California Fish and Game Warden's Association Letter to California Fish and Game Commission: Enough is Enough, Don't Shut Down The Ocean Without Enforcement

PASO ROBLES, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
California Fish and Game Wardens Association issued the following statement via
letter (original letter attached as a PDF file) the text of which follows:

July 9, 2009

Ms. Cindy Gustafson, President

California Fish and Game Commission

1416 Ninth Street

P.O. Box 944209

Sacramento, CA 94244-2090

Dear Ms. Gustafson:

Thanks to you and the Commission for recognizing the ongoing plight of Wardens
in California. We greatly appreciate the tremendous support from those who
understand and value California's wildlife and its susceptibility. Poaching and
environmental law violations are an everyday occurrence as we continue to
provide the ''thin green line" of protection in spite of the ongoing statewide
budget crisis and a requirement for taking three furlough days each month. With
only a little over 200 field game wardens, the furloughs create a situation
where we lose the time equivalent to 28 wardens. We are well aware that a number
of state law enforcement agencies have not been furloughed. We have met with
cabinet level personnel, but no one can explain how some are exempt and some are
not. It is clear so far, that the protection of wildlife resources and ensuring
public safety do not appear important enough to remove furloughs from wardens.

We understand the need for the Commission to move forward with mandates but must
request that you delay or suspend any and all mandates that place additional
responsibilities on wardens until such time that furlough and staffing issues
are addressed. A prime example of this is the ongoing work by the Commission
related to the Marine Life Protection Act and the designation of protected areas
along our coastline. Insofar as legally possible, please delay any further
designations of such areas. With the furloughs in place, we now have field level
staffing that provides us about 175 field level wardens. We simply cannot
effectively enforce additional mandates without some relief from furlough issues
that may continue through June, 2010.

We appreciate and support the difficult and conscientious work the Commission
must consider. We look forward to your help.

s~

Todd Tognazzini, President

P.O. Box 2785

Paso Robles, CA 93447-2785

(805)610-3916, ttognazzini@dfg.ca.gov

Protecting California's Wildlife Since 1871

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available:
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California Game Wardens Association
Todd Tognazzini, President, 805-610-3916
ttognazzini@dfg.ca.gov

Copyright Business Wire 2009