because, for now the third year in a row, the state has not provided adequate subventions funding to counties, thus jeopardizing the financial solvency of the Act at the local level. While the bill is only a temporary fix to save the Williamson Act, it is also a necessary step since many counties would likely discontinue their involvement with the Act entirely without additional flexibility or other mitigation measures.
Incentive-based conservation programs like the Williamson Act not only help prevent valuable farmland, wildlife habitat and other open space from being converted to urban uses, but also keep working landscapes in private ownership and therefore on the local tax roles. In addition, since land use regulation is mostly a local issue in California, the Act provides greater statewide management over urban growth and thus for more comprehensive farmland conservation efforts.
With support from COHA and a broad coalition of agricultural, environmental and local government interests, AB 1265 was signed into law in July. |
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SB 34 (Simitian) – Agricultural Water Fee – OPPOSE
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SB 34 (Simitian) would impose an annual charge on each retail water supplier in the state, including a charge based on each acre of land that is irrigated for agricultural purposes. COHA opposes this legislation because it would impact the ability of both public and private landowners to flood their lands for waterfowl habitat purposes, including the flooding of managed wetlands and post-harvest agricultural fields (e.g. rice, corn).
In our discussion with Legislative staff, COHA has pointed out that costs for water deliveries to duck clubs and other waterfowl habitat areas are already high in certain parts of the state, particularly in dry years. Adding an additional charge to already high water costs, as SB 34 would do, would only serve as a financial disincentive for landowners to conserve waterfowl habitat on their property, which runs counter the California’s public policy on protecting wetlands.
In addition, water delivery budgets for managed wetlands owned by the Department of Fish and Game and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are currently limited, including those under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act’s (CVPIA) Refuge Water provisions. Additional water costs would only further strain these limited public dollars available for wetland water purposes, significantly affecting the timing and duration of flood up for both State Wildlife Areas and National Wildlife Refuges.
SB 34 is currently in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and is dead for this year. |
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Senate Appropriations Committee |
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Sample Letter |
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SB 124 (De Leon) – Ammunition Sales – OPPOSE
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SB 124 (De Leon) would, among other things, attempt to remove the unconstitutional vagueness of the definition of “handgun ammunition” which was established by AB 962 (2009).
By redefining “handgun ammunition” SB 124 would conceivably allow for full implementation of AB 962 (2009), which would create a disincentive for law abiding members of the public to purchase handgun ammunition and therefore participate in hunting and other legal shooting activities. By essentially banning mail order and internet sales of handgun ammunition (given that all transactions must be completed “face-to-face”), implementation of AB 962 forces sportsmen and women to rely entirely on local ammunition dealers who often charge higher prices or may not have available all handgun ammunition calibers and types. In addition, many hunters and members strongly object to submitting personal information simply to buy commonly used sporting ammunition given that current law already mandates an extensive background check with each firearm purchase.
SB 124 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is dead for this year. |
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SB 328 (Kehoe) - Protection of Conservation Easements - SUPPORT
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SB 328 (Kehoe) would help ensure that the public resource values of a conservation easement are duly considered should a public agency attempt to condemn the property.
Conservation easements on private land protect hundreds of thousands of acres of the state’s most important wildlife habitat from development and other incompatible uses. However, urban growth increasingly threatens conservation easements in cases where public agencies attempt to use their condemnation powers to construct roads and other infrastructure.
SB 328 would help to ensure a more comprehensive analysis of the potential impacts to wildlife and other natural resources found on property subject to the easement, and, if condemnation proceeds, help ensure adequate mitigation.
With COHA's support, SB 328 has passed the Legislature and was signed into law by the Governor. |
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SB 427 (De Leon) – Ammunition – OPPOSE
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| In some positive news, the Governor vetoed SB 427, legislation which would have redefined "handgun ammunition" to include many commonly used rifle rounds, and allowed for full implementation of AB 962 - the ammunition registration law passed in 2009 which was subsequently ruled unconstitutional by the courts. In effect, approval of SB 427 would have essentially banned mail order and internet sales of all handgun and some rifle munitions by requiring that all transactions be completed "face-to-face". Additionally, the measure would have forced buyers to submit detailed personal information when purchasing commonly-used hunting and shooting munitions. |
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SB 798 (De Leon) – BB Devices – OPPOSE
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As introduced, SB 798 would have expanded the definition of “imitation firearm” to include nearly all BB devices.
More specifically, SB 798 would have no longer exempted BB devices from the definition of “imitation firearm”, thus requiring BB devices capable of expelling projectiles of less than 6mm through the force of air pressure, gas pressure, or spring action to be deemed “imitation firearms”.
COHA strongly believes that classifying BB devices as “imitation firearms” sends the wrong message and may encourage individuals to mishandle BB devices and treat them as toys. Many BB devices are capable of expelling projectiles at speeds exceeding 1,200 feet per second, which can cause significant harm or injury.
Additionally, current California Fish and Game hunting regulations allow hunters to take small game and upland game birds with some BB devices. Typically, when pursuing small game and turkey, hunters go to great lengths to conceal themselves. Under the provisions of SB 798, hunters will be forced to use highly visible, brightly colored BB devices. COHA is concerned that the impractical nature of using such devices while hunting will result in a loss of important hunting opportunity.
Due to significant opposition from COHA and other sportsmen organizations, SB 798 failed passage in the Assembly Committee on Public Safety.
However, the bill was then significantly amended to remove state preemption over the regulation of BB devices. If passed in its current form, SB 798 would allow local governments to regulate BB devices as they see fit, resulting in a patchwork of local ordinances creating mass-confusion amongst BB device owners and purchasers.
Fortunately, SB 798 was ultimately held in the Public Safety Committee, and is dead for this year. |
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SB 917 (Lieu) - Ban on Sale of Dogs in Public Places - OPPOSE
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COHA staff recently provided testimony against Senate Bill 917 (Lieu), which would make it a crime for any person to sell, or even display for sale, a dog in certain public places.
COHA pointed out that, while many commercial transactions of hunting and other sporting dogs take place at a kennel or the residence of the seller, there may also be situations where dogs are sold in public places specified in the bill. These include sportsmen’s shows, wildlife conservation fundraisers and dog shows—legitimate venues for sale and advertising that do not warrant additional regulations or restrictions.
COHA also argued that, due to the rural nature of many kennels, buyers often have to travel long distances in order to pick up their dog. Occasionally, the breeder will agree to meet the buyer at a midway point, which may be located in a parking lot or on a roadside, for instance, as a matter of convenience to one or both parties. In the absence of legitimate data showing that such transactions have proven detrimental to the health of the dog, they should remain lawful.
Despite our opposition, SB 917 was signed into law by the Governor. |
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FY 2011/2012 State Budget
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After many months of tough negotiations and difficult decisions, On June 30th, Governor Jerry Brown signed the FY 2011/2012 State Budget. Even though the Department of Fish and Game’s budget has been reduced by roughly 18%, COHA is pleased to note that important Land Management, Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Hunting Programs administered by DFG will see an increase over FY 2010/2011 funding levels.
Given the grim California economic outlook for foreseeable future, DFG is certain to face additional cuts in the upcoming fiscal year. COHA staff will continue to fight for essential wildlife habitat and hunting program funding. |
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2010 Election Results
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The 2010 statewide election will have several important implications for California's hunting community. On the positive side, all 18 State Legislators who were running for re-election and are also members of the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus won their individual races. In addition, former Assembly Member Member Doug La Malfa (R-Butte), a Caucus member from 2006-2008, was elected to the 4th Senate District by a wide margin. And, in all but one (Senate District 12) of the Legislative races in which COHA endorsed a candidate for State Senate or State Assembly, the COHA-supported candidate won his/her election.
COHA's focus in the next several months will be to work with the CA Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Co-Chairs in both the Senate and the Assembly to bolster the current Caucus membership and educate freshman Legislators about sportsmen's issues.
On the downside, Proposition 21, which would have generated approximately $35 million annually for the management of Department of Fish and Game lands, was soundly rejected by the voters. The Department of Fish and Game's fiscal woes can therefore be expected to continue for some time, with both public hunting opportunities and game species conservation efforts adversely affected.
Outside of California, right-to-hunt statewide initiatives in South Carolina, Arkansas and Tennessee passed overwhelmingly, ensuring constitutional protections and establishing an individual right to participate in hunting. However, in the one case (e.g. Arizona) where the Humane Society of the United States actively opposed and contributed funds ($250,000) against a right-to-hunt ballot measure, it was voted down. |
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To view the list of COHA endorsed candidates, click here |
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SB 1058 - Protection of Big Game Tag and Upland Game Bird Stamp Revenues - COHA SPONSORED
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****CA Governor Signs Legislation to Protect Hunting Tag/Stamp Monies****
Sacramento, CA – California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed Senate Bill 1058 to prevent hunter generated revenues from being misused for non-game or non-hunting purposes. The measure was authored by Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and sponsored by the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA).
“This much-needed law will ensure accountability and transparency over the state’s use of hunter-generated dollars,” stated Mark Hennelly, Vice President of COHA. The bill’s approval will annually reallocate an estimated $3.6 million of hunter-generated dollars back to their intended game conservation and hunting related uses.
Since the 1980’s – in an effort to address budget shortfalls and unfunded mandates in other areas – the state has improperly redirected big game tag and upland bird stamp revenues.
Loopholes in state law allowed for a significant portion of deer tag funds and all bear tag monies to be used for non-game purposes, while a large percentage of pig tag funds simply remained unspent or were redirected. According to the state’s own data from 2006, only 62% of deer tag revenue was actually used for deer-related projects. Similarly, only 64% of wild pig tag money and 48% of wild sheep auction tag money was used for related conservation work.
Under COHA-sponsored SB 1058, state law will now require that all user fee revenues generated from bear, elk, wild sheep, antelope, wild pig, deer and upland game bird stamps and tags be used for big game and upland bird conservation and public hunting purposes. Combined, these revenues total roughly $11 million dollars each year.
In addition, the measure requires that the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) consult with, and seek input from, hunting-related organizations on proposed projects before tag and stamp funds can be expended.
“California deer hunters have seen the deer herd numbers in this state drop by 46%,” noted Matt Rogers, President of the California Deer Association (CDA). “We are optimistic that with the signing of SB 1058, the money now spent by deer hunters for tags, as well as the funds raised at CDA banquets, will help reverse this trend. We look forward to working with the DFG in this effort.”
David Allen, President/CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and member of the COHA Board of Directors, agreed. “Passage of SB 1058 will substantially enhance our ability to do conservation work in California’s elk country. The fact that these additional state funds will be even further leveraged and supplemented – combined with our ability to now advise on project selection – will provide substantial benefits to RMEF’s mission accomplishment in the Golden State.”
The new law also consolidates existing big game species fiscal accounts into a single account, which will improve efficiency in the use of tag funds and give DFG greater flexibility to benefit all big game species.
"COHA staff displayed great patience and adaptability while working with conservationists and Legislators over a period of years to guide SB1058 to fruition. This bill creates a building block for future conservation legislation," said Rich Fletcher, State Chair for The Mule Deer Foundation.
For more than three years, COHA worked with its sporting allies and COHA member organizations – including the California Deer Association, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, California Houndsmen for Conservation, CA Chapter of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, National Wild Turkey Federation and California Waterfowl – to pass this legislation in order to safeguard hunters’ dollars. |
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SB 1058 Chaptered |
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AB 1254 - Streamlining of Fish and Game Commission Meeting Schedule - COHA SPONSORED
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| AB 1254, COHA-sponsored legislation introduced by Assembly Member Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto) was recently signed into law. This measure would, among other things: 1) allow the California Fish and Game Commission to adjust its meeting schedule to address funding shortfalls; 2) authorize the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to offer special hunting opportunities to qualified hunter education instructors for recruitment and retention purposes; 3) allow the DFG to suspend or seek reimbursement of F&G fine revenue improperly expended by county governments. |
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Press Release |
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AB 979 - Ban on Local Government Interference With Hunting/Fishing Activities - COHA SPONSORED
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AB 979, legislation authored by Assemblymember Tom Berryhill (R-Modesto), would help keep cities and counties from interfering with hunting and fishing activities. The bill is being sponsored by COHA in response to increasing efforts by urban cities and counties to arbitrarily restrict hunting activities within their jurisdictions, mostly due to local anti-hunting sentiment. This has occurred most recently with the Cities of Hercules and Mountain View in the Bay Area, as well as with the City of Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County. The bill would preempt local government ordinances that do not have a legitimate public safety purpose and reaffirm the California Fish and Game Commission’s primary authority over the regulation of fish and game.
AB 979 passed both houses of the State Legislature, but was ultimately vetoed by the Governor. |
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COHA, Conservation Partners Urge Reinstatement of Williamson Act Subvention Monies
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COHA and a broad coalition of agricultural, conservation and local government interests are asking the Legislature and the Governor to restore some $38 million in funding for Williamson Act subvention payments to local governments.
The Williamson Act provides lower property tax rates to farmers and other landowners who agree to keep their property in agricultural use for at least 10 years. Almost one-third of all private land in CA is enrolled under the Act. Many such properties not only provide valuable wildlife habitat and open space, but considerable hunting opportunity for waterfow, pheasant, deer, wild turkey and other game species.
Without the restoration of the subventions program, most Counties would simply not participate in the Williamson Act, making many agricultural lands highly suceptible to urban development or other incompatible uses in the next few years.
For a copy of the coalition's letter, please click below. |
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Williamson Act Coaliton Letter |
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Water Bond Measure to Include Significant Waterfowl Habitat Funding
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After more than 3 years of lobbying efforts, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) succeeded in including $110 million for waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation efforts in a statewide bond measure that will be considered by the California electorate. COHA was pleased to work with its founding member, California Waterfowl, as well as its conservation partners, Ducks Unlimited and the Grasslands Water District, to include this important funding as part of an overall $11.14 billion water bond package.
The measure, entitled the “Safe, Clean, and Reliable Drinking Water Supply Act”, includes language COHA helped draft which calls for “at least $100 million” to be allocated to the Wildlife Conservation Board for the purchase of water rights and water conveyance infrastructure for wildlife refuges and habitat areas under the federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). These waterfowl habitat areas include Central Valley National Wildlife Refuges, state Wildlife Areas and private duck clubs within the Grasslands Resource Conservation District in Merced County – areas which provide significant hunting opportunity for waterfowl, pheasant and other game birds.
The measure also includes COHA written language which would provide an additional $10 million for private lands wetland conservation programs administered by the Department of Fish and Game – including the California Waterfowl Habitat Program (i.e. Presley Program) – that offer financial incentives to duck clubs and other private landowners to protect and enhance the wildlife values of their property.
Of additional benefit for waterfowl interests, the bond contains substantial ecosystem restoration funding for the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and Salton Sea/New River—key wintering areas for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The bond further provides funding for the construction of Sites Reservoir in Colusa County, thereby providing additional, higher quality (warmer) water supplies for west side Sacramento Valley rice farmers—similar to the benefits already provided to east side rice farmers via the Oroville Afterbay. Moreover, it is estimated that Sites Reservoir could provide up to 80,000 acre feet of new water to meet Level 4 CVPIA water deliveries.
Regardless of the significant benefits for managed wetlands and waterfowl, some environmental critics of the water bond measure have argued that it facilitates funding of a “peripheral canal” around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to send more water from Northern California southward to farms and cities (and thus threaten Northern California water rights, as well as the health of the Delta’s fragile ecosystem). However, it should be noted that Section 79712 of the bond initiative explicitly prohibits such action:
“Funds provided by this division shall not be expended to pay the costs of the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of Delta conveyance facilities.”
In addition, Section 79713 of the bond provides other protection for northern California water interests:
“This division does not diminish, impair, or otherwise affect in any manner whatsoever any area of origin, watershed of origin, county of origin, or any other water rights protections, including, but not limited to, rights to water appropriated prior to December 19, 1914, provided under the law.”
The bond has been endorsed by over 125 different organizations, including the CA Farm Bureau, The Nature Conservancy and the Northern California Water Association.
****Water Bond Update****: Despite a very close vote in the Assembly, both Houses of the State Legislature recently passed legislation (AB 1265) to effectively delay the water bond vote, including the proposed $110 million for wetland/waterfowl purposes, to the November 2012 statewide ballot. The legislation also prohibits a joint powers authority that receives public funding under the Water Bond for a surface water storage project from including for-profit entities among its members. The bill was signed by the Governor. |
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Waterfowl/Wetland Bond Funding Provisions |
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California State Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus
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In an effort to build the political strength of the outdoor community in the halls of our State Capitol, the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) continues to play the lead private sector role in organizing and promoting the California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus – a collection of Legislators who have an interest and passion for preserving and enhancing our outdoor traditions.
The current Chairs are of the Caucus are Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) and Assembly Member Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton). The Vice-Chairs are Senator Tom Harman (R-Huntington Beach) and Assembly Member Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata).
With the help of the previous Caucus Chair, former State Senator Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), and with the critical support of COHA’s member organizations and industry, COHA has been able to build the Caucus in less than a decade to on of the largest Caucus's at California’s State Capitol. To further build membership and interest, COHA organizes, administers and obtains funding for several informative and fun Caucus events each year. Working closely with our membership, COHA annually coordinates a formal Caucus dinner event, a Trap Shoot, habitat tours and other events to build Caucus membership and educate Caucus members and their staff on wildlife and hunting related issues of importance.
Later this fall, COHA staff will again attend the annual National Association of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC) conference. Each year, COHA attends this national summit of State Legislative Caucus members and related organizations in an effort to share legislative experience and policy ideas and to educate Caucuses in other states about California’s hunting and fishing issues.
For more information on California Legislature Outdoor Sporting Caucus Events, visit our “Events” page. |
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AB 1046 - Hunting Protection - SUPPORT
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AB 1046 (Berryhill)would prohibit the CA Fish and Game Commission or Department of Fish and Game from adopting an absolute, statewide prohibition on the taking of game.
AB 1046 would safeguard the ability of the public to harvest game for food and recreational purposes. In doing so, it would not only maintain our hunting traditions for future generations to enjoy, but also help to protect: (1) the significant conservation funding streams provided through hunting licenses, associated stamps and tags, and federal taxes on hunting equipment; (2) the hunting-related incentives for property owners to maintain land as wildlife habitat/open space; (3) hunting’s proven ability to help control overly abundant or depredating wildlife populations at minimal cost to the state; and (4) the economic benefits of hunting for rural communities and businesses.
COHA believes this measure is needed to prevent increasing efforts by special interest groups to arbitrarily restrict or ban hunting activities.
AB 1046 was held in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, and is dead for this year. |
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| Federal |
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COHA is active on the federal front on many issues of interest and concern to hunters and other conservationists. Below is a brief summary of some of the issues COHA staff are currently working in the 112th Congress: |
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Dan Ashe Confirmed as USFWS Director
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In early July 2011, the U.S. Senate confirmed Dan Ashe as the new Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Ashe replaced Sam Hamilton, who passed away suddenly in February 2010 while skiing in Colorado.
President Obama formally nominated Ashe to serve as USFWS Director on December 3rd, 2010. Ashe served as the USFWS deputy director for policy since 2009, where he was tasked with developing policy and guidance to support and promote program development and fulfill the service’s mission. Ashe also served as the chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) from 1998 to 2003, directing operation and management of the 150 million-acre system, and the Service’s land acquisition program.
COHA staff has worked closely with Ashe since he began serving as chief of the NWRS in 1998. COHA staff traveled to Washington D.C. in early August 2011 to meet with Ashe and his top staff on a variety of issues related to the importance of science-based wildlife management and protection and promotion of our hunting traditions on USFWS lands. |
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FY 2012 Federal Budget
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On July 12th, the House Appropriations Committee passed their FY 2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill that included substantial cuts to agency spending and key conservation programs. Overall, the bill would fund the Department of the Interior (DOI) at $9.9 billion, $720 million less than it received in the FY 2011 continuing resolution and $1.2 billion less than the President’s request. The USFWS allocation would be cut $500 million from its budget request ($315 million less than FY 2011) to $1.2 billion, the largest agency cut for all of DOI. Perhaps of greatest concern is the fact that the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) is slated for only $20 million – roughly half of its FY 2011 funding level of $37.5 million, and nearly $30 million less than its FY 2010 funding of $47.7 million. In addition, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is proposed to be cut to $61.8 million, an 80% reduction from what it received in FY 2011, and far less than the $900 million full funding proposed in the President’s budget. Funding at that level would essentially only cover administrative costs.
In addition to proposed funding cuts, the spending bill includes several policy riders aimed at bedrock environmental laws – including language in the bill which would prevent the FWS from listing any new endangered species or designating any new critical habitat, and it would prohibit species delisting decisions from being challenged in court.
The bill will likely be heard on the House floor in late July, where it is expected to pass with limited changes and be sent to the Senate. The Senate has held hearings on the Interior and EPA budgets but has not yet developed its alternative to the House bill.
COHA staff traveled to Washington D.C. in early August to meet with congressional staff to discuss our serious concerns regarding the FY 2012 budget proposal. |
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S. 138 - “The California Desert Protection Act of 2011”
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On January 25, 2011, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced S. 138, coined the “California Desert Protection Act of 2011”. Similar to S. 2921, legislation introduced by Senator Feinstein during the 111th Congress (see below), S. 138 proposes to set aside new lands in the Mojave Desert in Southern California for conservation, recreation, and other purposes. Notable components of the bill include creating the Mojave Trails National Monument, which would protect 941,000 acres of federal land and the Sand to Snow National Monument, encompassing 134,000 acres of federal land between Joshua Tree National Park and the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. The monument would be jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service.
In August, COHA staff went to Washington D.C. to meet with Senator Feinstein's top staff to discuss our serious concerns regarding the proposal's possible impact on off-road access for recreational and hunting purposes, as well as the maintenance of guzzlers installed for the benefit of wildlife.
S. 138 was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources upon its introduction in January. However, it has yet to be heard in committee. |
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H.R. 1837 - “San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act”
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On May 11th, U.S. Representative Devin Nunes (R-21st/CA) introduced H.R. 1837, the “San Joaquin Valley Water Reliability Act”, federal legislation which, among other things, includes a number of provisions intended to “update” the Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA), and provide incentives for water districts to expand conjunctive use of surface and groundwater. COHA is concerned that the measure, as currently written, could impact important CVPIA refuge water deliveries by proposing to reduce and widen authorized expenditures of the CVPIA Restoration Fund and soften the Act’s refuge water provisions.
The CVPIA, passed into law in 1992, included language which guarantees Central Valley federal refuges, state wildlife areas and private wetlands within the Grasslands Resources Conservation District critical annual wetland water supplies in accordance with strict delivery schedules. Fully maintaining the integrity of these important CVPIA wetland provisions is of utmost priority to COHA.
The bill was been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources in May, with hearings held in the Subcommittee on Water and Power in early June. As of the fall of 2011, no further action has been taken on the measure. |
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