Steve Merlo: Time to Stop Congressional Pillaging Of DFG Funds
| Thursday, Jul 09 2009 11:15 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Jul 09 2009 11:22 PM
I hate politics with a purple passion, but every once in a while, I find myself pushing for legislative changes that I think will benefit all wildlife and also outdoor-oriented people. There is now on the Sacramento table one of those rare opportunities to do exactly that, and despite the ongoing budget battle, one that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
For more years than I care to remember, some members of the California State Legislature have literally been stealing funds directed solely for use within the California Department of Fish and Game. These monies have been illegally misdirected into other coiffers without the benefit of due process. In other words, hunting and stamp licensing fees have been shamefully stolen and misused on pet projects by raiding state congressional bigwigs not interested in the protection and management of our wildlife by their rightful keepers.
Senator Tom Harman, an avid outdoorman, has sponsored a bill, SB589, that will lawfully mandate any and all loopholes that allowed the crimes to occur in the the first place be closed for good. The bill is also co-sponsored by none other than our own native daughter and outdoors champion, Representative Jean Fuller, an outdoor-loving woman in her own right. (Trust me, she can handle her little Browning over/under with very accurate distinction.)
Both of these state legislative emmisaries, along with a host of other capitol denizens, have long known about the rape of funds intended for DFG conservation use and have finally decided to do something about it. Also, a host of sportsman's groups have long decried the practice, and now, backed by many state lawmakers, are touting the law that would put an end to the unjust and illegal practice.
SB589 will take the right steps to ensure that all funding derived from the sale of hunting licenses and stamps will be protected from congressional raids, and also provide strict accountability for those collected funds.
Specifically, the bill will, and I quote from the media fact sheet:
"1. Guarantee that all monies collected are to be used solely for habitat improvements, management plans, population monitoring, enforcement and other activities for deer, antelope, wild pigs, bear, bighorn sheep, elk and upland game birds.
2. Combine big game hunting tag revenues into a single fiscal account and facilitate nonprofit assistance with conservation projects -- both of which would improve efficiencies in the overall use of the money.
3. Allow sportsman's groups that specialize in game species conservation efforts the opportunity to provide well-needed comment on proposed conservation projects (such as bighorn sheep management projects) that usually do not generate sufficient funding. This would allow greater transparency in the use of funds and the opportunity for the DFG to further refine projects prior to implementation."
As avid outdoor hunters and conservationists, each and every one of us needs to back this bill into passage. Senator Harman and Representative Fuller need our support. Contact Senator Harman at (916) 651-4035, and Jean Fuller at (661) 395-2995.
While on the subject of the DFG ...
Once again, I'd like to ask the California Congress to readdress the problem of non-commissurate pay for woefully underpaid game wardens. The number of state wardens has been decimated by lateral transfers to higher-paying state positions or by being forced to seek professional employment elsewheres, such as sheriff's and police departments, or by leaving law enforcement altogether .
Whether one likes game wardens or not, the issue here has everything to do with the continued enforcement of state hunting and fishing laws and woefully understaffed conservation and enforcement practices. Having a strong force protecting our wildlife treasures is so important that our officers in green need to be retained at all costs -- the budget be damned. The only way it can be done is through wage parity with other state employees, such as Highway Patrolmen, and it needs to be done as fast as possible.
These are Steve Merlo’s opinions, and not necessarily The Californian’s. His column appears every Friday. Write him at merloworms@bak.rr.com.
