January 2010 Archives

The following is the transcript of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announcing largest high-speed rail Recovery Act award given to California:

Today I'm here with two pieces of good news -- and I love good news, because so many times when we turn on the television these days you always hear bad news.

And so let me first talk about the first good news, which is what you see right here behind us. As I have always said, how efficiently and quickly we move people and goods around, this is what is economic power, in the end. And if it is through trains or cars, airplanes, ships, or if it through trucks, whatever means it is, it's about how quickly we move people and goods.

But also what is important is how do we do it in a way that we reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. So how do we combine the two? And I think what you see here today is really proof that we can do it. Forty percent of California's greenhouse gases come from transportation, so that is a big area where we can reduce. And that's why in California we have challenged the business community, we have challenged the entrepreneurs and the innovators to develop alternative fuels and cleaner modes of transportation.

And I think that we have seen some great action here in California and it is because we have passed tough laws -- AB 32, for instance, where we made a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gases by 25 percent by the year 2020 and an additional 85 percent by the year 2050 and our Low-Carbon Fuel Standards, our Tailpipe Emission Standards and the list goes on and on. So our state is way ahead of any other state and we are a model to the rest of the world.

And it's amazing what we have seen, the kind of action that we have seen here in California. There has been an explosion in clean cars here in this state and in clean trucks. We have seen hydrogen-powered big rigs, we have seen electric Hummers and hydrogen Hummers and we have seen the hybrid tugboats in our ports and the list goes on and on. And so soon we will -- and we also have seen, which is really incredible, that the Navy now is using biofuel to power its ships, a lot of its ships and it's right from Solazyme here, from a California company that develops fuel from algae.

So there is great, great action.

And today we are seeing here a great demonstration, as you have heard from Matt, saying that this is the first locomotive that is hydrogen powered. So again, California is out there in front. Believe me, the world is watching this right now. They will be talking about it in Europe, about this technology. They will be talking about it in China and Japan, all over the world. Because one thing we know for sure and that is that the railroad and locomotives and trains have a huge, huge comeback and we have seen this because now I think it's more needed than ever.

So we are very happy that Burlington Northern Santa Fe, also known as BNSF, is doing a great, great job. And I'm so happy that my friend Warren Buffet bought the company. I wish I had that kind of money, where I can just dish out, you know, $30-plus billion for a company like this. But anyway, it just shows how futuristic thinking he is. And I talked to him right after the purchase and one of the things that he talked about most was to make it as clean as possible, moving goods around in the United States, so I think this is really terrific.

The most exciting thing, of course, is that this is hydrogen fuel. And what you see back there is the beginning stage of the technology, obviously and it's not really even a locomotive. It's a small locomotive which we call a switcher and that's responsible for moving the train cars around and to connect them and to assemble them, so then there is the big locomotive then can pull it. And eventually the technology will go also to the big locomotive. So this is the beginning stage, that's where it always begins. But it's beginning right here, so we are very happy about that.

So this is the great, great news and we want to thank Matt Rose for his great leadership and for having us out here today. And so that's good news number one.

Good news number two is, since we are talking about trains, we have to switch over to high-speed rail, because we just were told by Washington that we are getting from Washington $2.3 billion for our high-speed rail. (Applause) Now, this is federal money. This is great, great news. And so we want to thank the Obama Administration, we want to thank Vice President Biden, who was very instrumental in the negotiations and we want to thank Secretary of Transportation LaHood and our congressional delegation of California, everyone working together and doing such an outstanding job.

And I also want to thank Curt Pringle, Mayor Curt Pringle, who is standing here to my right, who has been a great leader for the high-speed rail here in California. He has taken over just recently and has really shown great, great leadership. And I just want to let you know -- and I didn't even share that with you -- but Secretary LaHood yesterday when he called me about this news, he said, "You guys in California had the best application form and the greatest details and the most organized. You're way ahead of everyone else." So he complimented me for five minutes straight about what a great job that you guys are doing here with high-speed rail and how aggressively we're moving forward and how great our application was. And that's why we, with the $2.3 billion, we are getting the most money of any state in the United States, so let's give a big hand to them for that great, great news. (Applause)

So this makes the federal government, of course, a great partner with our high-speed rail and we are very happy about that. And, of course, with the federal government being a partner, I think that this moves our agenda forward really aggressively. As you know, as you have heard already before, by building this system, this high-speed rail system, it's going to save us up to 12 billion pounds of greenhouse gases per year. So this is why I say what's good for the economy also can be very good for the environment.

And also, here's another thing -- I've been traveling up and down the state the last three weeks talking about jobs, jobs, jobs. This, building the high-speed rail will create 600,000 jobs in California, so this is really terrific.

And, of course, the first leg will be built from Anaheim all the way up to the Bay Area and then the second leg to San Diego and up to Sacramento and so on but Curt Pringle is going to talk more about that. So I'm very excited about both of this news, of what we heard here.

Motorists are invited to join in on Car Free Fridays and Lunch Breaks for Cyclists on Feb. 5.

The monthly first-Friday events, known as Car-Free Fridays, were launched last summer to encourage residents to use alternative modes of transportation,  promoting a more green community.

The campaign is aimed to get more people to leave their vehicles at home and start realizing the global and personal benefits of riding a bicycle.

Organizers believe that choosing to commute by bicycle can have immediate positive health and environmental results.

Added benefits are the  "lunch break" discounts for cyclists at more than 20 eateries in Long Beach between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Cyclists need only mention the promotion and show proof of ridership in the form of their helmet or bicycle lock key to take advantage of the discounts.

For an updated list of participating Long Beach restaurants, visit www.bikelongbeach.org. Interested in having your restaurant participate? Contact the transportation programs planner, at courtney.aguirre@longbeach.gov or (562) 570-6667.

Department of Fish and Game marine biologist Carrie Wilson writes a weekly question-answer column, and it is shared below. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.

Q: We often take three-day fishing trips on a private boat and always get the multi-day fishing trip permits to cover us. The multi-day permits require the trip to be continuous and to extend for a period of 12 hours or more on the first and last days of the trip, and berthing or docking within five miles of the mainland shore is prohibited. Since we do a lot of fishing within five miles of the shore, can we anchor and fish or sleep within five miles of the mainland as long as we don't berth our boat or touch land or a dock? What do we do if we get our limit and a storm comes in before noon on the last day? Do we throw our dead catch over so we can get to shore safely and still be legal or do we keep them even if technically well then be over the limit?

A: Anglers can fish within five miles of the mainland, but berthing (anchoring) or docking is prohibited and anglers must disembark at the place of return as stated on the declaration form. These permits were originally designed more to cover people who are fishing many miles offshore for multiple days (like for tuna and the more long range species) but who cannot easily get back to the dock each night.

According to Game Warden Jason Chance, every mariner and boat operator is responsible for planning out their trips in advance, especially trips that will encompass multiple days at sea. If you plan your trip according to weather forecasts, it's relatively unlikely that you'll be caught off-guard by a sudden storm. By continuously monitoring your marine radio for ongoing NOAA weather forecasts and hazardous conditions updates, and then Channel 16 for any emergency U.S. Coast Guard announcements, you should not be surprised by changing weather conditions.

Of course, if poor weather conditions appear to be imminent, use your best judgment as to whether to continue or to end your trip immediately. Remember that safety should always come first, and attempting to avoid a ticket is not worth risking lives nor creating what becomes an emergency rescue situation. But be aware that wasting fish (in this case dumping dead fish overboard) is a violation of the law, so do not consider this an option.

Q: Regarding waterfowl hunting, I am curious if it is lawful to shoot a bird that is on the water or, if I'm field hunting, to shoot a bird that is standing on the ground. I do not consider it sporting, but I was party to a group of hunters who took part in the above actions.

A: It's not illegal, but it's certainly not sporting as it violates the Fair Chase Principle. Fair chase is the ethical, sportsman-like, lawful pursuit and taking of any free-ranging animal in a manner that does not give the hunter an unfair advantage over such animals. In addition, it can also be unsafe to shoot birds on the ground or on the water because nearby hunters might be in your line of fire.

Q: If I catch fish in a hoop net while lobster fishing, are they legal to keep provided they meet any size requirements? I have been throwing them back because I'm not sure it is legal to catch them that way. Someone told me they must be caught on fishing line only. What about sea snails and octopus that are caught in my hoops? Can other line-caught sport fish, such as tuna, be used as bait in lobster hoops? Please advise.

A: You were correct to return fish caught in your hoop nets because hoop nets are not a legal method of take. Finfish may only be caught by hook-and-line except in very specific circumstances listed under Finfish - Gear Restrictions (pgs. 51-52) in the Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet.

Taking sea snails and octopus caught incidentally in your lobster hoop net is not allowed.

Any finfish that is legal to take or possess in California may be used as bait in your lobster hoop net.

Cleanup efforts continued today by task force attempted to contain an oil pollution incident at a Huntington Beach flood control channel that occured, Jan. 22.

Orange County officials contracted with Ocean Blue Environmental Services for the containment and clean-up duties east of Beach Boulevard and south of Adams Avenue.
Containment barriers have been placed in the channel, and power-washing and absorbent materials and vacuum trucks are being used to remove oil.

The task force, called a Unified Command, consists of the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, California Department of Fish & Game, Orange County, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Huntington Beach Public Works Department, Huntington Beach Waste Water, Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy and Ocean Blue Environmental Services.

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network is prepared to treat any affected wildlife. If the public observes any oiled wildlife they are asked not to approach or collect wildlife, but please call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network Center at 1-877-UCD-OWCN.

 Officials said a plan by the Unified Command has been set to ensure the safety of the public and the response personnel, to monitor the contamination and maximize protection of the environmentally sensitive areas, to contain and recover spilled product, to recover and rehabilitate injured wildlife and to remove oil from impacted zones and dispose of the product effectively.

Crew officials have concluded that no contamination has passed Newland Street and no wetlands have been damaged.

Updated information on the cleanup efforts can be seen on the EPA's website for at www.epaosc.org/hboil, or Huntington Beach's website at www.huntingtonbeachca.gov or at Orange County's watershed website at www.ocwatersheds.com.

Carrie Wilson, a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game, produces the following feature. She cannot personally answer everyone's questions but will select a few each week. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.

Q: Is it legal for one experienced diver to get a second limit of lobsters for his rookie inexperienced buddy who is having trouble getting his limit?

A: No. Each diver may only take and possess their own limit (currently seven lobsters), and may not take additional lobsters on any day after taking a limit. Diving is not a team sport in this sense. Once the diver takes game in excess of the legal daily bag limit and they are under his control, he is in possession of an overlimit.

Teaching a new diver requires patience and sacrifice. It may take a while for a new diver to learn and get the hang of it, but other divers can't help to fill his bag in the meantime. The same goes for all other species of fish and game, except for the few species and circumstances where boat limits apply (California Code of Regulations, section 27.60(c)).

Q: I would like to hunt for some critters within the condor area with my .22 caliber air rifle and plan to use lead pellets. I have been told that air rifles are not considered firearms and therefore do not fall under the lead ban. Is it true? If not, which law/policy states this information?

A: Pellet rifles are not considered a firearm, so neither pellet rifles nor their projectiles would be included in the ban. For more questions on non-lead area regulations, please visit www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/condor/.

Q: What are the regulations governing the filleting of fish caught in Mexican waters, and where can I find those regulations?

A: As per Mexican law, fish caught under a Mexican sportfishing license may not be filleted aboard the vessel from which it was caught. According to Department of Fish and Game Lt. Eric Kord, this leaves you the options of traveling out 200 miles to international waters to fillet your fish, or returning to the United States to fillet your fish. Once back in the U.S., if your port of return is in California, then state law would apply to any filleted fish that is possessed on a vessel or brought ashore (CCR Title 14, section 27.65). Any filleted fish on your vessel must meet all size limits, be species authorized for filleting and retain any identification requirements (e.g., skin patch or all skin still attached).

If you choose to fillet your fish in Mexico illegally and transport the fillets back to California, that would be a violation of the federal Lacey Act, which is subject to much steeper fines and penalties (via a formal complaint from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries agent).

To look up the Mexican laws that apply, please visit www.conapescasandiego.org/.

Q: Last fall while hunting with a guide in D6 zone for deer and bear, I shot a nice 300-pound black bear. While getting my bear tag from my backpack, one of the guides saw that I had both my D5 and D6 deer tags as well as my bear tag. He told me that it was illegal to be hunting in one zone (D6), while having a different zone tag (D5) in my possession. Is this true? If I have a legal tag for the zone in which Im hunting, I cant see any reason why it would be illegal to have a legal tag with me for another zone. I always keep all of my tags together in my backpack and I'm sure most all hunters do, too. Would you please see if this is a judgment call on the part of the game warden or if there actually is a law that says its illegal?

A: Regulations require only that hunters must have in their possession a current tag valid for the species and the zone in which they are hunting. Possession of another tag issued to the same hunter but valid for another zone or species is not prohibited (CCR Title 14, sections 708, 360 and 361).

The staff for the Long Beach Planning Commission has abruptly put the controversial Los Cerritos Wetlands habitat buffer grading case into the lap of the state Coastal Commission.

The Planning Commission approved a special permit on Dec. 3 for the capping of a Los Cerritos Wetlands habitat area. However, the commission added the requirement that the area be restored with plants and trees.

 The unanimous vote included instructions to the city staff to outline options on the level of restoration.

Commissioner Donita Van Horik made the motion to require the restoration.

"At this point, we need to say, 'Enough is enough!"' she said.

Environmentalists had appealed a September ruling by a city zoning administrator approving a permit to cap the site at Loynes Drive and Studebaker Road.

They pushed for the restoration of the former landfill site, contending it's an important part of the wetlands' sensitive habitat. They also believe that a heavy fine should be slapped on Sean Hitchcock, owner-president of 2H Properties in Signal Hill, who sharply criticized in March by wetlands environmentalists for grading the site.

 Hitchcock has been seeking approval to import about 1,000 cubic yards of soil to re-establish and maintain the cap over the graded area - work that had already been completed before the Planning Commission hearing.

Attorney Mel Nutter, a former Coastal Commission chairman, Tuesday said he believes the planning staff move will not really get Hitchcock off the hook.

"It's a political can of worms that they want to deal with anymore," he added.

The permit request is, in part, a response to a California Coastal Commission emergency permit to restore the buffer.

Hitchcock fueled the debate in June, when he released a study that he had commissioned that found that the graded site is not part of the wetlands ecosystem.

Ty Garrison, senior biologist for the Pasadena-based SWCA Environmental Consultants, said in his 13-page report that site has been mainly a landfill.

"At present, the ground elevation of the site is approximately 16 to 20 feet above the natural marsh that was present at the location until the 1940s," he noted in the study.

Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust board members have recruited several biologists who dispute Garrison's report.

 Hitchcock's 2H Construction crews graded off the upper layer of the landfill cap that was previously placed on top of the site to control odors and cover any exposed refuse.

At the time of the grading, City Manager Pat West halted heavy earthmovers from spreading a mound of asphalt apparently meant to pave a section that was just graded.

Coastal Commission officials have said they would seek restoration of the destroyed habitat.

At the Dec. 3 meeting, the Planning Commission members asked their staff to come back to them with a remediation plan for the parcel.

The requirement for a remediation plan was a condition of the Planning Commission's approval of a retroactive permit for the capping of the methane leak that 2H Construction caused with the grading.

However, the city has decided to separate the remediation plan from the approval, sending it on to the Coastal Commission a "Notice of Final Action."

"The Los Cerritos Wetlands Land Trust is certain that this action on the part of the city goes against the intention of the Planning Commission's vote at a very fundamental level," said Land Trust executive director Elizabeth Lambe on the organization's web site late Tuesday.

"It is likely to be illegal as well," she added.

City Hall staffers are playing favorites, she charged.

"What is particularly galling in this case is that at the time of the grading there was not only a big outcry from the public but also from many council members," she said. "And yet it appears that, once again, the city is willing to give this influential land owner a 'free pass.'"

Lambe emphasized that Los Cerritos Land Trust, Audubon, and others asked for restoration.
However, the Planning Commission's final wording was "remediation."

"There is a difference between restoration and remediation," she said.
"Restoration is the ideal because it returns the land to its previous state, which is what we are seeking for this important habitat area."

The city simply wants to protect Hitchcock, Lambe stated.

"We wish the city would hold those who break the law accountable, and not allow special exemptions for some," she added.

Learn how to be a volunteer at the Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter volunteer training that's set for Feb. 6.

The one-hour session, scheduled  to begin at 10 a.m., will be at 2923 E. Broadway.
 
New volunteers will learn how to be a Surfrider advocate at Long Beach events and organize a booth or a table.

 For students, volunteering with Surfrider is good for your community service credits and the local environment, according to organization leaders.

Refreshments will be served. Free Long Beach Surfrider T-shirts for all participants. RSVP is required. Send your RSVP or questions to robertepalmer@mindspring.com.

longbeach@lbsurfrider.org • Surfrider Foundation Long Beach Chapter

Seal Beach City Manager David Carmany released a report Thursday from Anthony F. Martínez, senior engineering geologist for Orange County Environmental Health, on possible contamination issues at Chevron Station  at 4000 Lampson Ave., which goes by the name College Park Mobil.

According to Carmany, site information, reports and other correspondence can be viewed on GeoTracker, at https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T0605924193 .

Carmany reports:

"In a nutshell, the site has contamination in groundwater that gets deeper as it moves off-site. We have been working with the station owner (not Mobil or Valero or Chevron) to assess the extent of the contamination.

"This is one of our more critical sites due to the vertical migration of the contamination and it proximity to two production wells within ½ mile.

"The responsible party for this site is an independent station owner who is dependant on state reimbursement money to conduct assessment and cleanup activities at this site.

"This money is disbursed under a state program that suspended reimbursements last December. As a result, progress at this site slowed considerably during 2009.

" We are currently expecting work that was approved in November 2008 and partially conducted to be completed during the first quarter of 2010."

Martinez reports:

"I have reviewed the file for the site at 4000 Lampson. There does not appear to be an immediate danger to the residents, however, further investigation has been directed by the Health Care Agency. Based on historical groundwater monitoring data, there is not much benzene contamination associated with this site, and the MTBE and TBA contamination does not pose a significant threat from vapor intrusion. If a problem is found, you and the residents will be notified immediately.

"The responsible party for this case is an independent station owner, not a major oil company. As such, he and his company has come to depend on a State Water Resources Control Board reimbursement program to pay for assessment and cleanup costs. In November 2008, the Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (USTCF) stopped making reimbursements to claimants, including this one. As a result, progress completing the pending phase of assessment and remediation slowed. On November 23, 2009 the OCLOP issued a warning letter to the responsible party proceed with the approved work by the end of December or a Notice of Violation would be issued (https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/regulators/deliverable_documents/6913633048/112309IRAR%2Epdf<https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/regulators/deliverable_documents/6913633048/112309IRAR.pdf>).

"In response, the responsible party confirmed that it will resume quarterly groundwater monitoring this month, and will proceed with the on-site remediation and off-site assessment during the first quarter of 2010 (https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/esi/uploads/geo_report/2321053922/T0605924193.PDF).

"Regarding your inquiry about the recently installed Lampson well, the contaminants of greatest concern at this site are MTBE and TBA. These chemicals were added to gasoline in the 1990's to reduce smog, but they were removed from gasoline in 2003 because they were causing significant groundwater contamination problems. MTBE and TBA are very mobile in groundwater, and have been found at this site as deep as 63 feet below ground surface in monitoring wells in Lampson Avenue and we are working with the responsible party to start remediation and complete the site assessment as soon as possible.

"Remediation of the contaminant plume on-site will begin soon. Remediation of the plume off-site will take more time as the extent of the plume has yet to be fully assessed. Off-site assessment and remediation will require cooperation from the golf course to allow access to the gas station owner and his consultants. However, since this site is over 2,500 feet from the supply well, it is unlikely that contamination from this site would impact the well, however, assuming the potential worst-case scenario, we are proceeding with the assessment and remediation without further delay, reimbursement issues notwithstanding."

Here is the general link to this site on GeoTracker, where you can view other documents and information about this site. https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/profile_report.asp?global_id=T0605924193

There will be a Tire Amnesty Day on Jan. 23.

The program is set from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St., just east of Temple Avenue.

The collection gives all Long Beach residents the chance to dispose of tires in an environmentally manner at no cost, according to city spokesman Ed Kamlan.

Hazardous waste materials will not be handled, Kamlan said, adding that no rims will be taken. Only five tires or less per car will be accepted, he said.

For more information, visit www.longbeach-recycles.org or call 562.570.4694.

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded $4.3 million to help Long Beach implement energy efficiency projects, city officials announced on Monday.

The new funding is part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).

The city plans to use the new revenues to complete municipal building energy efficiency retrofits, as well as provide residential rebates for energy efficient devices/systems.

 These municipal retrofits and residential rebates are designed to save money, reduce the city's electricity use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while also  supporting green jobs and a market for energy efficient products and supplies.

The $4.3 million is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

"The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions are buildings," said Mayor Bob Foster. "Leveraging stimulus dollars to accomplish municipal energy efficiency retrofits and rebates is an important step toward reducing the city's carbon footprint, benefiting the whole community."

Municipal energy efficiency retrofits will include items such as lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) equipment, glazing, insulation and weather stripping at a variety of city facilities, according to city spokesman Ed Kamlan.

 Residential rebates for energy efficient devices/systems will include rebates for solar hot water heaters, tank-less water heaters and photovoltaic panels, Kamlan added.

"The City has had a long history of successful municipal energy efficiency projects and initiatives that have saved the city a significant amount of money," said City Manager Pat West. "These federal stimulus dollars will help us to continue this great work and encourage the community to do the same."

The EECBG funding will be managed by the City's Office of Sustainability in partnership with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Development Services.

Get rid of electronic waste in an environmentally safe manner.

 Bring your old televisions, computers, monitors, printers, VCRs, cell phones, DVD players and microwave ovens to an E-Waste Collection on Jan. 23.

The collection is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St., just east of Temple Avenue.

No hazardous waste materials will be processed

For more information, visit www.longbeach-recycles.org or call 562.570.4694.

The state Department of Fish & Game has issued a reminder for anglers to purchase a new sport fishing license before casting a line this year.

 Licenses are required of any person 16 years of age or older when taking any fish, shellfish, reptile or amphibian in the state.

Sport fishing licenses, stamps and report cards are valid for one calendar year. Information about the specific license types and fees is available at DFG's Web site at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/fishing/fishdescrip.html.

The Fish & Game Commission voted in December to rescind a long-standing requirement that fishing licenses be worn above the waist. This decision will go into effect March 1. Until then, all licenses purchased online or from an agent must still be displayed above the waist and clearly visible while fishing.

All resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses, both annual and short-term, and selected stamps and report cards are available for purchase. Anglers can find a list of sales offices and business hours or look up license agents in their area at http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/.
Anglers with Internet access can also purchase a sport fishing license and selected stamps online at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/ols/intro.html.

The purchaser can print out a one-day or two-day license, or a temporary annual license. Non-residents can also purchase a 10-day license.

Licenses purchased online may be printed at home for immediate use; annual license purchasers will receive a permanent license in the mail within 10 days. Report cards must still be obtained from one of the 1,800 authorized license agents throughout the state or at a local Fish & Game license sales office.

Fish & Game sells about 2 million sport fishing licenses, generating more than $62 million in revenue annually. One-third of the revenue generated by these sales is earmarked for hatcheries and fish planting facilities; the rest supports fisheries management and protection.

Clean Alamitos Beach is back for another year of action.

Volunteers are reminded that the 30-minute second Saturday session (Jan. 9) begins 10 a.m.

Organizers say there have been some significant upgrades made in Long Beach and in upstream cities to stop trash from entering the ocean.

"We're starting to see light at the end of the tunnel in terms of legislation requiring cities to keep trash from the streams and ocean," said CAB's Josh Westfall. "Let's keep up our end of the fight."

Gloves and bags will be provided. For details about free parking areas, click  cleanalamitosbeach@gmail.com.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday announced the appointment of Lester Snow as secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency.
The governor also thanked Secretary Mike Chrisman for his years of service. Chrisman is retiring Feb. 1. His statement follows:

"Throughout the course of my administration, Lester has used his high-level expertise in public resource management to protect California's water supply. With his skills and knowledge, Lester served a key role in developing the historic comprehensive water package to reform and rebuild our state's water infrastructure that will benefit future generations of Californians.  I am confident that he will bring that same level of commitment and dedication to managing the agency in this new role and I look forward to working with him to preserve California's invaluable natural resources.

"For the past seven years, Mike has worked tirelessly with me to safeguard our state's precious natural resources and I am grateful to him for his service to the people of California. He is a dedicated public servant and I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors."
Snow has over 30 years of experience working in public water resource management. Since 2004, he has served as director for the California Department of Water Resources."

 Snow, 58, of Fair Oaks, earned a Master of Science degree in water resources administration from the University of Arizona, and a Bachelor of Science degree in earth sciences from Pennsylvania State University. This position requires state Senate confirmation. Snow is a Democrat.

California's Natural Resources Agency is responsible for the state's natural resource policies, programs and activities. It oversees 25 departments, commissions, boards and conservancies. From water and wildlife management and conservation to wildland fire protection, energy, ocean and coastal policy, land stewardship, climate change adaptation, sustainable living, and the promotion of outdoor recreation, the agency oversees most all of the state's functions designed to protect California's natural resources.

The governor also announced the appointment of Mark Cowin as director of the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the appointment of John McCamman as the director of the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG).

Mark Cowin, 51, of Sacramento, has served DWR for 29 years in various positions, most recently as deputy director of integrated water management for the Department of Water Resources since 2007, where he has overseen DWR's flood management and dam safety programs, implemented integrated regional water management, coordinated DWR's efforts related to climate change, and updated and implementing the California Water Plan. This position requires senate confirmation. Cowin is a Democrat.

DWR protects, conserves and develops the state's water supply. DWR forecasts future water needs, evaluates and inventories existing water supplies and explores conservation and storage options to meet the needs of the state's growing population. DWR is also responsible for maintaining and repairing levees in the Central Valley and responding to flood emergency situations.

McCamman, 56, of Sacramento, has since 2006 served as chief deputy director of DFG where he has been acting director since November 2009 and previously from 2007 to 2008. This position requires state Senate confirmation. McCamman is a Republican.

DFG, part of the Natural Resources Agency, manages nearly 969,911 acres of wildlife habitat, including 108 wildlife areas and 123 ecological reserves. The department manages state's diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and habitats for their ecological values and enjoyment by the public. The department also manages oil spill prevention programs and enforces environmental laws such as the California Endangered Species Act.

Carrie Wilson, a marine biologist with the California Department of Fish and Game, provides this question-and-answer column each week. Contact her at CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.<CF12> All archived columns are online athttp://californiaoutdoors.wordpress.com/***

Question: Can you clarify the regulation on hunting coyote with a light? I interpret it to be that its OK to hunt at night with a light except during a designated deer season, and that it must be a handheld light. Can you use a scope-mounted light?

Answer: Coyotes may be taken at any time of the year, in any number (unless prohibited by local ordinance or otherwise) and in any manner except poison (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, sections 472 and 475). You are correct that lights cannot be used for night hunting in any area where the general deer season is open.

According to Lt. Todd Tognazzini, before you set out to hunt coyotes, you will need to research two main areas of the law. The first deals with the use of lights while night hunting. The state is divided into three distinct zones and under the CCR, Title 14, section 264, there are some counties defined in Zone 1 and Zone 2 that allow spotlight use from a vehicle as long as the engine is off and spotlighting does not occur from a public roadway. In the Balance of the State Zone (all other counties), hunters may only use lights to take furbearing and nongame mammals if the hunter is on foot and away from a vehicle. Lights must be a maximum 9-volt light source with self-contained batteries, and must be either hand-held or worn on your head (CCR, Title 14, section 264.5).

According to the Fish and Game Code, section 2005, It is unlawful to use or possess at any time any infrared or similar light used in connection with an electronic viewing device or any night vision equipment, optical devices, including, but not limited to, binoculars or scopes that use light-amplifying circuits that are electrical or battery powered, to assist in the taking of birds, mammals, amphibians or fish.

In Zones 1 and 2, a weapon-mounted light of any size could be used so long as it was not a prohibited device (as described under the FGC, section 2005[c]).A weapon-mounted light would be lawful in the Balance of the State Zone as long as it complies with the 9-volt maximum and self-contained battery requirements as required for this zone (CCR, Title14, section 264.5).

There are also quite a few areas in the state where night hunting is prohibited completely, such as parts of San Benito and Monterey counties (CCR, Title14, section 263). There are also different areas with complete closure zones, so be sure to check for those as well (CCR, Title14, section 474).

Question: We would like to harvest some mussels from the rocks and pier pilings around Monterey and are wondering if we can use an abalone iron or small shovel to get the mussels.

Answer: No, most saltwater mollusks, including mussels, may be taken only on hook and line or with the hands (CCR, Title 14, section 29.10). Since there are no additional provisions for taking mussels with any other sort of tool, taking them by hand is your only viable option.

Is it legal to capture and hold wild pigs?

Question: Is it legal to capture and keep wild boars (feral pigs) in California? Is it legal to keep them in a pit to train dogs for hunting boars?

Answer: No, it is unlawful to capture and keep live wildlife in California, with rare exceptions for rehabilitation and educational purposes. According to Lt. Todd Tognazzini, it is unlawful to capture any game mammal, game bird, nongame bird, nongame mammal or furbearer, or to possess or confine any live game mammal, game bird, nongame bird, nongame mammal or furbearer taken from the wild (FGC, section 3005.5). The law also directs DFG to seize any bird or mammal possessed or confined in violation of this section.

Question: I know that the law requiring anglers to display their licenses when fishing was recently repealed and the law requiring the purchase of a Bay-Delta Enhancement Stamp to fish in inland waters was also recently changed. Can you tell me when these will officially go into effect? I assumed Jan. 1, 2010, but then I saw something saying the no display law would not begin until March. What are the exact dates?

Answer: The regulation repealing the need to display your license while fishing will not go into effect before March 1, 2010, the first day the general inland regulations start. The Bay Delta stamp is no longer required as of Jan. 1, 2010.