Fish Dog
09-15-2008, 09:47 PM
If I am reading the proposed budget correctly, the number of department positions to be funded increases from 1989.6 in 2006-07 to 2,359.7 in 2007-08 and 2,408.1 in 2008-09.
However, the budget states a reduction will eliminate 38 fish and game warden positions, out of 370 existing enforcement positions in 2008-09.
Help me out here if I am wrong but it would seem that in 2007-08 there are 370 warden position out of 2,359.7 total DF&G positions (15.7%). In 2008-09 there would be 332 warden positions out of 2,408.1 positions (13.8%).
Given that the budget has to be cut, and that all California departments will suffer, why are more cuts in the DF&G made to enforcement instead of administration and other areas? Fishermen have pretty much consistently said they would pay higher fees if they saw a return for their money (more enforcement) but these figures give little evidence that one should have faith in a top-heavy Sacramento bureacracy.
3600 Department of Fish and Game The Mission of the Department of Fish and Game (Department) is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. This includes habitat protection and maintenance in a sufficient amount and quality to ensure the survival of all species and natural communities. The Department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific, and educational uses.
From the proposed 2008 budget —
3-YR EXPENDITURES AND POSITIONS (Summary of Program Requirements) Positions Expenditures 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2006-07* 2007-08* 2008-09*
20 Biodiversity Conservation Program 718.7 854.0 888.7 $279,565 $315,329 $195,835
25 Hunting, Fishing and Public Use 425.9 504.9 511.5 38,845 69,988 60,293
30 Management of Department Lands 353.5 420.6 419.3 50,591 56,084 48,919
40 Enforcement 294.3 346.0 346.5 41,964 61,730 60,308
45 Communications, Education and Outreach - - - - 918 2,630
50 Spill Prevention and Response 197.2 234.2 234.5 29,367 35,679 31,786
61 Fish and Game Commission - - 7.6 - - 1,345
70.01 Administration 285.6 364.8 368.6 33,679 45,422 44,349
70.02 Distributed Administration -285.6 -364.8 -368.6 -33,679 -45,422 -44,349
TOTALS, POSITIONS AND EXPENDITURES (All Programs) 1,989.6 2,359.7 2,408.1 $440,332 $539,728 $401,116
• BUDGET-BALANCING REDUCTIONS The Budget includes General Fund reductions of $1.7 million in 2007-08 and $8.4 million and 59.9 positions in 2008-09. The major budget balancing reductions include:
• 2008-09 Reduce $3.6 million and 20.9 positions from the Biodiversity Conservation Program. This reduction will reduce funding for the development of Natural Community Conservation Plans, timber harvest reviews, incidental take permit reviews, and other biodiversity conservation programs.
Reduce $1.2 million and 2.9 positions from the Hunting, Fishing, and Public Use Program. This reduction will reduce funding for bottom trawl permit implementation, fish surveys, and avian influenza monitoring.
Reduce $2.6 million and 36.1 positions from the Enforcement Program. This reduction will eliminate 38 fish and game warden positions, out of 370 existing enforcement positions. These wardens are responsible for enforcing fish and game laws, inspecting vessels for quagga mussels, and protecting sensitive populations of marine species.
Reduce $1 million from Administration. This reduction will reduce funding for training, accounting, and information technology contracts.
(source: http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/viewtopic.php?t=2870)
However, the budget states a reduction will eliminate 38 fish and game warden positions, out of 370 existing enforcement positions in 2008-09.
Help me out here if I am wrong but it would seem that in 2007-08 there are 370 warden position out of 2,359.7 total DF&G positions (15.7%). In 2008-09 there would be 332 warden positions out of 2,408.1 positions (13.8%).
Given that the budget has to be cut, and that all California departments will suffer, why are more cuts in the DF&G made to enforcement instead of administration and other areas? Fishermen have pretty much consistently said they would pay higher fees if they saw a return for their money (more enforcement) but these figures give little evidence that one should have faith in a top-heavy Sacramento bureacracy.
3600 Department of Fish and Game The Mission of the Department of Fish and Game (Department) is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. This includes habitat protection and maintenance in a sufficient amount and quality to ensure the survival of all species and natural communities. The Department is also responsible for the diversified use of fish and wildlife including recreational, commercial, scientific, and educational uses.
From the proposed 2008 budget —
3-YR EXPENDITURES AND POSITIONS (Summary of Program Requirements) Positions Expenditures 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2006-07* 2007-08* 2008-09*
20 Biodiversity Conservation Program 718.7 854.0 888.7 $279,565 $315,329 $195,835
25 Hunting, Fishing and Public Use 425.9 504.9 511.5 38,845 69,988 60,293
30 Management of Department Lands 353.5 420.6 419.3 50,591 56,084 48,919
40 Enforcement 294.3 346.0 346.5 41,964 61,730 60,308
45 Communications, Education and Outreach - - - - 918 2,630
50 Spill Prevention and Response 197.2 234.2 234.5 29,367 35,679 31,786
61 Fish and Game Commission - - 7.6 - - 1,345
70.01 Administration 285.6 364.8 368.6 33,679 45,422 44,349
70.02 Distributed Administration -285.6 -364.8 -368.6 -33,679 -45,422 -44,349
TOTALS, POSITIONS AND EXPENDITURES (All Programs) 1,989.6 2,359.7 2,408.1 $440,332 $539,728 $401,116
• BUDGET-BALANCING REDUCTIONS The Budget includes General Fund reductions of $1.7 million in 2007-08 and $8.4 million and 59.9 positions in 2008-09. The major budget balancing reductions include:
• 2008-09 Reduce $3.6 million and 20.9 positions from the Biodiversity Conservation Program. This reduction will reduce funding for the development of Natural Community Conservation Plans, timber harvest reviews, incidental take permit reviews, and other biodiversity conservation programs.
Reduce $1.2 million and 2.9 positions from the Hunting, Fishing, and Public Use Program. This reduction will reduce funding for bottom trawl permit implementation, fish surveys, and avian influenza monitoring.
Reduce $2.6 million and 36.1 positions from the Enforcement Program. This reduction will eliminate 38 fish and game warden positions, out of 370 existing enforcement positions. These wardens are responsible for enforcing fish and game laws, inspecting vessels for quagga mussels, and protecting sensitive populations of marine species.
Reduce $1 million from Administration. This reduction will reduce funding for training, accounting, and information technology contracts.
(source: http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/viewtopic.php?t=2870)