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View Full Version : Email from CalTrout about suction dredges



Bill Kiene semi-retired
08-07-2009, 07:34 PM
Yesterday Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill to temporarily ban the destructive form of recreational gold mining known as suction dredging. The bill places an immediate moratorium on all suction dredge mining until the California Department of Fish and Game develops and implements new suction dredge regulations that are protective of fisheries and water quality.

Introduced by Senator Pat Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), the bill attracted broad bi-partisan support and passed both houses of the legislature with a 2/3 majority.

The signing marked a major victory by a diverse coalition of Tribes, fishermen, and conservation groups from around the state. CalTrout has spearheaded this effort -- with your help. TroutClouters sent over 500 emails to Governor Schwarzenegger urging his signature.

California's rivers and streams are suffering from increasing degradation, and the endangered and threatened fish species face ever more obstacles to survival. Suction dredging disturbs spawning beds of trout, steelhead and salmon. Healthy spawning beds are essential to the long-term survival of these species.

We hope that at the end of the rule making process, the size of dredges will be limited and critical habitats and spawning areas for threatened species will be off limits while allowing dredgers access to areas less vital for the survival of at-risk species.

Thank you for making this happen.