Press Release

Fisheries hearing will assemble impressive slate of experts to discuss impacts of historic drought and rogue marijuana grows

Sacramento, CA – Senator Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), chairman of the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture, will open Wednesday’s “Fish, Flows and Marijuana Grows” hearing to examine the impacts of the historic drought and marijuana grows on the state’s fisheries and natural resources.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. this Wednesday, July 1 in Room 2040 at the State Capitol in Sacramento. It will also be livestreamed on the Senate’s website, which can be found at www.senate.ca.gov under “Today’s Events.”

The Fisheries Hearing will focus specifically on the impacts the historic drought and marijuana grows are having on California fisheries. The gathering will bring together an unprecedented number of fishery experts, state agency leaders, commercial and recreational fishing representatives, and river advocates.

Listed to testify are:

  • John Laird – Secretary, Natural Resources Agency
  • Charlton Bonham – Director, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Thomas Howard – Executive Director, State Water Resources Control Board
  • John McManus – Executive Director, Golden Gate Salmon Association
  • Tim Sloane – Director of Programs, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Association
  • DeWayne Little – Lieutenant, California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Scott Greacen – Executive Director, Friends of the Eel River
  • Tom Allman – Sheriff, Mendocino County
  • Lawrence Dwight – Rancher, California Cattlemen’s Association
  • Hezekiah Allen – Executive Director, Emerald Growers Association

“In our fourth year of this historic drought, we have to find ways to protect our fisheries from the impacts of the driest years on record, and the devastating impacts of rogue marijuana grows. The combination of the drought and rogue grows have resulted in unprecedented damage to our state’s watersheds, they have put endangered species on the brink, and are hammering away at our coastal and port economy. This economy contributes billions of dollars annually to our state,” Senator Mike McGuire said. 

Sitting on the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture with Chair McGuire are: Vice Chair Assemblymember Jim Wood, Senator Jerry Hill, Senator Jim Nielsen, Senator Fran Pavley, Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian, Assemblymember Philip Ting, and Assemblymember Das Williams.

Later this fall, the Committee will also host the 42nd annual Fisheries Forum and reception.

 

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