Huffman Bill to Protect Coho Salmon Gets Assembly Approval

Legislation to help prevent the extinction of California’s native coho salmon was approved by the State Assembly on a bipartisan vote Wednesday, according to a release by the office of the bill's co-author, Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael).

AB 1961 by expedites the approval of voluntary projects that provide desperately needed habitat improvements for these iconic and imperiled fish. Known as the Coho Salmon Habitat Enhancement Leading to Preservation (HELP) Act, the bill proceeds to the Senate for further consideration.

Coho salmon have virtually disappeared in some areas of California; in other areas they are teetering on the brink of extinction, according to the release. The bill helps stop that slide by empowering the California Department of Fish and Game to use a one-stop process for approving immediate on-the-ground habitat restoration projects proposed by governmental and non-governmental partners to aid California’s struggling coho salmon populations.

“We cannot sit idly by and let an iconic North Coast fish disappear from California," Huffman said. “My bill is about taking thoughtful, immediate actions to create near-term results. Coho salmon can’t afford to wait and neither can the communities where these restoration projects would provide much needed jobs.”

“Last fall, the Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held an all-day hearing just on coho salmon,” said bill coauthor Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro (D-North Coast), who chairs the Fisheries and Aquaculture Committee. “I heard from my constituents that expedited permitting was a critical need in the effort to restore coho salmon, and this bill addresses that need. The North Coast has more coho salmon habitat than any other region of California. This is an issue of great importance to the district I represent.”

Brian Johnson, California Director for Trout Unlimited, said the bill will help resolve conflicts between water supply management, industrial practices, and one of the state's most threatened fish species.

"“We look forward to working with the author to provide nonprofits, local water agencies, and others with the opportunity to contribute toward the restoration of our watersheds, for the benefit of us all,” Johnson said.

Declining coastal salmon populations need immediate attention, said Curtis Knight, Conservation Director for California Trout.

“These fish need abundant water," he said. "They need access to spawning habitat. And they need wood in the streams to create shelter and cool, deep pools. AB 1961 will help us and our partners provide some of these basic needs in our coastal streams.”