Governor Schwarzenegger vetoes mining bill AB1032

Our Klamath Basin Water Crisis
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http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/press-release/7709/

Office of the Governor
Press Release 10/13/2007
Legislative Update 2
Bills Vetoed:
AB 1032 by Assemblymember Lois Wolk (D-Davis) - Dredging: closed waters: wild trout: endangered or threatened species.
To the Members of the California State Assembly:
I am returning Assembly Bill 1032 without my signature.
The purpose of this bill is to protect fish and wildlife from the potential deleterious effects of suction dredge mining. Although I appreciate the author’s intent and the need to protect our fish, wildlife, and water resources, this bill is unnecessary.
Current law gives the Department of Fish and Game (Department) the necessary authority to protect fish and wildlife resources from suction dredge mining. It has promulgated regulations and issues permits for this activity. Permits for suction dredge mining must ensure that these operations are not deleterious to fish and allow the Department to specify the type and size of equipment to be used. In its regulations, the Department may also designate specific waters or areas that are closed to dredging.
It is unclear why this bill specifically targets a number of specific waterways for closure or further restrictions. The listed waterways represent only a small fraction of the waters in our State where suction dredging is occurring. The benefit or protection from such a minor closure is negligible and supports the notion that scientific environmental review should precede such decisions.

Sincerely,

Arnold Schwarzenegger