Berg, Wiggins take final run at fish fund
John Driscoll/The Times-Standard |
Article Launched:09/12/2007 04:15:51 AM PDT |
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State legislators Pat Wiggins and Patty Berg made a last-ditch effort on Tuesday to get money for fish restoration into the pipeline for this year. Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa, and Berg, D-Eureka, were pushing for $5.3 million in funds, about half of what was earlier intended to go from Proposition 84 to the California Department of Fish and Game's Fisheries Restoration Grant Program. The original $11.5 million was held up due to a fight over regulations adopted by the Board of Forestry, but ended up threatening a key source of funds to improve fish habitat. Brett Williams with Wiggins' office said it was imperative to get the bill heard Tuesday night. ”I think there's still a chance that we can get it through,” Williams said. Otherwise -- except with the rare chance that the Legislature might meet on Friday -- the money would have to come through a bill filed during the next session, not until January. Berg's press secretary Maria Aliferis-Gjerde said there was no way to get all of the $11.5 million for this year, but it was the best shot. ”Ever dollar of restoration money is important,” Aliferis-Gjerde said. “But the reality is there is other money in the pipeline, and restoration projects won't stop if we can't get this.” However, the state funding is important to leveraging federal funds for projects, and a delay could disrupt the timing of proposals and projects next year. |
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