SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Feb. 19, 2020 – Statements from Noah Oppenheim, executive director of the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations, and Morning Star Gali, member of the Pit River Tribe and Tribal Water Organizer for Save California Salmon.
“The Federal Government has a tribal trust responsibility to protect salmon, but instead of honoring Tribes, Trump is doubling down on diverting the rivers we rely on,” said Morning Star Gali. “Tribes have senior water and fishing rights, and clean water and salmon are the center of our cultures, health and way of life. The Trump Administration’s salmon extinction plan would destroy our way of life.”
Gali added, “Governor Newsom promised to fight the Trump water grab and to honor California’s Tribes. Instead he is siding with the Trump Administration on behalf of California’s wealthiest water users. It’s time for Governor Newsom to walk his talk and fight for California’s Tribes, the environment, and for all Californians, not just his political donors.”
The President’s actions this week come at a time when the state of California must choose which path to take on water policy.
“Months ago, Governor Newsom pledged to fight against the federal plan to suck our rivers dry and irrigate poison-laced deserts in the San Joaquin Valley,” said Noah Oppenheim, executive director of PCFFA. “Today, the Governor and his staff talk about cutting green tape, the very legal and procedural protections that keep rivers, salmon, and fishing jobs alive. The Governor must not allow his agencies to lock arms with the Trump Administration and join the race to the bottom on water policy.”
The Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations is the largest commercial fishermen’s organization on the West Coast, representing 17 local and regional associations from Santa Barbara to Southeast Alaska. As a major commercial fishing industry trade association, PCFFA represents the interests of commercial fishing families who make their living harvesting and delivering high-quality seafood to America’s tables.
Save California Salmon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring river flows, salmon habitat, dam removal, and improvement of water quality throughout Northern California. SCS dedicated to elevating Tribal voices in water and natural resource policy issues. The organization is dedicated to fighting new threats to California rivers wherever they emerge.