Excellent points Rob. Why are we trying to save native species when those native species are long gone? Human impact on the state is far more likely the culprit than just the trout. I also think its funny that the trout in the High Sierras are such a large concern. Problem is most of the high sierra watersheds have not been stocked in more than a decade, with the state implementing trout removal programs for many years. Trout are really just the easy target if you ask me. Its looks good when the state is just doing something. What about the use of biological and agricultural agents such as atrazine that have caused massive amphibian die offs in the Central Valley? Or the high amounts of UV light in the high elevations that cause fatal skin mutations in ampibian species? Trout are a small part of the whole equation, IMHO.

And its seems the CBD and PRC are typical of extremist environmental view point; no human usage of the land whatsoever. A very limited, selfish view, IMO.

But this could have been avoided with some effort from the DFG. This has been on the table for several years, if not longer. The DFG is just as much to blame for not filing the EIR. Letting this sit and be ignored as long as it did is inexcusable. But it will happen as long as the heads of the DFG and other environmental departments are politicians first and outdoorsmen second.