November 5, 2009

Commentary
Trout stocking lawsuit
also threatening entire
aquaculture industry

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     The lawsuit that forced the Department of Fish and Game to address the environmental impacts of its entire trout and salmon hatchery and stocking program might have some serious, unintended consequences.
     It could result in a crippling of the state’s private aquaculture industry.
     For sportfishermen, that could mean that private stocking programs for trout and catfish could be severely reduced or come to a screeching halt. But the trickle down affect could mean that people who have backyard koi ponds might have to get permits and provide quarterly documentation their ponds are disease- and invasive species-free.
     The draft environmental document being circulated by the Department of Fish and Game for public comment before going back to the court and the litigants for approval has language that has terrified private growers of trout, catfish and other fishes throughout the state. Why? Because it would result in a whole new set of regulations, permits, and testing that affect their businesses.
     Tony Vaught, of Professional Aquaculture Services in Chico, has been talking with private hatchery owners throughout the state, and he says the DFG’s preferred alternative in the environmental document would have two particularly onerous points:
     1) It would require anyone stocking any water in the state, including a private, backyard pond, to obtain a stocking permit from the DFG. To get the permit, you would have to provide annual documentation (by hiring a professional) that no sensitive species are present. 2) A water could also only be stocked with fish obtained from a certified disease-free source. In addition, that facility has to be invasive species-free and checked quarterly for invasive species.
     Vaught, and other growers, point out that many private facilities currently providing fish for city, county, state, and private waters for recreational fishing programs could not meet the disease- and invasive-free criteria. Many of the Department of Fish and Game’s own hatcheries don’t meet these criteria.
     “What happens if they find something, something that kills a pollywog or something. Do they shut the whole [fish] farm down?” said Doug Elliott, who owns Corona Lake and the fishing concession at Santa Ana River Lakes.
     He is concerned that it will make it more expensive and harder, if not impossible, to get trout and catfish for his and hundreds of other recreational fishing programs across the state.
     Elliott said that trout and catfish growers have been disappearing from California because of increasing costs and more regulations for the past decade. His costs for fish have far outpaced the rate of inflation, and he is concerned that it will simply become impossible to get fish.
     Anglers across the state should have the same concerns. Private hatcheries have picked up the slack as DFG plants and planting locations dwindle. No one dreamed the private hatchery would be threatened by this lawsuit, too. But the DFG is making sure this whole thing spirals out of control.
     The amount of environmental damage caused by the DFG’s hatchery program (and the private hatchery program) is almost negligible. If you were to say all of the state’s aquatic environmental damage was a glass of water, the problems caused by hatcheries would be a fraction of a drop.
     The DFG’s environmental document doesn’t even attempt to address the real issues that have been the major contributing factors to the spread of aquatic diseases and invasive species: water transfers. Quagga mussels are now throughout the Colorado River system and virtually every water in Southern California that gets water from the Colorado River. Imagine that. It also fails to look at the biggest impacts on native species: dams. Dams have changed the whole character of rivers below those dams or blocked migration to spawning areas. The San Joaquin River has been dry in places for decades. It’s kind of hard to have native steelhead and salmon runs in a dry river bed. Yes, the DFG’s environmental document was specifically about hatcheries, but it should have placed the known damage from hatcheries in the framework of overall damage to the resource. That’s called perspective. The DFG document doesn’t give this perspective.
     Fixing the state’s hatchery problems is like treating a paper cut on someone who’s having a massive heart attack. In today’s world, the benefits of the DFG and private hatchery programs far outweigh the minuscule problems they cause, and the few egregious exceptions are easy fixes.
     This should have been recognized when the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was passed decades ago, and the DFG should have written a categorical exemption for the hatchery program. Then there could never have been a lawsuit contesting the whole hatchery program, just site-specific lawsuits that address those few serious problems. The DFG hasn’t had anyone with foresight in decades. It’s a wildfire response agency: Put water on flames and set backfires. Heaven forbid we’d actually try to manage the forest to prevent massive fires.
     Now, there’s no predicting all the casualties from the hatchery environmental document. You can thank the DFG for that.
    STATE PARKS CLOSE TWO DAYS A WEEK: Two of Southern California’s most popular fishing areas are now closed two days a week. Lake Perris is closed Tuesday and Wednesday and Lake Silverwood is closed Wednesday and Thursday. The closures started this week.
     It’s all park of state parks’ scheme to save $14.2 million this year. While it’s unclear how this will save a dime since most park costs are in staffing (which is not being cut), maintenance (which is still being done), and overhead (where there is no change), at least the closures aren’t on weekends when use and revenue generation are highest.
     CACHUMA MARINA CLOSED: The Lake Cachuma marina and boat rental closed in early October when the concessionaire apparently couldn’t get affordable liability insurance. Why they couldn’t be covered under the county government plan that runs the park facility is a mystery.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     NOVEMBER 7 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class date is Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     NOVEMBER 7-8 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     NOVEMBER 7-8 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The 2010 schedule for the Ventura gun show is available on the show’s web site. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons also available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     NOVEMBER 14 WILD HOG HUNTING SEMINAR: Hunting author Durwood Hollis and long-time big game guide Ron Gayer will be giving a five-hour hog hunting seminar beginning 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. Cost is $30 per person in advance or $40 at the door, with kids accompanying adults free. The seminar will cover hog hunting A-Z from gun and ammunition selection to field care to guides and outfitters to hunting on public lands. Space is limited, call 909-605-3719 to reserve a spot.
     NOVEMBER 21-22 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     DECEMBER 5-6 BASS PRO SHOPS HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES: Bass Pro Shops is now having hunter safety classes four days per month on the first and third full weekends, with classes on Saturday and Sunday of each weekend. The classes are all one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety classes. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $10 per person. Sign-ups are taken at Bass Pro and class size is limited. For information, call 909-922-5500. A pre-class study course is available at www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/.
     DECEMBER 12 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class date is Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     DECEMBER 12-13 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The 2010 Del Mar gun show dates are available at the gun show web site. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons are also available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     GOLDEN STATE FLYCASTERS: The Golden State Flycasters and Trout Unlimited Chapter 920 meets 6 to 9 p.m. Monday before the third Thursday of each month at Tio Leo’s Restaurant, Del Mar. Information at www.goldenstateflycasters.org.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Hunny’s Restaurant, Main Street and 4th Street, Corona. Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com. The club’s web site is www.tcsportsmen.org.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.