Hi all,

First, apologies for the long message. I got in touch with Dr. Dwayne Maxwell, SR. Biologist of the S. Ca. region. Here are some answers to questions suggested by Rob in a previous post.

1. Who will be in charge of the Pre-Stocking Evaluations?
“The fisheries function of each Region has been working on the waters within the regional boundaries. In the South Coast Region, the Pre-Stocking Evaluations have been given the highest priority for the fisheries staff.”

2. Is there a timeline for these evaluations?
“No. We are working on the evaluations full time. They will be completed as quickly and as accurately as we can manage. We have tried to triage our waters to get the easy ones finished first. This will allow our hatcheries to start planting fish and get some stock out of the hatcheries. Some waters, such as rim dams, are going to be more difficult and time consuming.”

3. Will the evaluations be entirely funded by DFG? “Yes.”

4. Will the evaluation process be open to public opinion?
“The evaluations will not be opened for public review before approval. We discussed this option and if we have to offer a public review of each evaluation, any decisions will be months in the making. The evaluations may be made available on our website within some reasonable time but not before regional and Fisheries Branch approval.”

5. What are some of the main criteria that will be used for these evaluations?
“The evaluations consider the list of decision species contained in the EIR/EIS and the need as identified in the document for mitigation. As we go through the flow charts of Appendix K, the presence of the species is considered along with historical ranges, critical habitat designations, recovery plan conflicts, and listing status. There are a few listed species, southwest arroyo toad for example, that are listed but the impact of stocking rainbow trout in these waters is considered to be less than significant. Before these waters are cleared, we still need to consult with the federal agencies responsible for the species to be certain we have considered all the ramifications of stocking trout in these waters.”

Of important note to us S. Ca. anglers. Lakes Cachuma, Piru, Casitas, and Castaic, apparently, will be the most difficult bodies of water to evaluate (unfortunately). This is due to the potential effects of stockings on anadromous species (meaning steelhead). Stockings in these waters will be resumed if and only when clear mitigation measures can be defined and put in place. They (DFG) have already met and held long discussions on what this mitigation might be. However, the process of defining this mitigation is just starting. Combined with the fact that they want to evaluate the "easy ones first", restocking in these waters (if it ever happens) could take a long time.

As posted already, reminder that the DFG (which is very understaffed) is caught in the middle of all this mess, and are trying to get stockings resumed if possible.

Keep yourselves informed and share info with us. As Rob stated in another forum: "It is all about balancing habitat, species, and human use. This doesn't have to be an us-vs-them scenario." Also, as someone with the handle "jigginpig" stated, I too am sympathetic to the dilemma. Ranting about the government and how eco groups are tyring to eliminate fishermen will not help win over the DFG's sympathy for anglers.

Today, I hope to get in touch with Curtis Milliron of DFG, another biologist in the south region. Will post any pertinent information from our coversation later.

Send well written emails to DFG biologist on how fishing is important to you and how you want future generations to have the fishing opportunities we have. I've found that many DFG biologists are very generous with their time and detailed in their explanations.

Fumio