January 18, 2005

1) In response to public outcry, NOAA Fisheries is holding additional public hearings on the Bush administration proposal to slash more than 80% of the critical habitat designations for west coast salmon and steelhead trout.

There will be additional public hearings on the proposed critical habitats in California on:
* Jan. 19, at the DoubleTree Hotel Sonoma Wine Country, One DoubleTree Drive, in Rohnert Park
* Jan. 20, at Radisson Hotel Sacramento, 500 Leisure Lane, in Sacramento
* Feb. 1, at Fess Parker's DoubleTree Resort, 633 East Cabrillo Blvd., in Santa Barbara

Written comments on the proposed critical habitat designations will be accepted until February 8, 2005.

See http://swr.ucsd.edu/news/Hearings_CriticalHabitat_nr.pdf for more information about where to send comment letters.

Visit the Save The Bay action page to find a sample comment letter: http://baysavers.savesfbay.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=23293

2) If you are a hunter who uses non-toxic (lead-free) ammunition for hunting big game in California, please contact me about testifying before state wildlife officials or writing a letter about the effectiveness of non-lead ammunition. The CA Fish and Game Commission will be considering a request by conservationists and hunters to phase out lead ammunition in California, to protect California condors and bald and golden eagles from lead poisoning. For more on the lead poisoning issue visit:

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/swcbd/species/condor/index.html

http://www.ventanaws.org/LeadExposure.htm