California groups upset over handling of rules to protect salmon

Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Environmental groups on Thursday criticized the Schwarzenegger administration for what they say is a delay in implementing rules to protect the endangered coho salmon in California.

In a three-page letter, representatives from five groups said the governor had intervened to halt pending regulations that are opposed by the timber industry.

"It is our understanding that the directive to shelve these coho protection rules came not from within the Resources Agency, but from your office," the groups wrote.

The state is creating additional regulations to help recovery of the coho salmon, which is listed under the California Endangered Species Act.

The departments of Fish and Game and Forestry and Fire Protection had planned to present the new regulations during the Board of Forestry's meeting next week.

Administration officials said the environmental groups had mischaracterized the situation. Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman said the rules simply are not yet ready to present to the Board of Forestry.

"We still need to do more work," he said. "This process is continuing. The environmental groups will be an integral part of the process, as will the timber groups."

Chrisman said Schwarzenegger had no part in the decision to continue the negotiations.

The groups that wrote the letter were the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters, California Trout, Defenders of Wildlife and the Pacific Coast Federation of Fisherman's Associations.

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