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"...promoting wildlife conservation and protecting our hunting heritage."
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In This Issue
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Contact Us
| California Outdoor Heritage Alliance
1600 Sacramento Inn Way, #232
Sacramento, CA 95815
Phone 916-643-4607
Fax 916-643-4682
actionteam@outdoorheritage.org |
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October 28, 2011 Issue 2011-17 |
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Hunter Input Needed on Proposed Regulations
COHA needs your help in our efforts to protect against the loss of hunting, dog training and field trialing opportunity currently offered on Department of Fish and Game (DFG) lands.
 The California Fish and Game Commission will soon consider a host of new regulations that will affect public use on state-owned lands. While many of the proposed regulations are intended to simplify and make rules more consistent across DFG lands, others are more substantive and affect a wide range of activities - including methods of accessing hunting areas.
Most concerning, the proposed regulations would designate several DFG lands that currently offer hunting opportunities as "Ecological Reserves", including Liberty Island in Solano County and San Antonio Valley in Santa Clara County. Because Ecological Reserves are managed primarily for threatened and endangered species or specialized wildlife habitats, hunting opportunities would likely be restricted.
Further, the proposed regulations would affect dog training, hunt tests and field trial events on DFG Wildlife Areas. For instance, depending on the number of dogs and participants, a special use permit would be required with a fee of either $58.71 or $386.50.
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Two New Laws Benefit Conservation Easements, Nonprofits
In early October, Governor Jerry Brown signed two measures into law which will assist California's wildlife conservation efforts. Both bills were actively supported by COHA.
SB 328 (Kehoe) will help ensure that the waterfowl and other wildlife values of a conservation easement on private land are fully considered, should a public agency attempt to condemn the property. Further, in the case where condemnation is allowed to proceed, SB 328 will now help ensure adequate mitigation to benefit all wildlife. This measure, which will help to protect waterfowl habitats provided on duck clubs under certain conservation easements, was modeled after previous legislation (AB 910 (Wayne)) sponsored by COHA founding member, California Waterfowl, that was signed into law in 2001.
SB 436 (Kehoe) will authorize a state or local agency to provide funds (i.e.  endowments) to a nonprofit conservation organization to acquire land or easements for mitigation purposes. This bill will allow for the more efficient and effective use of conservation funding by permitting nonprofits that are directly overseeing mitigation lands to also administer any related mitigation funds. In doing, SB 436 will help ensure a more reliable, stable source of funding for nonprofits which manage mitigation lands. Both measures take effect January 1, 2012. | |
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COHA Fights for Wetlands and Waterfowl at Bay-Delta Conservation Hearing
Last week, COHA staff provided detailed testimony at a special joint hearing of the California State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks & Wildlife and the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Resources and Transportation. The oversight hearing focused largely on providing a status and update on the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP). COHA staff highlighted the need for the BDCP to have a greater emphasis on the importance of wetland and waterfowl habitats - both in and outside of the Bay/Delta region - and ensuring the availability of adequate long-term wetland water supplies for wetland management. Given the significance of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to migrating waterfowl, any large-scale ecosystem restoration effort in the Delta must protect existing waterfowl habitat while taking steps to restore additional wetlands.
For additional information regarding the BDCP process and its co-equal goals of restoring the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta's ecosystem while protecting water supplies conveyed through the State Water Project (SWP) and the Central Valley Project (CVP),click here.
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COHA Foundation Auction Featured on Gunbroker.com
Gunbroker.com has generously offered to assist COHA Foundation with raising much needed funds by hosting a series of Spotlighted Charity Auctions on Gunbroker.com.
The first item up for bid is a hand-made, one-of-a-kind knife made specifically for COHA by Chuck Stapel, Hollywood's "Knife Maker to the Stars". Chuck made the knife Harrison Ford used in the recent movie Cowboys and Aliens. Chuck has also made knives for movies such as Quigley Down Under, No Mercy, Little Nikita and Switchback, as well as television programs including Walker Texas Ranger and Magnum P.I.
 This classic knife is made in the style of the field knives of 18th Century America. The knife is a total of 15 inches in length with an 8&1/2 inch Patina Spear Point blade with classic brass guard and naturally harvested Elk antler handles with Congo imported Microberlinia Zebrawood.
The knife comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, knife holder, and the thanks of the COHA Foundation who will benefit from this auction. Visit our auction http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=257852656. For more on Chuck and his amazing knives, visit www.stapelknives.com | |
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OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance (COHA) is a 501(c)4 non-profit political advocacy organization dedicated to the promotion of wildlife conservation and the protection of our hunting heritage. COHA was created in early 2006 by California Waterfowl to enhance the political effectiveness of hunters and other wildlife conservationists and enthusiasts in the halls of our State Capitol and beyond.
COHA Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization responsible for education, outreach and other exempt activities fundamental to the promotion of wildlife conservation and the protection of our hunting heritage. (Tax ID Number: 45-1258052)
COHA and the COHA Foundation are seamlessly integrated non-profit organizations strategically united to most effectively achieve their mutual mission of promoting wildlife conservation and protecting our hunting heritage for generations to come. For more information on COHA and COHA Foundation, please visit us at www.outdoorheritage.org
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Copyright ©2010 California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. All rights reserved.
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