The California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) today released a plan to fully implement the hatchery enhancements called for in Assembly Bill 7. The bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Dave Codgill of Modesto, will take effect on July 1.

"I am very pleased with the Governor's decision to implement AB 7 fully, showing his commitment to restore California's hatchery system and wild trout program," Codgill said. "This restoration is important not only to anglers but to the economies and communities that rely on them. I am looking forward to the healthier inland fisheries that full implementation of AB 7 will bring about."

AB 7 added Section 13007 to the California Fish and Game Code in 2005 and requires DFG to deposit one third of sport fishing license fees in the Hatchery and Inland Fisheries Fund (HIFF) beginning July 1. HIFF funds may be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to support DFG programs related to the management, maintenance, and capital improvement of California's fish hatcheries, the Heritage and Wild Trout Program, and enforcement activities. The fund will also support other activities eligible for revenue generated by sport fishing license fees.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed full funding in this budget year for implementation of AB 7, and has included additional funding to DFG from the General Fund. In keeping with the Governor's signing message, this action will ensure that the implementation of AB 7 will not impact other programs, said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick.

The complete 33-page plan can be found online at www.dfg.ca.gov/docs/AB7ImplementationPlan.pdf.

The bill provides that one third of the fees derived from the issuance of all sport fishing licenses (with the exception of revenue currently designated for deposit into the Abalone Restoration and Preservation Account) be deposited into the HIFF. This implementation plan provides managers and the public specific details on how the trout production goals and objectives identified in FGC Section 13007 would be met by DFG.

The key issues AB 7 addresses include:

?Ģ Attaining the increased state fish hatchery production goals relating to the release of trout;?Į?Ģ Funding permanent positions, seasonal aids, and other activities in the Hatchery and Heritage and Wild Trout Programs; ?Į?Ģ Allowing DFG the ability to initiate and manage the restoration of naturally indigenous genetic stocks of trout to their original California source watersheds and;?Į?Ģ Authorizing the use of funds in the HIFF to be used for the purpose of obtaining scientifically valid genetic determinations of California native trout stocks.

The funding of AB 7 is subject to approval by the Legislature in the annual budget process. The Senate and Assembly Budget Subcommittees are currently considering approval of the Governor's request for full implementation.

California's trout resources are found in more than 3,000 natural lakes, 625 man-made reservoirs, and more than 18,000 miles of coldwater streams. This includes 7,763 miles of salmon and steelhead water. DFG stocks six species of trout and chars (rainbow, brown, cutthroat, golden, brook, and lake trout); and three species of salmon. Kokanee (non-anadromous sockeye salmon) are stocked in 24 reservoirs; Chinook salmon in another 12 reservoirs; and a domesticated strain of Coho salmon has been stocked in Lake Oroville. Wild native and introduced trout including 11 identified subspecies of heritage trout are found in California.