August 2006 American Sportfishing Association Policy Watch
Policy Watch is a monthly update for the sportfishing community
about the American Sportfishing Association’s Government Affairs activities.
For more information on ASA Government Affairs activities, contact Gordon
Robertson, VP and Government Affairs lead, x237 or Carol
Forthman, director, Ocean Resource Policy, x244 at 703.519.9691.
ASA Joins Effort for Klamath River Dam Removal
For the first time in fifty years, the opportunity to help restore the Klamath
River salmon populations is possible. ASA is actively participating in the
effort to decommission and remove the four most seaward dams on the Klamath
River. ASA garnered support from 11 other national conservation and sportfishing
groups (see below) to sign onto a letter to Warren Buffett, CEO, whose firm
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. owns the controlling interest in MidAmerican, PacifiCorp's
parent corporation. PacifiCorp, which owns the four dams, must renew its 50-year
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licenses for Iron Gate, Copco 1 and 2,
and J.C. Boyle dams.
ASA and its partners asked for Buffett’s support in decommissioning
and removing the dams. The same organizations sent letters to the editors
of major West Coast and national newspapers as well as to outdoor journalists
and sportfishing trade publications. West Coast angler organizations and
other community-based organizations are also involved in this effort asking
their members to write letters of support to Berkshire-Hathaway and
their Members
of Congress asking them to support an equitable settlement that removes
the four dams and restores the salmon fishery.
ASA supports the efforts of the California and Oregon state governments,
the federal government and other affected parties to reach an equitable
settlement that will both restore the river and accommodate the interests
of PacifiCorp and its ratepayers.
Although agricultural interests withdraw water further upstream of these dams,
these four dams are not used for agricultural withdrawals.
Along with ASA, the groups supporting the effort are: the American Fly Fishing
Trade Association, the American Fisheries Society, the Association of Fish
and Wildlife Agencies, the Berkley Conservation Institute, the Coastal Conservation
Association, the Federation of Fly Fishers, the International Game Fish Association,
the Izaak Walton League, the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the
Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation
Partnership.
ASA Comments on Critical Habitat Designation
In August, ASA submitted comment criticizing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
in their proposed designation of critical piping plover wintering habitat in
North Carolina. The same designation had been rejected by the courts
in 2004, but the Service nevertheless proposed essentially the same areas again
without meeting the requirements of the Court order. The critical habitat designation
also comes before final approval of plans for off road vehicle access to fishing
areas in Cape Hatteras National Seashore, which could have resulted in an exemption
from designation.
ASA Comments on Highly Migratory Species Plan
The National Marine Fisheries Service recently published the Final Environmental
Impact Statement for Highly Migratory Species. Although ASA agrees with most
of the provisions in the FEIS, one provision requiring use of circle hooks
in certain tournament situations would severely impact certain east coast tournaments.
ASA suggested modifications to the provision that would alleviate this problem.
ASA Submits Comments on Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Plan
ASA submitted comments on the first part of a proposed management plan for
the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of California.
NOAA issued the Sanctuary management plan in two parts. The first part dealt
with management of the sanctuary generally, while the second part of the plan
deals with establishment of Marine Reserves in the Sanctuary. The marine reserve
designation plan is more controversial than the first part of the plan, and
therefore is being considered separately. The second part of the plan (marine
reserve designation) was published recently and is currently open for comments.
ASA and the National Marine Manufacturers Association are arranging for a briefing
by the Sanctuaries program on the marine reserve proposal.
California Designates Large Areas of the Central Coast as Marine Reserves
The California Fish and Game Commission assented to political pressure from
environmental groups and their supporters, the diving and ecotourist industries,
to close fishing in 18 percent of state waters along California’s central
coast. The closed areas exceeded those that had been recommended by the California
Department of Fish and Game. Angler organizations had rallied behind a more
modest proposal but their efforts were defeated by the interests of the environmental
groups and their supporters.
