Darrell Ticehurst's blog on Pacific Coast Sportfishing

[Sleeter]

Good write-up by Darrell in his PCS blog.

http://www.pcsportfishing.com/blog/97


Darrell Ticehurst/Fisheries Issues
The Fix Was In--IPA Passes
Aug. 11 2009, 12:20 PM
Corruption, Politics and Wading Through the Morass

What a mixed bag this whole MLPA process is. The RLFF funding clearly is biasing the entire process and the North Central Coast was no exception: the majority of the scientists that were chosen were from the environmental camp and were clearly looking for ways to shut down fishing wherever they could, the BRTF was stacked against anglers with most of the members clearly sympathizing with every environmental proposal, and F&G analysis never pointed out the flaws that should have been obvious to anyone experienced in fishery management. Yet despite these obstacles the two primary options that were presented to the Fish and Game Commission last week actually had some influence from recreational anglers, kayakers and divers. Sure it could have been better, 2XA should have been the option selected, after all it was certainly a more intelligent option, better designed, more environmentally friendly, and had the least impact on recreational use of the area. But the fix was in and the Governor and Secretary Chrisman got their enviro ticket punched the dirty way, and the IPA option was approved.


The shining light in this process was the RSG (Regional Stakeholder Group). In particular, RSG member Ben Sleeter’s expertise in understanding habitat and being able to communicate what drawing lines on maps meant to coastal communities’ economics and to a recreational community that loves the ocean, enabled some modicum of common sense to slip into the options forwarded to the F&G Commission. Without that hard work and intensity on the RSG by Ben and many other members, and the enormous continuing political support of the PSO, there is little doubt that the options would have been totally intolerable.

Governor Schwarzenegger’s dirty politics in forcing out swing vote Commissioner Gustafson at the last minute, and his even more stunning swift action in appointing Donald Benninghoven to replace her just hours before the vote showed that he is clearly the enemy of anyone who would like to enjoy the ocean. Gustafson’s “resignation” occurred, it is suspected, when she came to believe that option 2XA was the best choice over the IPA choice. This dirty political move may have gotten the governor and Chrisman some points with the runaway enviros, but make no mistake, he is not the friend of anglers, divers, or the coastal communities that depend upon ocean recreation to bolster their economy.

Ugh! The politics of the MLPA make me sick, frustrated, tired of political gamesmanship, and discouraged with this entire corrupt process. I always said that I would support this process so long as science drove the results, but that is clearly not the case. Want more proof? Look at the failure of Commissioner Sutton to recuse himself from the voting where he has a major conflict of interest. This is one of the more egregious examples of the stacked deck we are dealing with. Clearly it is the massively funded RLFF and their anti fishing agenda that is in charge. My hope is that Sen. Dean Flores will call for a review of this whole sordid mess in the Senate Oversight Committee, especially when there is nobody in a position of responsibility that thinks that the state can afford this right now, including our governor.

However, we did indeed have some impact on the North Central Coast MLPA. As I said, the RSG, with the PSO’s political support clearly modified and watered down the most draconian runaway enviro proposals which certainly would have been approved without their participation. The politics stink, and the playing field is definitely tilted, but by diligent and forceful effort we are having some impact. We have to stay in the game even though it is miserable and frustrating or the result will be intolerably worse than you can imagine. Just remember what is going on the next time you vote.

[zimo]

It was politics at its worst maybe now we will have time to uncover the money trail. I will definitely spend some energy on that.

[MikeGiraudo]

That whole deal was so blatant I still can't comprehend it.

As for Darrell's coment about rembering when it comes time to vote....who do you vote for as it seems everyone is out to get us. The governor and Benninghoven are both Republicans.....weren't they the party of freedom and outdoorsmen?

[Sleeter]

Whats that saying... Politics makes strange bedfellows? This entire process has been a real learning experience. And things are so much different in California when compared to the Federal issue at the PFMC. At least there I think we have something of a fair shot. In California we are screwed...

[arch]

The NCCSR although voted on...is not a done deal. The Sutton issue is still pending. The new appointee to the commission and the quick resignation has lots of unanswered questions. I for one have not given in to anything at this time. Just need some more ammo and a listening ear.

[dunndeal]

That whole deal was so blatant I still can't comprehend it. everyone is out to get us. The governor and Benninghoven are both Republicans.....weren't they the party of freedom and outdoorsmen?

It's still about Prop 8 isn't it??? Don't worry Mickee, someday we'll love you.

[Mistress]

Ya...Sutton doesn't have a conflict of interest in the MPA's, but Gustafson does. Lemme see...one gets his paycheck from the entity bankrolling the process and the other works for the utility district in tahoe.

Then of course...another gets to vote on his own "group think" proposal.

Flush twice.

[arch]

Someone please tell me...if anyone knows. Why did C. Gustafson resign. Has anyone seen any sort of press release? I'm really curious what is in Lake Tahoe that conflicts with my front yard and the process. Please someone, give me the facts.

We all know that Sutton and Benninghover have a conflict, even though it has not come public and disputed in the press.

[Matt Plut]

Arch,

Cindy Gustofson was the swing vote and I strongly believe she was forced out because she decided to vote with Kellogg and Richards. Those paying for this process probably threatened to kill her political future if she voted for 2/XA. Maybe she felt morally better by resigning rather than voting for the IPA. It is all the same in my mind. She did what she had to do to preserve her political career. It's just the same as if she voted for the IPA herself. What can I say? Politics are full of whores.

[arch]

I hope you are wrong Matt. If she resigned because of the pressure and her possible vote for 2xa this will eventually come out and bite the process and its money in the ass. And I'm just the man to do it.

I need all the information and facts on her resignation....................... The Tea Party on this issue has just started..............Arch

[noosacat]

From the Sacramento Bee:

"The president of California's Fish and Game Commission has resigned on the eve of a critical vote to approve new marine sanctuaries, possibly throwing that vote into deadlock.

Cindy Gustafson filed her resignation letter Friday and it was effective immediately. It came in response to an opinion from the state Attorney General's Office, which Gustafson requested, finding that her job conflicts with her role on the commission.

Gustafson is general manager of the Tahoe City Public Utilities District, which provides water, sewer and recreation services for a portion of the Lake Tahoe community. Her job is defined under state law as an "officer" of the organization, which creates a "conflict of loyalties" with her appointed post on the Fish and Game Commission.

According to the Attorney General's opinion, Gustafson said, this conflict of loyalties is more difficult than a simple conflict of interest. It prevents Gustafson from simply recusing herself from individual votes that conflict with her work.

"I want everyone to know I raised this question myself," Gustafson said. "It's a huge disappointment. It was definitely heart-wrenching to leave."

The Fish and Game Commission, at its meeting tomorrow in Woodland, is scheduled to vote on whether to create 30 new marine protected areas between Santa Cruz and Mendocino. The project, which aims to protect marine habitat and restore fish stocks, has been in the works for two years.

Gustafson's absence means the decision may deadlock in a 2-2 vote, as commissioners Dan Richards and Jim Kellogg are known to have concerns about adopting more marine sanctuaries in the midst of a state budget crisis. "

[Matt Plut]

If this is true, it should be painfully obvious to the AG that Sutton must clearly have a "conflict of loyalty". Of course, in reality we all know where Sutton's loyalty lies. Thanks for the article Darrell.

[linglover]

I hope you are wrong Matt. If she resigned because of the pressure and her possible vote for 2xa this will eventually come out and bite the process and its money in the ass. And I'm just the man to do it.

I need all the information and facts on her resignation....................... The Tea Party on this issue has just started..............Arch

I'm not certain this is helpful, Arch, but it may prove to be informative.

-Joel
RFA SoCal

[arch]

thanks Joel....it went in my files. I wish the ones with real conflicts would now resign

Thanks, Arch

anyone else have a dirt they would like to share??? Is Wisemans wife and attorney and has she ever represented the Packards or anyone in the Packard Foundation?

[NoyoJim]

thanks Joel....it went in my files. I wish the ones with real conflicts would now resign

Thanks, Arch

anyone else have a dirt they would like to share??? Is Wisemans wife and attorney and has she ever represented the Packards or anyone in the Packard Foundation?

I talked to Cindy a lot before the vote, and I do not believe she was going to vote for 2XA. Anybody who says she was not going to vote for the IPA ought to review all her public statements at past F&G Commission hearings.

What she told me is that leaving Sea Lion Cove out of the IPA was the "best she could do."

[Laukia]

"Is Wisemans wife and attorney and has she ever represented the Packards or anyone in the Packard Foundation?"

I think his wife is actually a judge.