Golden State Salmon Association On Two State Bills That Could Imperil Fish
Two state assembly bills, AB 2215 and AB 2026, are currently on the ballot, and the Golden State Salmon Association thinks both, if passed, could imperil the state’s salmon runs. Here’s more from GSSA:
URGENT: Urge Your State Senator to Oppose Bills to Increase Salmon-Killing Water Diversions
Call Your State Senator Today!
California salmon and those who depend on them are finally showing signs of recovery after years of threats, fishery shutdowns, and devastating losses to fishing communities.
Now, powerful water interests are pushing two bills through the California Legislature that could make the problem worse.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) does not have the water rights needed to divert additional water through the massive proposed Delta Tunnel. Instead of going through the normal review process at the State Water Resources Control Board, which protects California rivers and salmon, AB 2215 would give DWR new water rights through legislation.
That would mean less public oversight, less scientific review of potential environmental impacts, and more risk to salmon and fishing communities.
AB 2026 began as an idea to allow water diversions during floods without needing to apply for a water right. But the bill has become a wholesale effort to increase water diversions, even when flows are poor for salmon. For example, following a modestly wet winter, it would allow increased pumping from Sacramento Valley rivers during low spring flows while baby salmon are migrating to the ocean. It would also allow agriculture to pump water released from Central Valley reservoirs to provide Fall “attraction” flows for migrating adult salmon. We’ve seen how important these flows are for spawning salmon on the Mokelumne River. Without these Fall flows, far fewer adults return to spawn in the Moke.
These bills matter because excessive water diversions were a major driver behind the catastrophic collapse that led to:
- Three years of commercial salmon fishing shutdowns
- Extremely limited recreational salmon fishing
- Severe economic harm to fishing families, charter businesses, ports, tackle shops, restaurants, and coastal communities
We cannot allow California to repeat the same mistakes that pushed salmon to the brink.
TAKE ACTION NOW
Both bills have already passed the State Assembly. On June 23, AB 2026 will be heard in the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. AB 2215 will be taken up by the Committee a week later. Your senator is on this key committee. That’s why your voice matters now.
Please call your State Senator today and urge them to vote NO on AB 2215 and AB 2026.
Find your State Senator here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/
Suggested Call Script
“Senator (Last Name), I’m calling to urge you to oppose AB 2215 and AB 2026 when they come before the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee.
Both bills are designed to increase water diversions from the rivers that support California’s most important salmon runs. Both bills represent a major threat to California salmon, fishing jobs, and fishing communities across the state.
We are just beginning to recover from a devastating three-year shutdown of commercial salmon fishing and years of extremely limited recreational opportunity. The economic damage to fishing families and coastal communities has been enormous.
Excessive water diversions helped create this crisis. AB 2215 and AB 2026 could make the problem worse.
Salmon matter to Californians like me. Please vote NO on these two bills.
Thanks!
Thank you for standing up for California salmon, healthy rivers, and fishing jobs.
Want more background on why GSSA opposes the Delta Tunnel and what’s at stake for California salmon?
Read more here:
Rare Opportunity to Stop the Salmon-Killing Delta Tunnel
— Golden State Salmon Association
P.S. Please forward this email to friends, family, fishing partners, and anyone who cares about the future of California salmon.
